[Mrs Pony]

We put on our EOI that I have Systemic Lupus but it is manageable and that I don't NEED to take meds for. I do currently take daily meds for it but I've never had any major problems...a high fever here and there and joint aches, but thats about it...no organ involvement or anything

Does anyone know/think that they will refuse us because of this?

For those that don't know.. Lupus is an auto-immune disease. Basically your immune system can't tell good from bad so it can attack health parts.

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

If it's fully diagnosed and under control I would have thought you would be OK, but will probably need some supporting documentation from your medical practitioner to include in your application.

[peebles16]

Also if you are taking meds for it they will presumably show up in your medical so NZIS will be informed. There is a list on NZIS website about medical conditions that are not accepted and pretty sure lupus not on it but might be worth checking out - if I was more organised I could find the link :o But am sure if you do a search on this forum it'll come up

All the best with it :)

Karenx

[Mrs Pony]

Thanks for the responses!

I did a little search and came up with this...

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/nzis/operations_manual/7642.htm

Medical conditions

* HIV infection
* Hepatitis B surface antigen positive, with abnormal liver function
* Hepatitis C, RNA positive, with abnormal liver function
* Malignancies of solid organs and haematopoietic tissue, including past history of, or currently under treatment

Exceptions are:

1. treated minor skin malignancies (not melanoma)
2. malignancies where the interval since treatment is such that the probability of cure is > 90%, e.g.: early stage (I & IIA) breast cancer at 5 years; low risk prostate cancer at 5 years; early stage (Dukes A & B1) colorectal cancer at 5 years; childhood leukaemia at 5 years

* Solid organ transplants, excluding corneal grafts more than 6 months old
* Chronic renal failure or progressive renal disorders
* Diseases or disorders such as osteoarthritis with a high probability of arthroplasty in the next four years
* Central Nervous System disease, including motor neurone disease, complex partial seizures, poorly controlled epilepsy, prion disease, Alzheimer's and other dementia, and including paraplegia and quadriplegia
* Cardiac disease including ischaemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy or valve disease requiring surgical and/or other procedural intervention
* Chronic obstructive respiratory disease with limited exercise tolerance and requiring oxygen
* Genetic or congenital disorders: muscular dystrophies, cystic fibrosis, thalassaemia major, sickle cell anaemia if more than one sickle crisis in 4 years, severe haemophilia, and severe primary immunodeficiencies
* Severe autoimmune disease, currently being treated with immuno-suppressants other than prednisone
* In a person up to the age of 21 years, a severe (71-90 decibels) hearing loss or profound bilateral sensori-neural hearing loss
* In a person up to the age of 21 years, a severe vision impairment with visual acuity of 6/36 or beyond after best possible correction, or a loss restricting the field of vision to 15-20 degrees
* In a person up to the age of 21 years, a severe physical disability, where they are unable to stand and walk without support, and cannot independently dress, eat, hold a cup, or maintain their stability when sitting.

The manual is really confusing to me ...but I think that we should be ok...The meds that I take are just anti-inflammatory meds...I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens when we get to that point... I know that my hubby REALLY wants to go back to NZ and I would feel awful if we didn't get in because of my lupus... :(

[JandM]

Good luck. (I've seen people mention going through the medicals okay with all kinds of chronic but controlled/quiescent conditions.)

[victoria]

I have a friend from the states who has this. She arrived with family (oh now lets see ... about 12 years ago) She didn't have a problem but has found that she has to do a lot more awareness protection from the sun here. I hope things go alright for you.

[Mrs Pony]

I have a friend from the states who has this. She arrived with family (oh now lets see ... about 12 years ago) She didn't have a problem but has found that she has to do a lot more awareness protection from the sun here. I hope things go alright for you.

Hopefully it hasn't changed too much since then! I'll just have to pile on the sunscreen!

[Mrs Pony]

Since I will have to have regular visits to a rheumatologist... should we take out some extra health insurance? I've clueless about the way everything works over there...

[wwwdot]

I have a sarcoidosis, another auto-immune disease, and yet I got the blue stickers:nice1 I got a letter from the specialist I have been seeing.

You might want to include any supporting letters from doctors with your application. I also included my x-ray since for me the condition involves the lungs.

Good luck with your plans!

[Mrs Pony]

Thanks! That puts my mind at ease... for now... My visits have gone down from monthly to every 6 months :raebanana ... so that should be a good sign too!

[wwwdot]

Mine hasn't been active for years but have annual check-ups. Sounds like your prognosis is good:yes In any case the cost of auto-immune illnesses is quite low since steroids are cheap IMO. pm me if you want to compare notes. It sounds very positive for you though:raebanana