New here

[kwheaties]

Im almost 21yrs old and currently 18wks pregnant with my second daughter. We tried for a few months and nothing, but then finally when I wasnt expecting it, I got a positive test.

I had bloodwork done at 7wks like every pregnant woman gets done and I was having problems (vision blacking out but still being conscious, headaches that wont go away, digestive problems, joint problems namely my hips) and they couldnt figure out what was wrong so my docs looked at my bloodwork. Then at 16wks, my doc said I needed to redo a couple of blood tests but she wouldnt tell me what because she didnt want to worry me til she got the results, so I redid the blood work and didnt hear anything for nearly 2wks but she called me yesterday. I wasnt expecting bad news and she tells me I have lupus in extremely high levels and I need to go to high risk OB (I had to with my older daughter but for her not for me) and that I need to see a specialist to get more tests done. She said I have the autoimmune and the joint lupus. I looked it up on the websites she gave me and Im scared. I went into labor with my older daughter at 35wks and I know 1 in 3 women have preterm deliveries so Im concerned that I will have this baby girl early.

Im glad theres this support group because I was reading off symptoms and things to my husband but he got upset and said he didnt want to hear anymore, and then just held me. Im sorry for such a long post but I wanted to introduce myself, and get some advice.

[jdouglas111]

Hi, welcome to the group!  It is true that a lot of women have preterm deliveries however if you are seeing a high risk OB they can monitor you and hopefully reduce that risk.  Lupus is a scary illness but it's not a death sentance and it's not always as bad as it sounds.  We all have good days and bad and we're all here to talk/listen when you need us! 

[jdouglas111]

Oh I want to ask you, have you had your iron levels checked since your pregnant?  Anemia is very common in Lupus and pregnancy both so it's important that your doctor check your hemoglobin levels! 

[kwheaties]

Thank you! Yes they checked them because of the blackening vision and also checked my blood sugar, so thats when they started really looking at my blood work. Im scared but Im hopeful that eveything will be okay.

My husband is worried because we couldnt figure out what was wrong and then to find out I have this is scary for both of us. It explains all the problems Ive been having and its good to know what is wrong and know it can be treated.

[DragonFlyGals]

I know it is scary but worrying and stress help feed the beast.  I was in the hospital when I found out, so I was at my worst.  Take the information they give you and weigh it out.  Remember you may not have as bad of a case as others.  Pregnancy unfortunately brings it out.  The good news is you know it early so you  can all prepare.  I did the black out thing with all three pregnancies and then hemorrhaged with all three (classic signs among other thing that I had APS (Hughs syndrome) for years, but it was not in the main stream.  Now you know and seeing high risk dr. so your in good hands.  If anything feel off call, swelling call and go in.  Good Luck and will be thinking of you.  Give the baby a message to say in and keep cookin.  Remember calm, stress free (the best you can), and take breaks often so you don't wear your self out.