How Has Lupus Affected My Dental Health?Before lupus I rarely had any dental issues. But, after getting lupus, my dental health has progressively gotten worse. Lupus can affect any part of our body including our teeth...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Mental Health with Chronic IllnessI had a situation recently that really triggered me. I was browsing some forums when I stumbled across a very sad post from a person that had been severely struggling...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Scratching the Surface: The Itching Lupus BattleLet's be honest, lupus likes to throw shade at every aspect of our lives. We all know the fatigue, the joint pain, the brain fog that makes you forget why...Reactions0reactionsComments14 comments
How Are You So Positive?One question that I get asked a lot is how am I so positive after everything that I have been through. Especially when I meet people for the first time...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Signs Of A Heart AttackWe’ve all seen the TV show or movie where a man suddenly clutches his chest, gasps, and falls to the ground. To which we later learn he has had a...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Don't Catch It If You Can: Lupus and Contagious ConditionsJust recently my daughter had her fourth birthday party. Being an autoimmune disease mother who tries to be so careful, I do not know how I end up getting sick...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Lupus Diagnosis Anniversary: Do's and Don'tsA lupus diagnosis anniversary marks the date on which an individual was diagnosed with lupus. This anniversary can be a time of reflection on the journey with this diagnosis, acknowledgements...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Questions to Ask Your Doctor at Your First AppointmentThat first doctor’s appointment with a new rheumatologist can be stressful, no matter how long you’ve lived with lupus. You might be a veteran lupus warrior who is switching doctors...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
I Have Lupus…….What Now?When you are newly diagnosed with a big life altering disease, like lupus, there are so many things going through your head. So many thoughts, so many feelings. You’re thinking...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Grief and Chronic IllnessWhen living with a chronic illness like lupus, intense emotional experiences like grief can have an impact on health. Just recently, I lost someone so dear and loving to me...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Say This, Not That: What Not to Say to Your Friend With LupusOne of the hardest parts of being diagnosed with an invisible chronic illness like lupus, is that your friends and family might not understand your illness. Often, they might say...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
How To Travel With LupusSince becoming sick with lupus, I travel far less than I used to because the act of traveling is difficult due to the fatigue I live with everyday. Thirteen years...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Preparation For Blood Work and Testing (And The Wait That Follows)It seems like every time I go into the doctor anymore they want to order more testing. Blood work, X-rays, CT scans, etc. Half of which I haven’t heard of, and...Reactions0reactionsComments13 comments
The Power of Taming Your Inner CriticA lupus diagnosis is a life-altering event. It's common to experience a rollercoaster of emotions. Emotions like fear, anxiety, grief, and guilt can all come flooding in. These emotions, while...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Getting Your Nails Done with LupusHaving an autoimmune disease like lupus can be overbearing. Sometimes being a mother, wife, and working as well, you tend to not treat yourself when it comes to placing yourself...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
A Day in the Life of a Lupus Warrior: Comedy at Its BestThe alarm clock screams. I hit snooze, because, well, lupus. Five minutes later, it screams again. This is a daily gamble. Will today be a "leap out of bed, ready to...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Best Pets for Lupus PatientsAs soon as I graduated from college and moved into my own place, I knew I wanted a furry friend to share it with. I’d grown up with dogs and...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Don't Call Me a WarriorHear me out…don't call me a warrior! Because I'm not always a soldier at war. These unseen battles, hold me tight in their shackles. Nothing can calm the fight I...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Is It Worse To Have An Invisible Disability or a Visible One?Like most lupus patients, I always wonder if I’d be treated differently by my family, friends, and doctors if my illness was visible. If I used a wheelchair, would people...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
A Personal Triumph for Sun SafetyIt didn’t take long after my lupus diagnosis for me to realize I was likely going to have some level of sun sensitivity, either from the disease or the medications...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments