Lupus Encyclopedia

Dr. Thomas recommends not waiting to his patients, read below...

Author

Don Thomas, MD, author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

1/22/21 is a historical day for me!
​PLEASE... everyone... get yours as soon as you can!

Author

Don Thomas, MD, author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

New study shows the answers: FREE study to read
Annals of Internal Medicine

Wear a mask to protect others!

Author

Don Thomas, MD, author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

Protect yourself from medical mistakes.
Lupus Question of the day ...

Author

Don Thomas, MD, author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

Antimalarial drugs can treat autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, Sjogren's, and rheumatoid arthritis...
​
Here's how! (described in easy to understand language)

Malaria organism attaching to a red blood cell to infect. Photo by NIAID: https://www.flickr.com/photos/54591706@N02/34034143483

electron microscope of malarial food vacuole (fv) inside the malaria parasite. This is where Plaquenil changes the pH (credit cited below)

Author

Don Thomas, MD, author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

Other references:

Torigoe M, Sakata K, Ishii A, Iwata S, Nakayamada S, Tanaka Y. Hydroxychloroquine efficiently suppresses inflammatory responses of human class-switched memory B cells via Toll-like receptor 9 inhibition. Clin Immunol. 2018 Oct;195:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2018.07.003. Epub 2018 Jul 4. PMID: 29981383.

Wang F, Muller S. Manipulating autophagic processes in autoimmune diseases: a special focus on modulating chaperone-mediated autophagy, an emerging therapeutic target. Front Immunol. 2015;6:252. Published 2015 May 19. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2015.00252​

Lupus Question of The Day: Is Benlysta for mild nephritis?

Ask Dr. T question and shortened answer about Benlysta in lupus nephritis

Author

Don Thomas, MD, author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

Note that this post is for informational purposes only, and is not meant to be specific medical advice. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions regarding your own medical situation.

I got mine, #1, today on 12/29/20! Please get yours.

Dr. Don Thomas, MD getting his COVID-19 vaccine

How the COVID-19 vaccine works "in a nutshell"

​This is fascinating!

Author

Don Thomas, author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

The causes of fatigue
​
Tips on how to improve energy with Sjogren's, lupus, and related disorders

Fatigue is common in lupus

Author

Don Thomas, MD, author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

Should you take probiotics if you have lupus?

Author

Don Thomas, MD, author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

The Science of how Stress affects the Immune System
​Also: Tips on decreasing stress

SHARE with everyone who has an autoimmune disease

COMMENT above: how do you deal with and prevent stress?

​What advice do you have for others?

Author

Don Thomas, MD, author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

Should lupus patients get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Author

Don Thomas, MD, author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

1st drug ever FDA-approved to treat lupus nephritis

​Historic mile-stone!
​

Author

Don Thomas, MD, author of The Lupus Encyclopedia and The Lupus Secrets

References:

Furie R, Rovin BH, Houssiau F, Malvar A, Teng YKO, Contreras G, Amoura Z, Yu X, Mok CC, Santiago MB, Saxena A, Green Y, Ji B, Kleoudis C, Burriss SW, Barnett C, Roth DA. Two-Year, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Belimumab in Lupus Nephritis. N Engl J Med. 2020 Sep 17;383(12):1117-1128. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2001180. PMID: 32937045.

Simple, effective strategies to improve your sleep

Tips on better sleep

Sleep Hygiene Techniques

Author

Don Thomas, MD, author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

WARNING:

Following this lupus diet results in significant weight loss.
​Do not follow this plan unless you can afford to lose weight.

Author

written by Donald Thomas, MD
author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia"
Arthritis and Pain Associates of PG County
301-345-5600
www.arthritispainpg.com

How to Manage Holiday STRESS!

Ask Dr. T Question about lupus diet and vegetarians

Eating properly is important when you have lupus

Author

Don Thomas, MD author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

REFERENCES:
Bustamante MF, et al. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2020

Guma M, et al. Trial of diet to improve RA and impact on the microbiome. Presented at ACR Convergence 11/9/2020.

Read on. What was it like to get vaccinated? ... and some advice for lupus patients

Author

Don Thomas, MD
Author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

Is it important to take vitamin D if you have lupus?

"Ask Dr. T!" question of the week

Low vitamin D levels are associated with higher lupus disease activity

Are they safe to take when you have lupus?

"Ask Dr. T!" question of the week

Please do not take Echinacea

​

Author

Don Thomas, MD author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "​The Lupus Secrets"

​References: Under chapter 38

If we prevent this, could we decrease lupus flares?

Photo above is one possible type of supplement that may decrease the risk of UTIs when taken daily. It contains both cranberry and D-mannose. I am not advocating this particular brand, it is just an example.

Author

Don Thomas, MD, author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

REFERENCES:
- Wang CH et al. Cranberry-containing products for prevention of urinary tract infections in susceptible populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(13):988. 

- Kranjčec B, Papeš D, Altarac S. D-mannose powder for prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a randomized clinical trial. World J Urol. 2014 Feb;32(1):79-84. doi: 10.1007/s00345-013-1091-6. Epub 2013 Apr 30. PMID: 23633128.​

- Pachucki RJ, Corradetti C, Kohler L, Ghadiali J, Gallo PM, Nicastro L, Tursi SA, Gallucci S, Tükel Ç, Caricchio R. Persistent Bacteriuria and Antibodies Recognizing Curli/eDNA Complexes From Escherichia coli Are Linked to Flares in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020 Jun 17. doi: 10.1002/art.41400. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32840064.

Read on: learn how you to figure out your lupus disease activity
And why it is important

Author

Donald Thomas, MD author of The Lupus Encyclopedia and "The Lupus Secrets"

REFERENCES: Look under chapters 5, 19, and 29 at this link: https://www.lupusencyclopedia.com/references.html

Watch YouTube video about lupus nephritis linked below

Author

Donald Thomas, MD author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"

Author

Don Thomas, MD, author of "The Lupus Encyclopedia" and "The Lupus Secrets"