LUPUS AWARENESS DAY 8

  Fact of the day......

 

1.5 million people in America suffer from have lupus

 &

Currently, there is NO CURE for lupus!!!

   Join the Lupus must die movement today    www.lupusmustdie.com

Email questions or comments to sistersagainstlupus@gmail.com

LUPUS AWARENESS DAY 7

Fact of the day......

The majority of lupus patients lead normal lives

With careful monitoring of lupus, and treatment adjustments as needed, most lupus patients can lead normal lives. There may be some limitations and the disease may impose restrictions at times but with good disease management quality of life can be sustained. The worst adversary comes from within, when the patient loses hope, loses will, and gives in to frustration and depression.

email questions or comments to sistersagainstlupus@gmail.com

Sources:
"Lupus." Arthritis Foundation. 20 Mar 2007
"Lupus." American College of Rheumatology. 20 Mar 2007
"Statistics About Lupus." Lupus Foundation of America. 20 Mar 2007

LUPUS AWARENESS DAY 6

Fact of the day.......

Lupus treatment depends on symptoms & severity of symptoms

No drug can cure SLE, but many different drugs can help control symptoms and relieve discomfort. The choice of drugs depends on the severity of the condition as well as other factors. Patients with mild SLE such as joint pain, muscle pain, fatigue, and skin rashes may be helped by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen.  While patients with more severe SLE with severe organ complications may require corticosteroids or immunosuppressants. Researchers are working to develop new drugs and treatments for SLE.

For questions or comments to sistersagainstlupus@gmail.com

Sources:
"Lupus." Arthritis Foundation. 20 Mar 2007
"Lupus." American College of Rheumatology. 20 Mar 2007
"Statistics About Lupus." Lupus Foundation of America. 20 Mar 2007

LUPUS AWARENESS DAY 5

Fact of the day......

 

Lupus diagnosis may be difficult

Lupus is considered an unpredictable disease, with no two cases exactly the same. The unique pattern of symptoms associated with lupus has caused some to say that lupus is like a snowflake. No two are alike. There are several symptoms of lupus which mimic other rheumatic diseases (e.g., severe fatigue), making the diagnostic process difficult.

Some patients can be difficult to diagnose since symptoms of the disease are quite variable, ranging from skin rash to fatigue to organ failure.  No single test can determine whether a person has lupus, but several laboratory tests may help the doctor to make a diagnosis.  Most lupus patients produce antibodies to their own tissues, detectable by a blood test which has been available since the 1950s. About 20 percent of patients with lupus do not make the antibodies though and go undiagnosed.

Email questions or comments to sistersagainstlupus@gmail.com

Sources: Testing For Lupus, Center News, May 4, 2000; New Diagnostic Test For Lupus To Bridge Detection Gap, PRNewswire, August 7, 2000; FDA Clears For Market New Diagnostic Test For Lupus, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Aug. 28, 2002

LUPUS AWARENESS DAY 4

Fact of the day......

There are 11 known symptoms of lupus

• Butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and nose
• Scaly disk-shaped rash on face, neck, ears, scalp, chest
• Sunlight sensitivity
• Mouth sores, tongue sores, inside nose sores
• Arthritis pain in joints
• Pain in chest and side when breathing or moving
• Kidney problems
• Neurologic problems
• Blood problems such as anemia, low white cell count
• Immune system malfunction
• Antinuclear antibodies

It is recommended that if you have four or more of the eleven symptoms, you should consult with a rheumatologist.

Email questions or comments to sistersagainstlupus@gmail.com

or call 253-293-1244

LUPUS AWARENESS DAY 3

Fact of the day.....

Ninety percent of lupus patients are women

Lupus affects roughly 10 times as many women as men. Most often, lupus develops in people 15 to 45 years old and is two-to-three times more common among African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans.  Though lupus is most prevalent among women, it also may affect men and children, as well as people of all ages.

Email questions or comments to sistersagainstlupus@gmail.com

LUPUS AWARENESS DAY 2

May is lupus awareness month!!!!!

We will be updating this site often with facts about lupus...... So, make sure to keep up!

Lupus is a complicated disease. Whether it has been suggested you may have lupus, or you have a definitive diagnosis, you should know these facts about lupus

There are five types of lupus

• 
  
  Systemic lupus erythematosus - affects joints and organs
• 
  
  Discoid lupus - affects the skin
• 
  
  Sub-acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus - characterized by a specific, non-scarring skin lesion
• 
  
  Drug-induced lupus - develops after a drug reaction
• 
  
  Neonatal lupus - affects newborns

E-mail questions or comments to sistersagainstlupus@gmail.com or call 253-293-1699

Lupus Awareness Month Day 1

WHAT IS LUPUS? 

