Lupies: Don't fear the natural immune boosters!

There was back in the day support for the raw food diet. Who knew?

When your doctors tell you that your chronic autoimmune illness symptoms are due to your immune system attacking you, they are only partially right. And yes, I'm taking a bit of a break from writing strictly about Lupus love to send a message to all the chronic autoimmune illness sufferers out there. Well, honestly though, I do love Lupus and the author of “Goodbye Lupus” for teaching me this. So, I guess it's still about that Lupus Love. Anyway, here's the thing:

When you have a chronic illness/autoimmune disease, your immune system is sick. That's why it has no idea how to function. When you take immune system suppressant drugs they do work, though, right? Your inflammation decreases. Your pain decreases, etc. That's because they calm down your sick immune system to keep it from slapping you around. But what a lot of doctors, yes, even your rheumatologist, don't know is that there is a better way.

Now granted, I'm not a medical doctor. I'm not telling you to stop taking your prescribed meds in any way. I'm not trying to replace your doctor. What I am telling you is that when you take immune suppressants and avoid nutrients that boost your immunity at the same time, you are very effectively killing yourself. For real, you guys. Check this out.

This is my understanding of the issue. There are certain foods/nutrients that keep your immune system functioning properly. When those things are missing from your diet, things go very, very wrong. Your sick immune system starts attacking everything instead of just the “baddies.” And that, my friends is where autoimmune disease comes from.

Oh, the tendencies can be inherited for sure. Although, it isn't clear whether this is due to genes or family eating habits and lifestyles. And once you're already sick, it is absolutely necessary to take those immune suppressants, at least at first. However, it's extremely important (and the only way to get off the meds) that along with following your doctor's orders, you make absolutely sure that you are getting all the highly nutritional, pure immune boosters you possibly can.

So, while it may seem counterproductive to consume foods that boost immunity while taking immune suppressing drugs, doing so will actually, gradually help your immune system to heal so that it is no longer attacking your body. And when that happens, you will no longer need the drugs. And as long as you continue eating healthy, immune supportive foods, which should be for the rest of your life, you will be healed, that is, if healing is even a vague possibility for you.

I say that because for a small portion of people, there may be no turning back. However, you can still feel better and prolong your life by boosting your immunity, regardless of whether you will ever be cured completely.

Immune suppressant drugs are a deceptive band-aid, although they do work in the short term and can save your life in an extreme flare. However, nutrient dense foods (and an active lifestyle) are the real cure.

In other words, don't sit on your butt all day, downing whatever your doctor prescribes without a second thought or a minute of independent research, gorging on fast food and high fat, cholesterol loaded main dishes and high calorie snacks, feeling sorry for yourself, afraid to eat anything that might jump start your immune system.

Because it won't work. It's not a cure. It's may make you feel better for the moment, but it will make you much sicker in the long run.

How do I know this? Well, again, I am no doctor/nutritionist, however, I have spent the last 40 + years actively studying nutrition. This knowledge has also come about through my personal journey to better health, combined with advice from two physicians who have backgrounds in nutrition, one of whom cured her own extremely aggressive Lupus with diet.

Now, about that personal experience. I am in what I have dubbed “Phase 2” of bettering my health. I was already going vegan. Now I'm introducing some foods and supplements that are extremely nutrient dense, a little at a time. As time goes by and my diet and lifestyle change helps me more and more, I'm confident that I will be able to “go all the way” and heal myself.

You may wonder why I don't just do that now? Well, it's pretty simple, really. By introducing these super nutrients at a slower rate, my immune system is not crazy powerful at a time when it's still attacking my system. And yet, I'm still sending it healing help, so that this will eventually not be an issue.

And it's working. Right now, I'm taking 10,000 units of vitamin D3 daily, plus, adding chlorella, spirulina, chia seeds, flaxseed and a “Super Greens” multivitamin/mineral powder supplement to my morning fruit and veggie smoothie. I have almost completely eliminated two of my most annoying symptoms (acid reflux and extreme fatigue) by doing just this, combined with eating a healthy, balanced, vegan diet the rest of the day and moving a little more.

I also drink a chai tea with fresh pressed ginger every morning. I avoid processed foods like the plague and I drink a crap ton of filtered water. A gallon a day, at least.

My next step is going completely raw vegan and adding even more anti-oxidant, nutrient dense food to my plate. Now, I know, you guys. There are no guarantees in life. I may be saddled with Lupus forever. That's absolutely true. However, these changes are already improving my life, my health and my chance of survival. And that alone is good enough for me.

I see many of my fellow sufferers being put on medicine after medicine that bring about horrendous side effects and only partially work anyway. My docs were doing the same, albeit out of true concern. It's not their fault. It's how they were taught. They are, after all, only required to take 20-25 hours of nutritional training. I harbor no ill will toward them. I feel they are genuinely trying to help me.

