This is a true life story of an EB reader who sent this in to create awareness and also to share her journey through a life-threatening disease called LUPUS. 

Read previous posts HERE:

Part 1: MyLupusStory – Help Solve Lupus Mystery! - http://esther.ng/eb-exclusive-my-lupus-story-help-solve-lupus-mystery/

Part 2: My Lupus Story – Symptoms! - http://esther.ng/eb-exclusive-lupus-story-symptoms/

"I woke up to a swollen hand and a rash, more like blisters on both sides of my mouth. I was taken to the hospital and the doctor said I may be reacting to something, or I might be coming down with osteoarthritis because of the pains in my joints and swollen hand. Arthritis! At my age? I wasn't even 30 yet! I didn't understand, couldn't comprehend! I was given an injection that eased the pain and swelling instantly, was then sent for an x-ray. The rash or lesion on both sides of my mouth wouldn't go.

So I talked to my very nice sister-in-law, she is such a wonderful, beautiful woman, God bless her for me***. Sister-in-law or mummy, as she is fondly called, took me to yet another hospital, the third hospital by the way.
Series of tests was carried out, the doctor said I had Anaemia, so I should eat plenty of fruits, veggies, and all would be well. I told myself, no wahala, lol. Eating isn't a problem, I am a foodie! *smilees* The Doctor also said what I have is an allergic reaction, he then placed me on medication plus injections which I religiously took for five days.

Sister in-law advised I go with her to Kaduna state for the weekend, change environment a bit and so we can figure out what I might be reacting to and also see her doctor over there.

We arrived Kaduna, went to the doctor's (4th hospital) and I was told it wasn't an allergic reaction, that what I have is a case of German measles caused by rubella virus. The doctor also said I had passed through the worst stage of German measles, once the cycle is completed, I would be fine in no time. You can't imagine how happy and relieved I was, I was given more drugs and that was it! Little did I know I had seen nothing yet, I never knew that would be the beginning of a life changing era..., a new phase of life I would give anything to erase completely from my existence, a phase i didn't see coming...a phase I wished was a lie...

I took the drugs that night, applied Calamine lotion on my entire body, prayed and slept off. It wasn't a very peaceful sleep as I was highly uncomfortable because I was itching badly. Next morning was a big unpleasant surprise, my face and body was covered with more lesions. It was more on my tommy, with different irritating shapes and sizes, my heart broke, I was confused, what could this be? Well, mummy said I shouldn't worry, that the drug is meant to bring it all out before it finally goes. Okk, I pray so, I hope so...

The lesions would appear and then disappear, without scars and then more would appear.

We returned to Abuja on Sunday, went to get more drugs and I started feeling better and stronger after a few days. The lesions all disappeared suddenly, just like the way they came, and I was good to go back to Lokoja. I had missed my boo, plus I was also looking forward to my brother-in-law and my friend's wedding coming up.

Back in Lokoja with my husband, I felt good and strong for a while but then, the pains in my joints and wrist came back and kept me awake all through one night. I asked hubby to get me pain relief, he insisted we wait and go to his office clinic later, I waited but couldn't bear the pain anymore, so I went to a nearby pharmacy, got Ibuprofen, swallowed the meds, and in no time I felt a lot better."

To be continued...