Ep. 92: Lupus, AVN, and Building a Career on Your Own Terms with Sakshi

This week, Karin sits down with Sakshi — a 24-year-old lupus warrior who also lives with avascular necrosis (AVN), the same degenerative bone condition Karin has navigated herself.

Sakshi shares how she's held down a demanding corporate job while managing chronic pain, what it took to get diagnosed after doctors initially dismissed her symptoms as a routine skin issue, and the moment a specialist's careless comment made her change rheumatologists for good.

Key takeaways:

• Diagnosis took over a year and multiple dismissals. A "skin issue" in 2018 turned out to be an early sign of lupus, but it wasn't confirmed until butterfly rashes and a month-long fever landed Sakshi in the hospital in 2019.
• A supportive manager makes corporate + chronic illness sustainable. Sakshi works from home, communicates proactively about flare days, and has built a working relationship where flexibility goes both ways.
• Self-advocacy with doctors is non-negotiable. After a rheumatologist told her it would be "easier" if her symptoms turned out to be cancer instead of incurable lupus, Sakshi switched doctors — and encourages every warrior to get a second or third opinion rather than settle.
• Community replaced isolation. Starting an Instagram page to share her story connected her with warriors who understand pain her friends and family couldn't fully grasp.
• Invisible strength is the unseen prep work. Looking "fine" in a photo can hide hours of physical and mental preparation just to leave the house.

Grab the free RESET workbook mentioned in this episode— it's the same first step we walk every client through before coaching.Connect with Sakshi: instagram.com/lupuswithsakshiConnect with us: https://www.invigorateyourjourney.com#Lupus #AvascularNecrosis #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #autoimmunewarrior ⚠️ Disclaimer: This content is for education and shared experiences only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare team before making changes. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.