Learn About Lupus Symptoms, Lupus Causes and Alternative Lupus Treatments
Lupus SLE - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ....hard to say - harder to live with....
Yes, this a photo of me when I was very sick. Never give up! I have Lupus but it doesn't have me. The first time someone hears the words "lupus erythematosus," he or she usually says "What?" So few have heard of it, yet worldwide it's seen as more common than leukemia muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis. 90% of the patients who suffer from Lupus are female of childbearing age. Even young children can be affected by lupus.
While there is no known cure for lupus erythematosus and the course of the disease is unpredictable, diagnosed with lupus myself- I believe daily life for the sufferer can be greatly improved. I've been a Lupus Survivor for almost 20 years.
Lupus, a serious rheumatological, autoimmune disease found predominantly in women, affects the connective tissues and linings throughout the body. Because of the diversity of its symptoms and severity with which it can manifest, it remains one of the most difficult conditions to identify and diagnose. Since my diagnosis with the disease, I educated myself on every aspect of my condition. Now, as a "patient-expert," I try to guide those diagnosed step-by-step through their experiences with lupus. Starting with the day of diagnosis, I will provide vital information on a variety of subjects including:
* Strategies for accomplishing necessary lifestyle changes
* Guidelines and tips for modifying your diet
* Choosing the right medical team
*Coping with overlapping syndromes
* Discussing your condition with family, friends, and co-workers
* Current medical research and medications
* Effective alternative therapies
* Support group resources
By providing reliable, useful, empathetic, and up-to-date information you need to know when you most need to know it, I hope you will find this an invaluable Lupus Support Lens for everyone learning to live with their lupus diagnosis.
I believe that whatever we are challenged by in our lives, God gave us the mechanism within us to heal it. I hope to improve the quality of life for people affected by Lupus and to promote efforts for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure for Lupus.
You can check out more extensive information on my website here.
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Lupus & You Poll
Effective Alternative Lupus Treatments
Rather than perscription drugs. I recommend these highly.
I use these personally -- in place of all prescription medications.
ImmunityPlus - Immune System Booster
Herbs for Immune System Health - Herbal Antibiotic more...17 points
JointEase Plus
Proven natural remedy for Lupus, rheumatoid arthri more...16 points
Kidney Dr.
Effective natural remedy for improving kidney heal more...14 points
Olive Leaf Extract
The extract of the leaf of the olive tree. Support more...9 points
Immunoguard + Zinc Lozenges
Guard against disease-including colds and flu-by a more...6 points
Natural Antidepressant
MindSoothe is developed with care by our practici more...5 points
Chronic Fatigue Relief - Alternative Therapies
Boost energy levels, fight fatigue and bring life more...4 points
Triple Complex Nerve Tonic Tissue Salts
The ideal choice to soothe anxiety levels and more more...4 points
Modified Citrus Pectin Powder
Citrus pectin is a plant fiber found in the white more...3 points
Healthy Living Stuff4U
At Healthy Living Stuff4U.com, we want to help peo more...1 point
Discoid Lupus
Lupus is a disease that forces the immune system t more...1 point
My Personal Experience With Lupus
never, never give in ..
My experience with Lupus started at age 24. I was diagnosed with systemic Lupus and at that time, there were only two doctors here, that even had a clue what Lupus was. I would spend weeks and even months at a time in the hospital. I have severe kidney trouble and am unable to have a transplant, due to being adopted with no medical history, and having a very rare blood type. Not having an immune system didn't help.I am very fortunate to have a loving husband and four very special children (now all teenagers) to share my life with me. I was in denial of having Lupus myself. One day, I couldn't even get out of bed. I was sick. I couldn't move. My body hurt so bad My husband practically carried me to the doctor. Doctors informed me that my Lupus was acting up. And at that time, I decided to accept the fact that I have Lupus and started taking care of me. How do I take care of me? I don't worry about the little things, put my feet up for at least 1 hour a day. And try to enjoy life. I do have a very loving family and small town community that does understand (somewhat) what Lupus is.
