Amber D. - Diagnosed Age 17

I was diagnosed with lupus when I was in the 11th grade. I came home from running track one evening, and when I went to go change into my bedtime clothes, I noticed a dark red rash on my legs from my knees all the way down to my feet was covered. When you touched it my legs felt very warm.

After I saw this I went and let my mom know and I was taken to the ER that same night. The ER doctor referred me to a rheumatologist, and when I went to the rheumatologist she took a lot of blood samples. Shortly after seeing the rheumatologist I was diagnosed with lupus.

Lupus has caused me to be nauseous and tired on a daily basis and keeps me from being able to work long hours at my job. I have always been worried and hopeful that my ten-year-old daughter does not end up with it also.

I take pills daily and see a rheumatologist every 3 months and try to manage my lupus the best way that I can.