But these changes I mentioned and that I am engaged in making, have completely cured many people much worse off than me of their autoimmune diseases. For instance, the doctor who wrote the book I just read (and many of her readers and patients) have now gone completely off their meds with no negative results or backslides/further flares. The doctor herself has been Lupus free now for 10 years. And her Lupus was much more progressive than mine.

Anyway.... If you are suffering from an auto-immune disease, your immune system is not functioning properly. It needs to be constantly overfed. You need more nutrients than the average person because before your body can benefit from them, your immune system needs to heal. Which may be just the opposite of what your doctor tells you. So take the vitamins and mineral supplements. Eat the nutrient dense food.

Please, do whatever is in your power to heal your broken system so that it stops attacking you!

I know that I'm glad I do this every day. Out of all my sick friends, I am the healthiest one. I know. It sounds funny/strange, right? But in all seriousness, what I am doing is working, slowly but surely. I want it to work for you too. Good nutrition is never harmful and it just might be the proactive answer to your prayers. So why not try?

You know all that crap you eat is killing you anyway, immune disease aside. So why not love yourself enough to stop eating it and start giving your body what it needs to both heal and thrive? You deserve a better, healthier life. We all do.

So, thanks Lupus, for teaching me something about healing that will help not only me, but my friends as well. Because, Lupus or not, we all can benefit from a healthy, high nutrient diet, right? Too bad it sometimes takes a huge wake up call to realize that.

Thanks, Lupus. For the pain and physical limitations?

Oh ya. Now, I know many of you will be thinking I'm an absolute nut case. That is, if you didn't already. On the other hand, I am notorious for looking on the bright side, so you might be used to my crazy meanderings. But thanks for the pain. Really? Thanks for making me physically limited? Really? How so? Well, I'll tell you something. There is a bright side to crippling pain. In fact, there may be more than one. So, here we go. Let me see if I can put this into words.

First of all, the pain of Lupus is like no other pain I have ever experienced in my life. And I have given birth to 4 kids. I didn't scream or cry when I gave birth, but I have done both in the past with Lupus on many occasions. However, when you experience that kind of pain on a daily basis, something miraculous happens. You get tough. Really, really tough. Like, nothing phases you tough.

Yup. I can sit in my chair, typing away while internally screaming in agony and no one is the wiser. Pain can shoot down my legs and out through my toenails and I can carry on a happy conversation like nothing at all is going on. I don't pout and whine any more either. When I have a complaint, I mention it, deal with it and move on.

I also handle psychological pain better than I used to. Facing your own mortality will do that for you in a quick hurry.

Because I know that in comparison, the pettiness of life's little troubles pale in comparison to chronic illness in general. By experiencing the worst, I have learned to appreciate the small stuff, even when it's not so pleasant. And my pain tolerance is off the chain, you guys. Totally off the chain.

And oh my gosh! I have the best damn excuse there is for not doing anything with physical risks. There's no way that I can jump from a plane, bungee jump, ride any large scale rapids, go into battle, brave the world's scariest roller coaster or anything else that's the risk your life for nothing kind of stupid anyone can dream up. For crap's sake, I have a hard time with stairs.

People don't even expect me to be able to go paragliding or rock climbing or any of that intense nonsense, so they don't even ask. Which is great. Because, in addition to having Lupus, Rheumatopid and Reynauds, I'm also a big time chicken shit. So, Lupus makes me look a little less chicken-shitty. Ha ha ha Don't you love it?

I also can't shovel snow, go skiing, climb Mt. Everest or do basically anything physical at all in the snow. Which is great because I got enough snow growing up. Too much, in fact. My feeling on snow is that it's pretty too look at, sometimes fun to drive in, nice to make snowmen, snowballs and snow angels with and after that, you can pretty much keep it.

So, thanks, Lupus. For keeping me from risking my life for a cheap thrill. And thanks for the pain tolerance. I'm going to need it later.

Feeling bad for well people

I now have the time and freedom to just sit and admire the flowers in the backyard.

I'm not sure if this is just another stage of chronic illness awareness or what but lately, I've been grateful to Lupus for the fact that I don't lead a normal life anymore. Isn't that crazy? Well, maybe not so much as you might think.

You see, I spend a little time each day thinking about the things other people do on a daily basis. Oh, how glad I am that I don't have to do them any more. I know what you're thinking. Yes, there are a lot of things “normal” people do that I wish I still could. So, there is that. I'm not climbing any mountains these days, for sure. Ha!

