SLE/FM Relapses and Flares

[Guest guest]

SLE/FM Relapses and Flares:

Many Systemic Lupus and Fibromyalgia patients are

Experiencing relapses or flares this time of year.

The cold weather is part of the cause, especially

in flaring the arthritis part of the disease in SLE.

Pay close attention to your symptoms, ask yourself:

1. Are you having the same symptoms as before?

2. Are you having more intense symptoms now?

3. Are you having new symptoms?

Understanding What Causes Flares:

1. Both SLE and FM have cycles of their own, and some

flaring will occur, regardless what we do or don't

do. This is an automatic function of the disease

process, and we have no control of this. However,

we may be able influence the length of the flare,

and how often it occurs. Also remember, what triggers

one person with SLE or FM, may not trigger another.

2. Over activity or pushing ourselves pass our bodies

energy reserve cause flares. Over activity can be part

of a vicious cycle, a closed loop in which doing too

much leads to an intensification of symptoms and

forced rest. This roller coaster cycle can make us

feel powerless, with intense pain and overwhelming

fatigue to cope with.

3. ANY illness, being the flu, bronchitis, sinus infection,

kidney infections, having dental work, an open wound,

surgery, ect. can magnify symptoms.

4. Emotionally charged events, such as financial problems,

a disability review, being forced to move, or a wedding

or death in the family. This also includes long-term

stressors like on going family conflicts, landlord problems,

fighting with the kids, or problems getting your medications.

5. cent lighting, the sun rays, or having an X-ray done

causes an increase in symptoms.

6. OUR own expectations of ourselves can worsen symptoms

and even bring on flares.

Preventing or Decreasing the Flare:

1. Take time to get extra rest. Often the quickest way

to recover is to rest, rest, rest. Spend the time

resting now, and it may prevent the flare from getting

worse. If you " choose " to not rest, then be

prepared

for a more intense roller coaster ride of pain, fatigue,

and possibly depression.

2. Consciously cut down on activity by postponing,

delegating, eliminating tasks, and saying NO. Yes,

the family will survive, and true friends will

understand. Just because something has always

been done a certain way, by you, does not mean it

can't be done by someone else, postpone, or skipped

entirely. What is important is your rest, and

well being. No one will take care of you, except

YOU, so now is the time to put YOUR health first.

3. Talking to someone we trust allows us to verbalize

our concerns and fears.

4. Avoid toxic people during a flare! We all know

these type of people. They like to argue all the

time, don't believe we are sick, think we are

faking, or have that special snake oil treatment

which will fix us. Just do not answer the phone

or the door. We have that right to peace of mind,

in our own house, while mending ourselves with rest.

5. Talk to others who share the same disease does wonders

for the mind. It assures us that we are not alone,

and that maybe someone else man have worse symptoms to

deal with, than we do. They understand completely

what we are going through, and that is a great emotional

comfort.

6. Expecting less from ourselves, and knowing what " actions "

to take when we do flare. WE, as an individual, is the ONLY

person who can put demands on our own bodies.

7. Accepting the cyclic nature of the illness, with symptoms

waxing and waning, provides consolation.

8. Learn how to respond differently to flares.

a. Planned daily rest periods, and pacing activities.

b. Reducing stress through Stress Management.

c. Problem Solving - We all know that once we find a solution

to a problem, that things go smoothly, and the problem was

not at as bad as we first thought. Just make yourself a

sign,

that states " EVERY Problem ALWAYS Has a Solution " . If

you do

not know the answer, then ask someone to share how they have

solved similar problems.

d. Avoid Flare Triggers - Become VERY self-aware to the things

that flare YOU. These triggers could be toxic people,

certain foods, a particular medication, allergies, getting

into an heated discussion - argument, specific activities

or circumstances, the sun, or even a particular responsibility

you have outside the home.

f. Learn how to say " NO " ! Knowing our limitations helps

us say NO.

g. Keep a " Health Log " - Lupus is on of those diseases

which mimics itself. So by keeping a " Health Log " ,

we can identify what triggers a flare, and how our body

reacts to different triggers.

h. Make graphic presentation, and put them on the refrigerator

as a visual motivator for taking daily rest periods.

i. Keep a Daily Routine - " Keep things simple " , is what I

always say. A routine is less draining on our energy

level,

less fatiguing, and less stressful. Having a

predictable

more consistent routine also gives us a since of security.

j. Develop Detailed " Life Rules " - Life is full of rules, so why

not make a set of " Life Rules " for ourselves.

Rules keeps

us focused on what we can and can't do. Example: No driving

over 10 miles away from home, go to bed a 10pm sharp, always

use a scooter to shop, set a 3 min timer for talking on the

telephone, only got out once a week to do errands, or only

make appointments

k. Keeping a " Date Book " is very helpful in remembering what

we have to do, and also helps us keep on track, with our

own " sick rules " of what we can and cannot do, to

prevent

flares.

l. Make a second list of " Sick Rules " for specific

circumstances. This could be, ALWAYS take an extra

week

of rest after having the flu, because our " Health

Log " has

told us that we return to normal activities too soon, and

cause a relapse.

m. Keep a " Daily Schedule " - this is actually a daily guideline

to keep us on track with stress reduction. It also helps us

say " NO " when someone infringes upon our small

energy reserve.

Our rest is just another medication we MUST do.

Bottom Line - some flares or relapses are caused by the natural

cycles of FM or SLE, but others may be due to our actions.

In order to decrease the setbacks, from our actions, we must

take responsibility for our own illness, and do what is

necessary to preserve our energy. This is " choice "

in life, to cope with what has been handed to us.

What is your choice?

Much Love,

Deanna

LUPUS Serenity Prayer...

Lord,

grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to

change the things I can, and the wisdom to hide the bodies of doctors I shot

when they said, You're perfectly healthy, it's all in your head "