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Symptoms In Lupus

Pain from Fibromyalgia

Lupus and Fibromyalgia

February 4, 2025

Lupus and Fibromyalgia: Understanding the Connection

Lupus and fibromyalgia are two distinct conditions, but they often coexist, causing overlapping symptoms that complicate diagnosis and treatment. Both conditions significantly impact patients’ lives, but understanding their similarities and differences is key to …

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The endocrine system and lupus

Lupus and The Endocrine System

January 21, 2025

Lupus, a complex autoimmune condition, impacts various systems in the body, including the endocrine system. The endocrine system plays a vital role in regulating hormones, which are crucial for maintaining balance in the body’s functions. Understanding the connection between lupus …

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close-up photo of persons eye

Lupus and The Eyes

December 30, 2024

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs and systems, including the eyes. For individuals with lupus, maintaining eye health is vital as the disease, medications, and related conditions can contribute to …

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Lupus and the digestive system

Lupus and The Digestive System

December 18, 2024

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is an autoimmune disorder that can affect nearly every organ in the body. While lupus is often associated with joint pain, skin rashes, and fatigue, it can also impact the digestive system…

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Word Symptoms in Scrabble Tiles

Early Signs of Lupus: What to Look For

December 11, 2024

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. Early diagnosis is key to managing the disease, but because lupus symptoms mimic other conditions, it can be difficult to identify early on. This article focuses …

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Lupus headaches

Lupus Headaches: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

December 2, 2024

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs and systems. One of the most common neurological symptoms experienced by people with lupus is headaches. These headaches, often referred to as “lupus headaches,” can range …

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Malar butterfly rash symptom of lupus

Types of Rash in Lupus: A Comprehensive Guide

November 20, 2024

Lupus patients have many more types of rash than the commonly discussed butterfly rash and discoid lupus. After joints, the mucous membranes and rashes are the most commonly affected body parts in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Understanding these rashes is …

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Lupus and gastro issues

Lupus and Gastro Issues

May 7, 2024

Lupus and its treatments can affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the intestines. Understanding the relationship between lupus and gastro issues is crucial for effectively managing symptoms and improving the quality of life for individuals with lupus.…

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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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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
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,
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Colossal Shortage of Rheumatologists is Here: Panic?

World-wide shortage of rheumatologists= getting worse. This is why it is getting harder to get an appointment with
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Provocative Advice: Lupus Patients need COVID Vaccines [2021]

Evaluation and recommendations by noted lupus experts: Lupus patients need COVID vaccines Hot off the press from Lupus
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
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Lupus and Stress Management: How to lessen stress [January 2025 Update]

Lupus and Stress Management: The Science of Stress and the Immune System January 2025 Update: Mounting evidence that
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Lupus and Creatine Phosphokinase

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is a complex autoimmune disease that can affect multiple systems
Dry mouth from lupus and Sjogren

Lupus Can Cause Tooth Decay: How to Prevent Dry Mouth and Cavities (October 2024 Update)

Can lupus cause tooth decay? Learn here to lower your risk of losing teeth from dry mouth! ​
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
Sea moss along the coast

Sea Moss as a Lupus Prebiotic

Patients ask about Sea Moss as a Lupus Prebiotic: Sea moss was never on my radar until 2022-2023.
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
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
Man with yellow eyes due to jaundice from hepatitis

Lupus and Hepatitis B Vaccine: Endorsed in the CDC guidelines

Lupus and Hepatitis B Addendum: The recommendations for hepatitis B vaccines changed in 2022. The CDC recommended that
Stomach pain in lupus

Lupus Stomach Medications: Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Gastrointestinal symptoms and problems are common in lupus patients and can significantly impact their quality of life. In
Asian woman doctor reading a chest x-ray showing pneumonia

New Pneumonia, Shingles, RSV, and Hepatitis Vaccine Recommendations [2024]

Centers for Disease Control 2024 Vaccine Recommendations In 2024 came out with its new vaccine recommendations. In this
Questions about lupus treatments and living with lupus

Living With Lupus Blog: The Lupus Encyclopedia – Q & A Video

Dr. Donald Thomas Answers Lupus Patients’ Questions on His Living With Lupus Blog: The Lupus Encyclopedia Watch this
White woman with shoulder pain fibromyalgia autoimmune disease blog post

Is Fibromyalgia an Autoimmune Disease? Research suggests “YES!”

Research Article: Passive transfer of fibromyalgia symptoms from patients to mice Goebel A, Krock E, Gentry C, Israel
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
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
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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
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
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
blood test for Epstein Barr virus and mononucleosis

Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine to Prevent Lupus and Other Diseases?