But guess what? This illness also takes a lot of pressure off me. Now, I'm not lazy by a long shot. But I spent a lot of years running the rat maze and I'm exhausted, you guys. And yes, I pay a price for the time off. A huge price. It's no party trying to function every day when you feel this sick. It's like having the flu 24/7, this illness.

Still, I watch everyone around me and I'm grateful to be relieved of all that social pressure they go through. If I'm sicker than usual, there is no boss to call. I just spend the day in my recliner, trying to heal as best I can. I don't have to make any excuses.

People generally understand when I'm too sick for housework and they pitch in on “my” chores. If I'm really in bad shape, they even bring me water or whatever I need. I'm not used to being waited on. That used to be what I did for others. So, that part is hard for me. But I'm still grateful that someone is there to help, rather than me having to work through the pain.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. You know, when I was well, living a normal life was extremely tiring for me. I'm an introvert and very much lacking in the social graces. So, honestly, there are times when I'm actually glad to be sick so I don't have to deal with all the anxiety and pressures of trying to fit in any more.

So ya, thanks Lupus. Thanks for allowing me a little time to just relax and do the things I love doing when I'm able. And granted, I'm not all that able. LOL For instance, today, I'm just sitting in my recliner because I can't stand. No way. But still, it's a reprieve from the rat race. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

Lupus and instant Karma

Enough said?

Perhaps one of the best things about Lupus is that it provides instant Karma. While that may not sound like exactly the best thing to happen to someone, it's actually quite helpful. Oh ya. For instance, we all know that a sedentary lifestyle is bad for us. Well, with Lupus, you don't have to wait 20 years for the negative impact. In fact, sometimes you don't even have to wait a half hour.

If you spend your work days at the keyboard, like me, it only takes a short amount of time for you to feel the pain. In other words, with Lupus, if something is bad for you, you will know right away, no question about it. Why is that good?

Well, it's good because then you can avoid those things that for everyone else, take a lifetime to find out about and then, when they do, it's too late.

Here's a for instance. Last night, I went to Taco Bell. Now, some people go there on a regular basis. In fact, some people eat fast food nearly every day of their lives, right? They know it's bad for them. They also know that the effects of this bad habit will happen down the road. With Lupus, though, it doesn't work that way.

Oh no. Because even when I choose the healthiest thing on the menu and leave out all the “bad” stuff it contains, instant Karma is right there to remind me why I shouldn't eat fast food. In fact, the second that taco salad with no cheese or sour cream hit my esophagus, I knew I was in trouble. I will, as they say, spare you the details. Suffice it to say, I will not be eating at Taco Bell again. Like ever.

And that's just one instance. I don't overeat or overdo anything in general any more because instant Karma has taught me not to. I get up every half hour while writing because if I don't, the cramps will set in.

Yesterday, I played “Sims 3” for a long period of time while Gary was working on the bathroom remodel. My hand swelled up like a balloon. This morning, I had to take double meds because of it. So, there you go. Instant Karma = no more hours of Sims.

If I have just one soda pop, once in a month, I can guarantee that I will be leaning over the porcelain god all night, wishing that I hadn't caved.

While most people have to wait for the bad Karma of their bad habits to catch up with them, mine is like, wham, bam, here I am Mam. Now knock that off immediately and don't do it again! Because, you know that saying about needing to be hit over the head with a brick? Well, I'm one of those people that it fits. I will normally make the same mistake many times over before I learn. But with Lupus, I learn right away and the hard way.

So, thanks, Lupus. That instant Karma of yours makes it so easy to stop bad habits before they become lifetime habits.

Lupus has taught me to multitask like a boss

Thanks to Lupus, I can juggle whatever is thrown at me!

Well, you know. Example is the best teacher. And Lupus is one bad-ass multitasker. Oh ya. Lupus can simultaneously attack every inch of your body and every system, organ, blood cell, muscles, joint and bone in it. Don't ever get in a fight with Lupus. It's better to love, respect and emulate Lupus. Because she will make you her bitch if you let her.

Or, you can learn to be just as strong as she is. You can multitask right back at her. That's what I do. Bring it on, Lupus. I've got this covered. I can be a bad-ass too!

I can climb stairs with two loads of laundry, no laundry basket in sight and pains shooting up and down my legs like the fires of hell. Seriously, Lupus, are you threatening to break my back in two? Ya, well, dish it, Lupus. I can take it and then some.

I can make breakfast while simultaneously clutching the kitchen counters to keep myself from falling if I should pass out. Need a packed lunch and a pot of coffee too? No problem. I can even do it while whistling a tune if need be. No sense in making everyone else miserable after all.

I can carry on a lively conversation and nobody knows I have bile rising up in my throat and a migraine the size of Texas. They never will know it either because I don't want my day to bring their day down to Lupus level.

