Been diagnosed with Behçets Disease after all the recurrent abscesses, oral ulcers and skin lesions that I had been experiencing since 2019. Not sure how to say this but, yes, I am officially an autoimmune patient.
For the past 2-3 months since the diagnosis, I have suffered hair loss due to medications, in constant discomfort and pain due to the multiple oral ulcers, having skin lesions like acne with scarring, and lastly feeling easily tired-out.
So far only my husband and 3 of my close friends know of this diagnosis. Even I, myself, is still in a bad place or mental state to announce it as a form of my identity. Having an autoimmune condition is akin to cancer, the only difference is with cancer you know that it would be fatal when you are diagnosed at the last stage and there are ways a doctor can stage of it to inform you how serious it is. With an autoimmune condition, you are exposed to repeated flares of it, making your life a living drag and you are left dangling wondering how to deal with each flares comfortably, waiting for time (days/weeks) to past for the flare to subside. You would be able to gauge the cycle of when to expect the flare, yet, nothing can cushion you fully from the discomfort, inconvenience and pain of the flare. You would never be fully well and without reminder symptoms of the autoimmune condition.
As a female, losing hair and having scars fm the skin lesions is affecting my self-image and body-image.
Ending my post on a bitter-sweet note, hoping that moving forward, I would be an inspiration for those diagnosed with Behcet's Disease. You may not know me but just know that you are not alone and there are also other females out there, suffering the same rare condition as you do.
