Lupus is a journey filled with ups and downs, but with the right knowledge and guidance, you can navigate through it and become an expert in your condition.
Understanding Lupus: A Closer Look
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, and organs. One of the hallmarks of lupus is inflammation, where the body’s immune system attacks its tissues and organs, leading to pain, swelling, and damage.
Elevated anti-dsDNA antibody levels or low C3/C4 levels in your blood work are important indicators of active lupus inflammation. These markers, along with persistent medication needs, serve as valuable clues in assessing disease activity. Regular monitoring of blood work is essential for tracking lupus activity and guiding treatment decisions.
Spotting the Signs of Active Inflammation
Have you ever found yourself telling your rheumatologist that you’re doing fine, only to admit that you need a refill on your prednisone or NSAIDs because you reach for them every day—or even multiple times a day? This reliance on anti-inflammatories could be telling us something crucial about your lupus control.
Relying too heavily on anti-inflammatory medications like prednisone or NSAIDs can hinder our journey towards remission. It may indicate that our lupus-specific treatments aren’t effectively targeting the root cause of inflammation. By keeping track of how often we reach for these medications and discussing our concerns with our rheumatologist, we can work towards adjusting our treatment plan for better outcomes
Empowering Yourself: Taking Control of Your Health
As someone living with lupus, you are your own best advocate. By understanding the signs of active inflammation and the importance of achieving remission, you can take proactive steps and partner with your rheumatologist towards better managing your condition.
Regular communication with your rheumatologist is key. Be open and honest about your symptoms, medication needs, and concerns. Achieving remission is a journey and one that involves medications but also lifestyle changes.
Continuing to live your life, see friends and family and have fun is just as important as any prescription your doctor may give you. If you find you are hiding and not engaging in things that used to bring you joy, bring that up with your doctor as well. This may be a sign your lupus is still active or that there is something else that needs to be addressed.
With dedication and perseverance, you can work towards better understanding of your own flavor of lupus and partner with your rheumatologist to get you back on track.