Real stories from real patients navigating autoimmune disease with the right specialist by their side.
Table of contents
- Real stories from real patients navigating autoimmune disease with the right specialist by their side.
- Introduction: A Lupus Diagnosis Changes Everything
- What Is Lupus? Understanding SLE and Autoimmune Disease
- Finding the Right Lupus Specialist in Orlando, Florida
- Managing Lupus Day-to-Day: Rutu’s Experience
- Why Patients Choose UCF Health for Rheumatology Care
- Key Takeaways for Lupus Patients in Central Florida
- Schedule with a Rheumatologist at UCF Health
Introduction: A Lupus Diagnosis Changes Everything
For Rutu, life before lupus looked very different. She was the person who could do it all — energetic, driven, always on the go. Then, after six months of severe fatigue, a blood test came back ANA positive, and everything changed.
“My life changed when I got diagnosed with lupus,” Rutu recalls. “You’re used to being the person who’s always going on and on. You can go do stuff every day, and now you have to listen to your body.”
Today, Rutu manages her lupus with the help of Dr. Shazia Beg, a board-certified rheumatologist at UCF Health in Orlando, Florida. Her story is one of resilience, self-awareness, and finding the right medical team — and it offers valuable insight for the thousands of people across Central Florida living with autoimmune disease.
What Is Lupus? Understanding SLE and Autoimmune Disease
Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, or SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue, causing widespread inflammation. It affects approximately 1.5 million Americans, with women — particularly women of color — disproportionately impacted.
Common lupus symptoms include:
- Persistent joint pain and swelling
- Extreme fatigue and low energy
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Skin rashes (including the classic butterfly rash)
- Sensitivity to sunlight
- Organ complications in more severe cases
Rutu’s journey began with debilitating fatigue. After her ANA (antinuclear antibody) test came back positive, she was referred to rheumatology, where additional testing — including a Wyss test — confirmed her lupus diagnosis and helped identify the potential type: SLE.
“It also lets you know what kind of lupus it could be,” she explains. “In my case, it was suspected to be SLE.”
Finding the Right Lupus Specialist in Orlando, Florida
One of the biggest challenges for lupus patients in Central Florida is access to rheumatology care. Demand for qualified rheumatologists far outpaces supply, and Rutu experienced this firsthand.
“UCF Health rheumatologists are usually booked out six months in advance,” she says. “I got lucky enough to get in with Dr. Beg.”
Why Dr. Shazia Beg at UCF Health
Dr. Shazia Beg is a rheumatologist at UCF Health specializing in complex autoimmune conditions including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases. For Rutu, the relationship has been defined by three things: expertise, responsiveness, and respect.
“I have been blessed to have Dr. Beg helping me because of her knowledge, her expertise, but also she’s so responsive,” Rutu says. “If I can’t find her in person, I always can message her through the patient portal. I always get a reply back.”
- English
- Hindi
- Urdu
Managing Lupus Day-to-Day: Rutu’s Experience
Rutu’s lupus is currently well-managed with hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), a common first-line treatment for lupus that helps reduce inflammation and prevent flares. While she considers herself fortunate to have avoided organ involvement so far, she is keenly aware that vigilance is non-negotiable.
“I’m always scared of getting any organ involvement,” she shares. “I appreciate how proactive Dr. Beg is about making sure I get all my tests done, so in case there is organ involvement, we catch it early enough.”
The Physical and Emotional Reality of Living with Lupus
Lupus isn’t just a physical disease — it reshapes how you move through the world. Rutu wakes up most mornings with joint pain, fatigue, and brain fog. Managing energy has become as important as any medication.
She references the widely used Spoon Theory to explain her daily reality:
“I quote the spoon theory a lot — how many spoons do I have every day? Some days I have a few more than normal, and some days I don’t have as many. I have to make sure I rest to get those spoons back.”
The Spoon Theory, originally coined by lupus patient and advocate Christine Miserandino, uses “spoons” as a metaphor for the limited energy units a person with chronic illness has each day — and the constant calculation of how to use them.
Learning to Rest Without Guilt
One of Rutu’s most powerful insights is about intentional rest — a concept that doesn’t come easily to high-achieving, driven individuals.
“A lot of the times, if I don’t feel well, I am resting, but then I’m feeling guilty about resting and not getting things done. I don’t think that helps because it’s neither resting nor doing things.”
The Danger of “Feeling Good”
“When you feel good, you forget that you have lupus and then you want to do everything you used to do — until you stop feeling good at the end of it and start the whole cycle again.”
The cycle she describes — high energy, overexertion, crash, flare — is a pattern many lupus patients know all too well. Avoiding it requires constant mindfulness and careful energy planning.
Why Patients Choose UCF Health for Rheumatology Care
Easy, Accessible Communication
“I would highly recommend UCF Health for patients just because of the ease of communication,” she says. “You can meet the doctor in person, but even if you can’t, the fact that they’re available virtually — Zoom calls, patient portal messaging — that makes me feel supported.”
A Practice Where No Question Is a Silly Question
Managing an autoimmune disease means constantly navigating new information — new therapies, vaccine considerations, lab tests, and more. Rutu has leaned on Dr. Beg for guidance on all of it, from hydroxychloroquine blood levels to vitamin D testing to COVID booster recommendations for immunocompromised patients.
“She has always humor to all of my crazy questions,” Rutu says with a laugh. “And that has been very useful for me because I like having more information.”
Key Takeaways for Lupus Patients in Central Florida
If you or someone you love is navigating a lupus diagnosis, Rutu’s journey offers several important lessons:
- Get diagnosed early and accurately. ANA testing, followed by more specific testing like anti-dsDNA antibodies, can help confirm lupus and identify its type.
- Find a rheumatologist who communicates. Lupus management is ongoing. You need a specialist you can reach between appointments.
- Be proactive about monitoring. Even when lupus feels controlled, regular labs and check-ins help catch organ involvement early.
- Learn to manage your energy, not just your symptoms. Sustainable energy management can prevent flares as much as medication can.
- Rest is medicine. Intentional, guilt-free rest is a legitimate part of treatment for autoimmune disease.
- Ask every question. Find a care team that treats your curiosity as an asset.
Schedule with a Rheumatologist at UCF Health
If you are experiencing symptoms of lupus — persistent fatigue, joint pain, rashes, or a positive ANA test — or if you’ve already been diagnosed and are looking for specialized rheumatology care in the Orlando area, UCF Health is here to help.
Dr. Shazia Beg and the UCF Health rheumatology team provide compassionate, expert care for patients with lupus and other autoimmune conditions. With in-person visits, telehealth appointments, and patient portal access, your care team is with you every step of the way.
This article features a real patient’s personal experience. Individual results may vary. Always consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune conditions.
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- autoimmune disease health tip rheumatologist rheumatology ucf health patients