I am newly diagnosed lupus. I have med-controlled seizures, joint pain, rashes, flu-like feeling 75% of the time. I have a toddler that I can barely care for.

I was feeling hopeless until I asked my doc if I could go to physcial therapy. He said yes, but wrote the script for my shoulder, and left out my knees, hips, ankles, hands, toes, and wrists.

I started going to sport therapy, and they put me on a home program for my shoulder. They also started me on a pool program there, which addressed all of my painful and stiff problem areas. This was wonderful!!! I started feeling better right away, and even losing some weight! I felt better physically and emotionally. My flu-like symptoms decreased, my range of motion increased, and my joint paint signficantly decreased all over my body (still looking for something that will help the arthritis-like pain in my hands)

needless to say I was thrilled to death. So when it was time to renew my prescription I was excited! You can imagine how shattered I felt when I got a phonecall from sportherapy saying it was denied. Dr. Vu returned their fax, saying for them to put me on a home program. Hmm...That would be great if I had a heated pool and the equipment needed to do my program.

This just confirmed my feeling that Dr. Vu didnt listen to me. I told him that I desperately wanted to exercise, but that everything I had tried was too painful.

I am trying now to go thru my general prac to get a new scrip for physical therapy. I have an appt with Dr. Rubin in july, who comes highly recommended...(did I mention I have crappy military insurance?)

i hope this post helps in two ways. Hydrotherapy can be awesome for joint pain, and is a low-impact, great way to get excercise. And also, please dont ever go to Dr. Vu.