I have a doctor appointment today with the Rheumatologist to talk about the two auto-immune diseases which are active in my body. I see a Rheumatologist because there really are not any auto-immune disease specialists around … I am not sure auto-immune disease is even a specialty, and if it is, it is so new that there are not many in that field.
Because my two diseases involve inflammation, I see a Rheumatologist who specializes in rheumatoid arthritis, even though my diseases are not arthritic. Others auto-immune disease sufferers may see different specialists. We get shuffled around according to symptoms.
Auto-immune diseases are on the rise, and more are being identified every year. It is confusing since the causes of most are still unidentified. Are they genetic, environmental, viruses?
There is only one medication that is generally effective for my two, some form of prednisone. It will not cure but can keep the symptoms under control … although prednisone itself has a whole set of side effects that are almost worse than the disease! (Some biologics are also being tried.)
My diseases have the potential of remission or even disappearing between two to five years. That is on my mind today since July is the two-year mark for the onset of my symptoms. My diagnosis came the following September, and my course of prednisone began.
All these thoughts are running through my mind this morning as I prepare to see the doctor this afternoon. My life changed drastically two years ago. And yet, I am not alone in this … how often do we find something enter our life that changes it significantly.
As I think about my auto-immune diseases today, I remember the words of my Savior … “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life … which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? … Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” [Luke 12:22-34 NKJV]
Whatever my Rheumatologist tells me, whatever is going on in my body, whether there is remission or not, I need not worry about my life … my Father, my Almighty Heavenly Father, is giving me a part in His Kingdom! Amen.
