I was diagnosed with SLE Lupus in 1991.
I have no doubt nor do my doctors that I had it for years. It is very hard to diagnose.  So many symptoms mimic other problem There are many symptoms that are associated with Lupus.  I have many of Them ,chronic sleep disorder, depression, joint pain, muscle weakness and butterfly rash to name a few. I started out being so tired and couldn't get enough sleep. I was taking care of some children at the time I had lost my job at the Postal Service because I had missed so much time
because I was sick. (Little did I know what was going on with my body) I would be so tired about 9-10 in the morning, and couldn't wait until the kids took a nap. Now this was not good. I was never like this, oh sure tired at times but not so tired that I could hardly keep awake. Plus I had such joint pain and nothing seemed to take it away. I couldn't sleep at night because of the pain. My eyes had gotten very bad.  I was used to being able to see everything, and one day, I couldn't see the table.
I knew that wasn't right, and I had just been to the eye doctor not a month before. So I call him back and he had me get a diabetes test.  Since Eye change is a symptom on diabetes.  Well, I didn't have diabetes, but they did find SLE Lupus. So I was referred to a Rheumatologist. I had more
tests and was put on medications to help with the pain, and other problems. Inflammation is one of the bad things to deal with and it racks havoc with your joints.  Causing so much pain. I was put on many medications, prednisone and Plaquenil.  Anti-depressants for sleep and medications
for inflammation.  I have had so many changes over the years. But still on the prednisone and Plaquenil. I was having so much trouble doing my job that I had to quit. And stay at home.  That was very depressing for me because I was used to doing for myself, and paying my way. 
 My daughter was married by this time, but my son was still at home in high school.

When I was diagnosed I was seeing a wonderful man.  And we moved in with each other, so he could provide for my son and me.  I don't know too many people who would willingly take on someone who was just diagnosed with a disease that had no cure.  We married in 1995 and he has been very supporting.  We have a great life and he continues to support me. We have been married for almost 12 years now.

 There is so much that I can't do that I used to do. Cleaning house, going up and down with the laundry, even grocery shopping is hard.  Thank goodness for the amigo wheel chairs. I am unable to walk through the store.  I end up with so much pain, that by the time I finish I an unable to walk I can do a bit more now, but only on occasions. Some days are worse then others I also have Fibromyalgia, I tell people I am doubly blessed. I not only have pain in the joints, but also in the muscles, tendons and just about anywhere.  I can't stand for anyone to touch me because I hurt just by being touched.  Most of the time I feel like I have been hit by a truck.  Even lying in bed hurts. Just the pressure of my
body on the bed.  The backs of my legs and shoulders just throb.

My lupus went into remission a few years ago, so I am only dealing with the fibro and also Sjogren's syndrome. I have constant bouts of depression.  It is very hard to deal with pain
on a daily basis, never getting rid of it.  So depression sets in. I think well this will pass but it doesn't.  I start getting edgy, nothings makes me feel better. I start to get upset over little things.
I wake up tired, and cranky because of lack of sleep. I cry a lot and I don't want to see anyone. I try to hide in my computer room, or do something that takes my mind off things.  But it doesn't work for long. I do not enjoy going to go to the doctor. Sometimes they just don't understand.  And of course the family doesn't understand why I am depressed.  You don't have to worry about going to work, you look fine, etc. Sometimes I just want to scream at them. But, it's not their fault I have lupus. They don't have to deal with it.
 

I joined a wonderful group online that has helped my greatly. It is the Garden of Friendship. I have been a member for almost 7 years now. I have met so many wonderful people from around the world. It's nice to know that now I'm not alone. So many of these members have different sorts of problems, so do not. I have met many with Fibromyalgia. It is nice to talk with them and get to know what they have to deal with too.

I have been on various medication regiments but so many of them do not work. Everything that I try never works so why just take Meds to take them.
Right now I am on the Serzone, Premarin, blood pressure medicines, Macrobid for a re-occurring bladder infecting. I take a water pill to keep the fluids gone away from my heart and lungs.

 I had to have my cataracts fixed years ago, but my eyes are still giving me trouble. I have trouble seeing and my eyes are really dry. I am taking Restasis for it and it helps some. I need to visit my eye specialist soon and find out what else we can do.