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Miscellaneous Lupus Topics

VA disability for lupus

VA Disability for Lupus: Navigating Your Claim

February 23, 2024

Some veterans have an increased risk of developing lupus. When grappling with the complexities of lupus, a pressing question for many is whether it qualifies for Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits. Let’s explore the intricacies to understand if and how …

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Photo of a black woman getting a botox injection

Botox Injections and Lupus

June 6, 2023

If you have lupus and are considering Botox injections for cosmetic or medical purposes, it’s important to understand the potential implications. This article will explore the relationship between Botox injections and lupus and provide insights to help you make informed …

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Dr. Donald Thomas MD holding the new edition Lupus Encyclopedia A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Health Care Providers

Angela Deem of 90-Day Fiancé

December 26, 2020

 

​A gift for Christmas 2020, since I’m a 90-Day Fiancé fan. Angela wishes me a Merry Christmas and mentions my book. She looks great since her weight loss surgery and she must still be with Michael of Nigeria
…
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The Lupus Encyclopedia book cover 2nd edition
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Dr. Don Thomas, MD

I am Dr. Donald Thomas, MD, a rheumatologist treating hundreds of lupus patients for over 30 years. Read my first blog post here to understand why I started this website and blog about “The Lupus Encyclopedia” and “The Lupus Secrets”.

Dr. Don Thomas also enjoys educating and empowering doctors, medical students, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and patients.

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Hydroxychloroquine Decreases the Risk of Death

Research article shows that taking hydroxychloroquine decreases the risk of death by 83%: Impact of Antimalarial Adherence on
Herbal supplements for lupus that worsen lupus

6 Supplements For Lupus That Worsen Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system is overactive. This post discusses a 2024 research study
White blood cells in urine or pyuria

Lupus and High White Blood Cells in Urine

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease commonly affecting the kidneys and blood cells. One of the lesser-known complications
Malar butterfly rash symptom of lupus

Types of Rash in Lupus: A Comprehensive Guide

Lupus patients have many more types of rash than the commonly discussed butterfly rash and discoid lupus. After
wrist brace for joint protection for the wrist with lupus arthritis

Joint Protection Advice for Lupus Arthritis

Joint Protection Advice for Lupus Arthritis Joint protection is essential in dealing with pain. When you rest a
Lupus patient getting intravenous immunoglobulin

Intravenous Immunoglobulin: IVIG for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

A drug made from up to 100,000 healthy volunteers! Intravenous (IV) means getting a medicine delivered into your
systemic lupus can go into remission on medication

Can Lupus Go Into Remission? – Now thrilled to say “Yes!”

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) can go into a lupus remission on medications or treatment Lupus patient: “My doctor
Survey about being diagnosed with lupus and The Lupus Foundation of America

Participate in this lupus survey if you live in the USA [Survey is closed]

The Lupus Foundation of America wants to learn more about the difficulties in being diagnosed with lupus Click
blocks of letters that spell stress and wellness

Lupus and Stress Management: How to lessen stress

Lupus and Stress Management: The Science of Stress and the Immune System The video below goes over lupus
Urticaria hives allergic reaction in systemic lupus erythematosus SLE

Allergies and Itching after COVID vaccine? Announcing Research Here

Results from 64,900 vaccines: How often are allergies and itching after COVID vaccine? We’ll take a look at
Discoid lupus on the chest of a white woman Saphelo for lupus

Saphnelo for Lupus: One of Two Approved Biologics [January 2025)]

Saphnelo for Lupus: It improved lupus in all domains tested. Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) has the lupus community excited a
VA disability for lupus

VA Disability for Lupus: Navigating Your Claim

Some veterans have an increased risk of developing lupus. When grappling with the complexities of lupus, a pressing
Early signs of lupus in females

Early Signs of Lupus in Females

Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, predominantly impacts women. Around 90% of lupus patients are women, while 10% are
Anti-SSA (anti-Ro) in a lupus patient

