Exercises to Help Manage Back Pain

 Source: Exercises to Help Manage Back Pain

When we suffer from back pain all we want to do is sit still in a position that doesn’t cause pain. But in fact, this is liable to worsen it. Strengthening the muscles in other areas helps support the body and takes weight off the spine, leading to better posture and less pain. SomTetimes when we begin exercising and we have back pain, we can feel a pinching or another slight pain. But as your muscles grow in strength back pain and pain while exercising should decrease. If you feel a significant pain lasting for longer than 15 minutes during the routine call your physician.
Be sure to stretch and warm up a little first. Avoid toe touches however. This exercise stresses the ligaments and disks in the spine and could make your pain worse. If you have lower back pain, partial crunches are good. They will strengthen the muscles in the back and stomach. Here you lie on the floor crossing your arms in front of you. You tighten your abdominal muscles and lift yourself up. Take a breath every time you rise and breathe out as you descend. Don’t use your elbows or arms to lift up. Make sure your feet are flat and that your tailbone never leaves the mat. Do eight to 12 of these and slowly increase as you get used to doing them.
Sit-ups are actually not so good. They put pressure on the spine and only really exercise the hips. Hamstring stretches are good for the back. Lie down and take a towel about the size of a hand towel with you. Put it on the middle of the bottom of your foot. Extend your leg out slowly and hold on to each end of the towel, guiding the leg up. Hold for 30 seconds then bring it down again. Do each leg two to four times. Practice these and you’re bound to notice the difference.
Talk to your doctor before taking on a new regimen of exercises for your condition, and see which ones are right for you. For serious conditions a physical therapist may be necessary. For others, a personal trainer who knows how to accommodate back conditions also proves helpful. Exercises that are not recommended for your condition could actually make it worse, so make sure to discuss the issue at length with a professional.

Avocado Spinach “Pasta” Sauce – AIP/Paleo/Gluten Free/Vegan IN SEARCHOF SIMPLICITY: by MY JOURNEY WITH LUPUS

Originally posted on The Bumpy Road To A Simple Life:

Avocado’s are delicious but they have a very short shelf life. When they are ripe you need to eat them right away as they go bad really quickly. The other night I had an avocado that needed to be eaten before it went to waste. It was already too soft to put on a salad so what should I did with it?

I’ve used avocado in many different things – icing, smoothies, mayo, muffins, but never in a sauce but I new it’s creamy texture would be perfect. I searched the web and found a few interesting recipes but they either all had a lot of fresh basil or ingredients I am not currently allowed to eat. So I decided to make my own.

This was so yummy even my son ate it and he does not like avocado. It will become a staple in our house moving forward.

So here is the recipe:

Avocado Spinach “Pasta” Sauce

1 ripe avocado

a big handful of spinach (around 1 – 2 cups)

3 cloves of garlic

juice of half a lemon

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp basil

1. Start by cooking your spaghetti squash.I do this by cutting it in half, scooping the seeds, and placing them inside down in a pan with a bit of water. Then I cook at 375 F for about 30 – 40 minutes.
2. Place all ingredients into a blender or food processor, I use a vitamix. Blend until smooth.
3. Heat a pan on medium heat with a little oil – coconut, avocado, etc… Add the squash and saute slightly. Pour sauce over squash and heat through stirring often. This only takes about 5 minutes. This step means you’ll have a nice warm dish and prevents any leftovers from browning the next day.
4. Serve and enjoy.

Hope you enjoy!

Sabrina

Preventing a Lupus Flare

Preventing a Lupus Flare. Thank you to  everydayhealth.com By Chris Iliades, MD | Medically reviewed by Farrokh Sohrabi, MD for this information.

Flares are an unfortunate part of living with lupus, but lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of flares. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding stress, and staying out of the sun will help.

