These last few months have been difficult in more ways than one. In August my leg started feeling weird so I went to the Urgent Care and then they sent me to the Emergency Room thinking I had a blood clot. Thank goodness tests showed no clots! But so I was left wondering what is it? ER doctor told me it was just a muscle strain.
I was not happy with that answer so I contacted my Primary Care Physician (PCP) because I wanted a better answer. I had done some research and thought that maybe I knew what was going on. I expressed my concerns and he ordered blood tests to hopefully prove my thoughts wrong. Then the waiting game began.
The day came for the test results and they came back stating I had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or better known as Lupus. I was devastated! What is Lupus? How long do I have? What about my family? and many other similar questions raced through my head. I actually told the PCP I would have rather have had him til me I had cancer because then I knew what the treatment and/or fate was. The PCP was not comfortable with that diagnosis either so he referred me on to a rheumotologist for a final diagnosis.
Again the waiting game, this time months to get into this doctor. So lots of research was done and I was not convinced that I had lupus but had decided that if I did I would do the best I could to make it manageable.
October 3rd finally arrived the day to take the trip to meet this doctor. My nerves were on point and I wanted to throw up. He was a very nice doctor. After he completed his assessment he gave me his diagnosis. He told me that only 1 in 4 ANA blood tests that show lupus is actual and I am one of the 3, so no lupus. So what is it? Well, it is what you expected it to be... Fibromylagia (FMS)! But not just that, you have Bursitis in you hip, knee and ankle and that is what is causing the strange feeling you are experiencing in you leg.
Wahoo, I have answers!!! Then he delivers the news, very limited exercise, like 10 min every other day. What? After all my studying on FMS that is not what I should be doing but I went with it. I did not need to see him again unless my PCP felt it necessary and to follow up with PCP in 2 to 3 weeks. Study up on FMS and address any questions I may have then with my PCP.
Once again waiting! This time was a little easier since I knew what to actually research. And research, research and more research I did. My research left me baffled on one aspect and that was the exercising part! Everything I read was to try to be active as much as possible and I was limited.
October 24, I got to discuss my concerns with my PCP. My PCP actually laughed at what I was told about exercising. He prescribed to work up to a minimum of 30 minutes a day for a majority of the days. Here is the better part he recommended trying Beachbody programs.
Yep you read that right he recommended Beachbody!!!!
So today I start a new Beachbody Challenge, Lose a Turkey Before Thanksgiving. I will be using Shakeology and Country Heat. You can also follow my progress on Facebook : JJ's Health and Fitness https://www.facebook.com/JJs-Health-and-Fitness-1658790361118184/
