My Lupus story doesn’t start in 1993 with an SLE diagnosis, but eight years earlier in 1985, when at the age of 22 I got pneumonia for the first time. O spent two weeks in hospital with a horde of doctors around my bed wondering why antibiotics weren’t working. The oldest doctor mentioned that I may have a condition called LED (an old name for Lupus, still used by some doctors in Finland). At the time, it obviously didn’t mean anything to me, I didn’t look it up in a library, but it relupus finlandmained in my memory. Luckily, the antibiotics worked shortly after and I went home to recover.

The following year I was accepted to university to study English Philology, the history of language and culture and linguistics. My first one and a half years as a student were bliss, but then everything changed. I had pneumonia every other year and repeated bouts of bronchitis in between. That made me skip many courses but I was able to finish them later, when I felt better. In January 1993, I was in a middle of my teacher training when a persistent temperature took me to a university hospital for a couple of weeks, where I was diagnosed with Lupus.

Lupus explained the many symptoms I had been having on top of my lung problems. I had achy swollen joints, sun sensitivity, leukopenia, anaemia and red patches on my arms and legs. It was most active for 10 years, during which time I also had pericarditis twice and myocarditis once. Twice, a sudden rise of temperature where I developed pneumonia in a couple of hours and was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Despite Lupus I had a child in 1995. Thanks to specialised neonatal care, I was able to give a normal birth to a healthy girl, who is now 21 years old. She has had no symptoms, for which I am very grateful.

Looking back now on the active period, the medication seems to have worked and I slowly recovered. I took cortisone for ten years, azathioprine and methotrexate for a while. The latter two didn’t suit me, but I think they did their job anyway, because my Lupus went into remission 12 years ago. In 2004 I was able to stop taking cortisone and my Lupus has remained dormant ever since. I took hydroxychloroquine during the ten active years too, but then stopped taking it. In 2012 I felt my Lupus may be becoming active again and started taking hydroxychloroquine once more. It may have helped and stopped an active disease flare up, who knows?

Although Lupus has been a pain in the butt and has created obstacles in my life and made life a bit more challenging, I have been able to do all I have dreamt of. I finished my studies in the end and took out both BA and MA degrees in English Philology, philosophy and teacher training. I worked for 16 years altogether as an English teacher, then I retrained in accounting and still have a job as an accountant. Another dream that worked out well was to have a child, and that happened too. She is the light of my life.

It seems I was one of the unlucky ones to get Lupus, but having said that, I also feel very lucky that my Lupus is dormant right now. No-one knows how it will go in the end and my Lupus may become active again, but I don’t want to think about that and so I live life one day at a time, doing things that interest me most. Lupus has taught me to be happy about simple things. Lupus has also introduced me to wonderful people around the world that I most probably would never have met. As I see it, having a chronic illness makes one enjoy and respect the good days and make the most of one’s life.

Kikka is a member of Lupus Finland – SLE-yhdistys ry

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2 weeks ago
LUPUS EUROPE

🦋 Lupus is a complex autoimmune disease, and its exact cause is not fully understood.

✋ While various risk factors have been identified, such as genetic predisposition🧬 and exposure to certain environmental🌇 triggers, 𝗹𝘂𝗽𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.

🔍 Understanding and managing these risk factors, along with early detection and appropriate medical care, are essential in effectively addressing #lupus and improving the quality of life for individuals affected by this condition.

🤔 So, how can we #kicklupus with prevention?
... See MoreSee Less

🦋 Lupus is a complex autoimmune disease, and its exact cause is not fully understood.

✋ While various risk factors have been identified, such as genetic predisposition🧬 and exposure to certain environmental🌇 triggers, 𝗹𝘂𝗽𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. 

🔍 Understanding and managing these risk factors, along with early detection and appropriate medical care, are essential in effectively addressing #lupus and improving the quality of life for individuals affected by this condition.

🤔 So, how can we #KickLupus with prevention?Image attachmentImage attachment
4 weeks ago
LUPUS EUROPE

🌟 Calling all Lupus Patient Organisation Volunteers! 🌟

🗣️ Your Voice Matters!

We want to hear from YOU!

❓ Are you a volunteer for a lupus patient organisation?

Your insights are invaluable! 💎

Participate in our quick survey, taking just 2-3 minutes of your time, and help us understand volunteer motivations better.

Your feedback will help shape the future and help us understand what we should work on to make our volunteers happier and more motivated.

✍️ You can answer in English or in your own language.

Ready to share your thoughts?

🔗 Click the link below and let your voice be heard!

s.surveylegend.com/-NfBafeCoorOLsOkK1Du

🤗 Thank you for reading this post and considering answering the survey!

Together, we can make a huge difference! 💪
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1 CommentComment on Facebook

🤷‍♂️

4 weeks ago
LUPUS EUROPE

📆 New month, new challenge!

🍁 As the calendar flips to November, our #kicklupus campaign has a new theme!

