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