Fallen Into The Rabbit Hole

Lost In Wonderland.

Lost With Words.

I went to search for Mad Hatter

(i.e. a Rheumatologist)

End up with one, who was only Mad about Money,

Insist that I see him every week,

In his dilapidated clinic,

RM 190 a week,

No blood test or whatsoever,

Just him, Prednisolone and some NSAID.

In the Office,

The Queen of HR was giving me the looks,

Why is this healthy 27 years old missing work?

I could hear her saying "Off with her head!"

Happy Birthday - "I've Got SLE"

My 27th Birthday was around the corner, I went to see Dr. Ng for follow-up.

He wrote, "Active SLE" on my blood test report.

My Anti DS DNA were grossly elevated, C3 and C4 were low.

Happy Birthday to Myself ?

Here's SLE for many years to come.

Not a very nice Pressie.

Wonder Pills? Prednisolone.

Little mini pills. Yellow. 6 tablets (30 mg), once a day, morning after breakfast, as prescribed by Dr. Ng.

My very first encounter with prednisolone, commonly known as steroid.

Popped the pills at 8.30 am.

By 11.00 am.

Hey, I was pain-free!

My fingers were "sausages" no more!

Potent little stuff.

This day, was the start of a very long-term "relationship".

"I Think You Have Lupus"

I said to my boyfriend (hubby now), "Let's go Tung Shin!"

I approached the reception - didn't know which doctor to see.
I showed her my infamous "sausages" fingers.
She suggested Dr. Ng.

Dr. Ng looked at my earlier blood results. He was very concerned over the positive ANF results and elevated ESR.

Me Joints - Oh-Me-Joint

Early February 2004, I was feeling ancient.
My fingers were still swollen and painful.
The pain extended to my waist, hips, knees .. I was only 26.
Waking up in the morning was horrible. I could barely get my motor started!
How could this be happening!?

ANF, what ANF?

Dr. Tan TT did not seem to worry about my symptoms.

However, I was bugged with a three-letter-acroynms -  ANF (Anti Nuclear Factor).

What is ANF? Why was I tested as "Reactive"?

I remember asking him what it was, he said, "Nothing to worry about."

"Huh"?

It continued to bug me as I wasn't feeling better.

Fingers Licking Good

Year was 2004, January-2004, I was 26.
I woke up with my fingers swollen, looking like sausages.
My first reaction - I laughed.

I went to work as usual, hoping that the swell will subside, but it didn't.
Three days passed, fingers were still swollen and painful.
I couldn't even give the "finger" under the desk to my boss.