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SLE

Discoid Lupus Explained

Elizabeth · December 30, 2021 ·

Discoid lupus must be just like “regular” lupus, right? I mean, lupus is lupus, no? You’d think so, but like most things within Rheumatology, it rarely makes that much sense. When one speaks of “lupus” they are usually talking about SLE or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. SLE is a systemic (affects the entire body), autoimmune condition. Discoid Lupus, or DLE, is a condition solely of the skin. One can certainly have “discoid lesions” when they have SLE and we are always on alert for the development of SLE, but rest assured, they are two different entities. 

The name “discoid” stems from the description of the typical rash seen with DLE: a disc shaped, red patch with a scale and with scaring. It is common to worry about “progression to SLE.” Thankfully, development of SLE is the exception, rather than the rule. Although dermatologists are often the main caregivers of DLE, a full evaluation by a rheumatologist can provide insight and peace of mind.

[Read more…] about Discoid Lupus ExplainedDiscoid lupus is a chronic cutaneous condition

Pregnancy & Lupus

Elizabeth · December 27, 2021 ·

I’ve sat down with hundreds of young women as they find out they have lupus. Once a diagnosis is made, the conversations are largely one-sided. Explaining what lupus is, how we diagnosis it, and what we are going to do about it can take a while. I’ve seen every possible emotion you can think of wash over the faces of women as they absorb this news: relief at an answer, sadness at what it means, anger at why them, and then fear for their future. The fear, for many, circles around concerns over the possibility of a pregnancy with lupus. 

Lupus can affect anyone, but young women are the most commonly affected. Women in their teens, twenties and thirties, or what we call in medicine, the child-bearing years. Discussing issues related to pregnancy is a necessary component to a well-rounded lupus treatment strategy.

[Read more…] about Pregnancy & LupusLupus patients can have successful and healthy pregnancies

What you need to know about Lupus – Pt 2

Elizabeth · May 11, 2021 ·

Lupus is not a diagnosis that anyone wants to hear come from their doctor’s mouth. It’s not very well understood by most and although it can be comforting to know the reason for your symptoms, it can be downright terrifying to think about your future. Lupus is a condition of ups and downs, sometimes extreme downs, but it is possible to live a happy, full life while also living with lupus. 

What we call lupus is really a collection of manifestations of an imbalanced immune system that has led to out of control inflammation. There are some predictable lab and antibody tests as well as commonly seen symptoms that allow us to group people under the wide lupus umbrella, but the truth is, most lupus patients are very individual with nuances that are specific to them. For that reason it is dangerous to compare one’s lupus to someone else’s and why internet stories of “curing lupus” have to be taken with a giant grain of salt.

Learn the facts about Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
[Read more…] about What you need to know about Lupus – Pt 2Getting a diagnosis of lupus is never fun, understanding what it means can help.
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