Tips for Managing Stress

Tips for Managing Stress

It has been a stressful few weeks for me. I have been juggling buying a house, planning a much needed vacation for our family, and preparing to launch my book. All very positive stressors in my life, but still I feel the effects of stress on my body. My fatigue has...
Lupus in Love

Lupus in Love

If you are married, or have been in a relationship, you know it’s not always easy. Throw in a chronic illness and it becomes ten times harder. My husband and I had our struggles in the beginning. When I became sick, we slipped into the dynamic of caregiver and...
COVID-19

COVID-19

It has been a very long six months and I have spent most of it cooped up in my house, only leaving for medical appointments.  I have felt very lonely and isolated during this time, missing my friends and family. I have watched others start going back out to...

Can I Get Pregnant?

 Can I get pregnant? This is the one the first questions I asked my rheumatologist when I was diagnosed. In general, most women with lupus can get pregnant; it’s carrying the pregnancy that can be problematic. If  you are considering having a baby, you should...

Here Comes the Sun

The summer may be winding down, but the sun is still going full force, especially here in Florida. Many people with lupus experience sun sensitivity due to ulttraviolet rays causing them to develop rash, fatigue, and general achiness and joint pain.  It’s...

Diagnosis Pt. 2-Diagnostic Criteria

 In order to be diagnosed with lupus, certain criteria must be met. Previously diagnosis was based on having four out of the eleven criteria which included symptoms such as malar rash and arthritis, as well as lab tests such as anti-double stranded DNA.  You could...