I too have lupus,dermatologist also found it ,it was a no brainer for him the second he looked at me.It is hard to ''laugh it off '' somedays,I do my best though.I am now understanding that ther is many stages after a diagnosis.grief,anger ,depression,bewilderment,etc.It hurts knowing some one has this disease,because often,people look at you like you are crazy,because they can't totally relate,I call it the ''beast''.I used to be in the sun from morning til night,now,it isn't possible,I was a ''cronic gardener'',had the greenhouse and the whole nine yards,purchased 160 acres of land in the fall to keep up with the passion of gardening,now,I don't know what I will be able to due with it.I have my good days and bad,though bad usually out number the good.
I have had weird results,some some - ,it is frustrating,but I look at each day as it's own experience,I am not a crier by nature,so to let out the emotions ,is hard,I am learning to let them out privately,my kids don't need to see that as well...though it does happen. It is so ...well,excuse me but,it really angers me off when doctors,family,or friends look at me and say,''ya look okay''....ah,yeah accept for the face lesions,eye(rim)lesions,full face redness-like a sunburn..though I've been indoors all day!
I am in another group(www.healingwell.com) and have dicovered we all have similar cases and yet very different. Have they figured out if it is SLE ,discoid,or another?They were really checking my kidneys today,all this stuff is hard to deal with.I recently started documenting all things,it might help .See about getting into a rheumatologist,I am still waiting for my appointment(mar,22) I am leaning towards ''alternative''medicine,a Dr" of chinese medicine...I don't want to be taking pill after pill,I think''herbalogists''(sp) are up the same alley,hope you have a great support system,send me messages if you like,I'm always willing to talk,just don't be overally vague,because I have difficulty with some memory.YOU are not alone,I wish you all the success,and remember,knowledge is power and there is strength in numbers,I am willing to talk(read) ,listen,and help in any possible way!