TAKE THE PLUNGE!!!

Learning to Love The Pool Again 

Over the past several years, as I've contemplated starting a lupus blog, I collected ideas in a journal.  I was enthusiastic about this adventure and eager to write about a subject I'm so passionate about.  That journal is now spilling over with little scraps of paper, mangled post-it notes and articles I thought were insightful.  As I sort through it, one topic keeps jumping out at me .... aquatic therapy!

Growing up, I looked forward to the swimming pool in the summer or a family vacation at the beach.  I enjoyed splashing around with friends or a game of Marco Polo.  As a teenager and adulthood, my athletic interests veered towards land-based sports: soccer, tennis, softball, hiking, etc.  Aside from the water survival training I received in the FBI, I didn't consider myself a swimmer in the traditional sense.  But, when lupus entered my life and caused severe photosensitivity I was pretty devastated and couldn't imagine a life without sports and sunshine. 

Lupus photosensitivity affects many lupus patients and is exacerbated by the sun, fluorescent lighting and even computer screens.  Often causing a skin rash to develop or worsen with exposure and even fevers over 100 degrees.  Avoiding the sun during the heat of the day (10 am - 4 pm) for prolonged periods and wearing sunscreen (30+ SPF), hats and sun protective clothing, are a must if you do venture outside.  Photosensitivity can vary depending on what climate you live in and your  particular disease activity.

Aquatic Therapy

In 2005, when my rheumatologist first recommended aquatic therapy, I thought he was crazy.  An outdoor swimming pool was the last place I could go.  So, he explained it's physical therapy done in an indoor pool.  Of course living in San Diego you don't find too many indoor pools, so he wrote a prescription for physical therapy.  There was a medical center with a pool less than 10 minutes from my house.  This was a particularly rough time for me.  My disease activity was at its highest; walking to the mailbox had become as a chore, driving a car was excruciating (especially a manual transmission) and lifting anything heavier than a tea mug was out of the question.  I'd just been medically retired from the FBI and was feeling pretty low about life in general.  But, once I started the warm water exercising my joints started to respond; it was so soothing physically and mentally.

Since then, aside from a few setbacks due to lupus flares, I've been able to continue with aquatic therapy on my own and thoroughly love it!  I'd start in the shallow end of the pool and walk for 5 - 10 minutes then move into the deep end using a buoyancy belt.  The buoyancy belt, or flotation belt, suspends the body vertically in the water at shoulder level for a low-impact workout.  More importantly, your hair stays dry!

AquaJogger

A physical therapist introduced me to AquaJogger, a flotation belt for water jogging.  Some pools will have flotation belts on hand to borrow or you can buy them on-line at AquaJogger.  There are different types of flotation belts depending on your body type and activity level.  Most of them come with a water workout guide and DVD.  

Water walking, or water jogging, has become very popular over the past 10 years.  It's especially beneficial for anyone with joint & muscle pain or mobility issues, and beneficial for injury prevention and rehabilitative exercise.  And, you don't have to be a champion swimmer to get a water workout or have to pay for expensive gym membership dues.  I recommend seeking out your local city or county recreation facilities, such as a YMCA type organization, for indoor pools.  Depending on what part of the country you live in, maybe even your local high school pool will offer access or even select hotels.

I now live in Atlanta, Georgia, and go to a county recreational facility that has 2 indoor pools (lap pool & leisure pool for kids).  The rates are discounted for county residents and seniors (50+ years old) can purchase a seasonal pass for under $60 with unlimited use Monday - Friday.

Just getting in the pool even once or twice a week, can provide enormous relief.  Moving in the water, as opposed to on land, relieves some of the pressure.  Water walking has enabled me to stay active in light of the spinal issues I live with; including spondylitis and degenerative disk disease. It's an excellent option for any pain management plan.

Another added bonus, after water exercise my spirits are lifted, I feel a sense of calm and have a really good nights sleep!

Even Giggles enjoys the pool!

Please remember to check with your doctor before starting an exercise program you aren't familiar with and/or need assistance!







 

Happy Turkey Day!

Managing Turkey Day With Lupus

We all know having a chronic illness like lupus is a daily struggle, but when you add in the holiday season it can be overwhelming!

Taking a few moments for yourself to collect your thoughts and prepare a list of what you "need" to do and what you "want" to do can make your day a little less stressful.  It sounds simple, but I ask myself.  Does this chore have to be accomplished today? Or could the chore be completed on another day when I have more energy?  Everyday I start with the things I want to accomplish and then I prioritize (rank) them according to importance.  For instance, any medical appointments, groceries, walking the dog are priorities.  Of course, walking the dog serves two purposes as I get daily exercise along with my dog, Giggles!  And she always makes me smile!

Please pace yourself during this time of year and don't forget to schedule in a nap or just some quiet time to do a few gentle yoga stretches!

If you're the one preparing the feast today please remember to ask for help from friends and family.  If you're fortunate to have family nearby who will be preparing the meal (like me) you can be forever grateful, enjoy it and send a really nice thank you note!

I wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving Day!

Lisa & Giggles

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lupus and Giggles!

Life Before Lupus

It was 1999, and once again I found myself draped in a white paper gown sitting on an exam table waiting for the doctor.  I was a young single woman in her mid 30's, living in San Diego, and in excellent health (up to this point, anyway).  Lately, I'd been experiencing a series of bizarre symptoms; unexplained face rash, sleep disturbances, severe joint pain, chronic sinus & respiratory infections, fevers, migraines and debilitating lower back pain. 

I didn't have time for this. After all, I lived in paradise (a.k.a., San Diego), had an amazing career as a Special Agent with the FBI, worked out 7 days a week, enjoyed hiking, boxing aerobics and competed regularly in tennis tournaments.  So, when my doctor uttered the word "lupus" I had a million questions.  What is that and how do you spell it?  How did I get it?  How is it treated?  How will this affect my livelihood?  This did not fit into my life plan.

As a newly diagnosed lupus patient, there's a lot of uncertainty, anxiety and fear.  In 1999-2000, there weren't a lot of websites about lupus; except the basic clinical definitions and how the average patients' life expectancy dwindled 5 years after diagnosis.  Oh, great!  That's what I needed to hear!  There were no bloggers or local lupus chapters for guidance and trying to find a support group was a serious challenge.  Fast forward to 2017, I've now been living with lupus for 17+ years and hope my blog will provide insight, support and understanding, or just some comic relief ... a place to go that I wish had existed when I was diagnosed.

For more information, please visit The Lupus Foundation of America.  

Blogs and Bank Robbers

"Arresting Lupus" is a blog about my journey with lupus; understanding how to live with, manage and even thrive.  As an FBI Agent, assigned to a bank robbery squad, the goal of an investigation was to identify the subject and ultimately arrest him/her.  If lupus was a bank robber, I'd hunt it down, slap on the cuffs and send it to federal prison for life (without the possibility of parole).  However, it's never that simple.  All investigations have twists/turns, unexpected outcomes and can take on a life of their own; much like lupus.  The key is to manage the expectations with the outcome. It's a life long learning process.

You won't see me making any medical recommendations on this blog, as I'm not a doctor.  However, I will say the best therapy I ever paid for was when I adopted my dog, Giggles!  She provides never ending amounts of love, companionship and comic relief .... laughter truly is the best medicine.  

Giggles