This archive report was first published on 13 May 2020.
Winnie Opondo's journey with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) began in 2014 when she started experiencing numbness in her feet and hands. The symptoms persisted despite being treated for bacterial infections and undergoing numerous tests, including HIV and diabetes screenings.
It wasn't until 2016, when she became pregnant, that her symptoms worsened, causing her difficulty breathing, chest pains, and fatigue. After an uneventful delivery in May 2017, she thought the pains had subsided, but two weeks later, they returned, accompanied by a burning sensation and intense chest pains.
Winnie's hands would ache so much that she couldn't pick up her newborn or even breastfeed unassisted. She was told it was yet another bacterial infection, but she knew something was wrong. It wasn't until she sought a different doctor and underwent tests analyzed in South Africa that she was finally diagnosed with SLE.
Winnie's SLE manifests as arthritis, and she has been on daily medication since 2018. She has experienced two flare-ups, which are periods when the disease becomes active and symptoms become more evident. Despite still being on treatment, she has had to make peace with mild pains and fatigue.
Winnie has also learned to manage the triggers to her flare-ups, including stress and excessive sun exposure, which makes her joints ache. She wears sunscreen every time she goes out and covers her face with a big hat to protect herself from the sun.
Winnie is the secretary of the Lupus Foundation of Africa and creates awareness and motivates those suffering from the disease. She hopes that the government will one day consider their plight, as lupus medication is expensive and diagnosis takes years.
