I want to give a shout out to all you singles out there. I know the dating world can be a total jungle even under the most perfect of circumstances. Now toss a life altering condition like lupus in the mix and the results can be disastrous. I know that introduction is not inspiring a lot of confidence right now, but hold on, I have more to tell.
If you are single and have lupus you may be wondering about dating and how things will be different for you now. I know that was something I spent a lot of time thinking about. When I was first diagnosed with lupus, I was 25 and single. When the time was right for me I wanted to re-enter the dating world. However, as soon as I made that decision the panic began. What if I meet Mr. Right, when do I tell him? What will he think? Will someone want to put up with me? Those precious gems were only the questions I had in the first 30 seconds. But, being the persistent little bugger that I am, I tucked all that panic away for another day, and jumped into the dating pool head first.
Wanting to meet someone who would be respectful of the restrictions I follow, meeting an eligible bachelor was going to be a challenge. After much thought I chose to use an Internet dating site. It worked great for me. That was the smallest battle of the long war I fought to love with lupus. I met the man that would later become my husband, we started a casual dating relationship. After a few good dates, I struggled with that chaotic brain fire of questions again. I knew if we were going to be serious he would need to know I had lupus. Which for me was scary, I had to explain all those things I wasn't confident with yet. Like there would be days I could not go out because I was to sick. There will be a lot of doctors appointments and so on. We all know the laundry list that goes along with lupus.
Part of having lupus is being a fighter and knowing there will be loss at times. So I accepted that he may hear the news and run as fast as his work boots could carry him. I expected the worst and got the best, he stayed around. We are now married and I am glad I tackled the hard hill of dating with lupus. If I can give any advice to those of you who are single with lupus, it is to be confident. The right person is out there for you. There is someone who will love and respect you for having lupus, someone who will want to fight with you. If they run from you when you tell them about your illness, they were not the one for you. Do not get discouraged, all things take time. The key is to put yourself out there. You are just as good with lupus as you were without it. So get out there and live your best lupus life in love. Stay tuned for tips and tricks and be in the lupus loop.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Lupus and tan oh yes you can!
Those of us who have been diagnosed with lupus know of the condition photosensitivity becuase it is a part of our everyday life. For those of you who are new to the lupus world photosensitivity in very basic terms is an type of allergic reaction to the UV rays put out by the sun. People with the condition when exposed to sun light can develope a mild to severe rash or type of very exagerated sun burn. The rash is serious it scars and can cause a host of other problems, and the sun exposure can cause the autoimmune condition lupus itself to flare up. So to recap if you have lupus the sun is not your friend, thats about enough medical chit chat for one day!
Since being diagnosed with lupus I like a good patient have been avoiding the sun like the plague. I use sun block, cover my skin, wear hats and stay in the shade as much as I can. However, and this is a big however, pale is not the new tan. I am 27 years old I do not want to look like the bride of Dracula for the rest of my life! My moon tan is not giving me that same young and vibrant look that a little time in the sun did. I have lupus I am not dead over here.
At first I was discouraged becuase I felt like giving up the sun was another loss for me. I quickly realized though there are some serious benefits to staying on the lighter side of things. What you ask? Oh let me count the ways: less wrinkles caused by sun damage, far less risk of sun related skin cancer, decrease in lupus flares (for me anyway) and less sun damage to my skin like sun spots and uneven pigment. Great stuff right. Still even knowing I would look 35 when I was 60 was not soothing all the pain of being so pale. So once again I did my research and some trial by fire (but this time I didnt get burnt) and found a solution.
Here it is that ever sought after tip. If you want sun kissed skin without the sicking effects of photosensitivity use a self-tanner. There are several at home options available now and the quality will amaze you. There are a few tricks to use when starting out to get a fool proof tan. First choose a tanner that darkens gradually so you build your color over time making streaks and mistakes nearly impossible. Second start out light, you dont want to over do it the goal is to look natural not like a tanorexic memeber of Jersey Shore. Third, always wash your hands with soap and water if you are using a rub on lotion type product. And finally shop around and ask questions get the product that you will be confident using.
The other option for a fast tan is to visit a tanning salon and have a spray tan. Spray tans are very nice for special events or when you need a quick turn around. The difference between home and spray tans is someone else does it and its fool proof but it will run you about three times the price. A typical at home self tanner is seven to twenty dollars and spray tan is 40 -60 dollars so there is an option for every budget. As you can see staying out of the sun no longer means being condemded to a life of lack luster skin. Pick a shade and turn up the tan!
So all my lupus followers out there its time to embrace our bodies and be proud to wear our skin. Being given a diagnosis of lupus is hard and there are a lot of sacrafices that have to be made. If you want to live your best lupus life stay tuned for tips and tricks and stay in the lupus loop.
Since being diagnosed with lupus I like a good patient have been avoiding the sun like the plague. I use sun block, cover my skin, wear hats and stay in the shade as much as I can. However, and this is a big however, pale is not the new tan. I am 27 years old I do not want to look like the bride of Dracula for the rest of my life! My moon tan is not giving me that same young and vibrant look that a little time in the sun did. I have lupus I am not dead over here.
