Lupus Support Group

Lupus is an auto-immune disease in which the immune system cannot distinguish between threats (like viruses and bacteria), and healthy cells and tissue. As a result, the body produces antibodies that inflict cell damage, most commonly targeting joints, skin, kidneys and the nervous system. Join the group and find support for coping with lupus.

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tazesmom 02/20/2012

Mechiko just asked how we fellow lupies keep up with our kids, I can't help there,I don't have children but that got me thinking,we all struggle with day to day household chores,what kind of tips can we share that we have come up with to make life a little easier.

deleted_user 02/21/2012

Do things in 5 minute spurts. Whether it be exersize or cleaning. It's easier than trying to finish one whole task.
Devote time to just resting for yourself so you have something to motivate you to finish.

deleted_user 02/21/2012

Every time I get up to leave a room, look around to see if there's anything that needs to be put away in the room you're headed to. For instance if I'm walking from the living room to the kitchen, pick up the old water glass on the side table. Saves me trips if I remember to do this. I don't have stairs but I've heard a tip to put a big basket at the bottom of the stairs for things that belong upstairs, so that you can carry the basket of things up and only make one trip.

deleted_user 02/21/2012

Also - Check out www.flylady.net - she is amazing! I can't do the routines exactly the way she lays them out, but once you get the main idea it's easy to make your own. Start small and build them up as you feel able. For instance, just making sure to load and run the dishwasher before you go to bed each night makes a huge difference in how you feel (about yourself, your home, whatever) the next morning! Another thing I try to do if not every day then every other day is shine my sink in the bathroom. It only takes a few minutes but makes such a big difference!

For me, staying up standing is not as difficult as getting up and down from sitting (my knees give me trouble), so once I am up I try to do as much as I can - for example, while waiting for the coffee to brew, empty the dishwasher or wipe down the counters.

Love this thread! Let's hear it for practicality and positiveness :):)

RichieD 02/21/2012

Sometimes it seems so obvious once you have it pointed out to you. I was reading something on a website about lupus and found some coping tips there. One of them was simply to take breaks of twenty minutes or more when you are doing chores or whatever.

I tried it and it really helped. I used to keep going until I was staggering, or I would take shorter breaks. Just taking those longer breaks seems to restore me somehow. I get more done, and I feel better while I'm working.

tazesmom 02/21/2012

Thanks mechiko,I just checked out the fly lady

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