What else can I do?
Hi, I'm 24, and after a traumatic trip to the ER, I was finally diagnosed with lupus after months of back and forth with doctors. A bit of context, I got Covid in February developed a severe rash all over my body and was essentially forced to stay in my (dark and cold) room for a few months as medication didn't work. There is a very very long wait to see a Rheum. I had seen one, and he didnt listen to anything I said. I was also diagnosed with hashimotos at some point during this. Anyways, my symptoms eased up recently and I returned to work, which resulted in me being rushed to the ER due to my thyroid swelling so bad I could barely breathe and my hives were so bad my fiance thought I was having anaphylaxis. They gave me an IV steroid and fluids and diagnosed me with lupus, I did a prednisone pack and started plaquenil, which helped a bit. The prednisone made me feel better physically in certain ways, and much worse in others. My PCP suggested I call and ask to see a nurse practitioner who has better reviews than some of the Rheum doctors in the meantime. It would be a shorter (still 3 month) wait, so I won't see someone for a couple of months still until then, she will be monitoring my levels but is there anything I can do to take care of myself? I still feel miserable all the time. I already wear sunscreen or avoid the sun, and i've been taking the plaquenil. I admittedly haven't been coping well with the diagnosis, so research has been hard. I appreciate any advice given, Thank you for reading!
Edited for clarification on some things.