At first I was discouraged becuase I felt like giving up the sun was another loss for me. I quickly realized though there are some serious benefits to staying on the lighter side of things. What you ask? Oh let me count the ways: less wrinkles caused by sun damage, far less risk of sun related skin cancer, decrease in lupus flares (for me anyway) and less sun damage to my skin like sun spots and uneven pigment. Great stuff right. Still even knowing I would look 35 when I was 60 was not soothing all the pain of being so pale. So once again I did my research and some trial by fire (but this time I didnt get burnt) and found a solution.
Here it is that ever sought after tip. If you want sun kissed skin without the sicking effects of photosensitivity use a self-tanner. There are several at home options available now and the quality will amaze you. There are a few tricks to use when starting out to get a fool proof tan. First choose a tanner that darkens gradually so you build your color over time making streaks and mistakes nearly impossible. Second start out light, you dont want to over do it the goal is to look natural not like a tanorexic memeber of Jersey Shore. Third, always wash your hands with soap and water if you are using a rub on lotion type product. And finally shop around and ask questions get the product that you will be confident using.
The other option for a fast tan is to visit a tanning salon and have a spray tan. Spray tans are very nice for special events or when you need a quick turn around. The difference between home and spray tans is someone else does it and its fool proof but it will run you about three times the price. A typical at home self tanner is seven to twenty dollars and spray tan is 40 -60 dollars so there is an option for every budget. As you can see staying out of the sun no longer means being condemded to a life of lack luster skin. Pick a shade and turn up the tan!
So all my lupus followers out there its time to embrace our bodies and be proud to wear our skin. Being given a diagnosis of lupus is hard and there are a lot of sacrafices that have to be made. If you want to live your best lupus life stay tuned for tips and tricks and stay in the lupus loop.
Friday, August 19, 2011
You have lupus now relax
For my first post I am going to share one of my favorite relaxation tips. But first I think I should tell you a little bit about how I came to find this amazing trick. If you are reading this blog you probably have Lupus or know someone who does, and that can be scary. Relaxation is probably not the first thing on your mind when you think of the dreaded L word. This was the case for me anyhow.
Two and a half years ago I was sitting in my doctors office waiting for the results of some tests he ran to determine if I had Lupus or not. He comes in and says Brea you have Systemic Lupus and then all I heard was blah blah blah. I need to do x-rays, run more lab tests and you need to start on these pills right away. My stress level went from zero to sixty in five seconds flat. My head was spinning, I didnt really even know what was happening all the blah blah the doctor said went right over my head. So I did what any techno savvy twenty something would do, I hit the information super highway hard. Then I was really stressed and convinced I would be dead in a week. So I gave up and decided to take a bath and relax. Now two and a half years later I have a handle on the facts and I am still using the bath as a relaxation trick. However now my tub time is turbo charged!
After a lot of reading, researching and home trials I have found the best way to soothe the stiffness and pain related to my Lupus. Now here is the part you have all been waiting for the actual tip:
Draw a bath as warm as you can tolerate
Add 1 cup of lavender scented epsome salt (available at any Walgreens, Rite Aide, Etc.)
Add 1/2 cup of Olive Oil
Soak for 30 minutes.
**** The tub will be very slippery use extreme caution when getting in and out you dont want to fall****
The lavender promotes relaxation, the salt helps soothe muscle soreness and the olive oil is actually a great anti-inflammatory and is absorbed through the skin.
Now I am not a doctor this is not going to cure you. If you are like me and want to live your best Lupus life give this a try. Let me know what you think. I have developed a ton of tricks to maximize living with Lupus and other related conditions and I want to share them to help others cope better. Tune in for more tips and tricks and stay in the Lupus Loop!
Two and a half years ago I was sitting in my doctors office waiting for the results of some tests he ran to determine if I had Lupus or not. He comes in and says Brea you have Systemic Lupus and then all I heard was blah blah blah. I need to do x-rays, run more lab tests and you need to start on these pills right away. My stress level went from zero to sixty in five seconds flat. My head was spinning, I didnt really even know what was happening all the blah blah the doctor said went right over my head. So I did what any techno savvy twenty something would do, I hit the information super highway hard. Then I was really stressed and convinced I would be dead in a week. So I gave up and decided to take a bath and relax. Now two and a half years later I have a handle on the facts and I am still using the bath as a relaxation trick. However now my tub time is turbo charged!
After a lot of reading, researching and home trials I have found the best way to soothe the stiffness and pain related to my Lupus. Now here is the part you have all been waiting for the actual tip:
Draw a bath as warm as you can tolerate
Add 1 cup of lavender scented epsome salt (available at any Walgreens, Rite Aide, Etc.)
Add 1/2 cup of Olive Oil
Soak for 30 minutes.
**** The tub will be very slippery use extreme caution when getting in and out you dont want to fall****
The lavender promotes relaxation, the salt helps soothe muscle soreness and the olive oil is actually a great anti-inflammatory and is absorbed through the skin.
Now I am not a doctor this is not going to cure you. If you are like me and want to live your best Lupus life give this a try. Let me know what you think. I have developed a ton of tricks to maximize living with Lupus and other related conditions and I want to share them to help others cope better. Tune in for more tips and tricks and stay in the Lupus Loop!
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