Lauren Retzler
Meet Lauren Retzler. Lauren’s story, in her own words:
“Before giving birth to my first child in December 2020, I was a completely healthy individual. After birth, I began not feeling well a few days after. My wrists and legs became very weak and I was in alot of pain. I could not lift or carry my newborn baby. As time went on, along with my extreme joint pain, I became very fatigued along with having a butterfly rash on my chest and face. I started dry heaving every morning and I could barely eat anything. I could only keep down smoothies. As I went back to my OBGYN for my postpartum check-ups, I told the doctor what I was experiencing and she told me that I was just experiencing postpartum depression and that it was all in my head.
Towards the end of January, I started getting fevers and one night it was 104. My husband took me to the emergency room and they did a CT scan. The scan showed my kidney was inflamed and they said I had a “kidney infection.” They prescribed Bactrim and sent me home. A few days later, I was doing even worse, sicker than before and I was still having a fever of 104. We went back to the emergency room and they said I still had a kidney infection and then prescribed me Cipro and told me to make an appointment for a follow up with my primary care doctor. When I went to see Dr. Doshi, my primary care doctor, she took one look at the CT scan and blood work the hospital did and told me to stop taking Cipro immediately! I did not have a kidney infection. She originally thought that something might be going on with my gallbladder and scheduled an ultrasound to be done within a few days. But before that could happen, I was having a high fever again. I called Dr. Doshi to inform her and she told me to go McLaren Port Huron Hospital and that we were going to figure out what was going on with me.
I was in the hospital for a week. The hospital practically did every test under the sun on me, another CT scan, brain scan, x-rays, ultrasounds, lots and lots of blood work. Finally, in the beginning of February 2021, they figured out that I had Lupus SLE. Lupus was attacking my kidney, liver, pancreas, lungs, and joints. I was perfectly healthy before having my son, and my pregnancy was normal, no issues at all. They started me on prednisone and I was sent home. When I was sent home, I could barely walk and take care of myself. My husband and family had to help take care of me and my newborn baby since I couldn’t. Having my son is what triggered my lupus to activate. After a few months on prednisone, they started me on hydroxychloroquine and I have been doing better. I am stable. My lupus journey hasn't been easy, it has been very emotional. But I have a great support system with my family.
My biggest lesson in all of this is to be your own advocate! I knew something was wrong with me. My OBGYN didn't listen, but thankfully Dr. Doshi did.”