Howz it going? I've been remarkably
healthy these past 2 decades, fit athletic
and shipshape. My wacky rheumatologic
misadventures begin last november when I
had persistent aches and pain in my feet.
By december, my hands had similar
problems, and in january my ana was tested
at a staggering 1:1280. However, all
other tests -and I tested everything
imaginably even a complete allergy skin
test ekg, were onimously normal. A week
later, the fatigue started.
I snagged myself a rheumy and was
subsequently placed on plaquneil for 8
months after which I made some drastic
lifestyle changes: no more running, no
more alchohol, militant sleep schedule,
better diet, daily meditation, yoga,
regular visits with therapist, all of
which completely managed both my joint
aches and my fatigue.
8 months has passed. The plaquneil hasn't
worked, and I now have tight chestness,
and an all-you-can-eat-buffet of
aches/cramps in my lower abdomen. I'm
starting to lose some weight -for a tall
and gangly boy, there ain't much to lose-
and i've noticed a rather unqiue blend of
fatigue that i'd almost want to
prematurely label malnutrition.
As I await the results from latest my
blood and urine tests, i'm on standby for
cellcept and quainacrine -plaquneil's
health questions-step-brother! -i'm
curious if 1) anyone's had any experience
with either of these 2 drugs, and how long
the cellcept takes to kick in? 2) are
there any men on this site that have
struggled with kidney issues? I'm
particulary concerned about developing
kidney problems, as i've read that men who
have lupus tend to encounter a more
aggressive disease with a specific
emphasis on kidney problems.
In any event, happy to join this webgroup
and participate in this delicate balance
of caution and optimism!
~op