The greatest love and joys in my life though, are my husband, my two sons and my two daughters. I've been fortunate. My husband, by working longer hours, made it possible for me to quit my corporate job. Life was too short to work in an office, in a little box, with lots of stress. Now I work for myself. Then if I don't feel well, I just don't work..
I have a lot of help (from my saint of a husband). It can be very sad, but in many ways I view my illness as a blessing. I don't take anything for granted. I wake up in the morning, lie quietly and do a body inventory. On the rare occasion that there is no pain, I appreciate it in a way most people can't imagine. I don't worry quite so much about dust or dirty floors. I'm more inclined to focus on how happy I am that my legs function, than to focus on the electric bills. You just have to learn the language and, as Churchill said, "never, never give in".
Whatever you do, don't give up HAVE FAITH - No matter what religion. Keep your head held high and try to smile. Try really hard not to have stress in your life. Take advantage of those who understand and avoid the ones who don't.
If you are in need of support and understanding, or have questions regarding Lupus or anything pertaining to Lupus, I would love to be of help to you.
Lupus Support Books I've Read and Recommend
You Don't Look Sick: Living Well With Invisible Chronic Illness
This is a POIGNANT, EASY-TO-READ chronicle of the more...14 points
Lupus Q + A
A rheumatologist and a psychologist offer an infor more...13 points
New Hope for People with Lupus
A great resource for people with lupus, especially more...12 points
Taking Charge of Lupus:: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your Life
Based on her own personal experiences and written more...12 points
A Body Out of Balance
A patient and a doctor offer a unique and authorit more...12 points
The First Year--Lupus: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed
A patient-expert walks those newly diagnosed with more...11 points
Lupus: Alternative Therapies That Work
Moore suffered from lupus for 14 years. After taki more...8 points
Lupus Handbook for Women: Up-to-Date Information on Understanding and Managing the Disease
The Lupus Handbook for women provides all the info more...8 points
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Autoimmune Disorders
The Revolutionary, Drug-Free Treatments for Thyroi more...7 points
The Lupus Book: A Guide for Patients and Their Families
The Lupus Book provides current information by a n more...5 points
Lupus: Everything You Need to Know
Essential guide for patients diagnosed with this d more...5 points
Autoimmune Diseases and Their Environmental Triggers
Autoimmune Disease (AD) refers to any of a number more...4 points
Living Well with Autoimmune Disease
What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need more...4 points
Lupus News
My Philosophy About Lupus
AS I mentioned in the introduction of this Lupus Support Lens "I believe that whatever we are challenged by in our lives, God gave us the mechanism within us to heal it." There is literally a blueprint for healing held in your DNA that has all the information your mind and body needs to heal. I believe that we created illness to teach us the capacity we have to exist in difficult states and to turn us to a higher power to seek help.Calling upon our own energy or the energy of the heavens activates the healing powers that lay dormant within us. As you put your attention on light and truth, light and truth awakens within you. Don't wait until you feel better to think well. Your mind is a higher power than your emotions and your mind can raise the vibration of your emotional state as you clear away the lies and illusions you carry and call forth the truth of who god created you to be.
The God I believe in did not cast us down here to live in a state of despair to die in that state. I believe he guaranteed our ability to succeed by endowing us with all that we need to create success. For most people being depressed is familiar.
Feeling good is not. Often we choose what is familiar over what feels good because we know how to exist there and it feels safe. I believe we live at a time on the planet where it is becoming increasingly more difficult to stay depressed. It will require more work to stay in depression than heal it.
The real challenge for us as humans is no longer "how much can we suffer?" It is "how much joy can we hold and how long can we hold it?" Consider the possibility you chose into and created your experience of depression just to see yourself overcome it. As big as you have known depression is as big as you can now know joy.
Chose to become one of God's miracles and clear and heal what is no longer serving you. God bless you, I know you can do it.
