Kaleidoscope Blog

Those with lupus / SLE  have a 25-50% chance of developing abnormal liver values in their lifetime.  Read on to find out more about the liver, how it can be affected by lupus and what you can do to take care of this vital organ!   Introduction Function of the Liver Conditions of the Liver,…

According to Johns Hopkins, approximately half of those with SLE will experience some form of lung involvement.  Here is a quick overview of some of the most significant conditions and treatments to consider. Introduction Conditions of the Lungs Pleuritis Acute Lupus Pneumonitis (ALP) Chronic Diffuse Interstitial Lung Disease Subacute Interstitial Lung Disease Pulmonary Emboli Antiphospholipid…

Joan Jarrett, M.D., polled dozens of doctors to find out what they would tell you, if only they could.  Here are the top twelve.   01. WE ARE WORKING ON YOUR CASE, EVEN IF IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE DISAPPEARED. Physicians often forget how scary being in the hospital can be. Rest assured that when…

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…

Kaleidoscope Fighting Lupus May is National Lupus Awareness Month – a time for Kaleidoscope Fighting Lupus and partnering organizations across the country to highlight the disease. May 10th is World Lupus Day bringing global awareness to this disease.  Lupus is a global health problem affecting millions of people of all nationalities, races, ethnicities, genders and…

Contents: Introduction How is it diagnosed? What may be causing my mouth sores if it is not lupus? How are mouth sores treated? What can be done to help alleviate or prevent them How can my dentist help? In conclusion Introduction Much of the information about systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) focuses on how the disease affects…

 WHAT IS LUPUS? Lupus is widespread and chronic autoimmune disease that, for some reason, causes the immune system to attack the body’s own tissue and organs, including the joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, blood or skin.  Lupus is one of America’s least recognized major diseases, despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer…

Contents: Introduction What are the kidneys and what do they do? What are the symptoms of lupus nephritis and how do I recognize it? How does lupus nephritis get diagnosed? Once diagnosed, how is lupus nephritis treated? Can Lifestyle Changes Help Those With Lupus Nephritis? How Research is Providing Hope In Summary, by Dr. Donald…

Contents: Introduction Types of Doctors That Treat Lupus:      Dermatologist      Cardiologist      Clinical Immunologist      Endocrinologist      Family Doctor      Gastroenterologist      Hematologist      Nephrologist      Neurologist      Perinatologist      Psychologist      Pulmonologist      Rheumatologist      Social Worker In Conclusion…

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…

Contents: What is Plaquenil? Other than Plaquenil, what are the other antimalarial drugs? Why are antimalarial drugs used to treat lupus? How do antimalarial drugs work to control lupus symptoms? What should I keep in mind when taking antimalarial drugs?  How to use Plaquenil What are the possible side effects of antimalarial drugs? Can I…

Two Scenarios SCENARIO ONE: Sarah’s heart is racing as she sits in her doctor’s office awaiting her test results.   The visible facial rash and joint pain that appeared after her baby was born have been extremely challenging to live with.  The answers to what seem like months of waiting, months of referrals, and months of…

The Use of Low-Dose Naltrexone for Lupus and Other Overlap Conditions WHAT IS LDN? Low-dose naltrexone or LDN is a medication that is getting more attention because of preliminary research showing promise for use with diseases like multiple sclerosis, some cancers, HIV/AIDS and other chronic pain conditions.  Over the last several months, we, at Kaleidoscope…

Note:  For the latest in smart phone apps specific to lupus, check out our updated blog by clicking here Lupus and Mobile Tech – Smartphone Apps and Managing Your Health Contents: EPA’s SunWise UV Index App MANGO Health App Lupus Tracker Pro Image InBox The Lupus Companion Other Helpful Apps     In the age…

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?…

WHAT IS IT? CellCept® or mycophenolate mofetil, is a medication that was first prescribed to treat people who have had an organ transplant.  Over the last 15 years, it has been increasingly used more to treat immune disorders, like systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and other lupus overlap diseases.    This blog…

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…

It is estimated that 85% of lupus patients will experience some form of unhealthy blood condition. In this article, we will take a closer at the blood disorder risks, symptoms and treatments for individuals living with lupus.   Introduction What is blood? What causes a blood disorder? Diagnosing Blood Disorders Common Blood Disorders in Lupus…

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…