robint
Contributor
So many of you may remember that just 8 months ago I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. I had open heart surgery to repair the valve and was cleared to dive in June. I went on a fantastic Roatan trip, did dive with no issues, and thought that all was resolved. In July my knees started to swell again out of the blue.
Previous to this heart issue, I had battled swollen knees off and on for 20 years. I had been a jock in hs and college, so doctors always attributed it to those injuries. I had also had numerous unexplained bad rashes, shingles while pregnant, and a pregnancy from hell where I was covered with rashes, and 3 subsequent miscarriages. Five years ago I was diagnosed with uterine cancer, had successful surgery. Once again that doctor had no reason why I got it as I am only in my 50s and not obese. Last year also I was diagnosed with some strange bony growths on my spine which one doc said was osteopetrosis "bone death" issue. No cause for any of this according to my doctor. Then I got a benign growth on my thyroid, was diagnosed as slightly hypothyroid and now on meds for that. All the while, my knees would suddenly swell up like balloons, cause me outrageous difficulty, then suddenly go down several weeks later.
None of my doctors have every linked any of these problems over the past 25 years..... until now.
I have now been diagnosed with Lupus, SLE. Ding, ding, ding. My doctor says every one of these medical issues points directly at lupus. This is all still evolving, lots of blood tests and stuff.... but I now truly believe we are onto something. I feel hopeful.
I just thought I would share all this with everyone.... especially the doctors here on SB. It is so important to not spend so much time focusing on just your specific area of specialty.... LOOK AT EVERYTHING. I wish someone had diagnosed this sooner, it may have saved me and my family great worry and my surgeries. My Rheumatologist believes that it is unfortunate no one put it together til now, but it is the disease that gets overlooked as can hit all parts of a patient's body with what seems like totally unconnected problems.
I am guessing my diving days are over now. As someone else said here on SB = diving is optional, living is mandatory.
robin
Previous to this heart issue, I had battled swollen knees off and on for 20 years. I had been a jock in hs and college, so doctors always attributed it to those injuries. I had also had numerous unexplained bad rashes, shingles while pregnant, and a pregnancy from hell where I was covered with rashes, and 3 subsequent miscarriages. Five years ago I was diagnosed with uterine cancer, had successful surgery. Once again that doctor had no reason why I got it as I am only in my 50s and not obese. Last year also I was diagnosed with some strange bony growths on my spine which one doc said was osteopetrosis "bone death" issue. No cause for any of this according to my doctor. Then I got a benign growth on my thyroid, was diagnosed as slightly hypothyroid and now on meds for that. All the while, my knees would suddenly swell up like balloons, cause me outrageous difficulty, then suddenly go down several weeks later.
None of my doctors have every linked any of these problems over the past 25 years..... until now.
I have now been diagnosed with Lupus, SLE. Ding, ding, ding. My doctor says every one of these medical issues points directly at lupus. This is all still evolving, lots of blood tests and stuff.... but I now truly believe we are onto something. I feel hopeful.
I just thought I would share all this with everyone.... especially the doctors here on SB. It is so important to not spend so much time focusing on just your specific area of specialty.... LOOK AT EVERYTHING. I wish someone had diagnosed this sooner, it may have saved me and my family great worry and my surgeries. My Rheumatologist believes that it is unfortunate no one put it together til now, but it is the disease that gets overlooked as can hit all parts of a patient's body with what seems like totally unconnected problems.
I am guessing my diving days are over now. As someone else said here on SB = diving is optional, living is mandatory.
robin