I'm not sure if this would even be the right place to post this, because I wouldn't say it's really bother me. More like it's affecting me.
I have had knee problems since 9th grade, I went to the doctors countless times. They kept sending me to physical therapy and giving me glorified ibuprofen. Nothing ever helped. Then it went up to my lower back. I went to the doctor who recommended I see a chiropractor. They say things get worse before they get better. I saw him many times. It made everything worse, every time.
I'm now 19, so five years later. I have been going to the doctor all the time, complaining of the same thing. But this time, I told him that my pain is now in my knees, hips, back, neck, and shoulders. It's a constant pain. It never goes away. Generally one portion hurts more most days; depending on what I'm doing usually. Like now, I'm sitting in a chair, my back is killing me.
He thought I might have rheumatoid arthritis, so he did some blood tests. The doctor calls me yesterday. "They're negative! But the doctor suggests you see a specialist for further examination. I'll call you later with an appointment time."
She never called back.
This morning I got a call but missed it. I called back when I could, but she was at lunch. Finally she called me back and told me the same thing she did yesterday. I informed her I knew this already because she called yesterday offering to set up an appointment. She now tells me "The rest of your blood tests came back. He really suggests you see a specialist because they came back positive with Lupus."
I'm not sure what to do. I've cried, I've been numb. My dad is pissed because I've complained for years and they just now found something. My mom and grandmother are crying because it can be very very serious. I already know it's serious for me just from the excruciating pain that I feel on a daily basis. I was a server, and we worked usually only 5-6 hours at a time. I could barely handle that with my pain. My grandmother thinks I won't be able to work, and that I may have to get disability. I don't want to sit around and do nothing. I want to work. I go insane sitting at home if I have more than one day off because I get so bored. Not only that, but disability isn't enough to live off of. I also don't want someone's tax money to pay for me to sit on my a** all day.
Basically there is no cure for Lupus. Only medication to help mask the pain. It will only get worse with age, and is very chronic. In some cases it can be deadly. I'm sorry if this doesn't go here.