[oak1day]

that is my diagnosis since aug 2005

[Macophile]

I'm still waiting for a name for my Auto Immune issues (I have neurological pain attached to them)... I'm just glad they decided to start treating them with Methotrexate.

I was lucky that my Neurologist kept pushing to have me go to all kinds of specialists to figure out the problem, and he sent me to 3 Rheumatologists (My Neuro seemed to suspect I really needed one of these, as he never sent me to any other specialist more than once... maybe he felt this way because my inflammatory markers were high, and because of my history?) before they decided I def. had an Autoimmune Disease.

I just wish they has a name for what I had, as without one some people and Dr's don't think you have anything, and have a hard time dealing with you.

[HiHo]

My 9 year old son was diagnosed with Graves Disease 1 1/2 years ago and Myasthenia Gravis 11 months ago. Nice to meet ya'll.

Heidi

[Nannygoat]

Yes, it's great to have this forum. If you have an issue with another forum, you find yourself talking about your autoimmune disease anyway...
I've had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis since I was 15, vitiligo, glaucoma, Fibromyalgia (that was diagnosed by a specialist) I didn't think they believed in Firbomyalgia-glad they do now. Mixed connective tissue disorder which encompasses Lupus, Sjogren's syndrome. Oh! This is something I find interesting. A couple of years ago the endrinologist asked if I had ever had an ultrasound on my thyroid. I said no, and so he did one. He said, "Guess what? You don't have a thyroid anymore. There's not even a shred of tissue left!" So that meant that those mighty antibodies had eaten all of my thyroid. The good part - I won't have to worry about malignant nodules anymore. But it still feels strange to know that it is your own body that is attacking perfectly healthy cells that are yours. It's very strange to me. Fascinating but strange.

[Fran E]

Hi, I am glad to have found this forum too. I have Sjogren's (they think - seems certainty is hard to come by) and neuropathy so I have been monitoring the neuropathy forum but it seems that neuropathy is probably as a result of Sjogren's, so I guess this is where I really belong!

Originally Posted by Nannygoat

Yes, it's great to have this forum. If you have an issue with another forum, you find yourself talking about your autoimmune disease anyway...
I've had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis since I was 15, vitiligo, glaucoma, Fibromyalgia (that was diagnosed by a specialist) I didn't think they believed in Firbomyalgia-glad they do now. Mixed connective tissue disorder which encompasses Lupus, Sjogren's syndrome. Oh! This is something I find interesting. A couple of years ago the endrinologist asked if I had ever had an ultrasound on my thyroid. I said no, and so he did one. He said, "Guess what? You don't have a thyroid anymore. There's not even a shred of tissue left!" So that meant that those mighty antibodies had eaten all of my thyroid. The good part - I won't have to worry about malignant nodules anymore. But it still feels strange to know that it is your own body that is attacking perfectly healthy cells that are yours. It's very strange to me. Fascinating but strange.

[jconner]

my daughter,now almost 20, has suffered from autoimmune disease like me. Although hers is different from my RA, she beagan at age 2 with a hypocalcemic seizure, followed by Hashimotos Throiditis at age 7 and autoimmune hepatitis at age 16.( we thought birth control pills brought on hepatitis). shes a rare one,in all ways. my love for her is so strong, shes really a trooper. Now in nursing school brought on by living the hospital life, hopefully her disease will not take her down like mine has. Pray for her to do great things and live a healthy painfree active life. joyce

[Idealist]

How cool! I just picked auto-immune last week as one of the forums I wanted to moderate, and I wanted to get better aquainted with the forum, and voila! Here it is! Sort of a history of the forum from the very first day!

I suffer from a weakened auto-immune sysem, as part of a larger systemic illness which includes neuragia, neuropathy, muscle weakness & pain, and a host of other symptoms. I really look forward to getting a better grasp of this aspect of my condition. I'm tired of all the aggraviting skin-infections, and the overgrowths of "healthy" bacteria.

I hope to get to know you all a lot better!

[pearl girl]

Hello! I was happy to see your face when I just 'happened' upon this spot. I want to wish you well in your new endeavor. I know we will all be better for your involvement! Life is interesting. Never did I think I would be posting a message on an autoimmune disease forum. I've read all the messages and I too think there is a link, a bigger issue involved than has been discovered -- YET! Even my recent diagnosis of Pernicious Anemia is considered to be autoimmune due to the intrinsic factor antibodies I produce. It's all devastating and yet amazing. The world needs more Idealists to lead the way... all the best and a big hug from your new friend, NancyLynne. PS I consider this discovery of your site a 'good omen' for I was quite upset today because of the discovery of further brain damage due to the very late diagnosis of PA. Now I'm getting back on the right foot mentally !

[maryec]

Myasthenia gravis here, with neuropathy & myopathy due to connective tissue disease, left temporal lobe lesions, Raynauds, optic neurits.
Mary

[Idealist]

Hi Mary, Pearl, JC! Auto-immune issues are still something I'm learning about. I don't recognize many of the names, yet. You see, for me it is a "secondary" issue. Whatever is attacking my body (still no dx yet ) has weakened my immune-system and made me susceptiple to otherwise harmless invaders. It also seems to have begun targeting me in certain instances! Talk about a major rebellion! I hope you are all finding ways to help control your auto-immune issues, and any other problems you have! And I would sure appreciate any basic insights which life has taught you about dealing with this kind of thing. Good luck and best wishes to you all!

Richie