Skip to content

All

Shingles (herpes zoster) in one of my lupus patients. Patients with lupus and vaccines

Lupus and Vaccines: Shingles, Shingrix, and Zostavax

November 27, 2021

Knowing how lupus and vaccines interact is important since infections are one of the top two causes of death and vaccines are instrumental in preventing infections. Most people realize how incredibly painful shingles is. However, many don’t realize just how

…
Read More »

Lupus Tendonitis: A Common Cause of Pain in Lupus Patients

September 5, 2021

https://www.lupusencyclopedia.com/book-photos/#tendon

…
Read More »

FOLLOW US

Facebook-f Twitter Product-hunt Youtube Rss
The Lupus Encyclopedia book cover 2nd edition
Buy Now

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.

Read More
On Trend

Most Popular

Explore more
Hydroxychloroquine and Plaquenil Top Tips

Top Tips on Taking Hydroxychloroquine for Lupus [Ultimate Guide AUG 2023]

LATEST UPDATE: A nicely done study by Melles RB et al, FEB 2023, Hydroxychloroquine Dose and Risk for

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

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
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
White blood cells in urine or pyuria

Lupus and High White Blood Cells in Urine

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs and systems in the body. One of

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
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

Can You Have Lupus With a Negative ANA Test? “Yes you can!”

Protect yourself from medical mistakes. Lupus Question of the day … It is not uncommon to ask, “can
Botox or filler injections for lupus picture of a woman getting a lip injection

Is it Safe to Receive Botox or Filler Injections For Lupus Patients?

A lupus patient at Kelli Roseta’s “More Than Lupus” asks the question ” … is it safe to

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
skillet with salmon and vegetables part of anti-inflammatory diet

Lupus Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Lifestyle changes advice [JUL 2023 UPDATE]

Lupus Lifestyle Changes (Diet and Exercise) are Important: Read here to learn about important dietary changes   Updated

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

Lupus is a complex autoimmune disease that affects various parts of the body, including the skin. Among the
Asian woman doctor reading a chest x-ray showing pneumonia

New Pneumonia, Shingles, and Hepatitis Vaccine Recommendations [2022]

Centers for Disease Control 2022 Recommendations In February 2022, the CDC came out with its new vaccine recommendations.

10 Reasons Not to Get a Flu Shot: Learn the Truth Now!

10 Reasons Not to Get a Flu Shot: The Flu Shot is a Life-Saver for Lupus Patients, Other
Illustration of a clipboard, doctor and thyroid

Lupus and Thyroid Medications

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, and organs.
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,

“Do I need a mask after vaccination?” Now here is the truth

Please continue to protect yourself as you did before if you have lupus or another systemic autoimmune disease
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!

Lupus and Stress Management: How to lessen stress life

Lupus and Stress Management: The Science of Stress and the Immune System The video below goes over lupus

Benlysta for lupus nephritis: Studies show it is effective

Hot off the press SEP 2020! The future is very bright for lupus treatments!        

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
Shingles (herpes zoster) in one of my lupus patients. Patients with lupus and vaccines

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

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
COVID booster vaccine button

COVID Vaccines, Evusheld & Stopping Drugs for Shots [FEB 2023 Update]

Stopping Methotrexate for 1 Week as Effective as 2 Weeks after Flu shots [FEB 2023 Update) This was
Lupus question should I get a 5th COVID vaccine and Evusheld

Do I need a 5th COVID Vaccine AND Evusheld if I have lupus?

March 2023 Update: A 5th vaccine or Evusheld are not recommended anymore As of this moment, 90% of

Now Research Shows: Lupus tendinitis, common cause of lupus pain

…
Lupus and purple spot

Lupus and Purple Spots on Skin

Lupus is an intricate autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple systems in the body, including the skin. One
methotrexate for lupus bottle of methotrexate on label

Methotrexate for lupus: help it work better and prevent side effects

How to prevent and treat side effects from methotrexate: We have been using methotrexate to treat rheumatic diseases
Lupus and hives on arm

Lupus and Hives

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that affects many people around the world. It is a chronic condition that

Improve Your Life: A Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Flare Test

Revolutionary New Lab Test: Predicts if a lupus patient will have a systemic lupus erythematosus flare! A systemic
Woman taking pills out of a pill box organizer

Hydroxychloroquine Decreases the Risk of Death

Research article shows that taking hydroxychloroquine decreases the risk of death by 83%: Impact of Antimalarial Adherence on

Lupus and Vegetarian Diet: What is the best medical evidence?

Ask Dr. T Question about lupus diet and vegetarians Lupus and Vegetarian Diet? Eating a Vegetarian Diet can

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
estrogen levels by age in women and lupus from puberty to menopause

Lupus in Women: From Puberty to Menopause

Lupus in women occurs much more often than in men. There are many reasons this occurs. Also, lupus
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
Malar butterfly rash symptom of lupus

How to Diagnose Lupus: 10 Symptoms

Lupus is a challenging autoimmune disease that can appear differently in each individual. Early diagnosis is crucial for
Text stating Mitochondria is the Powerhouse of the Cell a cause of fatigue in lupus

Fatigue in Lupus and Sjogren’s [February 2023 Update]

Mitochondria found to be abnormal in SLE patient by the NIH. Exercise repaired the mitochondria and energy levels

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
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

Voclosporin for Lupus Nephritis: Great results in The Lancet

  Note the impressively higher response rates in the blue bars (Lupkynis + mycophenolate + steroids) compared to

FDA approves Benlysta for lupus nephritis!

1st drug ever FDA-approved to treat lupus nephritis ​Historic mile-stone! ​ December 16, 2020: The FDA approved on

Lupus Tendonitis: A Common Cause of Pain in Lupus Patients

https://www.lupusencyclopedia.com/book-photos/#tendon…

Benlysta Reviews: Learn the amazing truth on how it works

…
Managing Bone Health With Drugs

Managing Bone Health With Bisphosphonate Drugs

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the bones. Individuals with

Research Results in Dealing with Autoimmune Disease Fatigue Now

The causes of fatigue and dealing with autoimmune disease fatigue. ​ Tips on how to improve energy with
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

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

COVID-19 deaths in rheumatic diseases

Research Shows More COVID-19 Deaths in Rheumatic Diseases: 10.5% of lupus and rheumatic disease patients died Much higher

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