Why Some Family and Friends Aren't Supportive After a Lupus DiagnosisWhen I first became sick with lupus, my life changed overnight. Fatigue, pain, and endless doctors’ visits replaced school, my social life, and my plans and dreams for the future...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Gifts for Someone Newly Diagnosed With LupusWe celebrate birthdays, weddings, and baby showers with gifts. But why is it less common to give a gift to someone when they're going through a divorce, have lost a...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Flying While Fatigued: How I Safely Travel with LupusTraveling always triggers my chronic fatigue. The long wait at the airport, having to stand in line, and carrying a suitcase all zap my energy. At home, I can use...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Healthy Cooking Hacks for When You Are ExhaustedFor most of us with lupus, chronic fatigue is unfortunately here to stay. My own chronic fatigue makes it especially difficult to do household chores. After waking up exhausted and...Reactions0reactionsComments11 comments
How I Tell Men I Dated that I Have LupusA first date with a new romantic interest is enough to make anyone nervous. A dozen questions and insecurities jumble around in your mind. Will they look like their online...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
From Care Receiver to CaregiverA few weeks ago, I received a scary phone call from someone I cared about. An elderly relative who lived near me was very sick and needed to go to...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What Not To Ask Someone With Lupus"But you don’t look sick." We’ve all heard this, and we all hate it. Every time someone said this to me, especially in the early years of my illness, I...Reactions0reactionsComments17 comments
How I Became a Patient AdvocateDuring the first 4 years I was sick, I didn't tell anyone about my illness out of fear of rejection. Now, I write and speak about my illness openly. Here...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
My Struggle With Insulin ResistanceI sat in my doctor’s office as the 1,000 grams of Solu-Medrol dripped down the clear IV tube and into my arm. Solu-Medrol looks like water, but I wasn’t fooled...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
How I Cover My Dark Circles with MakeupLupus is an invisible illness. I don't walk with a limp, need a wheelchair, or show any of the typical physical signs most people associate with disability. My pain almost...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
The Struggle of Getting Diagnosed With LupusIf you are struggling to get diagnosed, you are not alone. Most people search for answers for 7 years before they are diagnosed with lupus. The pre-diagnosis stage is one...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Books and Movies About Lupus That Help Me CopeOne of the most discouraging parts of being diagnosed with lupus was that my friends and family had no idea what lupus even was. More well-known diseases, like cancer and...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
How Adopting A Dog Helped Me Cope With LupusAt one of my lowest points with lupus, I impulsively adopted a shelter dog. I had been feeling isolated from friends and family due to fatigue that seemed endless. Adopting...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Life With An Invisible IllnessWhen I first became sick with lupus, nearly everything about my life changed. I had once juggled my college classes with work and a social life without too much difficulty...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Decorating for Christmas On a Budget With LupusAffording Christmas decorations when you have lupus isn't always easy. Fortunately, you can find many different decor options at Dollar Tree and discount stores like Ollie's. Check out this video...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
How I Host the Holidays Without FlaringIt's that time of year again: stockings hung over a crackling fireplace, mistletoe decorating the doorways, and carols sounding over the loudspeakers in every store. But the winter holidays are...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
How I Manage Money While Living with LupusDuring the year I spent relearning to walk and speak after a severe lupus flare, I made the decision to leave my husband. There were many parts of being on...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Lupus and Domestic AbuseContent Note: This article describes domestic abuse. If you or a loved one are struggling, consider reading our mental health resources page, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
The Grief of Losing the Old YouOne of the most difficult symptoms of lupus isn't fatigue, joint pain, or sun sensitivity. It isn’t the rashes or hair loss. It’s the grief of losing the life we...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Has Your Doctor Ever Gaslit You?"You're too young to be sick." "There's nothing physically wrong with you. You're depressed." "You're tired because you live far away from your family, and you must be homesick." Nearly...Reactions0reactionsComments11 comments
