Diagnosis
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Update #1
So, it has been quite a while since I have written and finally have time to keep updating! Since I last posted, a lot has happened. After visiting numerous specialists including a neuro-ophthalmologist, an endocrinologist, and a hepatologist, I am hoping that I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. A lot Continue reading
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Continuing Journey Part 4
The hematologist/oncologist refers me to infectious disease as well as an allergist. The allergist runs all of the normal tests as well as some not so normal tests and everything is negative with the exception of cottonwoods and mold, which I am well aware that I am mildly allergic to. At this time, I contract Continue reading
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Continuing Journey Part 3
I head back to the rheumatologist in Chicago who tells me that my ANA is high with a homogenous pattern which is a lupus pattern. This is one of the indicator tests for autoimmune. It is not diagnostic, but can sometimes point doctors in the correct direction, especially if your symptoms are overlapping. This is Continue reading
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Continued Journey Part 1
Hey everyone! I have been MIA for almost a year and I want to apologize! I have been through a rollercoaster this last year, so let me tell you what is going on. When I stopped writing my blog and recording my podcast over the summer, it is because I got really sick and had Continue reading
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Path to Diagnosis Final
My appointment is scheduled for 1:00pm, but I had been so nervous and excited at the same time that I got there a half hour early. I was starving, but I know that when I have anxiety, food is not my friend, not to mention food hasn’t been my friend for a long time regardless Continue reading
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Path to Diagnosis Part 5
In the meantime, I started really researching lupus and other autoimmune diseases. I wanted to know everything that I possibly could. Thankfully, because I am a professor and in my second doctorate program, I have access to unlimited medical journals through my libraries. Therefore, I was able to not just see what a general search Continue reading
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Path to Diagnosis Part 4
At this point, I have had a few wins in understanding why I felt the way I did, but I still didn’t feel I was to the bottom of my issues. About two weeks had passed since I had my blood overnighted to California for a plethora of tests and it was getting to the Continue reading
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Path to Diagnosis Part 3
Off I went with orders to run some new test called the AVISE test that I had never heard of before. Apparently, this test will test you for a ton of different things on the autoimmune spectrum from IgG reactivities to ANA and a whole lot of other tests in between that even I had Continue reading
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Path to Diagnosis Part 2
I was finally going to see the doctor and have blood tests ran. I have blood drawn every year, but it is the normal CBC and cholesterol tests since I have reached the age of 40. This time the doctor threw in extra tests to see what could possibly be going on. Of course, everything Continue reading
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Path to Diagnosis Part 1
If I can give any advice when it comes to your health, it is this… LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! You know how your body should feel. If something is not right, do not allow someone to tell you that everything is ok. Keep looking and researching for answers. Again, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! This is Continue reading
About Me
Welcome to my blog – The Autoimmune Professor. The goal of this blog is to help those diagnosed with autoimmune disorders by providing as much information on autoimmune diseases as possible. I was recently diagnosed with Lupus and Sjogren’s. While going through numerous testing, I also found out that I have Chronic Lyme disease.
I am a professor and researcher with a doctorate in Educational Psychology, a doctorate in Health Sciences, a masters in Global Health, and am currently obtaining a PhD in exercise science.
I am hoping that this blog will help others by providing information and increasing awareness of autoimmune diseases.
the autoimmune professor 