I stumbled to this board by chance...nice to meet everyone. I was Dx two years ago ...and yes it dose take a long time for doctors to pinpoint the disease it wasnt until I had a Major flare up that my lupus was DX.. I think what the Rheumey was trying to say is that as far as chronic illness go lupus is very treatable and fatalities from the disease are rare Prior to wls I was on celebrex for my arthrits but now I just take plaquneil and tylenol arthtritis formula and Tramedol for when I am having my severe pain days. As soon as you hit your six week mark make sure you see the Rheumatologist to get back on track with your pain meds

This is my theory on this vaccine. Keep in mind, I am not a Dr. by any means but this is something I have researched extensively. I was fine, up until I took a job at the mental hospital, 2 years ago. I am nurse and it was required that I take the Hepatitis B Vaccine (series of 3 injections) because most (if not all) of our patients do have Hepatitis. I started noticing my symptoms of Lupus right after I took the first vaccine. Chronic fatigue to the point I could only sleep, and get up in time to get to work and it took all my energy to do anything once there, joint pain, hair loss, vision problems, etc... I didnt make the connection until the second vaccine where these symptoms worsened along with some other new ones begin to show up. This is what prompted me to seek medical attention to find the source of what was going on. This is when I was first sent sent to a Rheumotologist because of my consistantly high ANA's. I tried to explain the vaccine theory to him, which he wasn't listening too and he told me to take the last of the series. I refused the last one and over time I gradually gained strength back but Im still not at 100%. This vaccine contains 25 mcg of MERCURY which is TOXIC. I had 2 vaccines so I had 50 mcg of Mercury injected into my system. The more I read on this and researched the more information I found. Anothet nurse, spoke to Congress on this issue. She devloped Lupus AFTER taking the Hepatitis Vaccine series and now is 100% disabled. Congress has known about this since 1992 but I do not remember any public health warnings being issued to us! Children have died after being given this vaccine, I was fortunate that my grandchildren survived theirs but if I had known this beforehand I dont know if I would have let my daughter take them in for these immunizations. My oldest grandson now shows signs of learning disabilities which is also a side effect of this vaccine, and the other one has slow developmental skills and is now in a early intervention program. There is an abundant amount of information on the www from those who have developed auto immune disorders from taking this vaccine, just curious if anyone else noticed anything AFTER taking this, as I did. ALL my Hepatitis Titers were NEGATIVE for immunity which means even after taking the vaccine I was still not protected because nothing had built up in my system. I asked what this meant, and was told it just means I need to repeat the series AGAIN. I dont think so, I really believe whatever is going on with my immune system is a direct result of taking 2 of these vaccines.

Thanks Erin! My last ANA was over 350,000 IF I am remembering it correctly. ALL have been high and ALL have said "suggested of systemic lupus" but my Rheumy said I was a "false positive" and I would always be a false positive. I know he did test specifcally for lupus and it did come back negative at that time. I am going to go see his partner. My Rheumy has since left his practice and his partner has kept it going so I may go see him. Sandy

Hi Erin, I've gotta tell you it hasn't been easy! I've been taking Mobic (15ml) per day sometimes twice a day. I also have been taking Darvicet (SP) for the pain. I am in the midst of a flair up now so that explains the pain meds, I was diagnosed with lupus 2 years ago, went through a rough 6-9 months, and then it went into remission thanks to the anti-malarial drugs. I have been making some MAJOR adjustments in my life recently, job change is in the works, I should start my new (less stress), job in two-three weeks, so in the mean time Friday was my last day with my current employer, so I will have a couple weeks of down time before begining my new position. I have cut way back on my social life, which has been rough, but it's been much needed, I haven't been going out it's just to much strain on the body right now. I honestly have to say I am so greatful for this surgery, the last time I went through this I was 127 pounds heavier and was absolutly misserable. On the upside, I'm not dealing with the hair loss like I did last time, as well the lupus sore's aren't anywhere what they were before as well. I have been rambling here and just looked at the clock, I need to run but will chat with you soon! I hope you are doing well, take care of you!!!! Kristie