Lupus and Benlysta after 7 months – Infusion #9

Finally, Benlysta infusion #9

Last week, it was a relief to finally receive a twice postponed Benlysta infusion for my lupus.  Also, today marks one week into the  April Health Writer’s 30 day challenge, and over 7 months (32 weeks) into my Benlysta treatments.  Happy day #225 with Benlysta.  Today is an important milestone, simply because I am declaring it one for both reasons!

Asthma relief inhaler Xopenex

After spending most of March fighting a nasty long case of bronchitis, I am just now finishing the last doses of my fourth antibiotic prescription.   Cipro, Zithromax, Cipro a second time (because it kills mycoplasma my doctor found after Rx #2,) and finally Bactrim.  Along the way from sick to well, there were three courses of steroids, four doctor appointments and one telephone consult.  The recurring fevers are gone, my lungs are mostly clear, the coughing and choking have stopped, I can talk and sing again, and oh, yes, I can even breathe most of the time.  Except for the moments when my slightly flared asthma kicks up, my respiratory system is back in working order and I am back to work full-time.  What a relief!

My husband has explained lately how much his joints have hurt after working long hours and accomplishing some major projects at work.  As we talk, I have realized that my joints have been hardly hurting at all.  Usually, because of my lupus, I am the one who wakes up with joint arthritis pain, and he is the comforter.  Lately, our roles are decidedly reversed.  Each time I quietly realize that I don’t hurt, I have a wonderful opportunity to be thankful for the improvement.

Declaring victory!

What lies ahead with my lupus and Benlysta?  I’m not really sure, but I know my rheumatologist is not going to be pleased hearing about my 4th infection in the last 4 months of infusions.  He commented with concern about it the last time I saw him, when I had only had 3 and he is sure to be concerned.  I am feeling pretty good now, and doing little complaining.  My energy levels are up, my lupus peripheral neuropathy symptoms are nearly dormant, my joint pain is down, and my CNS lupus symptoms seem to be in check.  I am waking up in the morning, sometimes before the crack of dawn, and feeling pretty decent.  I will take decent and declare it to be a minor victory.  Decent is acceptable to me any day!