Staying Healthy in 2013

When you have Lupus you're always on the look out for sick people. For the healthy person this may sound odd but for someone who has a compromised immune system this is nothing uncommon. When your immune system becomes compromised it's like WWII all over again but inside your body.

Last month, in September, my daughter came to visit. School was in session for a few weeks for my boys and my daughter was going to begin her 3rd year of college so it was perfect timing for her to visit.

I had been battling a sore throat for 3 weeks, which I didn't think to be so odd since I had been coughing for so long. Simple coughs or a sore throat I usually don't bother with due to allergies or the fact that swollen glands are so common with Lupus flares. However, since finding out that I know have Pleurisy along with Lupus was a bit of concern since I had been coughing, but I didn't want to ruin this weekend.

When my daughter returned from her weekend with us she called me to tell me she had been ill and was going to urgent care. Needless to say she had strep throat. A week had passed and I was feeling terrible. My son was sick with a virus as well and my husband finally urged me to go to the hospital. By the time I was seen I also had strep throat even though I didn't have my tonsils. The tonsil buds can still become infected. 

This was horrible news for me since strep is a bacterial infection. Antibiotics are like giving Superman Krytonite to hold. Antibiotics can make Lupus patients flare. Some people can have bad reactions to antibiotics. 

During this time, I was on a 10 day antibiotic because I had my Benlysta infusion and had to get rid of the infection prior to taking my infusion! I was so incredibly sick. Antibiotics and Lupus patients don't mix.

It's incredibly important for Lupus patient to stay healthy.  Drugs known to exacerbate lupus or increase the risk of allergic reactions in people with lupus, include some antibiotics (sulfa, tetracycline) 

For a Lupus patient to know the first signs/symptoms of their illness is key. To take proper precautions on how to stay healthy is first and foremost:

• Keep your daily schedule as simple as possible.
• Keep your list of obligations to others to a bare minimum.
• Delegate to others.
• Exercise regularly. A daily walk, for example, can reduce stress, clear your head, improve your mood, and help fight fatigue.
• Use relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, and guided imagery to calm your body and mind.

Fatigue is common in people with lupus. To fight fatigue:

• Get plenty of rest. Some people with lupus need up to 12 hours of sleep every night.
• Pace yourself. Limit tiring activities.
• Ask others for help. Don't try to do everything yourself. 
• Good general care is essential. A healthy lifestyle not only improves your quality of life but may also reduce your chances of having more frequent and severe flares. Taking good general care of yourself also helps decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke. Good care includes:
• Getting vaccinations to help protect you from illnesses such as pneumonia and the flu.
• Treating high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
• Taking medicine to help prevent osteoporosis caused by corticosteroids.
• Preventing plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis) that can be made worse by corticosteroids.
• Protecting yourself against infections you can get more easily due to decreased immune system function. (stay away from others who are ill). Keep hands washed!
  
  
  Other good health habits that will help protect you include:
• Regular exercise.
• Education about lupus and self-care.
• Not smoking. Studies show that smoking makes symptoms worse in people with lupus and may decrease the effectiveness of some medicines. Experts suggest that people with lupus avoid all tobacco products.
• Eating a healthful, balanced diet.
• Regular dental care.
• Regular eye examinations by an ophthalmologist.
• Developing a support system of family, friends, and health professionals.

It is important that the people in your life understand what lupus is, how it affects your life, and how you can best cope with it. Help them understand your limitations and needs when your symptoms flare. Support groups, whether online or in person, are great places to learn coping strategies from others.