Articles

I have previously written about the effects depression can have on us lupies but I wanted to talk about another aspect of mental health that can also affect us. It...

I've always been a Type A, goal-oriented person. In the weeks leading up to New Year's Day every year, I research the best type of planner, then fill it with...

"I cannot walk out of the house this sick." Though fully vaccinated and being personally vigilant about COVID precautions in my home, I had a single weak link in my...

Many things can affect whether a person gets lupus or not. Other health conditions are among them. One condition that can increase the risk of lupus is post-traumatic stress disorder...

I'm pacing around the house, saying, "will they call?" My family keeps calling to check on the status of my interviews. "Should I have told that many people? What if...

Approximately 1 year ago, I had to pause the first immunosuppressant I’ve ever taken for lupus: azathioprine. After 3 years on that medication, a specialist told me it was doing...

When you have lupus, it can sometimes feel like you are just surviving instead of living. Making time for creativity can help relieve stress and add some joy to your...

One of the most difficult aspects of my journey with lupus is keeping track of my symptoms and communicating them to my doctor. Because of that, I keep a variety...

Getting a diagnosis of an autoimmune disease like thyroid eye disease (TED) can leave you with some unanswered questions. Your doctor will likely tell you that the disease does not...

Dealing with lupus or any chronic illness is difficult and can be even more difficult without the proper support team. There is not enough credit in the day to say...

On the outside, you look like you have everything together. You are back on your own feet for the first time in 5 years. You have a new apartment with new...

Many aspects of lupus are outside of your control. You might experience flare-ups when symptoms worsen and periods when lupus symptoms are mild. Your rheumatologist might ask that you keep...

According to Brene Brown (author, social scientist, and researcher), "Unused creativity is not benign. It metastasizes. It turns into grief, rage, judgment, sorrow, shame." I have found these words to...

At times it feels like I can't speak about anything but the pains of lupus. I get stuck in the pattern of focusing on the hurt lupus can bring. Oftentimes...

Working with a chronic condition is difficult. That is an understatement. For some people living with lupus, it is impossible. Our 2nd Lupus In America survey gave us a snapshot...

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome can be a tricky condition when it comes to dealing with lupus. Why? It occurs when your immune system mistakenly creates antibodies that make your blood much...

Living with a long-term health condition requires us to stay on top of everything: doctor’s appointments, new symptoms, insurance, and, of course, managing treatment – all while taking care of...

And so it begins. I could feel She-wolf (aka lupus) creeping along the edges of my life, looking for her opportunity to pounce. I ignored her, and I had way...

One of the most painful parts of getting sick with lupus was having to let go of my goals and plans. I mourned the loss of the life I had...

"To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others; you need to accept yourself." –Thich Nhat Hanh It can be hard to accept and...