I've been on somewhat of a health kick lately. With the running, and the only organic food. And the mamapop losers. And I've lost some weight. Not a ton of weight, but some weight.
I go to my rheumatologist bi-monthly for a lupus/RA general health check. And I've been doing really well. I haven't had a flare in a year (knock on wood) and the medications I'm on are miracle drugs. But make no mistake, I'm on A LOT of medication for 35. And if I don't take the medication I can feel it, pretty much immediately. I have a chronic illness. More than one chronic illness. I know this. I live it. (Oh, and Lady Gaga, there is no borderline lupus. You also cannot be a little bit pregnant.)
When I see my rheumatologist she asks me how I'm doing as well as reviews my blood work and does the normal doctor stuff, weight, blood pressure, etc. She was alarmed by my weight loss. She felt it was dramatic for the short period of time and was worried that it meant I was having some kind of unknown lupus flare. And when I explained all the exercise and all the dieting she still thought it was a lot of weight. (It's not, trust me.)
Unknown lupus flare? I've had a lupus flare. I'm pretty sure you cannot have an unknown lupus flare. I pretty much wanted to die when I had my flares.
So she ordered more blood work, because if my numbers were high that would signal something was wrong, and told me to pay extra close attention to any unusual swelling or fatigue. And my blood pressure is high, Did you know you had high blood pressure? How is your exercise and diet? (For the record I love my doctor, but seriously?)
When I told Doug and my parents this story this prompted a 3 fold lecture on how I'm TOO THIN. Hey, guess what? I have been a lot of things in my life, but TOO THIN is not one of them. Trust me on this. I've seen me. I'M FINE.
My blood work came back back IN THE NORMAL RANGE. I'm not only not in a lupus flair, I'M IN REMISSION. It is medication induced remission, but whatever, I'll take it.
But my blood pressure is still high, so maybe I need to work out more and watch what I eat.
It is enough to make you crazy.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m glad to hear your Lupus is in remission. My Mom was diagnosed with Lupus several years ago, and she too is in remission.
I’m becoming a man when it comes to going to the doctor’s office. It’s like they always say, “Well, you’re doing good, but…”
Just keep doing what you’re doing. Hope your pressure goes down soon.
Congratulations on being in remission. With the bpp, drink a lot of water and really watch your sodium numbers, not just salt. I am always shocked at the sodium amounts listed on foods. Sneaky stuff that affects bp.
Hey Skinny Bitch! If the shoe fits wear it!!
You sound great – glad you’re healthy.
Enjoy a milkshake – xoxoxo
Yea for remission!! Waiting for my flare up to end (not lupus – they thought it was – just chronic fatigue and fibromylagia, kinda related).
Congrats on the remission!
Dear Jodifur’s Doc:
Thanks for your concern, and for taking such good care of her. But please take into account that she is awesome. I’m not sure how that shows up on a lab report, but I’m pretty sure it’s in there somewhere – probably bolded up and in a large point size – and needs to be a part of how you appraise her.
Thanks,
-The Interwebs
*Yay* for remission, I hope it lasts a very long time! And I guess it’s kinda-sorta cool that your doctor is so awesome that she’d worry weight loss is a symptom but GAH!!
Also, very glad your last run didn’t make you want to die (per your tweet). Maybe running is growing on you?
Yay for remission. And dude too thin? Nice.
Ha! Sounds like you have 3 Jewish Mothers! I don’t think you are too thin, I think you look wonderful. In fact, you look healthier and more relaxed than I have ever seen you.
Remission is remission, no matter how you slice it!
That’s really wonderful news about your remission!
Any kind of remission is a very good thing! YAY!