Anti-SSA Test (anti-Ro): Know Your Labs

What is the anti-SSA test? What the lab technician sees under the microscope when testing a patient for
Image that says CAR-T Cells made simple

CAR-T Cell Therapy For Lupus Made Simple (October 2024 UPDATE)

The field of CAR-T therapies in treating autoimmune diseases like lupus is rapidly expanding. As of April 2024,
Word Symptoms in Scrabble Tiles

Early Signs of Lupus: What to Look For

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. Early diagnosis is key
A mask, needle, and syringe as symbols to protect from COVID-19

What is Evusheld and Who Should Get Evusheld: Prevent COVID-19 [OCT 2022 Update]

What is Evusheld? It is a treatment to prevent COVID-19 infections. It is not a vaccine. It is
Donald Thomas, MD reading a book while writing The Lupus Encyclopedia and The Lupus Secrets

The Lupus Secrets [Practical Tips for Living with Lupus]

Do you have lupus, then you absolutely want to learn about follow The Lupus Secrets so that you
Woman sitting on chair

Spotlight on a Good Poem by Devoted Lupus Warrior

Lupus by Lupus Warrior and Lupus Fighter Shanelle Gabrielle “​I still have a purpose … A reason to
New lupus test for lupus flares announced by The Lupus Foundation

The aiSLE DX Flare Risk Index Test: A new lupus lab test

The aiSLE DX Flare Risk Index test The Lupus Foundation of America, in its continuous quest to advocate
blood vessels vascular with red blood cells floating inside an artery

Diabetes Drug Pioglitazone Helpful for Lupus [Suggests NIH study]

Lupus Research Article Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-Îł agonist pioglitazone improves vascular and metabolic dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus This
Lupus patient with COVID coronavirus

Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine: Now see me excited to get it

What was it like getting the COVID-19 vaccine? … and some advice for lupus patients   A rheumatology
methotrexate for lupus bottle of methotrexate on label

Methotrexate for lupus: help it work better and prevent side effects [January 2025]

Methotrexate is one of the safest and most effective drugs for lupus. Since the 1980s, it has been
dry skin close up on the face of a woman

Lupus and Dry Skin

Lupus, a complex autoimmune disease, commonly affects the skin, including causing dry, itchy skin. Fortunately, a lot can
smart phone with apps

Arthritis – “it’s a Pain in the App” [Coping with lupus]

Guest post: One method of coping with the struggles of lupus Living and coping with the challenges of
Sleep hygiene recommendations for lupus patients

Lupus and Sleep: Strategies to Sleep Better!

Lupus and Sleep Problems are Common: Strategies to improve your sleep (October 2024 Update) Tips on better sleep
Connective Tissue Disease written on a white board by a doctor

Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease: It Is Real! (October 2024 Update)

Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) is one of the most common rheumatologic diagnoses. Many systemic lupus patients start
Lupus life expectancy

Understanding Lupus Life Expectancy

Living with lupus is a journey marked by uncertainty. One aspect that often weighs on individuals is the
Image of blood cells

Benlysta Reviews: Learn the amazing truth on how it works

  …
Proteinuria in lupus nephritis. This is what a kidney looks like

Proteinuria in Lupus Nephritis: Video tips and the bottom line [FEB 2023 UPDATE]

UPDATE FEB 2023: Watch YouTube video about diagnosing lupus nephritis (LN) early, how it is diagnosed and what
COVID Booster vaccine for lupus patients is possible according to research study

Immunosuppressed Patients Respond to Booster Shots: Hope for a COVID Booster Vaccine for Lupus and Other Autoimmune Disease Patients? [Updated 8/12/21]

  Will a COVID Booster Vaccine for Lupus Patients Increase Response Rates? We do not know, yet. However,
Melatonin being produced by the pineal gland in lupus

Melatonin For Lupus May be Good Per the Best Medical Evidence [NEW!]