  One of the hardest things about living with systemic lupus is coping with unpredictability; if you have lupus, you will go through periods when your disease seems to be quiet and periods when it’s active and your symptoms worsen. These periods of feeling worse are known as lupus flares. Although there is no way you or your doctor can completely predict or prevent a lupus flare, you can identify and try to avoid known triggers to reduce your risk for flares. Making appropriate lifestyle changes can also help reduce your risk for a lupus flare.

Some of the common triggers in systemic lupus are sunlight, infections, and stress,” says Amita Bishnoi, MD, a rheumatologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Other common triggers include being overtired, starting or stopping medications, becoming pregnant, or undergoing any physical stress, such as surgery or an injury.

Lupus Flares and Lifestyle Changes
The best thing you can do is live a healthy lifestyle,” says Ellen Ginzler, MD, a professor of medicine and chief of rheumatology at State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, in New York City. “Stay active, eat a healthy diet, stay out of the sun, and  don’t smoke.”

Other things you can do include:

One of the hardest things about living with systemic lupus is coping with unpredictability; if you have lupus, you will go through periods when your disease seems to be quiet and periods when it’s active and your symptoms worsen. These periods of feeling worse are known as lupus flares. Although there is no way you or your doctor can completely predict or prevent a lupus flare, you can identify and try to avoid known triggers to reduce your risk for flares. Making appropriate lifestyle changes can also help reduce your risk for a lupus flare.

“Some of the common triggers in systemic lupus are sunlight, infections, and stress,” says Amita Bishnoi, MD, a rheumatologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Other common triggers include being overtired, starting or stopping medications, becoming pregnant, or undergoing any physical stress, such as surgery or an injury.

Lupus Flares and Lifestyle Changes

The best thing you can do is live a healthy lifestyle,” says Ellen Ginzler, MD, a professor of medicine and chief of rheumatology at State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, in New York City. “Stay active, eat a healthy diet, stay out of the sun, and don’t smoke.”

Other things you can do include:

Visit your doctor regularly. To maintain your health, make sure you stick to scheduled doctor visits and let your doctor know if symptoms seem to be getting worse.

Get plenty of rest. Manage your schedule to avoid becoming overtired or overworked.

Watch out for stress. Some stress is unavoidable, and having a chronic disease is stressful by itself, but it’s important for people with lupus to avoid putting themselves in stressful situations when possible. Learn some techniques that help you manage your stress. Meditation is an excellent way to reduce stress and decrease your risk for a lupus flare.

Avoid physical stress. Regular exercise is a great way to stay strong and fit. If you need to undergo a procedure that will require recuperation time, schedule it when your lupus is not active. It’s best to wait to get pregnant until your doctor clears you for it, for the same reason.

Avoid sunlight whenever possible. If you have to be in the sun, use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (like SPF 70) and wear protective clothing. Make sure your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Remember that halogen and fluorescent lights also give off ultraviolet light, so avoid prolonged exposure to them as well.

Take your medications as prescribed. Never start or stop a medication without checking with your doctor first. Many medications, including some over-the-counter drugs, can trigger lupus flares. Some antibiotics in the sulfa family, for instance, increase sun sensitivity and may increase your risk for a flare. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medication, supplement, or herbal treatment.

Be careful with certain foods and supplements. Avoid alfalfa sprouts, which contain a substance that may increase inflammation and trigger a flare. Some people may have a similar reaction to garlic, which is sometimes used as a health supplement. Other supplements that have been linked to lupus flares include melatonin, often used as a sleep aid, and echinacea, used to fight colds.

What Should You Do If You Sense a Lupus Flare Coming On?

Many people with lupus eventually become attuned to their body’s rhythms enough to sense when a possible flare is coming. At these times you can rest and use stress management techniques, but once actual symptoms of a flare begin, you shouldn’t try to handle it on your own. Some common flare symptoms include:
Increased fatigue, New or worsening rash, Joint and muscle pain, Headache or dizziness, Sores or ulcers in the mouth, Swelling in the legs, Fever, Any new symptoms
When you think a flare is starting, it’s best to see your doctor as soon as possible.

