Ivey M. - Diagnosed at age 32

I started having lupus symptoms around 1988. I had just miscarried and was working multiple jobs, plus going to school full time. Even with working out and eating healthy, my symptoms got worse. High blood pressure. Edema in the legs. 6 years, dozens of doctors, 2 more miscarriages, a devastating breakup, lots of tests and a kidney biopsy later, I was officially diagnosed with lupus nephritis.

Fast forward 28 years. I'm still surviving and living with lupus. Add in a heart attack, hysterectomy and being diagnosed with a neurofibroma near the colon. Plus depression. I'm still fighting. I have a team of doctors working with me to keep me here. The Lupus Foundation website and Lupus Chat on X/Twitter have been a godsend in being there for me. I thank God every day for keeping me here to fight on.