Melatonin For Lupus: What does the Research Show?         (Updated August 2021) Why do people
Root cause of lupus research

New Research May Have Identified a Root Cause of Lupus

Lupus, a complex autoimmune disease, affects over a million people in the U.S. Researchers at Northwestern Medicine and
Woman who has a malar rash (butterfly rash) due to lupus with lupus disease activity

How Severe is Your Lupus? Use a Lupus Severity Index

Read on to learn how you to figure out your lupus disease activity with a Lupus Severity Index
Low vitamin D levels can make lupus worse

The Best Lupus Books? Look in the useful list below

Kelli of “More Than Lupus” describes what she considers the best lupus books ​ What are your favorite
Dry cracked skin

Top Dermatologist Tips For Itchy, Dry Skin in Lupus and Sjögren’s [October 2024 Update]

Quick Advice Guaranteed to Help Most with Dry Itchy Skin: Stop using Dove and other soaps that say
Lupus and purple spot

Lupus and Purple Spots on Skin

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple systems in the body, including the skin. Purple spots
Man with lupus with hands on his chest during a heart attack

Bottom Line on Diabetes vs Lupus and Stroke & Heart Attacks

Lupus and Stroke and Heart Attacks: A bigger problem than we thought! We have known for a long
Discoid lupus causing scarring alopecia

How to Stop Lupus Hair Loss:

How to stop hair loss! – Yes! You can do things to help! And learn that much of
Person with lupus spreading COVID-19 by not wearing a mask

Super spreader COVID-19: Infections surge big due to this [Updated]

Super spreader COVID-19: New study shows the answers in the Annals of Internal Medicine Wear a mask to
Lupus Mottled Skin

Lupus Mottled Skin and the Symptoms (Updated August 2024)

Among the skin manifestations commonly associated with lupus is “mottled skin.” Livedo reticularis is the primary example. This
shingles on the back of a white person

Lupus and Vaccines: Shingles, Shingrix, and Zostavax

Knowing how lupus and vaccines interact is important since infections are one of the top two causes of
Lupus medication list with drug allergy list including sulfa and Bactrim antibiotics

Good Advice on Lupus and Bactrim [per sulfa antibiotic research]

Lupus and Bactrim: List sulfa antibiotics (like Bactrim) in your allergy list if you have lupus Lupus patients
Normal SD-OCT in a lupus patient

Rheumatologists: What if hydroxychloroquine eye tests show retinopathy [FEB 2023 Update]

Do not automatically stop hydroxychloroquine if your eye doctor tells you your patient has HCQ-retinopathy! Heed my practical
Model of the kidney

What to Know about a Lupus Nephritis Urine Sample [UPDATED June 2024]

Lupus patients should provide a urine sample regularly to see if there is possible inflammation of the kidneys
Covid Study Flyer

COVID Vaccine and Lupus: Join in a Research Study Now

How the COVID Vaccine and Lupus Interact is Important to Figure Out: Consider Joining this NIH Research Study
Benlysta is FDA approved to treat lupus nephritis

Benlysta approved for lupus nephritis: is it for mild cases?

Lupus Question of The Day: Is Benlysta for mild lupus nephritis? Ask Dr. T question and shortened answer
itchy skin like happens with lupus rashes

Itchy Skin Can Be a Sign of Active Lupus

Updated JUN 2023 Itchy skin can occur with active lupus rashes (cutaneous lupus). However, other causes are much
Image of two kidneys and some doctors with the title chronic kidney disease

3 Proven Ways to Stop Lupus Chronic Kidney Disease Progression [January 2025]

Reducing the worsening of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in lupus and other autoimmune diseases is possible. I have
Extra COVID vaccines are important for us to prevent infection

Dr. Donald Thomas gets his extra COVID vaccines: It was easy!

UPDATED September 2021: I cannot wait to get my extra COVID vaccines … specifically my 3rd booster shot!