My Favorite Lupus Articles
From HealingWell.com
Lupus : An Intro to a Disease You May Not Recognize
Discover why Lupus is perhaps the most misundersto more...16 points
Living With Lupus
Lupus is accompanied by a range of health problems more...12 points
Preventing Fatigue Due to Lupus
Use these tips to care for yourself and help ward more...12 points
Serious Conditions Associated with Lupus
Although lupus can be well controlled in many peop more...10 points
Chronic Pain in Lupus
Learn about ways to manage your chronic pain, from more...10 points
What Black Women Should Know About Lupus
Lupus is three times more common in black women th more...9 points
Medications Used to Treat Lupus
Comprehensive guide to the many medications used t more...7 points
Joint Function and Lupus
Joint pain or arthritis is experienced by 95% of p more...5 points
Preventing a Lupus Flare
Learn the warning signs of an oncoming flare-up, a more...5 points
Skin Care and Lupus
Many types of skin conditions are common in lupus.3 points
Nutrition and Lupus
Although there are no specific dietary guidelines more...2 points
Fever and Lupus
Fever is often a part of lupus, ranging from inter more...2 points
Exercise and Lupus
Keeping fit through an exercise program planned ju more...2 points
Sexuality and Lupus
Pain and fatigue in Lupus can make it difficult to more...2 points
Pregnancy and Lupus
With careful planning, most women with lupus can s more...2 points
Neurological Symptoms Of Lupus
Lupus can affect your brain and nervous system, ra more...2 points
Complementary Therapy for Lupus, Part I
How to use Reiki to foster healing and alleviate p more...2 points
Complementary Therapy for Lupus, Part II
Natural remedies for associated depression, anxiet more...2 points
But You LOOK Good! A Guide to Understanding and Encouraging People Living with Chronic Illness and Pain.
Do loved ones have a hard time understanding your more...0 points
Lupus and the Importance of Support
Official Lupus Support & Information Links
- Lupus Foundation of America
- Official Lupus Support Website
- Lupus Local Chapter Locator
- The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) provides most of its direct services through a nationwide network of chapters, branches and support groups. Chapters conduct programs of public education and information, patient education, professional education, and advocacy. Chapters provide support to people with lupus, their families, and healthcare professionals.
- Walk for Lupus Now - The Official Lupus Walkathon
- Walk for Lupus Now events are held throughout the United States.
- Lupus Organizations
- List of Lupus Support Organizations throughout the World.
- Lupus - MayoClinic.com
- Lupus (SLE), diagnosis, symptoms of lupus, tests, lupus FAQ, tips, forum, chat room & more. Lupus is a chronic disease that can affect your skin, joints and organs.
- Lupus Research Institute - Lupus Research Information, Prevention, Treatment, Cure
- The Lupus Research Institute (LRI) provides LupusResearchInstitute.org to help scientists and physicians, patients, and their families champion novel and innovative lupus research. On the homepage you will find information about lupus and the LRI as well as lupus research and news.
- Lupus at Suite101.com
- The little things that we all can do can add up to great things. Please help us get the word out, raise awareness and understanding, and eventually, find a cure for lupus.
- Lupus Treatments - Don't get drugged, get cured.
- Lupus treatments mentioned in various sources for treatments for Lupus includes the list on this site. Find information about treatments for Lupus including drugs, prescription medications, alternative lupus treatments, surgery, and lifestyle changes.
- Learn About Lupus
- Lupus International is a foundation providing information on research, medications, treatments and answers to what is lupus.
- Lupus Doctors (Specialists)
- Who is the specialist for lupus? Although lupus can be diagnosed and treated by family practitioners, internists and general practitioners, people often ask, "Who is the specialist for lupus?" The dermatologist is recognized as the specialist in diagnosing and treating cutaneous (skin) lupus. The rheumatologist is recognized as the specialist when it comes to diagnosing and treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
America Academy of Dermatology
Also To locate a physician in your area, contact your nearest Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America. They can provide a list of physicians in their service area who diagnose and treat lupus. See the Chapter Locator to find the Chapter nearest you.
