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

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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.

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Hydroxychloroquine Decreases the Risk of Death

Research article shows that taking hydroxychloroquine decreases the risk of death by 83%: Impact of Antimalarial Adherence on Mortality Among Patients With Newly Diagnosed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Population-Based Cohort Study Hoque MR, Aviña-Zubieta JA, De Vera MA, Qian Y, …
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 death and vaccines are instrumental in preventing infections. Most people realize how incredibly painful shingles is. However, many don’t realize just how …

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 rheumatology researcher becomes a research study participant for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine   Dr. Kathryn Dao, a rheumatologist in Dallas, Texas, wrote about what it …

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 round “disc” shape, the outer active inflamed border is pink, the central area has scar tissue “Can discoid lupus turn into systemic …

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

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 …

What is Evusheld and Who Should Get Evusheld: Prevent COVID-19 [OCT 2022 Update]

What is Evusheld? It is a treatment to prevent COVID-19 infections. It is not a vaccine. It is made up of two different monoclonal antibodies.Evusheld reduces COVID-19 infections by 83%.Evusheld begins to wane after about 6 months. Therefore, …
Lupus question should I get a 5th COVID vaccine and Evusheld

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

If you are immunocompromised you should get a 5th COVID vaccine and Evusheld MoreThanLupus posted a Q and A. The answer is: The CDC now recommends that immunocompromised people should get a 5th COVID vaccine 4 months after your fourth …
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 NIH research study suggests that pioglitazone is helpful for lupus patients Hasni S, Temesgen-Oyelakin Y, Davis M, Chu J, Poncio E, Naqi …

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 for better care of lupus patients, just announced a new laboratory test that can help people who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)…

Covid-19 Vaccine for Lupus Patients: Please get your vaccine

Should We be Recommending the COVID-19 Vaccine for Lupus Patients?: Yes! What I tell my systemic lupus patients as of 12/18/20: 4:00 PM regarding getting a COVID-19 vaccine for lupus patients The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the …
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 » Symptoms In Lupus A large study was published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases showing antibody levels after COVID vaccine in patients on immunosuppressants. …

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

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Two arm wrestlers representing Saphnelo vs Benlysta

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

Update March 2023: The journal Lupus reported a study showing that Benlysta is safe and effective to use during pregnancy Update February 2023: Benlysta was FDA-approved to treat lupus nephritis in children as young as 5 years old in July …

Good Advice on Lupus and Bactrim [per sulfa antibiotic research]

Lupus and Bactrim: List sulfa antibiotics (like Bactrim) in your allergy list if you have lupus Lupus patients are more likely to have allergies to antibiotics (plus, lupus and Bactrim are a bad combination)​ While lupus and Bactrim are …
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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 lupus can be daunting. It creates challenges that are unpredictable. These challenges can include pain, fatigue, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, and many …

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 YouTube video — patients’ important questions are answered about living with lupus Dr. Donald Thomas’ Lupus Encyclopedia is a practical “living with …
CBD for lupus medical marijuana leaf symbol

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

  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 …

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 patients to give regularly. So, click on the video below to learn why giving a urine sample every 3 months is important …
skillet with salmon and vegetables part of anti-inflammatory diet

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

Lupus Lifestyle Changes are Important: Read here to learn about important dietary changes   Update in February 2023:      -Increasing the amount of selenium and zinc may be beneficial for lupus (see full discussion below above the image of tomatoes). Foods include:…

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 vaccine and lupus patients continues to be done. Should you wait to get yours? Dr. Thomas answer this question below: “I’ll tell …

The Anti-SSA Test (also called anti-Ro): Know Your Lupus Labs

What is the anti-SSA test? What the lab technician sees under the microscope when testing a patient for anti-SSA antibodies. These are human epithelial cells to which blood was added from a patient who has anti-SSA antibodies, proving that that …

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 on! Hepatitis C is a virus that can attack the liver (called hepatitis) as well as numerous other organs of the body. …

Benlysta Reviews: Learn the amazing truth on how it works

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

Lupus and Cancer Risk: Learn to Prevent Cancer! [2003]

I just realized that many websites discussing lupus and cancer are outdated, using old research information. So, I decided to write this article with up-to-date information. “Is lupus a type of cancer?” This is not an uncommon question when someone …

Lupus and Sleep: Strategies to Sleep Better!

