Depending on how lupus affects their body, some people with lupus may need additional care from specialists, like a dermatologist for skin problems, a nephrologist for kidney disease, or a cardiologist for heart complications.

Lupus, The Great Imitator

Did you know that Lupus is sometimes referred to as the Great Imitator? Lupus symptoms are very similar to those of several other common illnesses.  The most common symptoms of Lupus are fatigue, headaches, anemia,  joint pain, sun sensitivity, discoloration of fingertips in cold, fever, swelling, chest pain, butterfly rash, hair loss, blood clotting, and tiredness.  Quite the list in my opinion, but lets keep in mind that those are only the most common. 


Many of these symptoms can occur in other conditions and illnesses, such as arthritis, Lyme disease, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, pneumonia, alopecia, hemophilia and more.  This is why Lupus is called the Great Imitator, its symptoms are like the symptoms of many other conditions and illnesses.
 Full Article Here


I believe that this is also a reason that it is so difficult to diagnose Lupus.  When diagnosing Lupus doctors have to analyze multiple physical symptoms and test results.  The fact that every Lupus patient is unique (different combinations and severity of symptoms) increases the difficulty of diagnosing and treating the illness.  Lupus seems to imitate many illnesses.  Oh lucky me!! I get a taste of it all. I have even managed to develop the imitator (Lupus) and the imitated (arthritis).  Many of us have at least one other illness to accompany Lupus throughout our life.  All we can do is learn to cope and live life to the fullest.  Education is key!!  You should know what is going on with your body.  Take care and spread awareness!! 


With Love ღ
Simmi

QUICK FACT 10

✔Most people with lupus will experience joint pain without swelling. However, lupus is not a form of arthritis. (LFA)

My Efforts To Spread Awareness

As you know, May is Lupus Awareness Month.  We all have unique ways to support and spread awareness.  I would like to share my advocacy efforts with you.  Everyday of the month I make sure to wear my purple awareness wristband.  I have also passed out over ten wristbands to friends and family.  I also wear my awareness ribbon dog tag as often as possible.  If you do not have any Lupus gear, get some.  At least get a purple or orange wristband.  I have both!!


What I did:
❃ I went to the Tigers baseball game on Monday May 10th, which was World Lupus Day.  I took my cure Lupus sign and waved it during the game.  I don't think that I got any TV airtime, but at least somebody saw it.  

❃ I attended the Lupus Alliance Health Fair and met other Lupus survivors and supporters.  I even got to meet one of my twitter buddies, who also works for the Alliance.  The Health Fair was informative and resourceful.

❃ I am in graduate school at Eastern Michigan University. I did a Lupus Awareness presentation in class.  I passed out information and discussed some of the key issues with Lupus.  It was surprising to me that a number of students knew someone that has Lupus, but still nobody knew exactly what Lupus is.  

I know I did not reach the entire world, but we have to spread awareness one person at a time.  My blog and social networking also serve as advocacy avenues. You are probably spreading awareness and you don't even know it.  Each person that learns about Lupus makes an impact. 

Simple things that you can do to spread awareness :
~ Wear a Lupus wristband or t-shirt
~ Put a Twibbon on your Facebook or Twitter profile picture
~ Mention Lupus on your social networking sites
~ Explain the illness to people whenever you get a chance
~ Become a member of organizations and use their resources
~ Share your story (email me if you would like to share)


You can make an impact!  Spread Awareness with me!!
Search Amazon.com for lupus awareness Search Amazon.com for lupus 

QUICK FACT 9

✔There is no single laboratory test that can determine whether a person does or does not have lupus.  Diagnosing lupus involves analyzing the results of several lab tests that are used to monitor the immune system, along with a review of the person’s entire medical history. (LFA)

My Walk is Approaching Fast

Support Lupus and donate on my behalf!!!
June 5th in Beverly Hills, MI
Help me reach my goal!! Click Here!!

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 ツ , 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.  


More 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

I didn't know she had Lupus!!

Okay not Barbara Bush, the dog!!  Yes, dogs can have Lupus.  Millie the dog belonged to former President Bush and first lady Barbara.  Millie lived with Lupus for many years.  She even had puppies with no difficulties.  Millie, with some help ;-), wrote a book about living with Lupus.  How cute!!  It was very inspiring for many people.  This book brought Lupus to the public eye.  Go Millie!!  What a Lupus advocate.  Millie died from pneumonia in 1997 at the age of 12, but she will never be forgotten.  It is amazing who (what) can get Lupus!!  We are definitely not alone!!


Millie's Book

QUICK FACT 7

✔Lupus can run in families, and research suggests that genes are involved in the development of lupus. However, lupus also can develop in people with no family history of the disease. (LFA)