Try to Stay Stress-Free!

Stress is one thing that most of us cannot avoid. No matter how hard we try to be stress-free, it always seems to creep up on us.  For those of us with lupus, we need to keep stress out of our lives as much as possible.  Stress is indeed one of our worst enemies.  Being stressed out can cause a flare, which is never good.  Stress can also prolong your flare and/or symptoms.  Having a free mind and a positive attitude always helps reduce stress. Do everything you can to keep your stress levels down.  For me, the first step to doing this is being able to identify stress factors in my life.  Sometimes we do not even realize that we are stressed. Learn your body and how your illness reacts to stress, so that you can identify trouble brewing. Remember...Less Stress = Longer Life!!


Tips to eliminate stress: 

• Know what stresses you out.
• Attempt to eliminate those stress factors.
• Do something you enjoy when you feel stressed.
• Try to relax. (warm bath, music, meditation)
• Talk to someone close to you.
• Send me a tweet or Facebook message ;0)

I am always here to listen!! Take care and try to be stress-free!!

With Love,

Triggers For Lupus Flare

Things that can trigger a lupus flare

• Working too hard and not getting enough sleep.
• Being stressed.
• Being out in the sunlight, or exposure to certain halogen or fluorescent light bulbs.
• Having an infection or injury.
• Not taking your lupus medication.
• Taking certain medicines.

Biomarkers may predict, and corticosteroids prevent, severe lupus flares.(LUPUS NEWS)(Clinical report): An article from: Dermatology Nursing

Selena trial: hormone therapy tied to mild lupus flares.(Clinical Rounds): An article from: Internal Medicine News

Blood test soon may help diagnose, monitor systemic lupus erythematosus. (May Detect Flares Early).: An article from: Family Practice News

Novel immunomodulator cuts lupus-related renal flares.(Rx): An article from: Internal Medicine News

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

FLASHBACK #3

I am just thinking about my last flare up.  How long was it really going on?  I was diagnosed with pneumonia twice and given 5 different antibiotics within 4 months.  Only to find out it was NOT pneumonia. I had terrible allergic reactions to all those drugs for NOTHING.  This was very frustrating.  What do we pay these doctors for? 


Anyhoo, I was in really bad shape.  I could not do anything for myself for a long time.  I was not eating or moving at all.  I just stayed in bed. Some days I could barely walk.  It was terrible.  Finally after not going into work, not calling in and not answering when they called, I was rescued.  My co-workers came and took me to the doctor, and then eventually I was admitted into the hospital. I really didn't want to go, but it was the best thing for me.  When I get there the nurses didn't believe I was the patient.  They said that their patients usually don't walk in.  I guess I was the lucky one.  :-/


When in the hospital they removed 730ml of fluid off of my right lung (the surrounding sack).  The fluid on left lung would be resolved with Prednisone (YEAH!). This fluid was not a result of pneumonia, it was a flare up.  It seems like my rheumy could have figured this out before I was half dead, but obviously that is not in his job description.  


As a result of this most painful situation, I had to take 4 months off of school and work.  I could barely go back in January.  I still missed about 2 weeks worth of work, because I still not feeling well. (BTW it's May and I am still having chest pains smh) Lupus can really put a wrench in your plans I tell you.  I am happy to be alive and well (for the most part).  I have learned to really appreciate every good day and make the best of the bad ones.  It can always be worst!!  


Lupus Awareness and Fundraising is so very important.  We need better treatments and programs.  Most importantly We need a CURE!! Spread the word about Lupus, even if you don't know anyone affected by it (Hi my name is Simone...now you do).  Cherish your life and the people in it!!  I know I do!!


With Love ღ
Simmi

Fashion Break I

I Can’t Fit My Jeans!!! Why? It’s simple. When I am not well, I lose my appetite, so I lose weight. Then the doc puts me on steroids and I gain more back than I lost. So during these times my jeans are too big, then they fit again, then they are too small. This has become quite a cycle for me. When will it stop? Probably Never!!! I used to get upset and get rid of the tight, can’t button, about to tear when I put half-a-leg in jeans, but I learned to hold on to them, because I will eventually need them again. It is very frustrating when you can’t fit into your favorite jeans, but hey I love to shop so it all works out. I literally have 2 wardrobes, one regular and one that contains smaller/bigger items. So is that 3 wardrobes? It doesn’t matter, the point is that I keep them. Luckily I have a nice size walk-in closet to store everything.

If you are having the same problem don’t worry about it, have fun with it. Change your style a little, buy different colors and different brands. Try new things that you probably wouldn’t before. Tip: Buy materials that stretch, this way you can fit them even if you gain or lose a little weight. Love yourself no matter what, because you are Beautiful. εїз

So Strut your Stuff!!

Simmi

Search Amazon.com for womens jeans Search Amazon.com for mens jeans

FLASHBACK #1

When I was diagnosed with Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis back in September 2005, I guess I didn't realize what a great impact it would have on my daily life.  I did't have alot pain at that time (just in my hands and wrists), but my Rheumatoid factor was like 260 (R factor in normal adults my age is <19).   Initially, the news didn't sink in, I'm like okay I have Lupus what next.  My mother was with me, and I don't think she took it as well as I did.  After a while, my feeling towards it changed.  I went from why me, to I'm too young to have arthritis, to there is nothing I can do about it.  I didn't even do any research, it was like  my friends and family cared more than me. Now I see it as an experience that changed my outlook on life, and I am ready to take it head on. ღ

Tired, Tired, Tired

Some days I just don't have the energy to do anything but lay there.  My whole life gets put on hold...