You need a ride? No problem. I'll take you anywhere you need to go even if I was worshiping the porcelain god all night long and only got an hour of sleep. I don't want you to have to take the bus, after all. What's more, I'll do it with a smile, singing to the tune of whatever music you choose, even if I have to grit my teeth from the pain the whole way.

Need an ear or a shoulder or just to know someone cares about your accomplishments? Here I am. Never-mind that while we're talking, I really do have ten other things I should be and am doing. Forget that my hands are throbbing and my day was filled with agonizing pain. I want to hear about your day because I care about you. Life is short and I want to spend all the time I can with the people I love.

Screw the pain. I want to focus on happy.

It sounds bad, doesn't it? Well, it is. But it's beautiful too. Thanks to Lupus, I have the strength to deal with just about anything that comes my way. Yup. If I can handle living with Lupus, I can handle anything, even the perfect storm. Lupus is one scary roller coaster riding bitch but I have her to thank for teaching me that all things are possible. Yes, even when they all come flying at me simultaneously.

So thanks, Lupus, for all the multitasking you throw my way. Thanks to you, I can throw that shit right back 'atcha and move on to the next challenge. I am Lupus strong!

Found that Margarita freeze-pop again. Thanks, Lupus?

Ha ha I remember when I wrote this random bit in the quotes below. It seems like so long ago. And you know what? That freeze-pop is still there. I found it again just the other day. Seriously, I am so not a drinker. Still, I do miss being able to drink if I wanted to. It's about the freedom, you know? On the other hand, Lupus is pretty useful in that department. Because even if I did want to drink, my meds would tell me no.

And here it is.... or was.... Whatever.

08/21/13 (Hey, that WAS a long time ago!)

“Guess what I found when I cleaned out the freezer today? Oh, Ya. I found a margarita freeze-pop. That's been in there for who knows how long. Not sure if it's still good. I think we got it for free at some event a while back. Like, a long while back. I also found a bottle of Bailey’s and another tiny sample bottle of Bailey's.

Now, don't worry, I'm no alcoholic. Well, obviously, or I would have known they were there.

But hey, you take your rewards where you can get them. I guess my reward for cleaning the freezer today was a hidden supply of girly type alcohol. Hey, I'm in luck, because, guess what? I'm a girl! Yay me! 

But, boo! Because I can't drink with my meds. Wait, maybe next time I forget to pick up my Prednisone, I'll have a back-up plan. Can you see me scheming and rubbing my hands together?”

So, times change and now I don't drink. Like, at all. Oh, it's OK if you do. It's just not for me. I've recently realized that even if I could drink now, I really have no interest in it. I had my time to be young and foolish. I used it well. Now I'm on to bigger and better things. I just love the way Lupus has of reminding me I'm on the right track.

So, Bye bye, Margarita freeze-pop, see you later. That's see, not touch. And thanks again, Lupus. Because of you I'm not drinking. Or even eating Margarita freeze-pops. Not that I would have anyway. LOL

Love for others with Lupus

Lupus is named for the wolf. Those who have it are just as strong. They have to be.

I'm not the only one with Lupus, you know? I do talk about it a lot. Still, there are so many people out there suffering from this crazy, unpredictable disease. It's tragic to say the very least. However, it can also be inspiring. Plus, I get tons of support from my fellow “Lupies” on a daily basis. After all, no one understands chronic illness like those who have it.

I don't have any resentment toward healthy people. In fact, it's just the opposite. I'm so glad to see other people living happy, healthy lives. It gives me great joy. It's just that when it comes to having someone to talk to about my health struggles, nothing beats someone who has been there and done that.

Other Lupies don't suggest unsolicited “cures” or pain solutions. They know Lupus is a permanent condition that's not going away. They just listen and empathize. Which is exactly what I need most of the time. And if I do need advice, they know how to give it without being pushy.

Other Lupies also understand when I'm too tired to do anything but sit and type. They know I'm not lazy because I don't have a “real” job. They understand that writing is my way of continuing to contribute to my household, even if I don't feel so good and never become a big writing superstar. They also get that writing isn't all I do around the house.

I really appreciate my fellow Lupies in another way too. I find them inspiring. In fact, I find anyone with chronic illness inspiring. This world is hard enough on healthy people. Getting through it with style when sick is even more difficult.

Yes, from pain to limited mobility to digestive issues to skin rashes to any one of 25 other crazy symptoms, my fellow Lupies triumph daily over this horrendous illness. I find them amazing. Plus, so many of them are so much sicker than I am. Which makes me believe I can kick this thing with a smile on my face just like they do every day.

So, thanks Lupus, for helping me find so many new, inspiring supportive friends. It's truly one of the best things about this disease.