PatientsLikeMe member Jeanette Alston-Watkins (JeanetteA6872) was diagnosed with lupus in 2006, when her kids were 11 and 14. “My kids are my strength and they gave me energy and willpower,” she says in this Q&A about parenting with SLE. (Jeanette is on our 2018 Team of Advisors.) Can you share a bit about your diagnosis and… Continue reading Parents with lupus (or any health condition) ‘don’t have to be perfect’ — take it from this mom
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Stem Cell Treatment For MS
Stem cell therapy is a popular topic in the MS forum and some members are already tracking and evaluating their experience. How does it work? Are there risks? To find answers to your stem cell therapy questions, we asked our team of in-house health professionals to take a look at the current research What are stem cells?… Continue reading Stem Cell Treatment For MS
Lupus Weight Gain: Q&A with the founder of Making Lupus Look Good
Alyshia Merchant knows first-hand how lupus can affect you inside and out. After her diagnosis in 2012 and struggles with visible symptoms and self-esteem, she launched an organization called Making Lupus Look Good, which provides wigs and “glam sessions” to people with lupus-related hair loss and other symptoms. The organization currently serves people in Alyshia’s home… Continue reading Lupus Weight Gain: Q&A with the founder of Making Lupus Look Good
5 Tips for Life After Lung Cancer Surgery
Your body just went through a significant afront, and returning to regular life at home after lung cancer surgery can be daunting. Hopefully, you have a support network in place to help you adjust. But, if you could use an extra hand on your back as you recover, we are here to remind you that… Continue reading 5 Tips for Life After Lung Cancer Surgery
“In Claire fashion”: Claire Wineland + organ donation with a health condition
Claire Wineland — an author, inspirational speaker and social media star with cystic fibrosis — died last month at age 21 following a lung transplant. “In Claire fashion, she is an organ donor,” her family shared, noting that her kidneys helped save two people. Learn more about Claire and organ donation with a health condition.… Continue reading “In Claire fashion”: Claire Wineland + organ donation with a health condition
A possible Parkinson’s disease/melanoma link? Time for a skin check
Now that summer has passed, have you had your skin examined? Studies have shown that people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) may have an increased risk for melanoma, so skin screenings are extra-important. Take a look at recent research and get some tips on monitoring your moles and skin. Studies show… A 2017 Mayo Clinic study found that… Continue reading A possible Parkinson’s disease/melanoma link? Time for a skin check
The Pain Scale 1 to 10 falls short
As Pain Awareness Month (September) comes to a close, we’re exploring how pain is subjective, and expressing it using the classic 1-to-10 or “smiley face” scale can be tricky. What are the shortcomings of these scales? And what can help you communicate better with your doctor? Pain scale problems NPR recently reported about the trouble with… Continue reading The Pain Scale 1 to 10 falls short
What’s the lupus/kidney connection? Our healthcare pros explain lupus nephritis and more
“Kidney” is one of the top terms that PatientsLikeMe members are searching for in the lupus forum (click here to join the site for forum access). Last year’s news of Selena Gomez’s kidney transplant put a spotlight on the lupus/kidney link. Lupus can affect your kidneys in a few different ways, so we asked our Health Data Integrity Team (our in-house… Continue reading What’s the lupus/kidney connection? Our healthcare pros explain lupus nephritis and more
Fundraising for a health-related charity walk/run? Get sponsored by PatientsLikeMe!
Looking for ideas for raising more money for an upcoming cancer walk, MS bike ride, or other health-related charity event where you’ll be hitting the streets? Learn more about PatientsLikeMeInMotion! It’s a program that sponsors you and your team as you walk, run, cycle (etc.) with a nonprofit organization to raise funds and awareness for your… Continue reading Fundraising for a health-related charity walk/run? Get sponsored by PatientsLikeMe!
Why is dietary advice so all over the place? Nutrition experts explain
If you’re confused about what kind of milk to drink, what type of cooking oil is “healthiest” or whether the Mediterranean diet is the ticket to heart health, you’re not alone. Nutrition experts dig into the complexity of dietary research. Digesting dietary advice The constant churn of nutrition news, books and blog posts — combined… Continue reading Why is dietary advice so all over the place? Nutrition experts explain