“You are now subscribed to the Take Charge email series! One week from today, you will start to receive weekly emails from our Health Educators on these topics:

Coping with lupus-related challenges
Explaining lupus to others
Finding and asking for the support you need
Identifying and tracking lupus symptoms
Making the most of your doctor appointments
Managing your medication
Identifying symptoms of depression
Planning for pregnancy
Preparing healthy meals
Making physical activity part of your routine
During the series, you’ll also be invited to join LupusConnect[emoji769], our online community. You can sign up for LupusConnect before the series or while participating.

The Take Charge emails come from support@lupus.org. Remember to add this email address to your list of safe senders.

Before and after the series, we’ll ask you to participate in short surveys. We’ll also continue to connect you to information, resources and services at the Lupus Foundation of America. To learn more about our programs and services now, visit our Programs and Services page.”

Grab the reins: Controlling your life with lupus | Lupus Foundation of America

“Important questions for your doctor when you're newly diagnosed
When you're newly diagnosed with lupus, you have a lot of questions. We created this guide to make sure you don't miss any critical information during those initial visits with your rheumatologist.

Once you get beyond the initial diagnosis, there are other important subjects to discuss with your care team: medications, lifestyle changes, diet and nutrition, or family planning.”

Important questions for your doctor when you're newly diagnosed | Lupus Foundation of America

“Learning to accept your lupus
A diagnosis of lupus remains with you for the rest of your life. And, a diagnosis of lupus also includes periods of feeling well mixed with periods of feeling ill. That is why learning to live with lupus involves making some changes -- physical, emotional, spiritual -- within your family, within your profession, within your social circle. In many cases, these changes will extend to how you define yourself.

But it is important to understand the significant difference between viewing yourself as a person with a chronic illness and viewing yourself as a chronically ill person. People who view themselves as chronically ill are allowing the disease and its limitations to take away a large part of their identity. People who view themselves as having a chronic illness are accepting the reality of lupus as one part of their identity.

You may find a source of strength and growth in the knowledge that you have a chronic illness but also a life beyond it. You may realize that living with your illness has made you more understanding of others whose lives are affected by sickness and pain. You may feel a greater appreciation for things you used to take for granted, such as the love and support of family, or hobbies, work, and activities that give you pleasure.

You may also find that your life and your identity are improved and enriched by sharing your experiences with others who have lupus, whether you volunteer with a local lupus support group or chapter, or help people with lupus in your community by listening or lending a hand.

You may even discover that sharing the knowledge of what to expect from a life with lupus, and what can be accomplished despite lupus, can be a powerful lesson for yourself as well as for others.”

Learning to accept your lupus | Lupus Foundation of America

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