My 10-Year Lupus Diagnosis AnniversaryThis is my 10th anniversary of being diagnosed with lupus, and I am so happy I made it this far. Being diagnosed with lupus at age 17 was a lot... By Jokiva Bellard2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
CPAP Therapy: An Unpleasant Solution for My Fatigue ProblemsSometimes, taking responsibility for your health kind of sucks. Have you been there – where you just want to do the right thing for your health but the process feels... By Ava Meena4 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Dealing with Covid and LupusAfter almost 3 years, Covid finally got me. Unfortunately, my husband fell ill first. The day after Thanksgiving, I saw that he was wearing a mask. I asked him what... By Geri Rodriguez3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Not Enough Providers Know About Autoimmune ConditionsI have been in the medical field for over 15 years. I’ve seen it from the inside out. I have seen providers of all kinds, from my "fellow" nurses, to... By Amber Blackburn3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments5 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... By Meghan Beaudry2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
High Protein Levels Found in Urine May Predict Lupus NephritisLupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys. It occurs as a result of lupus, an autoimmune disease. When you have an autoimmune disease, your body's immune system attacks your... By Editorial Team2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
5 Things I Took For Granted Before My Lupus DiagnosisGetting diagnosed with lupus changed my life forever. I now had a "new normal" that I would have to adapt to. Looking at things retrospectively, there were a lot of... By Geri Rodriguez2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Winter Blues or Seasonal Affective DisorderOh, the weather outside is getting a bit frightful. Cold has moved in and with it less daylight for many. The winter months are here. Days of feeling super tired... By Racquel H. Dozier3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Recent Flare and Emergency Room VisitHaving a recent flare has shown me how unethical the medical system really is. I just had a recent flare while pregnant that lasted almost a month. This flare started... By Jokiva Bellard3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Skin Care Tips for LupusCutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is lupus that affects the skin. CLE flares cause a rash to develop over parts of the skin. It may appear as a "butterfly rash" covering... By Editorial Team3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Tips for Staying Healthy During Winter MonthsI have noticed a pattern over the last several winters that I seem to pick up an onslaught of viruses. The exception for this was during the Covid-19 lockdown where... By Charlotte Barnett3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Plaquenil Side Effects: Retinal Toxicity and Eye ExamsI’ve never had any issues with my eyes, so I never needed to see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) until my lupus diagnosis when I was prescribed Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine). My rheumatologist... By Geri Rodriguez3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments9 comments
Holiday Recovery Tips for People With LupusGetting back into a routine after the holidays can be challenging, especially for people in the chronic illness community. Increased fatigue and flares can happen, whether you took things slow... By Editorial Team4 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
3 Things I Learned Not to Do On My Lupus JourneyIt is difficult to deal with everything that lupus throws at you. I have always looked at what I CAN do beyond lupus. After walking on this lupus journey, I... By Racquel H. Dozier1 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Sharing My Lupus DiagnosisWhen I first got my lupus diagnosis, I was very hesitant about who I would share the news with. I feared the judgment or the sympathy people would feel for... By Geri Rodriguez3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Dealing with a Lupus Flare After Covid RecoveryIt’s crazy to think that having Covid was not as bad compared to a lupus flare. When I got hit with Covid, I was fortunate enough to get Paxlovid and... By Geri Rodriguez3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Canceling Holiday Plans Is Never EasyCanceling is never part of the plan, but it does happen. People with lupus are familiar with this and the kind of misunderstanding that follows. Whether it is the holidays... By Editorial Team3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Feeling Anxious About New Year’s CostsMany people seem to be swirling with purpose on New Year's Day. This feeling seems to start around the end of December and continues throughout January. I watch people make... By Ava Meena3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments6 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... By Meghan Beaudry1 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
The Effects of Being a Caretaker with LupusBeing a caretaker and someone that has lupus can be overwhelming. Of course, I am a mother of a 2-year-old and a wife. It seems like my family has been... By Jokiva Bellard2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments