TODAY IS WORLD LUPUS DAY!!

Lupus is an unpredictable and complex autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and can damage any organ in the body with life-threatening consequences. There are eleven known symtoms of Lupus. It is recommended that if you have four or more of the eleven symptoms, you should consult with a rheumatologist

*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 

This is an illness that's getting little to no publicity...  so its up to us!!! LUPUS MUST DIE!!! 

Today is a perfect day to show your support by making a financial donation to help us continue the great work of supporting survivors, spreading awareness and raising funds for research. Donate here -------> www.lupusmustdie.com

LUPUS AWARENESS DAY 10

Fact of the day......

What causes lupus?

-- The exact cause(s) of lupus is not fully understood. -- Lupus is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

-- Researchers have not identified a specific gene(s) believed to be responsible for making a person predisposed to lupus.

-- Some of the factors that may trigger lupus include infections, antibiotics, ultraviolet light / sunlight, extreme stress, certain drugs, and hormones.

-- Hormonal factors may explain why lupus occurs more frequently in females than in males.

5K Lupus walk is May 26th, 2012.  

Register today at www.lupusmustdie.com 

Source:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/64182.php

LUPUS AWARENESS DAY 9

Fact of the day......

A rheumatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating arthritis and other rheumatic conditions, including lupus

Your primary care doctor can refer you to a rheumatologist, or you can get an appointment through self-referral.  Evaluation by a rheumatologist is important so that a patient can develop a treatment plan.

Press on the link below to get more info on how to choose a doctor

How do I choose a doctor?

To join the Lupus Must Die movement today CLICK HERE

To visit our website CLICK HERE

To visit our Facebook page CLICK HERE

  
Email questions or comments to sistersagainstlupus@gmail.com

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 :)