The best way to manage lupus and avoid flares is to learn as much about your disease as you can and to follow these simple guidelines: Listen to your body, learn what your own triggers and early warning signs are, stick to your lupus treatment plan, and take good care of yourself.

Back to School With Lupus: For the Parent

Back to School With Lupus: For the Parent Posted on ctlupus by ctlupus

It can be hard enough as a parent finding the time and energy to send your child off to school every day. For lupus patients, this challenge is even greater. 

Last week on the blog we discussed helping your child with lupus transition back into the school year. However, what if it’s not the child who has lupus, but the parent? If you are a parent with lupus getting ready to send your kids back to school make sure you’re prepared. Here are some tips to help you lower stress and stay healthy this school year.

Make your health a priority

Listen to your body and do what’s best for you. Move at your own pace and be willing to say no. You may feel guilty putting your health first, but if you don’t you will end up wearing yourself out making you more susceptible to a lupus flare.

Tell your family how you’re feeling

Communication with your family is key with lupus, especially when one day can be great and the next not so great. Let everyone know exactly how you are feeling each day. A number scale is a good way to express the discomfort and pain you may be having. This can help your family understand better and adjust expectations accordingly.

Stay organized

Help prevent unwanted stress by staying organized! Check out some tips on the blog at https://ctlupus.wordpress.com/2015/08/18/time-to-get-organized/  and be sure to take a look at our “Organizational Tips” Pinterest board, https://www.pinterest.com/ctlfa/organizational-tips/

Ask for help

Don’t be afraid to seek out help when you need it! Get into a routine of having scheduled help come throughout the week. This will help lower your stress and give you some rest time if needed so that you stay healthy! Ask family members to watch the kids or hire a neighborhood teen to be a mother’s helper after school!

For more information on parenting with lupus visit http://www.lupus.org/resources/15-questions-dealing-with-stress-of-being-a-parent-with-lupus

Lupus 3D Medical Animation

This 3D medical animation depicts how the immune system normally attacks foreign invaders, and its own body in an autoimmune disease such as lupus. Common symptoms and treatment options for lupus are also presented.

Lupus Blood Tests

98% of all people with systemic lupus have a positive ANA test, making it the most sensitive diagnostic test for confirming diagnosis of the disease. The test for anti-nuclear antibodies is called the immunofluorescent antinuclear antibody test.

Just Keep Swimming!

Posted on ctlupus.wordpress.com/ by ctlupus

Swimming is for everyone! For lupus patients swimming offers a low impact workout that many cardio activities cannot. Swimming improves strength and fitness while being very gentle on the body. Water cushions stiff joints that are often injured by exercises on land. This is especially good news for lupus patients who struggle from joint pain. Swimming can improve your fitness and range of motion to relieve pain and stiffness, all while building strength.

When immersed in water up to your waist, your body is only bearing 50% of your body’s weight. At your chest, 25% to 35%, and your neck, only 10%.

If you are new to a swim workout it is recommended to take it slow and at a pace that is right for you. Our bodies are made for land not water, therefore it is easy to become frustrated. If you’re just starting out try swimming for 10 minutes and build up to 30. Walk the length of the pool or even use a kickboard if you’re not ready to swim underwater.

Try swimming and see if it works for you! Remember to start slow and always listen to your body!

FIVE EMPOWERING HABITS

Originally posted on Lupus In Color:

Five Empowering Habits of the Lupus Warrior

1. Complain less and applaud more – Just because you are fighting a hard battle, you make a conscious choice to complain less about the fight and applaud your effort more to overcome the trials of lupus.

2. Speak well over yourself – Speaking to yourself in empowering ways removes the desire to stay still in the pain lupus brings. It also conditions your brain to see the brighter side instead of the hill you are climbing.

3.Be selective in your talk of your battles – Every battle that lupus puts you through is not worthy of discussion with yourself or others. Sometimes the lupus warrior just has to fight and not talk to stay focused on the win.

