Kids + Life

As an Autoimmune Mom, you learn very quickly that you have a choice, to let go of the mom you thought you would be and become the mom that you are.  I suffer from Cold Urticaria as well as serious lung issues thanks to a pulmonary embolism four days after the birth of my daughter.  Simply, my internal thermometer is broken; any change in external

Autoimmune mom Donna Jackson Nakazawa was tired of being sick. Her kids were growing up and preparing to go off to college while she was just trying to survive each day. A task as seemingly simple as taking the laundry up the stairs required several minutes of horizontal recovery time, knees bent, waiting for quivering legs to quiet. Determined to get better, to joyfully help

Is preeclampsia a higher risk in pregnancies of women who have autoimmune conditions? Why? Preeclampsia is a medical disorder of pregnancy occurring after the 20th week.  Women with preeclampsia have elevated blood pressure, protein in their urine, and usually increased swelling.  If preeclampsia is severe, it poses a real health risk to the health of both mom and baby. Taken as a group, women with

In family and friendship, illness sometimes proves to be a delicate dance. In some ways I am fortunate.  I am happily married to an amazing man.  We met and fell in love years after my diagnosis.  Lupus wasn’t something that just happened, a cosmic injustice of sorts that came crashing down on us in a time of vibrant health.  He went in, both eyes open,

Our culture has recently made strides in learning how to better discuss mental health and emotional well-being in ways that our parents and grandparents could never have done. And yet, as individuals, many of us remain far away from a place of deep understanding and acceptance of what it means to be emotionally healthy, safe and proactive. Depression remains one of the most common conditions

If you are in a committed relationship, there is an expectation of “sticking it out” through tough times regardless of whether or not you actually nervously sputtered out the words “in sickness and in health” at a wedding ceremony. And yet, faced with a challenge such as chronic illness, many people feel suddenly inadequate as a partner. It’s no wonder, really; while much attention is given

With some notable exceptions, such as celiac disease, pediatric autoimmune disease is fairly uncommon, but when it occurs, it an present the physician with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. With autoimmune diseases, of which there are more than 80, something causes the immune system to attack apparently healthy tissues, including joints, muscles, skin and those of the digestive tract. Common manifestations are skin rashes, achy muscles,

Will regular exercise reduce my symptoms and flares generally? Exercise can be beneficial for those suffering from autoimmune conditions for several reasons. Exercise helps to regulate blood sugar and weight. Exercise helps increase mental alertness and feelings of well-being and exercise can help to combat fatigue if done carefully.  Exercise is very therapeutic in most all cases of autoimmune conditions if it is done gradually