Hi Helen. Welcome to the forum. I haven't been here long but I quickly came to realize that this is a place where we can finally feel "normal" and where everyone understands what we're going through. We don't judge, rant, or rave, but we do babble, write our autobiography, laugh at ourselves, and ask for (and get) advice.

You mentioned that you have lupus. While I don't clinically have lupus, I do test positive for the ANA, although I don't present with any of the other symptoms. This came about 3 years ago after I had chicken pox (for the 2nd time! Yeah, I am one of the lucky ones who actually DO get it twice in one lifetime!); I wasn't feeling well and the doc ordered almost every blood test available.

I do have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis which is an autoimmune disorder. My doc watches me pretty close because once a person has one autoimmune disorder they tend to have others.

Of course, after all I've been through, nothing would surprise me.

So welcome. Sit back and relax. Yell, scream, laugh, smile. Above all, remember to breathe...

Kim