4.Understand it’s a bad day not a bad life – Lupus brings many difficult days, it doesn’t mean your life is worthless. It simply means you have to put on your battle gear and fight. After all, you’ve won every battle so far, that’s evident in the breath you just took.

5. Value yourself above all lupus issues – Yes, parts of you are broken, but that doesn’t mean you as a whole are broken. Lupus can damage your body, mind and spirit so, its up to you to work hard in keeping strong and keep high value in self worth. You are a warrior that never quits, say it to yourself daily and the warrior will see and focus on your strength, bravery, faith and love beyond anything lupus can bring.

#LupusInColor

About Lupus

Another name for lupus is also called: SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years.

There is a bout 200,000 to 3 million US cases per year. so you are not alone.The good thing is that lupus is Medically manageableYou and your doctors can find medical treatments that can help or ease your symptoms.
In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs (“foreign invaders,” like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues (“auto” means “self”) and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.

Lupus is also a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel better).

These are some additional facts about lupus that you should know:

Lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You cannot “catch” lupus from someone or “give” lupus to someone.

Lupus is not like or related to cancer. Cancer is a condition of malignant, abnormal tissues that grow rapidly and spread into surrounding tissues. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, as described above.

Lupus is not like or related to HIV (Human Immune Deficiency Virus) or AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). In HIV or AIDS the immune system is underactive; in lupus, the immune system is overactive.

Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life.

Some research estimates that at least 1.5 million Americans have lupus. The actual number may be higher; however, there have been no large-scale studies to show the actual number of people in the U.S. living with lupus.  More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the country.MIt 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, too.. Most people will develop lupus between the ages of 15-44.

Women of color are two to three times more likely to develop lupus than Caucasians. People of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus.

When you are diagnosed with lupus you will most likely have to change your Lifestyle. Such as if you are big on spending a lot of time outside in the middle of the day. You may need to make some changes. Such as going out more in the early morning and evening.

Sunscreen Will now be your new best friend. And your must have. You should apply sunscreen do any part of your body that will be exposed to the sun every day. Most people would only apply sunscreen in the summer. But those with lupus must wear Sunscreen year round. Because you skin is more sensitive  to the sun.. 

If you’re planning to go out during the middle of the day you should consider wearing  Sun protective clothing,  such as a large hat. To shaved your face.

Lupus can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.

Symptoms vary but can include fatigue, joint pain, rash, and fever. These can periodically get worse (flare up) and then improve.

Treatment includes a variety of medications such as steroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

People may experience: Pain: in the muscles, can be sharp in the chest, can occur while breathing. Whole body: anemia, fatigue, fever, or malaise. Hair: hair loss or loss of scalp hair. Psychological: anxiety or major depression.  Skin: red rashes or scaly rashes. Mouth: dryness or ulcers.

Also common: acute episodes, blood in urine, face rash, headache, joint stiffness, raynaud’s syndrome, sensitivity to light, swelling, water retention, or weight loss

Ages affected 0-13 Very rare  – 14-18 Rare  19-40 Common 41-60 Common. Genders affected  Males Rare Females Common

Prescriptions : Antimalarial: Chloroquine Steroids: Methylprednisolone by injection (Solu-Medrol) or by mouth (Medrol), Prednisolone (Orapred) Other treatments: Cyclosporine, Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), Methotrexate (Trexall), Belimumab by injection, Azathioprine (Imuran), Cyclophosphamide by injection or by mouth, Prednisone (Deltasone)

Specialists; Rheumatologist: Specializes in arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Cardiologist: Specializes in heart disorders. Pulmonologist: Treats respiratory tract diseases. Nephrologist: Focuses on kidney disorders.

Weight Gain and Lupus.

