Living with Lupus

Summertime … and the livin’ with lupus is… not easy. With the intense sunlight, heat, humidity, wind, pollen and even air pollution, summer can make life miserable for those living with SLE.  Summer conditions can trigger flares and possibly even the disease itself.  To learn how to best manage this time of year, read on. …

Getting diagnosed with lupus is scary and upsetting enough without the added stress of potential hair loss. The physical ramifications of what systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can do to the body internally are indeed very scary. But the emotional toll of looking in the mirror and seeing a dramatic change in our external appearance is…

At least half of individuals with lupus have the malar – or butterfly – rash. Read on to learn more about this common, characteristic condition for those living with lupus. Introduction Causes of the Malar Rash Diagnosing Malar Rash and Lupus Treating and Preventing Malar rash Mental Health and Malar Rash Dr. Nisha Desai:  Lupus…

Sometimes the hardest part of telling others that you have lupus is managing how they deal with your news. Read more about the complex emotions that can arise from a lupus diagnosis. Introduction Fear of the Unknown Vulnerability Trust Jealousy Guilt and Shame In Conclusion   Introduction Having a chronic disease like lupus can be difficult, to say the…

Here are some thoughts from a dad as we begin the summer vacation season and the 4th of July holiday … but these are important for any day of the year … because you are a dad 365 days a year! Introduction Fatherhood and Lupus Society’s Expectations In Conclusion Introduction I am a dad with…

Lupus and the Roller Coaster Which is Grief Grief (as defined by dictionary.com): “Keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss.” Grief (as defined by someone diagnosed with lupus or another chronic illness): “Overwhelmingly keen mental anguish, suffering and distress over the absolute topsy turvy and unexpected negative turn of events in his or…

INTRODUCTION Recently, there has been an influx of research about stem cell therapies being used as a potential treatment for SLE and other lupus overlap diseases.  At Kaleidoscope Fighting Lupus, we have received several inquiries regarding this new therapy, and deemed it responsible to clarify (due to its experimental and somewhat controversial nature) what stem…

Never underestimate the power of hormones. These potent chemical messengers help regulate almost every function of the human body … including the autoimmunity.  Find out more about how they may influence lupus, and how they may lead to future treatments Introduction to Lupus and Hormones What role do hormones play in autoimmune disease and lupus?…

Contents: What are the facts? How to Deal with Depression & Anxiety How to Deal with Worry About the Future How to Deal with Social Activities How to Deal with Explaining Lupus to Your Friends How to Deal with Your Parents or Guardian How to Deal with Dating Important Resources   When a teenager or…

What it is: Azathioprine or the brand name Imuran, is a drug that was originally developed to prevent organ rejection in people who had received a donor transplant.  Currently, in addition to its anti-rejection properties, it is also being used more and more to treat autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus, dermatomyositis, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis and…