Lupus Patient Advises Others to Be Proactive About Their Treatment

Erica Wilberger from Richmond, Virginia, had been ill for a long time, but doctors weren’t able to come up with a definite diagnosis. One doctor said it was a problem with her thyroid, another suggested anemia, some even suggested that there wasn’t actually anything wrong with Erica and that it was all in her head.

Learn how patients are affected by lupus.

This is a typical story among lupus patients, many of whom have to wait years before they get their diagnosis and are often misdiagnosed several times along the way.

When Erica was diagnosed with lupus in 2009, she was relieved. She finally knew what was wrong with her and could start treatment to alleviate her symptoms. However, it wasn’t as simple as Erica thought. Because lupus has a myriad of symptoms, the medications used to treat those symptoms are varied–there isn’t one treatment that is effective for all lupus patients.

After trying many different medications with little or no success, Erica finally heard about a new drug in 2010 that was specifically designed for people with lupus. She pleaded with her doctor to start her on the medication. The drug changed her life, her symptoms began to fade, she put on weight and began to feel better for the first time in years.

Erica’s message to other patients with a chronic disease is to be proactive in their treatment. Find out as much information as possible about their condition and ensure they stay up to date with all the latest news, treatments and medications. The patient can often be more knowledgeable about new drugs and therapies than doctors and are in a better position to suggest the next step in their treatment. Read more about this story here. 

Discover what effect lupus has on the immune system.

Lupus News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.