Weight Gain and Lupus.  On ctlupus.wordpress.com

Many lupus patients are prescribed Prednisone, a steroid that calms the immune system. Unfortunately, Prednisone comes with some side effects that lead to weight gain. Many patients experience an increased appetite and fluid retention, which makes the face and other body parts appear puffy. Here are some tips to combat these side effects and avoid weight gain.

A Healthy Diet is Everything: For lupus patients when exercise can be difficult, a healthy diet is essential to keep your weight in check. Make sure you’re eating enough fruits and veggies and stick to low fat proteins such as fish and chicken.

Keep a Food Diary: Writing down what you eat every day makes you more aware of what you’re putting into your body. By doing so you are more likely to stick to your healthy choices!

Plan What You Eat: Since steroids increase appetite, avoid overeating by following a schedule. Plan what you eat in advance and focus on smaller meals 3 to 5 times a day.

Exercise if it’s Right for You: If you are able, exercise is also a vital part of any healthy diet. Talk with your doctor about a program that works for you.

My name is Chelsea Stark and this is my story.

My new invisible companion is Systemic Lupus Erythematosis. I was diagnosed with it in year: 20015. But I had symptoms since I was 13 years old. I went to the doctor quite a few times and their answer to my problem was not lupus but juvenile arthritis. And treated me as such. My mother my grandmother all had Lupus My mother kept pushing them to test me every year. They tested me I keep popping positive for five of the six markers. Was never all six. So I just kept on going on with my treatment of juvenile arthritis. But never got the relief I wanted or needed.

In 2015 I got extremely ill so I decided to try testing for Lupus again. To my husbands persistence. I went and asked to be tested for Lupus again. Believe it or not I was extremely grateful to get the diagnosis of Lupus. The doctor told me that he thinks that I got miss diagnosed that 15. He is fairly convinced that it was lupus and not juvenile arthritis. Apparently if the doctor doesn’t do the right testing it is hard to tell the difference between juvenile arthritis and lupus. I have been on the right medication for several months from my rheumatologist and feel much better. And now I am capable of walking longer distances without assistance. I was originally in a wheelchair, Walker and used a crutch for many years. When I got the right medicine for my rheumatologist that I have been meeting for years I was capable of doing so much more.

The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: avoiding UVA/UVB rays

Most people assume I’m NOT sick because I don’t often look sick.

The hardest part about mornings are joint stiffness.

A gadget I couldn’t live without is: sunscreen lotion

!The hardest part about nights is  joint pain.

Each day I take pills & vitamins. I would highly recommend those with lupus to take some of these vitamins. Vitamins: flax six day, Glucosamine 2 to 3 a day, vitamin A, B, C, D. I take these on a daily basis and they help me a whole lot. If anybody has any other vitamins they take that seemed to help them please share.

If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: NEITHER.

Regarding working and career: because i’m legally blind I am on permanent disability. So I was never able to work because of my vision loss.

People would be surprised to know how much sleep I require.  Believe it or not the commercials about Lupus really don’t tell the whole story. There’s just no substitute for doing research and talking to people with lupus.  The only visible sign that I have that shows I may have lupus to people is a butterfly rash on my face. Which Will appear more obvious when I am sick.

Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is basking in the warm sun.

Being outdoors on a regular basis. Is now something I am not able to do. I try to limit myself to first thing in the morning and in the evening. I do my best to not go out in the afternoon.

A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is blogging. I have started several blogs. If I suddenly did not have lupus the first thing I would do is spend the day outside at the beach.

Of course with all illnesses you must learn patience. But I love it when people tell me they keep me in their prayers. It really helps.

When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them you are not alone.

Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is the isolation of living with a disease none of my friends have. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was give me a hug.

Regarding alternative treatments I: wish I could afford acupuncture (because I haven’t tried it) and craniosacral therapy (because it really helps).

One of my favorite medical TV show is Mystery Diagnosis! I am a huge Star Trek fan and a sci-fi fan.

The fact that you read this post makes me feel I’m not alone. if you have Lupus in any form please reach out to me. And I want you to know you are not alone.