🤔 Can you guess what this month's theme is all about?

💡 Hint: It's all about implementing measures to help us hold #lupus at bay!

🙌 Stay tuned for a month of discovery and empowerment as we unveil the importance of these measures in managing lupus.

Ready to embark on this journey with us? 💪
... See MoreSee Less

📆  New month, new challenge!

🍁 As the calendar flips to November, our #KickLupus campaign has a new theme! 

🤔 Can you guess what this months theme is all about?

💡 Hint: Its all about implementing measures to help us hold #lupus at bay!

🙌 Stay tuned for a month of discovery and empowerment as we unveil the importance of these measures in managing lupus. 

Ready to embark on this journey with us? 💪

1 CommentComment on Facebook

💪🏻🍀

1 month ago
LUPUS EUROPE

‼️Despite a higher risk of infection in #SLE patients, vaccination rates are low due to:

🔹Fear
🔹Lack of trust
🔹Feeling of unsafety
🔹Belief in good health
🔹Lack of recommendations by doctor

💡Let's #KickLupus by shedding light on the facts & debunking the misconceptions surrounding vaccinations for people with lupus.

𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 1️⃣: Vaccines & lupus flares

One of the most common fears among #lupus patients is the possibility of vaccines causing a flare.

✅ Prof. Arnaud states that the risk of flare after vaccination is not confirmed. Typically the benefits of vaccination outweigh any potential, small risks.

𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 2️⃣: People with lupus should avoid all vaccines

✅ While some vaccines may not be recommended for people with lupus, many vaccines are safe and important.

Protecting against infections is key, as even minor illnesses could lead to complications in individuals with SLE.

𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 3️⃣: Lupus patients can't receive live vaccines

✅ Live vaccines are not typically recommended for lupus patients. However, in certain circumstances, it may be appropriate for some people to get live vaccines.

It is crucial this is assessed on a case-by-case basis by your doctor.

𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 4️⃣: Vaccines worsen lupus symptoms

✅ Vaccines don't worsen lupus symptoms. In fact, they help protect against infections, which could be more severe in lupus patients.

𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 5️⃣: Lupus patients should only get vaccines if they are in remission

✅ According to EULAR recommendations, vaccination in patients with lupus should preferably be administered during quiescent disease.

For patients with active disease, immunisation should not be ruled out & should be assessed on an individual basis.

𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 6️⃣: One dose of the vaccine covers you for life

✅ If you have lupus, your doctor should assess your vaccination status every year. That ensures vaccination strategies continue to be aligned with your needs & medical history.

Always consult with your doctor. They will tell you which vaccination schedule is safe & effective for you

🌏 Help us #KickLupus by raising awareness of the importance of immunisation.

Check the EULAR recommendations for vaccination in adult patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases:

ard.bmj.com/content/79/1/39
... See MoreSee Less

‼️Despite a higher risk of infection in #SLE patients, vaccination rates are low due to:

🔹Fear
🔹Lack of trust
🔹Feeling of unsafety
🔹Belief in good health
🔹Lack of recommendations by doctor

💡Lets #KickLupus by shedding light on the facts & debunking the misconceptions surrounding vaccinations for people with lupus. 

𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 1️⃣: Vaccines & lupus flares

One of the most common fears among #lupus patients is the possibility of vaccines causing a flare.

✅ Prof. Arnaud states that the risk of flare after vaccination is not confirmed. Typically the benefits of vaccination outweigh any potential, small risks.

𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 2️⃣: People with lupus should avoid all vaccines

✅ While some vaccines may not be recommended for people with lupus, many vaccines are safe and important.

Protecting against infections is key, as even minor illnesses could lead to complications in individuals with SLE.

𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 3️⃣: Lupus patients cant receive live vaccines

✅ Live vaccines are not typically recommended for lupus patients. However, in certain circumstances, it may be appropriate for some people to get live vaccines.

It is crucial this is assessed on a case-by-case basis by your doctor.

𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 4️⃣: Vaccines worsen lupus symptoms

✅ Vaccines dont worsen lupus symptoms. In fact, they help protect against infections, which could be more severe in lupus patients. 

𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 5️⃣: Lupus patients should only get vaccines if they are in remission

✅ According to EULAR recommendations, vaccination in patients with lupus should preferably be administered during quiescent disease.

For patients with active disease, immunisation should not be ruled out & should be assessed on an individual basis. 

𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 6️⃣: One dose of the vaccine covers you for life

✅ If you have lupus, your doctor should assess your vaccination status every year. That ensures vaccination strategies continue to be aligned with your needs & medical history.

Always consult with your doctor. They will tell you which vaccination schedule is safe & effective for you 

🌏 Help us #KickLupus by raising awareness of the importance of immunisation.

Check the EULAR recommendations for vaccination in adult patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases:

https://ard.bmj.com/content/79/1/39Image attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment
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