Michaela Riley

March 7, 2010

Okay here goes nothing. As I drink a glass of wine from my recent birthday gift...a wine glass that has FABULOUS 50 inscribed in  bright pink I am reminded of many birthdays before now when I ignored the one miracle I had in my life such as my health.

The diagnosed of Lupus over 5 years ago, seemed like a death sentence and a blessing at the same time to finally know what was wrong with me. The fatigue, rashes, joint pain, mouth ulcers and lovely butterfly rash on my face finally painted the picture of an illness I didn't understand and would find that even Physician's didn't seem to understand. How do you understand the profound feeling of fatigue that constantly plagues my life...waking up tired and staying that way all day even if I slept 12 hours?  Enough gloom!

The most important thing that I can tell you about Lupus is that stress can and will bring on an exacerbation. The stress from legal issues, life changing events, moving, starting or losing a job, relationships, illness, allergies or any event that makes you stressed can cause extreme fatigue that may bring your daily activities to a halt. Be patient with yourself and listen to your body take frequent naps if possible and talk to your doctor.

I only talk abut this because I choose to hide it from those closest to me. It is easier to hide behind the façade of someone that is perfectly healthy and energetic…ready to take what ever life offers. Many people with Lupus don’t talk about the horrible things it does to their body and mind…that’s why Lupus is called the Wolf. LUPUS, a disease characterized by the formation in the skin or mucous membrane of small tubercles or nodules consisting of cell growth which has an inclination to retrograde change, leading to ulceration and destruction of the tissues, and, if it heals, to the subsequent formation of permanent scars.

Okay that doesn’t sound so bad but what about when Lupus affects more of your body than your skin? What if your knees, hips, elbows, spine and neck also had arthritis and constant pain? What if you suddenly allergies to things you didn’t even know you were allergic to and the only advice the physician would give you was….”Exercise and you will feel better”. Are you kidding me did you hear when I said I am tired when I wake up and can’t function?

Okay Doctors don’t listen…at least mine doesn't  it is time for extreme measures. I refuse to let this kill me.

Today I read that facial peels and/or laser therapy can reduce the Lupus malar rash, can’t really do the laser peel so I chose Obagi for a 6 month facial rejuvenation. Maybe I will look refreshed even if I am exhausted. I purchased the Obagi travel pack…much cheaper than the other kit and insisted on a prescription of Retin A .10% to get filled at the drug store. If this works the persistent red malar rash will be diminished and I won’t look like a freak most of the time. After 2 days of the treatment no problems, stinging or irritation, at 4 weeks I have experienced face tightness that actually made the corners of my mouth hurt when I smiled…nothing to lose right? Well I have lost several layers of skin on my face and chest as the peeling and redness continues. Just a few weeks of redness, itching and peeling skin. When finished the system promises to even out skin tone and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

I have also decided to purchase P90X for an extreme make over and improvement of the “hello I am 50 body”. I hope I can make it through one exercise without calling the paramedics. Remember I get exhausted from drying my hair…wish me luck!