- Sarcoidosis
- Interviews
A Sarcoidosis interview
How did all start?
I had a chronic dry cough for two years & then I started to get red spots on my feet & legs as well as nodules on my arms. I became very weak & fatigued with a fever & my feet became very swollen & I could hardly move. I ended up in the ER & was admitted to the hospital for five days where they did a biopsy on some swollen lymph nodes that were found in my chest during a chest xray & CT scan.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
I was diagnosed five days after being admitted to the hospital in May of 2015 from a biopsy of swollen lymph nodes iny chest.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Rheumatology, Pulmonology, Opthamology, Dermatology & Neurology.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Methotrexate Injections, Simbicort Inhaler, Ibuprofen, Tramadol.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Adjusting to not being able to do the things I use to do & not being able to work after 19 years!!
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
My family & friends have been very supportive & help me alot. I don't know what I would do without them.I do not socialize as much as I use to since being diagnosed, because I don't get out like I used to.
What things have you stopped doing?
Working, exercising, socializing.
What do you think about the future?
I am very scared, because it is very uncertain @ this time.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
When I was younger & all my family did more things together such as camping & just spending more time together & just not on the holidays. Watching Packer games together & celebrating each others birthdays.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Everything! Work, travel, socialize more. Enjoy life more!
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Living day to day!Try to stay positive
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Try to stay positive no matter what. I need to tell myself this all the time. Surround yourself with your loved ones. Take care of yourself first.
