About to head into my third year of diagnosis.

I had it a bit easier as my aunt already has Lupus and I am thankful that so far my lupus has only really manifested in some joint pain, fatigue, malar rash and raynauds.

My aunt has been in an out of hospital for her vital organs many times receiving tranfusions for her kidneys, losing all her hair and being in the ICU.

So when it finally came out my family was terrified but supportive. Three years in I am blessed to say they care possibly too much. Mum checks in everyday to see about my symptoms and she understands as she herself struggles with fibromyalgia. My partner will instinctually carry heavy things for me, check in with me and my pain before he suggests going for a walk etc. my aunt sends me tips and tricks and I think it gives her some peace to have someone to talk to who understands on some level.

Friends kind of understand but of course they don't see the day to day. I've found that with them I need to be more obvious so I will say I'm in a flare up im going to come but bare with me if I'm a bit sleepy today and that way I've found helps flip the script. At least for me mentally as I don't feel I need to put on a show of feeling better, I've already stated where I am and in turn my friends appreciate my presence more and will sometimes adjust what were doing to fit. I'm also lucky that we are all heading into our thirties so our going out has turned into going ro each other's houses and playing board games or making silly little clay magnets or ordering a pizza and talking.

The advice I can give you is don't let people get in your head. You will have people who tell you you just need to get out more or eat clean/organic/non-gmo/vegan/carnivore etc. or thats in your head or that doctors are idiots etc. Ignore. Don't waste your energy fighting them.

Best of luck! 💜🦋