Taking Charge of Lupus

by Pratt, Maureen; Hallequa, David; Wallace, Daniel

• ISBN13: 9780451206992
• ISBN10: 0451206991
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-09-03
• Publisher: NAL Trade

Summary

While there is no known cure for lupus erythematosus and the course of the disease is unpredictable, Maureen Pratt-diagnosed with lupus herself-believes daily life for the sufferer can be greatly improved. Based on her own personal experiences and written with a doctor, this book provides essential information on how to manage with the condition on a day-to-day basis including: Choosing a doctor Coping with medication side effects Designing a home environment that accomodates physical limitations Dealing with insurance and other financial issues and the role of faith

Author Biography

Maureen Pratt is an author and playwright diagnosed with lupus. She is a contributor to Lupus Line, the quarterly newsletter of the Southern California Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America, an ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation, and a board member of LupusLA, an organization targeting awareness and fund-raising in the entertainment community.

David Hallegua, M.D., is an internist and rheumatologist who runs a private practice in Beverly Hills, specializing in treating lupus and other autoimmune disorders. He works closely with Daniel J. Wallace, M.D., who heads the largest lupus practice in the United States.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. vii
Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
Some Facts about Lupus	p. 5
Taking Control of the Quality of Your Life Despite the Challenges of Lupus	p. 12
The Keys to Maintaining Quality of Life	p. 20
The Emotional Factor: How Lupus Affects Your Feelings	p. 29
The Medical Factor: What You Can Do	p. 44
The Medical Factor: Your Lupus Medical Team	p. 52
The Medical Factor: Record Keeping Made Easier	p. 64
The Medical Factor: How to Survive a Hospital Stay	p. 73
The Financial Factor	p. 80
The Financial Factor: The Lupus Consumer	p. 93
The Productivity Factor: Lupus and the Workplace	p. 103
The Productivity Factor: Lupus and the Home	p. 113
The Personal Factor: Having a Life	p. 123
The Personal Factor: Looking Great Even When You Feel Awful	p. 134
The Relationship Factor	p. 145
The Relationship Factor: Especially for People Whose Loved Ones Have Lupus	p. 162
The Relationship Factor: The Lupus Community	p. 174
The Faith Factor: The Role of Spirit in Coping with Change	p. 183
Facing the Future	p. 192
Special Addition: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers	p. 202
Glossary	p. 209
Helpful Resources	p. 211
Suggested Reading	p. 215
Index	p. 217
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