Lupus, Treatment

Avoid these with lupus

10. November 2021

When I was first diagnosed with lupus, I had no idea there are certain supplements, over-the-counter medicine or prescription medicine that I couldn’t take. I learned the hard way to read labels and to check twice if I can take a certain supplement and/or medicine. I compiled a list of 4 things to avoid with lupus that may help you on your journey to health 🙂

1. Ingesting alfalfa sprouts causes the onset of SLE. Alfalfa and mung bean sprouts contain L-canavine, an amino acid protein that stimulates the immune system. With our overactive immune system, it is not advised to take it.

2. A herbal supplement, Echinacea, can help with colds and the flu. It can increase the activity of the immune system, therefore we should avoid taking it.

3. Special attention deserves one medication – the sulfa antibiotic. Some people who have lupus will have a flare or develop an allergic reaction when taking this antibiotic. People with lupus should never take this antibiotic.

4. Supplements containing ephedra* can exacerbate Raynaud’s phenomenon because they can constrict blood vessels. * Ephedra or Ma Huang is a plant that has been used in Chinese medicine. Its medicinal use ranges from treating bronchitis and asthma to improving cold and flu-like symptoms like congestion. Ephedrine is the main alkaloid within ephedra, which has been synthesized for medical uses.

Sources:

  • Sources/Zdroje: The Lupus Encyclopedia, Donald E. Thomas Jr. M.D., FACP, FACR
  • Lupus Q+A (Revised Edition), Robert G. Lahita, Robert H. Phillips
  • The Lupus Book: A Guide for Patients and Their Families, Daniel J. Wallace
  • https://www.samedaysupplements.com/blog/supplement-reviews/ephedra-pills-vs-ephedrine/
Self-help, Stress

The impact Prednisone can have on our mental health and how to cope with it

8. April 2021

Long-term use of corticosteroids could affect our mental health and wellbeing.

Manifestations can be as diverse as lupus itself. You may have more frequent mood swings, you may be more emotional, you may feel depressed, you may sleep poorly, you may be more forgetful. These feelings can pinball back and forth in quick succession and seem to come about for no reason and without provocation. A lot of doctors will talk about the physical side effects, but not the psychological ones. I don’t want to scare you. Prednisone is one of the drugs that can literally save our lives.

It is important to know what may happen to you. Always consult your doctor if you see some changes in both your physical and mental health. Any little thing matters.

Not everyone who takes Prednisone has psychological problems. Knowing that this can happen to you is the first step in coping with them.

The second step is to learn to recognize when they happen and understand that they are not necessarily connected to a situation.

Other tips for coping:

  • Mindfulness and calming techniques – this is probably the most difficult of all. You can be one step ahead of the game if you practise these even when you feel fine. Become aware of how your body reacts to stressful situations. Learn to stop a stress reaction by counting or taking deep breaths until you feel more relaxed. Many people benefit from meditation, prayer, whatever you call it, it is a mind-calming technique that can go a long way.
  • Positive Thinking – you can practice positive thinking every day. Try not to think of the worst-case scenario right away. Instead, think about the positive outcomes, the ways you want things to work out.
  • Be open – to yourself and to your surroundings. Tell the family, friends and colleagues that mood swings can also stem from treatment. You may be surprised at how understanding people can be.

Sources:

Lupus, Pregnancy

After childbirth

6. April 2021

We have already talked about planning the pregnancy and being pregnant. We are missing the last piece of the puzzle – what happens after childbirth.

Can I have a natural birth?

Will my lupus flare up after giving birth?

Is it true that I will have to take high doses of medication after childbirth?

Can I breastfeed my child?

If you are having the same questions, this video is for you. In the third episode of Lupus and Pregnancy series, I talk with dr. Laura Andreoli about what happens after childbirth.

Lupus, Pregnancy

Pregnancy with lupus

6. April 2021
Tehotenstvo

What medication is safe to take during pregnancy?

Can women on biologic treatment become pregnant?

Can lupus flare up during pregnancy?

How can you ensure a healthy pregnancy?

I answer these questions with dr. Laura Andreoli in our second episode in the Pregnancy with lupus series.

Breakfast, Recipes

Energy bowl

20. March 2021

I love slow mornings. Mornings in the dead of the pandemic were great. No one was in a hurry. My husband and I found the time to enjoy breakfast together.
I also love rainy mornings. If we didn’t have a dog, I wouldn’t even stick my nose out in the rain. On the other hand, now that we have him, we go outside in any weather. And it is fantastic. We don’t meet a living soul. We can shout, laugh, run, dance. Not that we’ve ever done it but we could.
Porridge is a synonym of a slow morning. My porridge. Gluten-free. Without cow milk. With chocolate. With fruit.
Carry on reading. It is super easy.

