Caitlin King

Well, folks, I’m 25. This past year was wonderful and eventful: I got engaged to my best friend, started an amazing band with good friends, and we’re recording new music!

I was also diagnosed with SLE lupus, an autoimmune disease that’s affected me for over 10 years. Honestly, having an answer was a genuine relief.

They call lupus the disease of 1,000 faces because it mimics other diseases, making it difficult to diagnose. In my experience, it’s also called that because you’re going to see 1,000 medical professionals before someone figures out what’s wrong with you, and even more before you find a way to manage your symptoms. There is no cure for lupus.

My version of lupus, fortunately, isn’t attacking my kidneys or liver, but does present itself as a sinus infection that never goes away, even after a year of antibiotics. It attacks my throat and sinus cavity, and causes joint pain and swelling, especially in my forearms. It also causes severe fatigue, brain fog, some weird heart stuff, and a constant fever of 99+ degrees. Basically, it’s going after everything I need most as an artist.

I have to say, it is such a relief to know I’m not just a bad person. All along, I’ve been blaming myself for not having energy and beating myself up for being sad about missing out on my own life.

I’m fortunate that I don’t “look sick,“ but a lot of folks treated me like I was faking some weird illness, and I believed them.

I’m really looking forward to this year of life. I hope I can find some treatments that work for me and finally get my life back. I’m sad that it took this long to figure it all out, but I’m grateful it didn’t take any longer. I’m so excited to release new music this year, and to finally stop blaming myself for things beyond my control.

Thank you all for listening and for supporting my life‘s work, which I will never stop fighting to create. I love you all so much ❤️

Free FULL BAND show this Saturday in downtown ATX from 8-10!!! Doors at 7:30. Theres only room for 35 people so pls rsvp asap ;)

Happy birthday to the most beautiful guy in all of Versailles. Thank you for being down for every adventure, from following ween to every show we can see, to driving hours to the middle of nowhere to see some hot rocks streak across a dark sky. I love you, 💛