Dear Diary,
I had to have an unexpected procedure at my gynecologist’s office on Wednesday. What I thought would be just a routine ultrasound to look at my on-again-off-again ovarian cyst, turned out to be an endometrial biopsy (a biopsy on the inside of my uterus). I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. It was so painful, and the doctor didn’t use any anesthesia whatsoever. Then he told me that I would bleed for the next two weeks while the site heals…. This cyst was probably not related to Lupus. But, who knows.
The next mention of a cyst was during my routine rheumatology follow-up, when Dr. T showed me where I have begun to develop ganglion cysts on my thumb joints. According to Carol Eustic, Arthritis and Joint Conditions Expert at About.com, ganglion cysts are one of “three types of tendon disorders: tendinitis, tenosynovitis, and ganglion cyst. Tendinitis is inflammation of the tendon. Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendon sheath. A ganglion cyst is an accumulation of fluid within the tendon sheath.”
They feel like hard nodules that make my knuckles look a bit deformed and painful. They even make my nail beds lumpy from the way the cysts affect and distort the growth of my nails. I’ve always prided myself on having beautiful hands, but I’m afraid things are changing. I now officially have “old lady hands.” Hahaha! There are worse things to have happen with Lupus, but ick.
With ovarian cysts and now ganglion cysts, I also learned a new term that has been used to describe my muscle inflammation—myositis. Dr. T asked about my myalgia and myositis during this same visit. I knew what myalgia meant—muscle pain. With my puzzled look, she explained that myositis just meant the muscle inflammation that I’d been having. When I was finished with that appointment, I went back to some of my reports from orthopedists I’d seen. Sure enough, that word for muscle inflammation was mentioned several times along with myalgia. Apparently, myalgia and myositis are very common with Lupus patients. That was the first time it had ever been mentioned to me.
Our myositis discussion led to my questioning her about having tremors or shakes in my hands. I told her that ever since starting my watercolor class, I’ve noticed a marked increase in the shaking. It’s quite noticeable and embarrassing especially when I sit down to eat. Lifting my fork or drinking glass exaggerates the movements as my muscles struggle to keep things steady.
The tremors along with my headaches led my rheumatologist to give me a referral to a neurologist to rule out any brain involvement with the Lupus.
My acupuncturist had a different take on the tremors. Her thought was that I needed to be tested for Lyme disease, which she said, can be a mysterious root cause for a whole host of autoimmune disorders, apparently. We’re working with a very expensive specialty lab that’s known for accurately testing for Lyme. Hopefully, my insurance will cover most of the cost.
The cysts, the myositis, and the tremors. All part of a day in the life of a woman with Lupus. I’m just trying to remain as steady as I can along this rollercoaster ride….
Love,
Olivia