I have started  a blog titled Lupus My Invisible Companion. I would love to add a lot of people’s stories about living with Lupus been one big blog. And have suggestions on how to improve your life. Such as prescriptions, vitamins and exercises. I believe if we all work together we can help one another. And share our knowledge and educate people about Lupus.

Lupus-related pain is common, but there are medical and non-medical treatments that can help relieve your pain.

everydayhealth.com  by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH, and Farrokh Sohrabi, MD

 f you’ve been diagnosed with lupus, you will probably have to cope with lupus-related pain at some point in the course of your disease. Ninety percent of lupus patients experience some joint or muscle pain, commonly caused by inflammation of the joints.

 Lupus pain is different from other types of pain because its source and solution are often not that obvious. Lupus is a systemic disease, and pain symptoms, like other lupus symptoms, tend to wax and wane. Stress may also play a larger role in triggering pain related to lupus than it would for other conditions.
Types of Lupus Pain 

Pain can affect lupus patients in the following ways:

Arthritis. This type of swelling of the joints is common in lupus patients. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, stiffness, and warmth. Lupus usually causes arthritis in joints on both sides of the body and commonly affects fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, and toes. Stiffness is worse in the morning and gets better as the day goes on. Fibromyalgia. As many as 30 percent of lupus patients may also have fibromyalgia, a condition that causes chronic muscle and joint pain. The cause of fibromyalgia is not yet known but it can also lead to fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and stiffness.  Lupus myositis. Lupus patients can have inflammation of the muscles that move bones, called “skeletal muscles.” This can cause pain and muscle weakness.  Lupus headache. About 20 percent of people with lupus experience severe, migraine-like headaches.

Medical Treatments for Lupus Pain 

“Anti-inflammatory medications such as salicylates, NSAIDs, and corticosteroids help with pain and inflammation,” says Amita Bishnoi, MD, a rheumatologist at Henry Ford Hospital, in Detroit. Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following medicines to help you manage your lupus pain:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These are the most commonly used medications for lupus pain. They include aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen.

Antimalarials. Two types of antimalarial drugs, hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, combined with other medications, may be used to treat joint pain. These drugs may also help prevent lupus flares.

Corticosteroids. These medications can be used to control severe arthritis and are considered the best drugs for treating pain caused by lupus myositis. Corticosteroids may also help control lupus headaches.

Belimumab. This drug was approved to treat people with active lupus in 2011. It is the first new drug approved for lupus since 1955. It may prevent lupus pain by preventing severe lupus flares.

A 2011 study published in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, involving 1,684 patients with active lupus, compared belimumab plus standard therapy to standard therapy alone. The patients taking belimumab along with standard therapy had less disease activity than the other group.

Other Lupus Pain Management Options 

“Some patients who have chronic pain that is not responding to medications should consider consultation with a pain management specialist. Some non-medical treatments for pain can also be useful, including acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, and physical therapy,” advises Dr. Bishnoi. Moist heat may often help relieve joint or muscle pain. A moist heated towel, hot shower, hot bath, or whirlpool are some options. Other pain management options include:

Physical therapy. Physical and occupational therapy can help control lupus pain through exercises designed to keep muscles strong and to maintain the full motion of your joints. Physical therapy can also teach you ways to protect your joints from injury.

Mind-body techniques. These treatments take advantage of your mind’s ability to influence physical symptoms. Breathing exercises, relaxation training, and meditation are all good ways of lowering stress, which can be an important part of your pain management plan. Mind-body techniques that combine exercise and meditation, like tai chi and low-impact yoga, may also be helpful.

Massage. This treatment can be very relaxing and soothing, but it’s important to tell the massage therapist about your lupus diagnosis first. Ideally, the therapist should have experience working with lupus patients.

Acupuncture. This ancient treatment has been used for nearly 2,500 years to help people manage a variety of health ailments. The National Institutes of Health has concluded that acupuncture is effective in relieving many types of pain including pain related to fibromyalgia.

