Luz H. - Diagnosed at age 21

My first crisis was in October 2004; at that time they told me it was "arthritis”. " Then I was diagnosed with lupus and had another crisis in 2008. Since then, as a youngster I always had joint discomfort and fevers, they told me "you are growing," and in 2002 my boyfriend got sick and I also had "infection" and fevers.

I learned to feel and hear my body now, after so many disasters and some neglect on my part, to be in harmony with it. Once everything is good, I visit my physician regularly. And every time I am in crisis I feel terrible. The link with the doctor is vital; he trusts me to always provide the truth of how I feel. He also feels all of the symptoms, which is quite crucial. Support and containment come from my family circle and my husband also.