Emily S. - Diagnosed Age 24

For several years now I have witness the effect of lupus has had on my Auntie. How debilitating it could be at times for her. The pain it can cause on you and your loved ones. The beginning of this year, I was diagnosed with lupus myself – just months before I decided to move from my home town to a city, 4 hours away from family.

The fatigue set in, stuff was happening to my body and I didn’t know where to begin. I had to go on leave from work, as my daily life was put on hold. The physical pain of joints, not being able to keep food down, weight loss and loss of independent mobility has made it so hard to cope at times. Lupus alone has been so hard on my body and then the medications on top of that. Lupus has made my conversion disorder (seizures) out of control it seems and causing its own problems on my body.

Everything together has affected my mental health. Depression and anxiety become to an all time high. Making it even harder to fight lupus. At times I have wanted to just give up, throw in the towel and just be done. I want to share my story even though it has just began, to be a voice in helping each other as every story is different. That some people might not have the support as others do. We all deserve to have the love, support and compassion and that we are being heard. Let’s become an army, in fighting this life changing disease together. I know I need reassurance that I’m not alone and that what I’m feeling is valid. To try and stay positive even when all the emotions inside are a nasty storm. With time the storm will fade away and each one of our stories will start to flow again. I know I just need to continue to believe in myself and my body, to hope and pray tomorrow I will have some sort of relief. Big or small.