Love Yourself!!

Hi Lovelies!!  Recently I have connected with so many Lupies and people dealing with other chronic illnesses.  It is amazing to meet and get to know people that are going through some of the same things as I am.  It breaks my heart to see friends in pain or having hard times.  I wish that I could just take all the pain away and give them nothing but good days.


If you are going through difficult times or not feeling so great, always remember to love yourself.  Keep in mind that your illness, disease or situation does not define you.  It is only a part of you.  Learn to use it to your advantage, don't let it get you down or take over your life.  Follow your dreams and reach for the stars!!  We might have to reach a little harder and use a ladder  , but we can still get there.  


You are special, important and wonderful.  Don't forget that!!  You deserve to have a fulfilling life.  Enjoy every good day, and smile during the bad ones.  Keep faith.  Hope and Love is all I need!!  I am wishing you all the success in the world!! 


Sending you many Hugs-n-Kisses
Simmi

QUICK FACT 8

It's Fibromyalgia Awareness Day! 


People with Fibromyalgia have similar symptoms to those of us with Lupus and arthritis.  What is Fibromyalgia?  It is a rheumatic condition with characteristics of widespread muscle/joint pain, fatigue and other symptoms.  Fibromyalgia is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood just like Lupus.  This illness can lead to depression and social isolation as well.  


Fibromyalgia: The Complete Guide From Medical Experts and PatientsMore than 12 million American have Fibromyalgia.  Women are ten times more likely to get this disease than men.  Symptoms of Fibromyalgia are abdominal pain, anxiety and depression, chronic headaches, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, stiffness, IBS, tingling in fingers and feet, hypersensitivity to heat or cold, inability to concentrate, dryness of eyes, mouth and nose, and incontinence.  This disease is a diagnosis of exclusion.  Meaning doctors rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.  


Sound familiar?  Please share your Fibromyalgia and Lupus stories.

Why Does the RAIN bring the PAIN?

Many of us with chronic illnesses and/or inflammatory diseases can serve as amateur meteorologists.  We can feel the rain coming in our bones.  I know I can.  When it is raining or about to rain, I feel joint pain.  The more it rains, the more pain I feel.  Sometimes my whole body feels tired and bogged down.  When I was young, I really didn't believe the old ladies when they said that their arthritis let them know when it was going to rain.  Now that I have my own inflammatory disease I totally understand.


So why does the rain bring the pain?  Well,  it is less about the rain and more about the barometric pressure.  As barometric pressure decreases, usually clouds begin to form bringing the rain or wet weather.  As barometric pressure decreases it also has an affect on the body.  If a joint is already inflamed, swollen or abnormal then the decrease in barometric pressure causes the gas and tissues to expand.  This is felt as more pain to us.


The body's joints have sensory nerves called baro-receptors that respond to changes in barometric pressure.  When the barometric pressure drops or is low, it signifies that the air has become moist.  This usually means that the rain is not too far behind.  People with arthritis feel the change more because they have less cartilage cushioning their joints.  It is true that people with joint pain know the weather before it occurs.  When the barometric pressure goes down right before a storm, their pain goes up.  The American Journal of Medicine found a correlation that supports this theory.  


Well, I know that I cannot stand moist, rainy, cold weather.  It makes me feel bad.  But at least now we all know why we feel this pain.  Unfortunately, there is nothing that we can do about it.  So my suggestion is to use a rainy day to relax, sleep and enjoy a nice cup of cocoa while watching your favorite movie.


Wishing you many Sunny days,
Simmi

World Lupus Day


We all know that May is Lupus Awareness Month, but today just happens to be World Lupus Day.  We ask everyone to wear Purple or Orange to spread awareness and support of Lupus.  You can find information on www.worldlupusday.org.  Many regions around the world are celebrating World Lupus Day in their own special way.  Below you will find information about how the United States (Lupus Foundation of America) is spreading awareness on World Lupus Day.  


Group: Lupus Foundation of America -- National OfficeEvent:  World Lupus Day is just one of the featured events in a month-long observance of Lupus Awareness Month in the United States. As part of the observance, the  LFA is engaging constituents through its social networking sites, including Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and the LFA Blog to secure commitments by individuals and organizations to do one thing to raise awareness of lupus. The LFA has developed two eCards and is urging people with lupus to Send an ecard to 10 friends on May 10.  We're also are asking people worldwide to make a commitment to Band Together for Lupus by signing an online petition that already has exceeded its original goal of 5,000 signatures, which now has been doubled to 10,000.  Likely that goal will be increased again as momentum continues to build to engage people from all walks of life to help raise awareness of lupus.  The LFA will conduct The Butterfly Gala,  Seventh Annual National Awards Dinner on May 12.  Musicians Julian Lennon and James Scott Cook will perform, "LUCY," in memory of Lucy Vodden, Julian's childhood friend who passed away from lupus last year.  Julian's drawing of Lucy, made when he was only five years old, inspired Julian's father John to co-write one of The Beatle's most memorable songs,  "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."  Proceeds from the sale of "LUCY" are being donated to the LFA and St. Thomas' Lupus Trust to support lupus research.   
Date: May 10th, 2010Website: www.lupus.org


Personally, I will be sending out more e-cards and spreading awareness on various social websites as always.  I will also proudly wave my Cure Lupus sign at the Tigers vs. Yankees game tomorrow.  I will have pics tomorrow. Make sure you get your purple or orange wristbands and wear them proudly.  Also, sign the petition and send out as many e-cards as possible.  Let's Celebrate!!  Let's Spread Awareness!!
Search Amazon.com for lupus awareness Search Amazon.com for lupus t shirt

Create your own guestbook with your foto for MySpace, Facebook or your website! view this guestbook with all comments