ASK

Just about the time I was diagnosed, a friend was also diagnosed with lupus. But, it affected us so differently. She had a terrible time adjusting to the medications, adopting a vegan diet, dealing with the chronic fatigue and aching joints. I thought I was doing just fine...until, one day, I couldn't get out of bed - for about six months!

It seems very odd to have a whole team of medical specialists when you have a condition that doesn't qualify for disability. Yet, this chronic autoimmune disease brought my otherwise active life to a serious halt.

Eighteen years later, I am preparing to run a marathon and have already run four half marathons. I've been prednisone free for at least five years and off my arthritis meds for the last two.

Earlier this week, my chiropractor asked why I started running, and why train for something as demanding as a marathon. I was inspired by a story I read a few years ago about a lupus patient who decided to train for a half marathon and finished it in 3 hours. I don't really run, not the way you would envision runners. I sort of shuffle pretty fast. But, I can finish a half marathon in under 3 hours - pretty good for these old bones!

Sure, I still have a lot of chronic issues to deal with. But, it just goes to show that there is hope for lupus patients. Staying active has been mine.

I'd love to hear from other women who are also going through this! Have you changed your diet? Modified your exercise? Did something work for you that hasn't worked for others?