Anyone else have multiple autoimmune diseases?

I've heard many others who are living with multiple autoimmune diagnoses. I'm glad you still golf even if it's not as much as before. I live with 6 autoimmune illnesses now. They started 30 years ago so that is about half of my life. If I put off finding what brings me joy I would have never gotten to it! Like you, I find I can be involved in my life and joy if i don't expect myself to be the same as I was before becoming disabled. I think if I had just one autoimmune illness, I might have been able to continue my life with work, travel, some kind of sports. But when there are competing illnesses! I am always coping with pain and fatigue. I like that you say "good news is..." because for me there have been many good outcomes in my life because of illness. I've learned to be in the world and accept who I am: I've had the time and focus to become a published poet, I really enjoy following baseball and never miss a game during the season (there's one just about every day!).

I'm wishing you well with your breathing , your "biggest problem." That sounds very challenging. I'm glad you posted!

Hey I am with you. I have Gleich syndrome, MGUS and non Hodgkin lymphoma. 75 and still kicking. Play golf like you twice a week. Biggest issues are fatigue and muscle aches. Some days after golf I feel like I got hit by a truck but recover quickly. Thank the Lord for each day and try to make the best of it because I know one day there will be a bad news scan or blood test but till then keep pushing. Stay well and keep positive thoughts. Hit them straight!!!

I have Scleroderma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia.

Raynaud's, Limited Scleroderma, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, Lupus, and Fibromyalgia. On top of that, Chronic Kidney Disease (starting GFR was 39 yet with dietary changes I've gotten it to high 60's). Biggest issue is fatigue. I am chronically tired. And sleep is not restorative. You said your breathing interferes with golf. Have you had a breathing test? I get one every 5 years or so just in case.

I have Raynauds, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and my Doctor thinks I probably have 1 or 2 more 😒😒. Always tired and in pain… sucks. Has anyone ever tried medicinal marijuana, accupuncture?? My 2 meds Im taking are not helping much

@corinnee
I have nodules in my lungs that cause problems. I still golf and usually get very tired on just 9 holes. My biggest breathing problem comes from climbing stairs or walking up hill to the green. My GFR is usually in the low 40’s or high 30’s.

@noelcs My nodules are from bronchiectasis and they are starting to make headway with it. Things may get better.

I’m so grateful for your posts.
I am like you all thanking God for being able to cope and still work.

I have Polynyalgia Rheumatica (PMR), Rhematoid Arthritis (RA) and sub-clinical autoimmune thyroiditis. The PMR got my attention (and kicked my butt!) in June 2025, with the *severe* morning stiffness/pain/fatigue. My rheumatologist did a thorough autoimmune work/up, and that’s when I was found to also have RA and autoimmune thyroiditis. There’s Quite a bit of autoimmune stuff in my family tree, so I guess I hit the genetic lottery there 😉 Since being on prednisone and methotrexate, I am getting great relief from the PMR and seeing some relief with the RA. My pain and stiffness, as well as fatigue, are greatly diminished, so far. I’m hoping the methotrexate doesn’t stress my liver too much. I’m learning that each person with autoimmune issues has to advocate for themselves, communicate clearly with their rheumatologist, and it’s sort of a trial and error of process of finding the right combination of meds and doses that work for each person. I am able to go to my local Y and work out and do most of my activities of daily living now with no problem. I’m hoping that continues. I’m feeling hopeful about the future. Best of luck to all those affected by multiple autoimmune issues. Life can be good, at times, even with these challenges 🙂

I have always heard where there is one autoimmune disease there will be others!! I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in 1993 ish. I had minimal lung involvement and it was inactive for a long time. Of course it doesn't go away. Through the years there was chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. Then some really good years. In recent years fatigue and pain are back. I didn't get answers from primary or cardiologist. In August I requested a rheumatology consult with not great response. Thankfully my insurance allows me to self refer. I found a great rheumatologist, had an appointment before I heard from my doctor's referral. At the end of that appointment an answer based on symptoms of RA and labs. Two weeks later labs totally unexpected! SSB and PR3 strongly positive. So Sjogren's? and Vasculitis? Caught before there is organ involvement. I too feel like it could be so much worse and but God! He is so good! Treatment has begun. During all that, a new dermatologist says the rash I have had for 2 years is Lichen Planus. It's much improved after a month on Paquenil!