Complementary Alternative Medicine

Sea moss along the coast

Sea Moss as a Lupus Prebiotic

July 11, 2023

Patients ask about Sea Moss as a Lupus Prebiotic:

Sea moss was never on my radar until the past couple of years (2022-2023). I (Donald Thomas, MD) have had several patients now ask me about sea moss …

Image of woman taking a pill as a lupus fog treatment

Lupus Fog Treatment? Vitamin Improves Memory in Research

June 17, 2023

Finding an effective lupus fog treatment remains elusive. Yet, a 2023 study called the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Study Web Ancillary Study showed that a vitamin improves memory.

Lupus Memory Problems and Lupus Fog Treatment

Although the numbers vary from …

CBD for lupus medical marijuana leaf symbol

CBD for Lupus: Look here for the best advice [2023 Update]

April 22, 2021

Medical Marijuana (Cannabis, Cannabinoids, THC, CBD for Lupus)?

Should patients use CBD for lupus? With the increasing popularity and availability of cannabis and CBD, many lupus patients ask, “How about CBD for lupus?” This online chapter of “The …

Melatonin For Lupus May be Good Per the Best Medical Evidence [NEW!]

March 23, 2021

Melatonin For Lupus: What does the Research Show?

(Updated August 2021)

Why do people think that melatonin for lupus patients is unsafe?

Many people think that melatonin for lupus and other autoimmune diseases is unsafe. I believe

…

skillet with salmon and vegetables part of anti-inflammatory diet

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

December 9, 2020

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

Updated July 2023: Exercise improves gut bacteria (microbiome)

Though this post is about diet, a study showed that regular exercise and maintaining a “healthy” …

Vitamins For Lupus: Avoid some is the best advice

November 28, 2020

Not All Supplements and Vitamins for Lupus Patients are Safe

Vitamins for lupus patients: “Ask Dr. T!” question of the week

For example: do not take Echinacea

Don Thomas, MD answers question about lupus and immune boosting supplements like Echinacea

It

It is important to remember that lupus is a problem

…

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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Positive ANA workup – Is it lupus or not?

Read on to learn about newer tests that can help get a more accurate and faster diagnosis of

Bisphosphonate drugs and lupus

Bisphosphonate Drugs and Lupus

Contents General introduction about bisphosphonate drugs and lupus Maintaining bone density holistically (through non-drug methods) Bisphosphonate section from

Bottom Line on Diabetes vs Lupus and Stroke & Heart Attacks

Lupus and Stroke and Heart Attacks: A bigger problem than we thought! We have known for a long

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

Lupus and COVID vaccine: Tested in the clinical trials = safe and effective!

Lupus and COVID vaccine: Dr. Thomas recommends not waiting to his patients, read below… Research regarding the COVID

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

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

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

How to collect a urine sample properly for testing (UPDATED August 2023)

It is essential for lupus patients to regularly collect an accurate clean catch urine sample August

Dry cracked skin

Top Dermatologist Tips For Itchy, Dry Skin in Lupus and Sjögren’s [JUN 2023 Update]

Quick Advice Guaranteed to Help Most with Dry Itchy Skin: Stop using Dove and other soaps that say

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

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

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

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.

Two arm wrestlers representing Saphnelo vs Benlysta

Saphnelo vs Benlysta? What is the Best Medicine for Lupus? [JUN 2023 Update]

Update June 2023 A EULAR 2023 abstract showed that Saphnelo is a disease-modifying agent in the 2-5 year

Beat cancer woman with pink gloves and pink ribbon for breast cancer

Lupus and Cancer Risk: Learn to Prevent Cancer! [2023]

I just realized that many websites discussing lupus and cancer are outdated, using old research information. So, I

Type 1 interferon cytokines are inhibited by the anifrolumab FDA approval drug

Anifrolumab FDA approval to treat systemic lupus [Saphnelo]

Anifrolumab FDA Approval to Treat Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) AstraZeneca announced its anifrolumab FDA approval on 8/2/2021. In

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,

Benlysta approved for lupus nephritis: is it for mild cases?

Lupus Question of The Day: Is Benlysta for mild lupus nephritis? Ask Dr. T question and shortened answer

Benlysta for lupus nephritis: Studies show it is effective

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

What to Know about a Lupus Nephritis Urine Sample [2022]

Lupus Nephritis Urine Samples: What They Tell Us A lupus nephritis urine sample is important for all SLE

How Severe is Your Lupus? Use a Lupus Severity Index

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

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

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

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

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

blood vessels vascular with red blood cells floating inside an artery

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

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

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

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

Photo of Botox injection syringe

Botox Injections and Lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It can cause a range of

Antibody levels after COVID vaccine in patients taking immunosuppressant drugs

Antibody Levels After COVID Vaccine

Some Immunosuppressant Drugs Cause Lower Antibody Levels after COVID Vaccine than do Other Drugs Home » Complementary Alternative

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

Lupus and Hepatitis C: Lupus Patients Should be Tested for Hepatitis C

The interactions of hepatitis C and systemic lupus is strange, and hepatitis C can mimic lupus … read

exercise and lupus photo of a woman on a stationary bicycle

Weight Loss & Exercise in Lupus: the science & patient view

The video provided below offers valuable insights into practical information regarding weight management and exercise for individuals with

How does Hydroxychloroquine work for Lupus (SLE)? [DEC 2022 Update]

December 2022 update: Hydroxychloroquine is a disease-modifying agent for lupus (along with Benlysta). Antimalarial drugs can treat autoimmune

Vitamin D supplement preventing disease: How to prevent lupus

How to Prevent Lupus & Other Autoimmune Diseases [February 2023 Update]

February 2023 Update: A new study from Harvard doctors from Hahn J et al shows that women who

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

Dr. Donald Thomas MD holding the new edition Lupus Encyclopedia A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Health Care Providers

The Lupus Encyclopedia, edition 2: Now Available!

The Lupus Encyclopedia, edition 2: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Health Care Providers is now available at

Can Discoid Lupus Turn into Systemic?- “Sure” Now more about the truth

The Latest Research Answers the Question: “Can discoid lupus turn into systemic lupus erythematosus?” Discoid lupus: note the

Super spreader COVID-19: Infections surge big due to this [Updated]

Super spreader COVID-19: New study shows the answers in the Annals of Internal Medicine Wear a mask to

Lupus Tendonitis: A Common Cause of Pain in Lupus Patients

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

Vitamins For Lupus: Avoid some is the best advice

Not All Supplements and Vitamins for Lupus Patients are Safe Vitamins for lupus patients: “Ask Dr. T!” question

Childhood stress and lupus question answered by Dr. Donald Thomas

Childhood Trauma, PTSD, Racism, Stress, and Lupus

Multiple studies show that stress and trauma increase the risk of developing lupus as well as causing lupus

The Lupus Encyclopedia book cover 2nd edition

Three Potential Book Covers for The Lupus Encyclopedia 2nd Edition

THE VOTE IS IN! See the new book cover below 315 people voted for the new book cover

How to Stop Lupus Hair Loss:

How to stop hair loss! – Yes! You can do things to help! And learn that much of

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

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

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

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