Keeps You From Working? 

If you have lupus-related pain that makes it hard for you to stay at your job, you need to know about your rights under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). You are considered to have a lupus-related disability if your lupus symptoms cause one or more physical or mental impairments that substantially limit the major life activities you’re able to engage in.

Talk to your employer about your lupus. The ADA requires your employer to make reasonable adjustments to your work environment to accommodate your health needs, if possible. This may include restructuring your job duties, changing your work schedule, or finding a different position for you within the company. If you want more information on the ADA, go to the U.S. Department of Justice Americans With Disabilities Act Web page.

If you can no longer work — even with reasonable accommodations — you may need to consider filing for disability. There are two programs that may apply to your situation: The Social Security disability insurance program pays benefits if you have paid into Social Security long enough, and the Supplemental Security Income program pays benefits to disabled adults who have limited resources. Contact your local Social Security Office for help.

Even though 9 out of 10 lupus patients will have to cope with lupus-related pain, doctors have many options for managing it. Always let your doctor know when pain symptoms flare up. And if pain is making it hard for you to keep up at work, remember that you do have legal options and rights..

First Recipe of the Month! Originally posted on One Step At a Time:

First Recipe of the Month!

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Jules

Happy Sunday once again!

I’m adding a feature to my blog where I will post some of my favourite recipes every last Sunday of the month! A few weeks ago I decided to look into other things I can do along with my medications to try and get myself back on track and hopefully one day into remission. Among these things is the paleo diet that surprisingly, I haven’t had much of a hard time following! I know a lot of people with lupus try the paleo diet and believe that it impacts them very positively and I’m hoping to see the same results! I’ve found some very tasty recipes already and I’m excited to share them all with you!

This months recipe is a guacamole recipe I’ve become obsessed with. It’s your simple guac recipe but it’s tasty and not only does it follow the paleo diet, but avocados are also a great natural anti-imflammatory!

Ingredients:

• 4 large ripe avocados, pitted, scooped out and diced
• 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
• 4 cloves garlic, minced (I use 1 because I’m not a huge garlic fan)
• Juice from 1 lime
• 1 roma tomato
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortilla chips for serving (check to make sure they are gluten free!)

Instructions:

Place avocados, cilantro, garlic, tomato and lime juice in a medium bowl. Mash thoroughly until guacamole is the consistency you desire. Season guacamole with salt and pepper and serve with tortilla chips.

I use these chips for serving, they are organic, gluten free, low on sodium and absolutely delicious!

Much love,

Julia

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Make Your Own Lupus Comfort Kit

Posted on July 23, 2015 by ctlupus

Whether you’re out with friends, on vacation with family, at work, or even running errands, you never know when you may experience a flare. The Connecticut Chapter has got you covered! Stay prepared with your very own lupus comfort kit! Fill a small bag with items you know you’ll need to ease the pain and feel better. Keep it with you in your purse, the car, or wherever it will be easily accessible when you’re on the go! Here are some items we recommend including in your kit…

Lemons
If you’re experiencing a flare, lemons help to flush out the body and reduce swelling. Add some sliced lemons to your water and sip throughout the day to stay hydrated!

Healthy Snacks
The last thing you want to do when you’re not feeling great is to put unhealthy food into you’re body. If you’re having a difficult day make sure your lupus kit is stocked with healthy snacks like veggies and hummus, mixed nuts such as almonds and cashews, assorted berries, or sweet potato chips.

Pain Relievers
Make sure you always have something on hand. Along with keeping your prescriptions with you, medicines like Advil can help alleviate some of your pain and keep you comfortable. Remember to check with your doctor first and see which medicines are okay for you!

Heating Pads
For that deep and uncomfortable pain, soothe the sore spot with a heating pad. They are portable and easy to use, so make sure you have one in your comfort kit at all times!

These are just a few of our suggestions, so make sure to include what works best for you!