Stephanie F. - Diagnosed at age 39

I went to urgent care at the advice of my doctor in December 2023.

I started noticing these issues a couple of months ago. I was told to just monitor them, and make another appointment if things get worse. Well, it definitely got worse. On top of my migraines (Which seem so miniscule at this point), I’ve been experiencing a lot of joint pain daily in my knees, my back, my hips, my fingers, my toes, my feet, both hands, and both wrists.

My hands go numb when I drive, when I sleep, and holding utensils, or even a pen to write something with has been getting difficult. My back is on fire at all times. No position is comfortable to me. And my knees swell and make it hard for me to even walk at times.

I have these “flare ups” daily, all throughout the day and night. I can’t pinpoint a given time when they are worse than the other.

Because of this, I can barely get up from the couch or a chair. Not because I’m lazy, or just don’t feel like it… it’s because I truly can’t move. Getting out of my car sometimes is hard for me as well. I'm literally in tears every day. On my really bad days, sometimes my boyfriend, Ben has to help me get to a standing position because I can't do it by myself anymore. I can’t imagine… God forbid I get stuck in the bathroom at work. Yikes! :(

I got the news back from the blood tests that were ordered at urgent care, and it's not the best news.

I tested "abnormal positive" for the presence of an autoimmune disease.

It's lupus.

I’m honestly scared because I don’t want to think about what my future holds for that diagnosis. It's not curable, but manageable with medication.

I was given medication for now to help manage the pain. I’m thankful I’m still mobile, but it’s definitely slowed me down. On some days, I feel moderately fine, and I’m just flying by. Unfortunately, I pay for it later when it settles in.

Until then, I can only push through the day as much as I can still with a smile on my face.

I keep telling myself… it’s okay to not be okay, and that’s okay too.