inflammation
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What is Lupus?
Lupus is a disease that many do not understand or are even aware of. The Lupus Foundation of America did a survey and found that 63% of Americans had never heard of lupus or know very little about it. This lack of awareness is one of the reasons why lupus awareness month is so important. Continue reading
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May is Lupus and Lyme Awareness Month!!!
May is lupus and lyme awareness month! I always have a hard time in May, because I want to get awareness out about both. Both of these diseases mimic other things, including each other, which makes it so difficult to get a correct diagnosis. More than that though, half the time, there are no visible Continue reading
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Sjogren’s Syndrome
This week, I wanted to post about Sjogren’s syndrome. Sjogren’s is one of the autoimmune disorders that I have. About one in ten people with lupus will also have Sjogren’s, though some statistics believe it is more like one in six. Sjogren’s syndrome is an immune system illness where your immune system attacks your healthy Continue reading
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Autoimmune Pancreatitis
Thankfully, my liver enzymes decreased back to normal and the ultrasound and CT scan showed that my liver looks ok. While they were doing an ultrasound and CT scan of my abdomen, the doctor had the tech also look at my pancreas and gallbladder since I am still having GI issues. (As much as I Continue reading
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Autoimmune Hepatitis
After my last checkup with the rheumatologist, we noticed that all of a sudden my liver enzymes which had always been normal had tripled. The blood tests were done again just to be safe and we were getting the same result, so this resulted in me having to go see a hepatologist. Thankfully my GI Continue reading
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What is Diabetes?
My recent issue with diabetes led me to wonder, exactly what is diabetes and what is the difference. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, while type 2 diabetes is usually caused by lifestyle factors. As of right now, the doctor believes that I have early onset type 2 diabetes; however, because I do have Continue reading
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Update #1
So, it has been quite a while since I have written and finally have time to keep updating! Since I last posted, a lot has happened. After visiting numerous specialists including a neuro-ophthalmologist, an endocrinologist, and a hepatologist, I am hoping that I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. A lot Continue reading
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Continuing Journey Part 4
The hematologist/oncologist refers me to infectious disease as well as an allergist. The allergist runs all of the normal tests as well as some not so normal tests and everything is negative with the exception of cottonwoods and mold, which I am well aware that I am mildly allergic to. At this time, I contract Continue reading
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Continuing Journey Part 3
I head back to the rheumatologist in Chicago who tells me that my ANA is high with a homogenous pattern which is a lupus pattern. This is one of the indicator tests for autoimmune. It is not diagnostic, but can sometimes point doctors in the correct direction, especially if your symptoms are overlapping. This is Continue reading
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Continuing Journey Part 2
Part 2 The next week which is really only a few days later, I start waking up with low grade fevers, usually 99.8 to about 101.0. I don’t feel sick, but I go to see my GP and he does a ton of different tests, covid, strep, flu A and B, and everything comes back Continue reading
About Me
Welcome to my blog – The Autoimmune Professor. The goal of this blog is to help those diagnosed with autoimmune disorders by providing as much information on autoimmune diseases as possible. I was recently diagnosed with Lupus and Sjogren’s. While going through numerous testing, I also found out that I have Chronic Lyme disease.
I am a professor and researcher with a doctorate in Educational Psychology, a doctorate in Health Sciences, a masters in Global Health, and am currently obtaining a PhD in exercise science.
I am hoping that this blog will help others by providing information and increasing awareness of autoimmune diseases.
the autoimmune professor 