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Living with Autoimmune Disease
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items If, like me, you have been living with an autoimmune disease of any kind, you know the struggle. I have been living with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD: Scleroderma, Sjogren's Syndrome, Lupus, Pyroderma Gangrenosum, Raynaud's Phenomenon and In...
Sections
4
Valuable Coping Resources
Reducing Inflammation w/Food
Skincare & Supplements
Managing Raynaud's
Valuable Coping Resources
One of the most difficult things about receiving a diagnosis for a chronic disease is wrapping your head around how your life will change and learning how to cope with the physical, mental and emotional repercussions that follow. The following are so...
I have found meditation to be a key component in my healing, but I had difficulties learning to meditate until I tried Headspace. They have a pain relief guided meditation that uses the body scanning technique and I use this practice every night befo...
Headspace: Meditation and Sleep Made Simple
One of the best methods I have found for figuring out how to manage my symptoms is to track them in conjunction with my food, sleep and stress. This helps to identify triggers so those can be avoided.
Bearable - Symptom Tracker
One of the most frustrating medications I have had to take (as do many with autoimmune disease) is Prednisone. On one hand it saves lives, but taking it for long periods of time comes with many upsetting side effects. I found this book to be really e...
Coping with Prednisone, Revised and Updated
I am not a Buddist or a religious person in general, but I really found this book to provide valuable insight and be a wonderful resource for anyone dealing with a diagnosis. Managing stress, emotions and outlook in general is necessary when managing...
How to Be Sick: A Guide for the Chronically Ill
Journaling lets you express yourself, release emotions, celebrate, reflect, and plan. This journal is for anyone dealing with a diagnosis needing ongoing treatment or caregivers supporting healing. It shares stories of resilience and hope, offering p...
You Are Not Your Diagnosis: A Healing Journey
While I believe in following my doctors' recommendations, I also believe that it is necessary to take an active role in my health and wellness and use natural remedies in conjunction with my medications. This book is amazing for that!
The Natural Remedies Encyclopedia, 7th Edition
Reducing Inflammation w/Food
There is so much science that shows linkages between poor gut health and autoimmune disease and I have really noticed a relationship between how I feel and what I have eaten. I have tried every diet under the sun since my diagnosis and have found the...
I have learned through experience that if you want to heal your symptoms, you first must heal your gut and in order to do so, you need an elimination diet. The AIP protocol is the perfect elimination diet for people who summer from autoimmune disease...
AIP Diet for Beginners: Autoimmune Paleo Guide
I have found that the two biggest symptom triggers for me are stress and food and I feel my best when my stress level is low and I follow a Whole 30 way of eating. This book will introduce you to eating a diet full of foods that will heal your gut an...
The New Whole30: Definitive Health Plan
Skincare & Supplements
Many autoimmune diseases cause changes in the skin. For me, it's been my Scleroderma and Lupus that have wreaked the most havoc. The following skincare and supplement products really help to minimize my issues (rashes, sores, etc).
The Scleroderma Foundation recommended this cream so I tried it and have never looked back. It has healed my dry skin patches, healed the skin from my PG ulcers and keeps my skin soft and supple. I love it!!
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
This magical cream covers and soothes my rosacea and acts as a primer for my foundation! I highly recommend for anyone facing skin rashes from autoimmune disease.
Cicapair™ | Dr.Jart+
If you suffer from facial rashes from autoimmune disease, you need this product line in your life! It soothes (I store mine in the fridge for extra cooling) and moisturizes beautifully! Great for sensitive skin.
Dr.Jart+ Cicpair
My Respirologist recommended I take NAC in addition to my medications, as it is said to improve lung function. But did you know it's also believed to improve liver and kidney function, suppress viruses, balance blood sugar and boost brain function? I...
NAC Supplement
I live for (what I call) detox baths with pure epsom salts. Epsom salts are believed to reduce inflammation in the body, reduce stress, relax aches and pains and, because they are essentially magnesium, your epsom salt bath acts as a supplement, as y...
Epsom Salt - Magnesium Sulfate
Many people with autoimmune disease are deficient in vitamin D, especially because sun can be a trigger for flare-ups, especially for Lupus patients. It's essential to take vitamin D with vitamin K2 in order to properly absorb it and this product per...
Vitamin D3 10000 IU + K2 200 mcg Softgels
Managing Raynaud's
Raynaud's Phenomenon is such a common symptom and autoimmune disease. In fact, it is often the first symptom to appear before diagnosis (for me it was) and managing it, especially in colder climates, often feels like a full-time task. I use the follo...
These are one of the best purchases I have ever made. My Raynaud's is pretty bad in my feet and I spend a lot of time outside with the dogs in the winter (in Canada), so keeping my toes warm is an absolute must. I have not had any ulcers on my toes s...
Heated Socks with Mobile App Control
Just like with my toes, my fingers are always cold and super susceptible to painful ulcers, so I ALWAYS have to keep them warm in winter. These gloves are amazing because they warm your hands all over, unlike some other inferior gloves I've tried in ...
Heated Gloves for Men/Women
When it's too hot for big heated gloves but cool enough that I have to warm my hands, I use these inside of my mittens. They are safe, natural, odorless, air-activated and they last for up to 10 hours.
HotHands Hand Warmers