May 10th is World Lupus Day
Okay so mine has been really bad these passed few weeks and I thought I’d ask you guys about this. You know how, sometimes, when you take narcotics, you get totally wired? Not sure if this is normal but that feeling can last a day for me after taking something really strong (like Demerol). It’s like I don’t even have a head fog. But I know I can’t just pop one of those when I need to go to school or do work or comprehend anything.
Are any of you on a medication that can make this head fog go away?
I’m curious as to if things like Ritalin have been prescribed to help…? If not, anything you do that really helps you focus (don’t say caffeine)?
idoodle-beta asked: I smoke dope regularly, I have done since I was 14 (a massive 19 years ago!!).
I find it does help to dull the pain of the arthritis. But also, importantly, it helps with my depression. I have not found any bad side effects & would recommend you try it. You might find it's not for you, but it's natural so it has to be better than meds.
secretsofmyhart asked: Wondering if anyone has used medical marijuana to help with lupus pains? I'm seriously considering it and would like to hear from any lupus patients who've used it. Thanks!
(Source: lupusrelationship)
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“You feet are so cold…ARE YOU DEAD?” — Mom (talking about when my Raynaud’s was acting up)
(Source: lupusawareness)
“Fibromyalgia sufferers do have the ability to be happy despite the pain. This happiness shouldn’t be mistaken for feeling better or being cured. It simply means that they are happy. They are still feeling pain and probably many other of the Fibromyalgia symptoms, but they’re still able to laugh and have a good time. If relying on a healthy body was the only way to be happy, then those with chronic illnesses would never be happy.” —
Cristina Olvera, “5 Misconceptions of Fibromyalgia” (http://factoidz.com/5-misconceptions-of-fibromyalgia/)
So, so, so true.
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Constant firing of neurons can cause permanent damage, researchers say.
Chronic pain can disrupt brain function and cause problems such as disturbed sleep, depression, anxiety and difficulty making simple decisions, a U.S. study finds.
Researchers at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago used functional MRI to scan brain activity in people with chronic low back pain while they tracked a moving bar on a computer screen. They did the same thing with a control group of people with no pain.
In those with no pain, the brain regions displayed a state of equilibrium. When one region was active, the other regions calmed down. But in people with chronic pain, the front region of the cortex mostly associated with emotion “never shuts up,” study author Dante Chialvo, an associate research professor of physiology, said in a prepared statement.
This region remains highly active, which wears out neurons and alters their connections to each other. This constant firing of neurons could cause permanent damage.
“We know when neurons fire too much they may change their connections with other neurons or even die, because they can’t sustain high activity for so long,” Chialvo said.
“If you are a chronic pain patient, you have pain 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every minute of your life. That permanent perception of pain in your brain makes these areas in your brain continuously active. This continuous dysfunction in the equilibrium of the brain can change the wiring forever and could hurt the brain,” Chialvo explained.
These changes “may make it harder for you to make a decision or be in a good mood to get up in the morning. It could be that pain produces depression and the other reported abnormalities, because it disturbs the balance of the brain as a whole,” he said.
The study was published in the Feb. 6 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.
Chialvo said the findings show that, along with finding new ways to treat pain, it’s also important to develop methods to evaluate and prevent disruption of brain function caused by chronic pain.
(Source: health.usnews.com)
shivrs-deactivated20111215 asked: Hi. So In 2010, I suffered two massive flare ups. My rheumy finally decided to put me on Rituximab as Benlysta was not FDA approved yet. I was wondering, now that It is approved, would it be alright if I did Benlysta? Anyone ever try it within 6 months of Rituximab infusions and still on prednisolone? I've been on prednisolone daily for about 3 years and a bit now. I sort of have a love/hate relationship with it. I'm sick of not being able to go to music festivals and stuff because I live in Australia at the moment and it's too hot. I've missed Big Day Out, Soundwave and Future Music Festival. I reallly feel like I'm missing out :(
Any advice/experiences? Thank you :).
With all it's sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world - MAX ERHMANN, Desiderata.
Sorry but I don’t have experience with either Rituximab or Benlysta, but I’d suggest talking to your doctor about it and maybe doing some research online if you haven’t already. :)
If anyone’s got anything to share, the ask box is open.
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-Confucius
(Source: lupusawareness)
“There are two types of Fibromyalgia: Primary Fibromyalgia and Secondary Fibromyalgia. The Causes of Primary Fibromyalgia are unknown. This is the most common type of Fibromyalgia. The causes of Secondary Fibromyalgia are identifiable and are usually the result of a car accident or some other type of trauma.” — Cristina Olvera, 5 Misconceptions of Fibromyalgia
(Source: factoidz.com)
Allow me to explain. I just received my Easter present from my Mamaw and Papaw; it was a bunch of little stuff they found on sale, but the one thing that really stuck out was this book. I’d seen it before and I was speechless when I remembered where. I hadn’t asked them for it. I hadn’t told them there were books on Lupus.
Remember this book?
That’s the one they got me. I’m still freaking out right now. I can’t wait to read it; it’s going right on my to-read list on my Goodreads profile. But you know what else is awesome about it? My grandparents know the author.
My Aunt Sue and Uncle Max (Sue was my great grandmother’s younger sister) have a neighbor, and that neighbor’s daughter has Lupus. She wrote this.
When I go home for the summer I’ll have to get it autographed and get a picture with her for you guys.
Did I mention how excited I am?