An Epstein Barr virus (EBV) vaccine to prevent lupus? EBV infection may be a common trigger, causing the
Woman using eye drops for dry eyes and lupus

Dry Eyes and Lupus: Eye Doctor Tips and Tricks

Dry eyes are very common in lupus patients, especially those with Sjogren’s disease. Around 25 to 30% of
Dr. Donald Thomas gets the COVID-19 vaccine

How the Covid-19 Vaccine Works: amazing!

It is amazing how the COVID-19 vaccine works (the mRNA vaccines, especially) It intrigues me how the COVID-19
Low vitamin D levels can make lupus worse

Lupus and Vitamin D Advice: Can be lowest in women of color

Lupus and vitamin D in Women of Color. Why and what to do- “Ask Dr. T!” question of
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
Image that says CAR-T Cells made simple

CAR-T Cell Therapy For Lupus Made Simple (January 2025 UPDATE)

The field of CAR-T therapies in treating autoimmune diseases like lupus is rapidly expanding. As of April 2024,
Lupus and the Nervous System

Lupus and the Nervous System

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) commonly affects the body’s nerves. Our nerves cause us to be able to feel
Woman with lupus helping lupus research for the Lupus Foundation of America

Share Lupus Experiences Now: Help current research on lupus

IF YOU HAVE LUPUS OR ARE A CAREGIVER: Help current research on lupus by sharing your experiences with
Lennon Wall graffiti in Prague Czech Republic that says Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Lupus and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”

What do the following have in common? Lupus A drawing by a 3-year-old Julian Lennon Flowers and gardening
Illustration of collecting a urine sample

How to collect a urine sample properly for testing (UPDATED January 2025)

    It is essential for lupus patients to regularly collect an accurate clean catch urine sample  
Use of DHEA in lupus patients

DHEA and Lupus: Research shows it to be useful and good in some

Other Facts about DHEA and lupus – DHEA and lupus: DHEA stands for DeHydroEpiAndrosterone – It is produced
Lupus Mottled Skin

Lupus Mottled Skin and the Symptoms (February 2025 Update)

One skin issue associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is “mottled skin,” with livedo reticularis being one of
Proton pump inhibitor induced subacute cutaneous lupus on upper back of woman with systemic lupus erythematosus

Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Due to Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitor-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus: Clinical characteristics and outcomes In this post we’ll cover subacute cutaneous
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
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
Image of blood cells

Benlysta Reviews: Learn the amazing truth on how it works

  …
Immunosuppressants and COVID vaccine ACR guidelines and recommendations

Immunosuppressants and COVID Vaccine: Fundamentals in the new guidelines

Immunosuppressants and COVID vaccine: which you should stop and not stop American College of Rheumatology Clinical Guidance Summary UPDATED
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
News Flash COVID-19 vaccine for lupus patients

Covid-19 Vaccine for Lupus Patients: Please get your vaccine

Should We be Recommending the COVID-19 Vaccine for Lupus Patients?: Yes! What I tell my systemic lupus patients
X-ray of lupus joint and muscle pain

Lupus Joint and Muscle Pain

Close to 90% of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) will have joint and muscle pain. Understanding lupus
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Diabetes Drug Pioglitazone Helpful for Lupus [Suggests NIH study]

Lupus Research Article Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist pioglitazone improves vascular and metabolic dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus This
Lupus and the urinary system

Lupus and the Urinary System

Kidney inflammation (lupus nephritis) occurs in around 45% of people who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, lupus
Black middle aged black doctor giving a heavy set white woman with lupus a flu shot

Lupus Flare After Flu Shot? Question of the Day Here

Do Flu Shots Cause Lupus Flares? Lupus flare after flu shot? Question of the day: Dr. Thomas, I
Malar butterfly rash symptom of lupus

How to Diagnose Lupus: 10 Symptoms (February 2025 Update)

Diagnosing lupus is challenging, even for medical professionals. Early diagnosis is crucial for early treatment to reduce inflammation,
Arm wrestling to see which is better for lupus nephritis: Lupkynis or Benlysta

Lupkynis vs Benlysta for Lupus Nephritis: Dr. Thomas Has His Verdict!

Which is better for lupus nephritis? ​Here is my answer! Which is better for lupus nephritis? Benlysta or
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
Lupus and gastro issues

Lupus and Gastro Issues

Lupus and its treatments can affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the intestines. Understanding the
Effects of lupus on the body

Effects of lupus on the body

The effects of lupus on the body, a complex autoimmune disease, are diverse and affect people in unpredictable