INGREDIENTS

  • a handful of gluten-free oats
  • 1/2 cup plant-based milk
  • two handfuls of berries of choice
  • 1 tsp nut butter
  • 1 tsp hemp seeds
  • 1 tsp cocoa nibs
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 vegan yoghurt

METHOD

Pour the milk over the oats. You can use any flakes – buckwheat, rice, millet. Bring the milk to a boil while stirring, until the mixture thickens. It only takes a few minutes because this a recipe for one portion.
Place a cube of chocolate in a bowl and pour the porridge over it.
Add the washed fruit, pour a teaspoon of maple syrup, add hazelnut butter and sprinkle with hemp seeds.
Put about half a cup of vegan yoghurt on top. I like the basic white yoghurt the most.

Breakfast, Recipes

Breakfast Cookies

20. March 2021

I love sweet breakfast. I feel like I don’t need to have sweets during the day afterwards. At the same time, however, I do not want to eat so much added sugar, I prefer to eat it naturally. This is how this recipe was created.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 cup buckwheat flour
  • 1 tsp tapioca starch
  • 1/2 cup apple sauce
  • 1/4 cup nut butter
  • 1 tsp bourbon vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp gingerbread spice
  • 1 TBSP oil
  • pinch salt
  • a handful of raisins and a handful of dried cherries (you can change or add chocolate, too)

METHOD

Mix everything together and bake at 180 ° C approx. 10 min.
They are soft even the next day.
Last time I had them with vanilla coconut yogurt. Great combination.
Let me know how you liked them.

Breakfast, Recipes

Basic smoothie

20. March 2021

I really like smoothies. Not because they are popular now. I enjoy that I can make them on the go. What about you? What is your favourite meal from the “grab&go” category?

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 banana
  • 1 TSBP almond butter
  • 1 tsp bourbon vanilla extract
  • 150 ml plant-based milk
  • add honey or a medjol date if you have a sweet tooth

METHOD

Mix all ingredients in a blender and enjoy.

Breakfast, Recipes

Beetroot smoothie

20. March 2021

What do you usually eat before a workout? I make this amazing blueberry-beetroot smoothie quite often. The recipe is inspired by the Run Fast Eat Slow book. Check it out for amazing recipes for runners.

Fruits and vegetables give you the sugar and fiber you need; a little nut butter and coconut milk some fats. Yummy.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 cooked beetroot
  • 125 g fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1 smaller banana
  • 1 TBSP nut butter
  • 1 cm grated ginger (optional)
  • 1 cup of plant-based milk

METHOD

Mix all ingredients in a blender and enjoy.

Breakfast, Recipes

Gluten-free, dairy-free pancakes

20. March 2021

Everyone needs to have a “cheat day” or just “guilty pleasure” every once in a while. For me, it’s almost always associated with food. These pancakes served with maple syrup are at the top my guilty pleasure list.

INGREDIENTS

  • 50 gr buckwheat flour
  • 50 gr millet flour
  • 20 gr tapioca starch
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp guar gum
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp oil
  • approx. 135 ml plant-based milk

METHOD

Mix all the dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredients into the same bowl and mix well. Add more milk, if you find the batter too thick.

Spoon the batter onto a heated pan. When you see bubbles form on the surface, turn the pancake.

These ingredients make about 10 pancakes depending on the size.

Serve with what your heart desires. I adore maple syrup.

ENJOY!

Breakfast, Recipes

My favourite breakfast

20. March 2021

Taking pictures of brown food is a disaster. How do you take a photo of an amazing muffin that looks like you had already chewed on it? How do you show that these muffins are great, no matter what they look like? Luckily, I found a few tips and tricks. What do you think, considering I am a complete beginner? 😉

My number one breakfast is a banana, peanut butter, and coffee with coconut oil. Once in a while I need a change, so I usually make these muffins, cupcakes or cakes.

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 ripe bananas
  • 1 cup of a nut butter
  • 2 tsp cocoa
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp bourbon vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • if you have sweet tooth, you can add 2 tsp sugar

METHOD

Mash the bananas, then add all the ingredients into a bowl and mix well.
Fill a muffin tray with the dough.
Bake for about 25-30 minutes at 180 degrees.
Allow to cool before removing from the tray.

ENJOY!