Questions on Autoimmune

 Hi Everyone!

I've had some interesting emails with questions and some comments about lupus and sjogren's. Today, I will try to explain autoimmune as I know it. I have made a few of these post in the past. However, the questions are compelling and people should not be confused about autoimmune. Over the last 30 years I have done extreme research and I keep up with the lupus foundation, Mayo clinic, Johns Hopkins and MT Sinia. Other resources as well. 

 BUT NEVER WEB MD!

First what is autoimmune?

A disease in which the body's immune system attacks healthy cells. There are over 100 autoimmune dis-eases that we know of. Each one has devastating results if not cared for. lupus effects, every internal organ, the skin and blood. Mostly the heart, brain and kidneys. sjogrens effect saliva glands and tear ducts and can cause lymphoma along with other symptoms here is a great explaination

 

Is autoimmune hereditary? Mostly and effects women more than men. If you have a family member with any type of autoimmune, it is likely that one or more family members will have one too. Not necessarily the same one. I know it gets confusing. Example; the males in my family suffer from diabetes type 1. Which is autoimmune. I suffer with lupus, so if your family member has lupus someone else may have a different autoimmune but it runs in the family.

Getting diagnosed is key but you will be hard pressed to find a doctor that will go the route. They will try to "fix" symptoms first. Because, symptoms are the same and so different with each person a criteria and blood work helps. Still difficult to get diagnosed. That is a horror story in itself.

Once diagnosed, it's off to the rheumatologist. Personally, I have never had good luck with them so I take care of myself with the backing of my PC.

Another question I received is; does lupus go away. NEVER! Unless you have symptoms from other medications or environmental. I will get into that another time. Autoimmune is hereditary and shows up when it wants to. A trauma can set it into motion as well. I started having symptoms when I was a baby but no one knew what to do or what it was. So for most of my life I had symptoms treated. Not a dis-ease treated. It wasn't until I was in my 40s that a doctor tested me for lupus. Then we had a long talk about all of the illnesses I had experienced. He nailed lupus back to when I was 3 or 4 years old. Research states that autoimmune hits around puberty to your 40s. However, I believe that kids are suffering from autoimmune and not being tested. 

It never goes away but there are bouts of recession. I was in recession for quite a long time and then BAMMMM! it hits like a ton of bricks. If I get sick or something happens like nodules on my thyroid, my body goes into attack mode.

Medications for autoimmune can be worse than the dis-ease. I took the meds for a few years and became a non functioning human. I couldn't get the doctors to listen to me so I took myself off the meds and started an herbal cleansing and then my own vitamin and herbs. Even with medication you still flare and feel like crap.

Another question was from Jeanie. 

She asked;

With lupus and sjogrens at bay, does that mean they ruled both of those out? Both of these autoimmune will never be ruled out or go away. It does mean if I am gong into recession I will feel better. They are always there and I will always have symptoms. I will always have to be careful with my health. 

Last Question; I was asked how has lupus effected my body.

Where do I start? LOL

Since I was a baby I have had blinding migraines, with auras that send me right to hell. As I got older I had no balance, I would fall all the time. I still do. Sticky blood, I bruise easily and I clot quickly. A lot of my internal organs have been removed. Brian fog is a real medical term and that one drives me nuts. I can't go in the sun with out protection. Inflamation is a tough one too. Pain all the time especially in my hands, legs and feet. Teeth is a big deal too and bone degeneration. Digestion gets worse all the time. Should I go on? I have to be careful of my diet, exercise and overall health. Is it hard? Yes. Do I do things that I shouldn't? Of course. I am human. Do I pay for it? A lot of the time. 

sjogrens is relatively new as is hashimoto's disease,(the thyroid) During the ultrasound a heterogeneous mass was found. I'm still waiting to see the ENT in August. 

So, if you have been told you have any of these, you have autoimmune and should be caring for yourself along with your doctor to stay as healthy as possible. 

This by no means is a full list.

• Addison disease
• Celiac disease - sprue (gluten-sensitive enteropathy)
• Dermatomyositis
• Graves disease
• Hashimoto thyroiditis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Myasthenia gravis
• Pernicious anemia
• Reactive arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sjögren syndrome
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Type I diabetes

 If you have any questions please email me. You will find the email in my porfile.

Nicole