Blogs About Lupus & Fibromyalgia
Facts About Lupus
In response to media interest in rumors surrounding the cause of death for Anna Nicole Smith being attributed to lupus, the Lupus Foundation of America is releasing a basic fact sheet about the disease. For additional information, please visit the LFA Web
-- Lupus is a serious and life-threatening chronic (lifelong) autoimmune disease that for unknown reasons causes the immune system to go into hyper-drive and attack the body's own tissue and organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, blood and/or blood vessels.
What are the symptoms of lupus?
-- Symptoms of lupus often mimic other less serious illnesses and sometimes are dismissed.
-- The most common symptoms of lupus are severe joint pain and swelling, extreme fatigue or exhaustion, fevers, skin rashes (especially in the shape of a butterfly across the cheeks and nose), pains in the chest on deep breathing (pleurisy), anemia, kidney involvement, photosensitivity (sunlight / UV light), hair loss, abnormal blood clotting, seizures, and ulcers in the nose and mouth.
-- Lupus fluctuates between periods of increased disease activity (called flares) and periods of decreased disease activity (called remission), where symptoms may not be noticeable.
Who gets lupus?
-- Based on the results of several nationwide surveys, the Lupus Foundation of America estimates that approximately 1.5 million to 2 million Americans have a form of lupus.
-- Ninety percent of people with lupus are female. Approximately 80 percent of new cases develop among women of childbearing age (15 - 44).
What causes lupus?
-- The exact cause(s) of lupus is not fully understood.
-- Lupus is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
-- Researchers have not identified a specific gene(s) believed to be responsible for making a person predisposed to lupus.
-- Some of the factors that may trigger lupus include infections, antibiotics, ultraviolet light / sunlight, extreme stress, certain drugs, and hormones.
-- Hormonal factors may explain why lupus occurs more frequently in females than in males.
Facts About Lupus Continued ..
-- Because many lupus symptoms mimic other illnesses, are sometimes vague, and may come and go, lupus can be difficult to diagnose.
-- Currently, there is no single laboratory test that can determine whether a person has lupus or not.
-- It may take months or even years for doctors to piece together evolving symptoms and accurately diagnose lupus. A survey of LFA members found that more than half suffered symptoms four or more years and visited three or more doctors before being diagnosed with lupus.
-- Diagnosis is usually made by a careful review of a person's entire medical history, physical examination, coupled with an analysis of the results obtained in routine laboratory tests and some specialized tests related to immune status.
How is lupus treated?
-- Medications are often prescribed for people with lupus, depending on which organs are involved, and the severity of involvement.
-- Commonly prescribed medications include:
-- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
-- acetaminophen,
-- Corticosteroids,
-- anti-malarials, and
-- immunosuppressive drugs (such as chemotherapy).
-- There has not been a new medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically for lupus in more than 40 years.
-- Hope is on the horizon, however, as there now are more than two dozen biotech and pharmaceutical companies in various stages of developing and testing potential new, safe and effective therapies for lupus.
Website: http://www.lupus.org/
Comment on this Lupus Support Lens
All comments will be greatly appreciated :)
Questions, comments or stories to share? Please feel free to share them here!
* We love and care for our lenses each day! Show us some love too? If you've found this lens interesting, useful, enjoyable, informative, or fun please lensroll us, leave a comment, vote for us or--even better--add us to your favorites!
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elixirherbals
Great description. I treat Rheumatoid Arthritis with a high success rate but haven't had Lupus patients for treatment. However, for joint pains I recommend diets that you can read freely on "www.elixirherbals.com" Posted June 01, 2008 |
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Ratcha
excellent lens. 5 stars from me. I just started a Lupus group. Please join in. Posted May 23, 2008 |
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driewe
Great lens on lupas, 5 stars Posted March 06, 2008 |
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HypnoTrance
Hi Posted February 19, 2008 |
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Graceonline
Thank you for building this lens on lupus. I've known several lupus sufferers. I wish I'd had this resource years ago. Posted February 15, 2008 |