patient story

 patient name: Simone Scribner

age: 16

condition: medication induced lupus

seen in: rheumatology

provider: Dustin Fleck, MD

Today, Simone Scribner is a very active 16-year-old who competes on Troy High School’s varsity gymnastics and diving teams. But at the end of 2022, Simone was dealing with so much pain in her legs, arms and hands that she was forced to quit gymnastics. For over a year, Simone was dealing with pain, odd injuries and random dislocations.

It got to the point that Simone wasn’t just struggling physically but mentally, too. “Many days Simone couldn’t get out of bed,” explains Heidi, Simone’s mom. “Simone was missing school or leaving early routinely due to debilitating pain and stiffness. Her joints were swollen and grey/purple.” When Simone was at school, she would text her mom because she couldn’t get up from her seat at the end of a class and was struggling to walk across the building to her next class. “Simone was falling down the stairs and needing to be carried because she was in so much pain,” shares Heidi. “Simone was existing on a diet of Advil, Tylenol, kinesiology tape and depression.”

Simone’s journey to becoming pain free

Simone endured many appointments with different doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, medical massage therapists, alternative medicine practitioners and more to try and get to the bottom of the pain. “I began to fear that she was very seriously ill. I was researching leukemia and muscular dystrophy, among other ailments,” says Heidi.

Another appointment with Simone’s pediatrician led to multiple blood tests that showed high inflammation and low iron. These key markers resulted in a referral to rheumatology. “I found Dr. Dustin Fleck on Dayton Children’s website and was able to make an appointment online to have Simone seen within a couple of weeks.” Simone and Heidi were very nervous and fearful of what Dr. Fleck would find.

Simone and Heidi’s fears were put to ease immediately upon meeting Dr. Fleck. “Dr. Fleck was so, so, so kind to Simone. He was so gentle with her bruised and swollen joints, and so understanding of her concerns,” shares Heidi.

After much discussion of Simone’s symptoms, medications, history and 23 tests (yes, 23 tests!), Dr. Fleck determined that Simone had drug-induced lupus caused by a medication Simone was taking for her skin. Medication induced lupus is so rare that it only happens in 0.01% of patients. It wasn’t even a symptom listed on the medication that Simone was taking. Dr. Fleck put Simone on a strong regimen of steroids and recommended she stop taking the medication for her skin.

It’s been about two months since Simone’s diagnosis, and she is feeling so much better! “I would estimate that Simone is about 85% back to her normal self,” says Heidi. While she still has some weakness in her joints, Simone is not letting that stop her from getting back on the mat this winter with the gymnastics team as well as the diving team. Simone is also working with a personal trainer to help regain her strength. But it’s not just Simone’s strength that is back. According to Heidi, her optimism and good spirit have also returned. “Considering in August, I was watching my relentless and confident daughter sob while trying to tie her shoes, this astonishing reversal of fortune wouldn’t be possible without Dr. Fleck, Simone’s pediatrician, and Simone’s personal trainer,” shares Heidi.

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