How to Fight

      This is what worked for me. It may not work for you but you're welcome to try anything you think might help. I am not a doctor and am trying to diagnose, prevent, cure or treat any disease through thus blog. Do not try to use this bog as a replacement for medical advice. If you do, that is your own risk and I won't judge you whatever you choose to do. Personally I am trying to cure my own illness and I do believe it's possible. No, for the most part, my treatment is not backed 100% by science but then nothing is in the beginning. If it were, no one would ever try to find anything to experiment with and find the cure to any illness. Actually that sounds a lot like medicine in America but I will say we have amazing diagnostics and the ability to monitor illness so if you have insurance, whether you go the natural route or not, let your doctor monitor you regularly. Please don't judge me for my choosing to go my own route. One day my experience could be your cure. You never know.

         Ok enough of the disclaimer. The first thing that helped me was moving. I now live in a drier climate and that is amazing for my joints. I realize not everyone can do this but that's what started me on the road to feeling good again. I weaned off Azathioprine and Plaquenil after moving too. I had no more health insurance anyway so it seemed a good option.

     I guess the next thing that helped was moving too. I hike or do yoga or some kind of workout every day. I'm not gonna lie, it hurt at first. I have had joint pain all my life for like as long as I can remember. I even have that weird shaped finger thing due to tendon damage that comes from the type arthritis caused by Lupus. It's cool though, my fingers and all my joints are rather flexible and it's not too bad just makes me more prone to injury so if you have the same thing, be sure to stretch and protect your joints. Wear ankle or knee braces if you need the support.

    I decided to take supplements because in doing research in the library at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, I read a lot of great articles and other materials. That was a great perk of being a volunteer there.

Here are the first supplements I started taking:
DHEA- many women with Lupus are deficient in DHEA I found my symptoms greatly decreased while taking this. I started with 20mg and worked my way up to 100mg but then started having some acne problems so I switched to 7-keto DHEA and that's what I use now with occasional 20-50mg of regular DHEA if I feel symptoms.

CoEnzyme Q10- This helps a great deal with symptoms and gives me energy. It also helps to protect the heart. I take 100-200mg/day. The link goes to the brand I use. I love Swanson Vitamins as they are good quality but still affordable.

Chromium Picolinate- I tend to have some blood sugar problems, I think it has something to do with my hormones or if Lupus is caused by yeast as some say perhaps this is the reason or maybe it actually has to do with Crohn's and the excess sugar that stays in the intestines of people with Crohn's. Whatever the reason, I take 200-400mcg/day and it helps my appetite not to get all crazy and keeps my blood sugar from dropping.

Colloidal minerals- These are important for anyone with any autoimmune illness as we all tend to have mineral deficiencies. I get energy from my mineral supplements and the hair loss that I used to get from lupus seems to be greatly reduced.

Multi-vitamins- Important for everyone so take a good one. I use Trader Joe's daily multivitamin

Cat's claw- Excellent for Lupus joint pain as it works on inflammation in the tendons and ligaments

Glucosamine and Chondroitin- I occasionally take this for joint pain, however, I found cat's claw to be
more effective for me though both work.

Olive Leaf extract- This has great anti-inflammatory properties especially for the GI tract.

Avocado Oil- Contains anti-inflammatory properties and is a great source of essential fatty acids. Especially important if you have neurological system Lupus or MS or TM. Get lots of EFAs!!

Other things that work for some are vitamin E, B vitamins and vitamin D. I felt I get enough of the E and B complex but Vitamin D just makes me feel strange so it just sits in the cabinet.