So You Have Lupus... What Do You Do Next?

This is a repost of things that I feel helped me tremendously and things I'd like to pass on to all of you...Here are some steps I recommend that you try if you are diagnosed with Lupus or any other autoimmune disease:

1)Keep a food/symptom diary. This will show if you have a repeated reaction to a food that you need to avoid to feel better.

2)Also create a health "binder" the three hole type that you can put all your pertinent health information : copies of your blood tests, questions and research articles for your doctor/s, supplements, medications you are taking, allergy testing, etc (I also put in a copy of my blog in my health binder.)

3)Get tested for Celiac disease, do this BEFORE you go Gluten Free if you can. The test will not be accurate unlesss you are presently eating gluten. (often Lupus and Celiac go hand in hand,check the internet for articles)

4)Get a complete blood test from your health practitioner and also test if you are deficient in Vitamin D, Magnesium, Calcium, B12 and all the rest of the micronutrient testing too http://www.spectracell.com/micronutrient-testing-comprehensive-nutritional-panel/)deficiency in stomach acid. Check mercury levels,(and other heavy metals tests too),hormone levels, and thyroid function, adrenal function, parasites, candida, viruses in the blood, check CRP and homocysteine levels. Check for osteoporosis, bone density. Try a Metametrix Cardio ION blood test if you can afford it. This test includes many of the above tests in one all inclusive test. When you know what your body is lacking correct it with the proper foods/supplements.

5)Test for allergies(with nutritional kinesiology/muscle testing or IgG or IgE blood testing or ALCAT tests) (allergies and autoimmune diseases go hand in hand too again check the internet- look up "leaky gut" too) . Or try an elimination diet Dr. Cranton has a GREAT one!
http://www.drcranton.com/elimination_diet.htm

6)Avoid all foods you test allergic/intolerant to.

7)Detox your body(safely) don't try anything too wacky... I like eating tons of organic veggies and fruits and making fruit or veggie juices(always fresh fruit or veggies) or smoothies(with fresh or frozen fruits/veggies). Research enemas/colonics. Sweat with a sauna(far infrared is the best) and sweat with exercise too.

8)Flood your body with nutrients, eat super healthy foods,seasonal foods, raw food diets, macrobiotic diets, drink fresh homemade juices, green smoothies, certified organic food, lots less salt(if you overdo) use sea salt and sea weeds, not table salt, NEVER eat processed foods, don't drink alcohol, don't smoke, have lots of Omega 3's, no soda, avoid too much caffeine/coffee, no trans fats, no artificial sweeteners, less real sugar or no real sugar. Chew each mouthful of food many times to aid in digestion, swirl juices smoothies in your mouth to be sure they are mixed with saliva before swallowing. Try to eat in a peaceful environment.

9)Exercise(don't laugh at me) I know you are in pain, try small steps, go get the mail, walk your kids to school, park further out from the grocery store, walk walk walk anywhere you can. Stretch! Yoga Or Tai Chi or Pilates. One thing to remember, DO NOT overdo on your good days, always strive to end early, don't push yourself or you will hurt and not be able to do ANYTHING tomorrow. Try rebounding(mini trampoline)great for your immune system and cell health! Exercise also helps move your lymph gland fluids!

10)Rest when you need to, say "no" if you are too tired!

11)Stress less... try not to sweat the small stuff, practice breathing exercises, many CD's are available at your local library, Andrew Weil has some excellent CD's on breathing/relaxation visualization and healing. Watch comedies, read joke books LAUGH!!!

12)Feng Shui-or lessen the clutter, clean your environment(don't laugh at me) I know you are too tired to clean! Try to do a little at a time or at least clean your bedroom and that can be your retreat...

13) Surround yourself with uplifting and supportive people and relationships, and do work on talking to yourself properly and having faith in yourself.  Make sure you think positively or learn to, do impeccable self care and put yourself at the top of your list of important people!

14Do macrobiotic "body scrubbing" (see the internet for articles) You skin is your largest detox organ, doing this helps to detox your body.

15) Try reflexology, reiki, massage, NAET, acupuncture, Active Release Therapy, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Chiropractic, a therapist to heal old childhood hurts.

16)See a holistic dentist, get your mercury amalgams taken out if you feel that it's necessary.

17)Detox your house and your work space and your world as much as possible.What is in your soap,shampoo, your deodorant, your toothpaste,your make up, your shaving cream,etc.?Your skin absorbs everything into your body. Try to get a shower water filter, or a whole house water filter(chlorine is a nasty chemical). Don't use bleach in your laundry, get a environmentally safe laundry soap, dishwasher soap. Don't use aluminum pans/foil(at least don't let the aluminum foil touch your food, use less canned products many are coated inside with harmful chemicals, don't use teflon pans, don't wear cheap jewelry many have lead in them and other harmful chemicals, don't wear nail polish. Home carpets/rugs and paints have many nasty chemicals in them try to find environmentally safe home decor items. Use wood, stone metal rather than plastic etc. Avoid phlalates in many toiletry items(soaps, shampoos,perfume,etc.)Get an air purifier and use it or open the windows wide and air out your house periodically EVEN in the winter.Keep house plants in your major living areas, living room kitchen and bedroom they naturally filter the air. Use natural home cleaners such as vinegar and baking soda. Read the labels, look up chemicals on the internet. Some are very scary! Wear organic cotton clothing, or look for bamboo fabrics. Use glass to store foods instead of plastic. NEVER heat food in plastic in the microwave, better yet don't use a microwave oven at all. Be careful of plastic water bottles left in the car on a hot day, plastics leach chemicals into food and water when heated.

18) Find yourself a doctor or doctors that you can trust and believe in (the hardest and most important item)
I have found that Holistic Doctors, Holistic MD's, Chinese Medicine Doctors and Naturopaths, Chiropractors, and Functional Medicine Doctors, are going to use less or no medications and believe more that your diet matters immensely and also help you find out if you have any food or environmental allergies/intolerances. At present, 2010, I have a classically trained rheumy( just go to her for blood work),2 holistic MD's, a naturopath, my general practitioner,a holistic chiropractor, a holistic gynecologist, and  an accupuncturist. I haven't seen any of them lately but will call the holistic MD for a check up soon, also wanted to see my naturopath... Remember the doctor works for you, you pay the doctor the big bucks and they should earn their keep. If the doctor makes you do things that are uncomfortable, find a new doctor, there are millions out there, ask friends for recommendations (make sure you get these!) or read books/ articles or go to seminars/talks that the doctor gives (not all doctors do this but it makes it so easy to see if their beliefs mesh with yours...)

Read Pain Free in 6 Weeks... by Sherry Rogers MD and/or any other Sherry Rogers books, Read
The UltraMind Solution by Mark Hyman MD, go to:
http://lupushopehealingplan.blogspot.com/2009/10/books-to-read-on-healing_30.html for more books to read on healing Lupus and other diseases.

.***Always ask questions and keep reading and learning about your disease. Doctors don't know everything and there is so much information to learn. You may stumble on something that can help you and you can bring it to your doctor's attention. Good Luck!