Lupus and Sleep Problems are Common! Here are simple, effective strategies to improve your sleep Tips on better sleep Lupus and sleep problems are real. The lack of sleep has been associated with numerous problems such as fatigue, memory and …

Bacteria in Urine May Increase Lupus Flares

If we prevent bacteria in urine (bacteriuria), could we decrease lupus flares? Bacteria in urine was found in a study to possibly increase flares in lupus patients. If this is true, then decreasing bacteria in the urine could possibly help …

“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 and are vaccinated against COVID-19 QUESTION OF THE DAY: Dr. T. I have lupus. I got both of my Moderna COVID vaccines. …

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 vein Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) ​Immune globulins (also called immunoglobulins) are antibodies. A large number of antibodies given in IVIG may help …
Lennon Wall graffiti in Prague Czech Republic that says Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Lupus and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”

What do the following have in common? LupusA drawing by a 3-year-oldJulian LennonFlowers and gardening suppliesAlice in WonderlandPink Floyd They all are woven into the story of the Beatles’ famous song: Lucy in the Sky …

COVID Vaccine for Immunocompromised Patients and What Drugs to Stop

The American College of Rheumatology Provides Guidance for stopping drugs to enhance the COVID vaccine for immunocompromised patients COVID-19 vaccine: Please get yours! Revised 9/6/21 with new drugs to stop for vaccines per revised ACR recommendations How should we deal …

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 lupus erythematosus flare can be devastating, interfere with quality of life, and can even cause organ damage. Imagine if they can be …

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 of the week For example: do not take Echinacea It ​It is important to remember that lupus is a problem …

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 measuring lupus disease activity is so important Our goal in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is to get it into remission and …

COVID Vaccine and Lupus: Join in a Research Study Now to See if it Worked

How the COVID Vaccine and Lupus Interact is Important to Figure Out: Consider Joining this NIH Research Study The NIH is studying how the COVID vaccine and lupus interact. Please consider participating in this important research. You can also click …
Proteinuria in lupus nephritis. This is what a kidney looks like

Lupus Nephritis Diagnosis: Now in a nutshell in this video [FEB 2023 UPDATE]

Lupus Nephritis Diagnosis in easy-to-understand language: FEB 2023 Update: See the 1st video below. It goes over the importance of diagnosing lupus nephritis as fast as possible, how it is diagnosed, what the symptoms of lupus nephritis are, what to …
Pregnant black woman's stomach with a fetus ultrasound at image for having a successful pregnancy with lupus

How to Have a Successful Pregnancy with Lupus [2023 Update)

Updated Part MARCH 2023: Ghalandari et al from the Netherlands reported their results of using Benlysta during pregnancy in the March edition of the journal Lupus. Benlysta During Pregnancy: Safe and Effective [UPDATE MARCH 2023] Can lupus patients get pregnant and …
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 AUG 2021 The above come from the ACR published guidelines. You can find the entire article here Revised with new drugs …

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 by the adrenal glands – It is made from cholesterol (yes, cholesterol is a necessary …

The Best Lupus Books? Look in the useful list below

Kelli of “More Than Lupus” describes what she considers the best lupus books ​ What are your favorite lupus books? The best lupus books should deal with all aspects of lupus, evaluating the best medical evidence. They may …

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 have lupus and was told by another lupus patient that she gets a flare when she gets a flu shot. Do …

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 lupus for a positive ANA workup         The Positive ANA Workup Begins the Journey     If someone is found to have a positive antinuclear …
sick girl for blog about children with kidney inflammation blog post

Benlysta for pediatric lupus nephritis: FDA-approved

Benlysta for children with lupus kidney inflammation (lupus nephritis): FDA-approved on July 26, 2022 This is a monumental breakthrough since children with systemic lupus tend to be sicker than adults. FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) approval of drugs for …
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. In this post, I will summarize the important changes for people who are immunosuppressed (such as people with systemic lupus erythematosus). …

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 protect others! Quick Summary of Important Findings of the super spreader COVID-19: Super spreader COVID-19 information: Most infected people do not transmit …

Saphnelo: New FDA-approved drug for lupus?

A potential new drug for lupus–​here are some early factsUPDATE: Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) was FDA-approved on August 2, 2021Saphnelo: The next FDA-approved drug to treat lupus Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) has the lupus community excited as the next …

Lupkynis vs Benlysta for Lupus Nephritis: Dr. Thomas Has His Verdict!

Which is better for lupus nephritis? ​Here is my answer! Which is better for lupus nephritis? Benlysta or Lupkyinis? … and the winner is… (read below) Updated 6/1/21: I included: – The specifics on the complete renal responses Benlysta vs …

Lupus and Hepatitis B Vaccine: Endorsed in the CDC guidelines

Lupus and Hepatitis B Addendum: The recommendations for hepatitis B vaccines changed in 2022. The CDC recommended that everyone, even those without risk factors, get a hepatitis B series if aged 19 to 59 years old. That is right! …

Chromatin antibody: Make sure you know your labs

Know your labs when you have lupus Chromatin is our DNA packaged up nice and neat with other proteins such as histone and RNA. It protects our DNA. Photo: at Wikipedia.com from the NIH Chromatin Antibody (Also called Anti-Chromatin Antibody; …

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 smile … I’m still living my life with no regrets.” ​You think you own me Squeezed my life in your palms Taken …

Participate in this lupus survey if you live in the USA [Survey is closed]

The Lupus Foundation of America wants to learn more about the difficulties in being diagnosed with lupus Click here to participate in the Lupus Foundation of America Survey: ​The survey is about your experience with being diagnosed with lupus…