 Lupus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease where the immune system of the body attacks its own cells and tissues.

In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs.  It begins to turn against itself causing inflammation, pain and damage in various parts of the body.  Specifically, the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system, and other organs.

• Lupus is a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel better). 
• Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening.
• Lupus is not contagious. You cannot "catch" lupus from someone or "give" lupus to someone.
• At least 1.6 million Americans have lupus.  
• It is believed that 5 million people throughout the world have a form of lupus.
• Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44).  However, men, children, and teenagers develop lupus as well.
• Women of color are 2-3 times more likely to develop lupus.
• More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the country.
• There is currently no cure for lupus
• Source: Lupus Foundation Of America 

IT IS UP TO US,

TOGETHER WE ARE THE CURE!! 

We have created the "Lupus Must Die" movement as a way to unite every person affected by lupus to be the voice of awareness within our own community, to create more awareness, to give hope and to find a cure.

Since there is little to no publicity about this illness, it is up to us.....Together We Are The Cure!!

Register today to walk, make a donation and help raise funds for lupus. 

www.LUPUSMUSTDIE.com

Symptoms of Lupus

No two cases of lupus are exactly alike. Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus have mild disease characterized by episodes — called flares — when signs and symptoms get worse for a while, then improve or even disappear completely for a time.

The signs and symptoms of lupus that you experience will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease. The most common signs and symptoms include:

Fatigue and fever
Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose
Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods (Raynaud's phenomenon)
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Dry eyes
Headaches, confusion, memory loss

When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you develop an unexplained rash, ongoing fever, persistent aching or fatigue.

I can never let my fears.... be bigger than my FAITH

~Stevie Wonder~

Trusting HIM

It's a great day to repeat Proverbs 3:5 over and over and over again!! "I will trust in the Lord with all my heart, and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways I will acknowledge Him, and He shall direct my paths."

Think Positive!!!!

"The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible." ~Unknown
Your thoughts have power, so THINK positive thoughts and THINK as if anything is possible because at the end of the day, IT IS :)

"Cause I dont't like Lupus either"

Lupus SURVIVOR Desiren McHenry wrote to SAL back in May, 2011. Hope it encourages someone to keep moving forward in their fight with lupus.

Ending the day on another good note. Everday that I feel good, I'm proving that Lupus isn't as powerful as it thinks it is I finally got this disease by the neck, and I'm never letting go. Now that I've figured out how to beat SLE, those day of feeling bad are long behind me. Lupus hates when we take care of ourselves, but that's alright with me, cause I don't like Lupus either.Even though we have Lupus, Lupus doesn't have us. I will never allow this illness to consume so much of my life again. I will continue to see us all as healthy, and whole. Namaste ~Desiren McHenry

2012 Schedule for Survivors Circle Lupus Support Group

Happy New Year!!!  We hope that you have enjoyed a wonderful holiday with your loved ones and that you are rejuvenated for all this year has for you.

We have so many things planned for you this year!! One of which is our monthly Survivors Circle Lupus Support Group.  We are putting our heads together to plan support group meetings that are educational, filled with motivation, support and love.    We promise you will leave inspired, empowered, and encouraged to keep moving forward living a well balance life with Lupus. 

We meet every 4th Saturday from 10:30AM-12:30PM with the exception of Nov & Dec held on the 3rd Saturday due to the holidays.  Below is our 2012 Support group schedule, we hope YOU will join US. 

Please RSVP via email to info@sistersagainstlupus.org

Every 4th Saturday from 10:30AM-12:30PM

January 28th, 2012
February 25th, 2012
March 24th, 2012
April 28th, 2012
May 26th, 2012
June 23rd, 2012
July 28th, 2012
August 25th, 2012
September 22nd, 2012
October 27th, 2012
3rd Sat November 17th, 2012
3rd Sat December 15th, 2012

EACH PERSON READING THIS!!!!! Thank for loving, supporting, praying, encouraging SAL in 2011.... THANK YOU!!! I want to wish you a year filled with health, happiness, love, prosperity, success, peace & a intimate & personal realationship with my father, creator & healer. Go hard this year and make your dreams a reality........... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! The best is YET to come!!!!!!