Different types of Lupus

There are several different types if lupus. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous Lupus Eryththematosus, Drug-induced Lupus Erythematosus, and Neonatal Lupus. I have the first one Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or for short SLE. Systemic lupus is the most common form of lupus, and is what most people mean when they refer to "lupus." SLE can be mild or severe. Some of the more serious complications involving major organ systems are: Inflammation of the kidneys,(lupus nephritis) which can effect the body's ability to filter waste from the blood and can be so damaging that dialysis or kidney transplant may be needed. An increase in blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). Inflammation of the nervous system and brain, which can cause memory problems,confusion,headaches, and strokes. Inflammation in the brain's blood vessels, which Can cause high fevers, seizures and behavioral changes. Hardening of the arteries (coronary artery disease), which is a buildup of deposits on coronary artery walls that can lead to a heart attack. There is a lot more information available at: http://www.lupus.org I have been very lucky not to have had any real major organ involvment yet!

Where I get my information

I want you all to know that I am not just making up this stuff. I am gathering my information from several sources. Various Lupus books, Lupus Foundation of America, The Arthritis Foundation and numerous Internet sites. And finally all of my own experiences.

What is Lupus?

For those of you who don't know what lupus is here you go. 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 for more than six weeks and may often last for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria and germs. Normally our immune systems 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. It's almost shocking but more than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the country. Research estimates that 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. It is believed that more than 5 million people throughout the world have some form of lupus.

Off to the doctor

I have an appointment today with my Rheumy at UCLA. Dr. John Fitzgerald he is a great doctor so far. It's just a follow up from last month. Since I'm still have what I call flareups from my vasculitis he wants to see me every month. This is just another one of my diseases that I have. I slept okay last night the weather has been warmer so I think it could be from that or maybe it's just the drugs either way I sure need sleep. So now that I've mentioned vasculitis I guess I will let you know all of the diseases that I have. Lupus/SLE, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren's Syndrome, RA Vasculitis and Neuopathy. I will go into detail on all of the diseases explaining what they are and then how they affect me on a daily basis. I have had it for along time so I want to go over some of my past and the problems that I've had because of it. I'm hoping that maybe something I write will be of some help to someone out there who may happen to read my blog. So if you have or know someone who has any of these disease please share my blog address with them. More to come...

Wow has it been a year already

Well it has been over a year since I created this blog and there has been alot that has happened not only to me but with my family. Lets start with some of the happier things that have happened . My oldest daughter Nichole got married to her true love Craig and now they are expecting their first child she is due October 7 2010. I'm hoping it will be a girl, but even if it's a boy I will be just as happy. I'm really looking forward to being a grandma and I'm very happy that I am alive to see it. My health has not been that good. I was diagnosed with Lupus SLE in October 1997. They discovered that I had Lupus when I went to the doctors because my joints were hurting, they would wake me up at night. They ran some blood work and the PA said well I think you may have Lupus and that I needed to see a Rheumatologist. That was just the beginning. At that time I had just met my current husband we bought a book on lupus and that the survival rate was about ten years I told him if he wanted to leave now was the time, well we will be married 11 years this August. And he is a great guys. Along with the Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis my rheumy discovered that I had Sjogren's Syndrome. Wow that was alot to absorb. I had never heard of these diseases before well expect the arthritis because my mom has it. But lupus, sjogrens what was that? I have found that most people that I talk to don't know what lupus is, they say I've heard of it before but I'm not sure what it really is and forget about sjogrens syndrome anytime I've gone to the ER and I tell them what I have they don't even know what sjogrens is and I have to tell them. I now you want to know what it is I will go into detail about it in another posting. Lupus is an autoimmune disease and sjogrens is basically dry eyes and dry mouth. I promise to write more tomorrow