|
|
MY LUPUS STORY Sherry DaRosa :: Foundation Volunteer
I
was diagnosed in 2014. Lupus wears the mask of many different
illnesses, and trust me I was tested for them all. Once I was
diagnosed with lupus, I had the answers to all the mysteries.
My
advice to anyone who is struggling with their health is to be is to
be diligent; stay with the doctors, work with the doctors and insist
that they look at many different things...I tested negative almost as
many times that I tested positive for lupus. If it wasn't for a persistent cardiologist that wanted to get to the bottom of why my atrial defect enlarged to the point of needing urgent repair, I would have never been diagnosed.
I
found the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica 3 years ago and I have been
volunteering for over a year. Like many of us at the Lupus
Foundation, the only thing we really want is to find a cure.
|
|
|
Click Above Image to Play Video -
Sherry DaRosa is a Canadian Living in Jamaica for 4 years.
-
Sherry uses her social platforms to raise awareness for lupus.
-
Active Volunteer Member since: 2019
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTSASK THE EXPERT
Bonus
Wed. July 7, 2021
Online @ 6PM July 28, 2021
Lupus Support Group Western JA August 18, 2021
Lupus Support Group
Sept. 1
Ask the Expert
Season 2 Begins. SAVE THE DATE!
Lupus Awareness Month
October 1 - 31, 2021
- Oct 3
Church Service
- Oct 17
Laps for Lupus Awareness
- October 31
Annual Symposium
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Merchandise is still Available for purchase
Show your lupus colours and support when you wear one of our LUPUS Warrior T-Shirts. Available with 3 sayings, visit our website to get yours, or follow the link below. |
|
|
|
|
ASK THE EXPERT RECAP!ASK THE EXPERT: Medication Side Effects
On our last episode of Ask the Expert Live on Wednesday May 2, 2021we had as our special guest Dr Winsome Christie, Pharmacist and Naturopathic physician, and president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica. She was hosted by our own Dr Asana Anderson, Consultant Rheumatologst, University Hospital of the West Indies. They tackled your questions on Medication Side Effects. We will be answering the outstanding questions in a special Bonus Episode coming up in July. Here are some highlights/take home points from the May 2 episode:
- An adverse reaction is an effect of the drug that is unwanted and may be harmful.
- There is a difference between an adverse drug reaction and a side effect as not all side effects are necessarily harmful, though they can be.
- A drug may have many different potential side effects listed but this does not mean individuals have to experience them.
- Individuals responds to medications differently due to factors such as varying genetics and metabolism
- Steroids like prednisone are associated with side effects such as weight gain, easy bruising and mood changes among others; increased risk of infection, osteoporosis, cataracts and even diabetes can also occur and are linked to dose and duration of use.
- The aim in treatment is to get our patients off steroids.
- Side effects of Methotrexate may include nausea, thinning of the hair, oral ulcers and liver enzyme changes on blood tests.
- Folic acid is important in reducing some of the side effects of Methotrexate.
- There are natural agents such as turmeric that are thought to have anti-inflammatory properties however there are no recommendations at this time to use these agents in isolation.
- Collaboration among specialists is central to the effective management of Lupus.
Ask the Expert Live is our monthly free Q & A programme where we invite experts to answer your questions on different topics our members request. It is held on the first Wednesday of each month, streaming live on our Facebook and YouTube pages. Questions can be sent in ahead of the programme or posted in the chat while the programme is live. We invite you to like, Follow and Subscribe to our pages (select that Notification bell to be alerted to new content), and share with a friend.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPORT
THE LUPUS FOUNDATION OF JAMAICA - many options available online follow link below. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COVID 19 VACCINE?
|
|
|
|
|
DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWERS ARE ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE?
Check out our YouTube Page for the March 2021 Episode of Ask The Expert Live. (Don't forget to like, subscribe and click the notification bell!) or find previous episodes on our News tab. Click Here to Watch this Episode! |
|
|
|
|
ASK THE EXPERT
BONUS EPISODE!
Wednesday July 7, 2021 at 6:00 pm
"Managing Medications & Side Effects Part 2"
with Dr Winsome Christie and Dr Asana Anderson
answering the rest of our questions on this hot topic
Do You have a suggestion for the next Ask the Expert? Send it to us!
Just text back to this number or send us an email at: info@lupusfoundationjamaica.org.
Looking forward to your feedback! |
|
|
IT'S NEVER TO LATE TO DONATE!!
BE GRAND GIVE A GRAN Campaign is still running,
click image to make your donation today! |
|
|
Children and Youth with Lupus: If you are a young person or child living with lupus, a parent or an adult who developed lupus before age 18, we want to hear from you as we focus this year on better understanding,
meeting the needs, engaging with and empowering this special group! |
|
|
|
|
Tell Us Your Story!Share Your Story! Our stories are some of our most powerful weapons in the Fight against Lupus - helping raise awareness and encouraging our fellow warriors. Send us your story in 200 words or less or your 60 sec video clip by April 25, 2021 to be included in our World Lupus Day campaign and event on May 10, 2021. Visit our website for more details, tips and scripts. Children and Youth with Lupus: If you are a young person or child living with lupus, a parent or an adult who developed lupus before age 18, we want to hear from you as we focus this year on better understanding, meeting the needs, engaging with and empowering this special group!
|
|
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Volunteers Needed!
Get in touch with us by April 18, 2021 if you wish to offer your skills in our upcoming
World Lupus Campaign:
- Administrative Support - communications and scheduling
- Monitoring Phonelines, email and IM
- Video recording/editing
- Graphic Design
- IT/Streaming
- Digital Marketing/Social Media
- Writing Scripts and Press Releases
Is your Membership up to date?
Keeping your membership up to date makes sure you continue to enjoy many Member Benefits and can vote at our general meetings. It also gives us a stronger voice to advocate for needs of lupus patients and helps us provide support and services to those who need. It is quick and easy to renew online, including updating your info and paying your dues. You don't have to have lupus to be a member! Join the Fight today!
Your dues help keep us going and ensure you keep access to Member Benefits like this newsletter. Just Log in on our website using your email to check your membership status and update our records. You can also use our website to make your Member Dues payments and Donations conveniently on our secure payment page or find banking information.
|
|
|
Learning Centre Hours
Monday - Friday
10am-12pm & 1pm-4pm
|
|
|
If you support the Lupus Foundation and would like to add this to your social media pages or email signatures please feel free to copy and paste the icon to the right. |
|
|
|
