Saturday, May 16, 2009

Results at last

For some time, my wife has had a variety of health problems. At long last, we are starting to get answers. About a month ago, our primary care doctor told us she might have lupus. Ever since then, we've been keeping an eye on it, and it's looking more and more like that is the actual problem she's been having.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease. The body's own immune system is attacking itself, especially in the joints, skin, and kidneys. It is a chronic disease for which there is no cure, but some treatments available. It will sometimes go for a long period of time, to return in a flare up that can be debilitating for a period of some time.

Right now the diagnosis isn't 100%, but is still very likely. It seems likely that she has been suffering from some symptoms of it for the last 2-3 years, but still, it's not uncommon to take some time to diagnose.

We're still trying to get a better diagnosis, but it's good to know that we are at least starting to figure things out. It explains most of the health problems that Ashlee's had for a while, and that's always nice to know, even if it isn't the best of news.