Tamara C. - Diagnosed at age 47

I’m here to share my journey with RSD/lupus for the last 17 years. I'm going to make my story brief it’s too long to get into full details. I promise you it’s real. 

My life before RSD/lupus was a very busy one. I was a very strong, healthy, and independent person, working as an LPN nurse for 30 years. Now in 2024 I'm fully retired. Until the day my life changed forever back in 2/28/07, I was involved in a bad car accident where I suffered major injuries head trauma, neck, lower back, right leg. Months went on my conditions get worse with my right arm and hand due to my broken collar and a torn rotator cuff within 3 months after the surgery in January 2008. 

In February 2008, I was extremely sick with body pain all over, fever, different body temp and blurry vision, dry eyes. Dr. Bharat Desai ordered a series of blood tests, such as a complete blood count, antibody tests, blood clotting time tests, and complement tests, urine tests, such as dipstick tests for blood and protein, chest x-ray and electrocardiogram or echocardiogram, and biopsy of tissue to determine the presence of lupus. It was confirmed lupus SLE. Added on to the list that I was fighting already, the only choice I had was to become my own advocate and WARRIOR to beat this MONSTER. 

In 2012, I received my permanent Spinal Cord Stimulator. I've been able to reduce my medications by over 90% and the pain reduction is about 65%. I use my SCS at a very high frequency 24 hours a day. 

"Hope" is what I hold on to wishing for a better tomorrow this journey of RSD/lupus! Wishing you many blessings; live, love & laughter.