Living

What is a rheumatic disease? A rheumatic disease is an autoimmune and inflammatory condition that causes the body’s immune system to attack a person’s joints, muscles, bones, and organs. There...

When the doctor said, "you have lupus,” I felt like the floor dropped out from underneath me. At our first appointment, he’d told me that lupus was his suspected diagnosis...

Family planning can be a tricky, delicate subject for many people. Having lupus only makes the matter more challenging. While it does not mean that children are not a possibility...

We recently surveyed hundreds of people with lupus to find out more about their daily experiences, diagnosis journey, symptoms, and how it all affects life in general. The results from...

Health Union did a Lupus In America survey that revealed: "More than 6 in 10 people with lupus feel their lupus interferes with their ability to work." I have felt...

When I first had my kidney failure, I never thought that I could even get insurance because I was denied the first time around. I know it's overwhelming having all...

All my joint problems, pain, or inflammation, have always been "migratory." This type of joint pain occurs with inflammation spreading from one joint to another at a time. In my...

Most people don’t know or will not understand how fluid retention starts, and also how you retain fluid. Well, my experiences have taught me to notice when I start to...

Lupus can affect many different areas of a person’s wellbeing. Physical symptoms, emotional stress, and mental health impacts can all take various tolls on quality of life. One area that...

When dealing with lupus, I would not expect to have chest pain or even shortness of breath. However, I have had plenty of times where I have had chest pain...

At 7:45 a.m., I approached the medical staff stationed outside my doctor's office to have my temperature taken. My husband had just dropped me off for my first infusion treatment...

Moving is a part of life. Whether it’s a new job, family, or circumstance. Moving is a hard reality of life. Many people research schools, crime, neighborhoods, etc. But having...

When I was 22 years old I got extremely sick with glandular fever. I still remember it so vividly. I had been to the gym for a workout and swim...

Nine times out of 10, when you are having a flare-up, they start to attack your joints first. Sometimes you can’t notice the symptoms because it seems like a normal...

For over 50 years, there were only 3 FDA approved drugs for lupus: hydroxychloroquine, corticosteroids, and aspirin. Other medications, such as immunosuppressants and chemotherapy, have been used off-label to successfully...

Summer. The time I year I bask in the sun. I am one of the lucky ones, even with all the medications I take, I do not have sun sensitivity...

Do you know what my husband needs? A hug. A reassuring hand on his arm. A gentle back rub. All simple physical gestures, and all too frequently beyond my ability...

Everyone living with lupus is different. However, I have found that making a few changes to my diet has helped improve my health. In my experience, my lupus improves when...