Lifestyle Blog by Jamie Tarence
On this episode of The SavvyCast, my friend Suzanne Bailey shares how she lives a full and wonderful life despite having both fibromyalgia and lupus. Her story is inspiring, informative, and useful for anyone who might be struggling with either of these autoimmune disorders.
It is so easy to make your very own delicious crispy buffalo roasted cauliflower bites~loaded with flavor and antioxidants!
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In this post, I’ll share a personal loss along with some Spring recipes and gift ideas for moms, graduates, and newlyweds.
If you’ve followed me any length of time, you know my golden doodle Cam. He was my sidekick and shadow for 6 beautiful years. On May 20th, I held him one last time and told him goodbye. My heart is shattered into a million pieces, but I know it will eventually heal. Many have asked what happened to Cam, so I share the story in this blog post which includes a podcast episode for those who prefer to listen.
This week I said goodbye to my best buddy of 6 years, Cam, my beloved Goldendoodle.
Life as I knew it was business as usual last week. Menu planning, grocery shopping, creating blog content, and doing my day-to-day routine. Zane was out of town with our daughter and some friends on a Spring vacation in Miami. I was home with my constant companion, Cam, doing life per usual. Little did I know that I was about to face the worst week of my life in recent memory….
Grief is a universal experience. Dimy Mixon, a marriage and family therapist specializing in grief counseling for women, offers practical advice for navigating grief~our own or that of a loved one.
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Who doesn’t love a good pizza? This episode is for those of you who want to cook delicious pizzas in your own kitchen that your entire family is sure to love! In this episode, I talk through step-by-step on how to make these yummy pizzas, savvy tools to use, my favorite ingredients, the best toppings, and more.
Here is what you’ll find in this episode:…
Let's Talk: Living a Full Life with Fibromyalgia and Lupus
On this week’s episode of The SavvyCast, Jamie is joined by Suzanne Bailey to discuss living with two chronic autoimmune conditions, fibromyalgia and lupus. Suzanne is living a full and productive life despite having both lupus and fibromyalgia. She shares her journey to diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately management of both these conditions.
Suzanne primarily manages her Lupus mainly with diet and exercise and vitamins. Since she also has Fibromyalgia, exercise and vitamins are VITAL to managing both chronic diseases. Her Lupus attacks my nerves, lungs, and joints. Pain in her feet can be an issue, so she mainly does body strengthening three days a week, mostly low impact.
This consists of everything from TRX to weight training to HITT classes. Consistency helps maintain flexibility and strength.
Regular massages and stretching sessions are very helpful, as well as Epsom salt baths after work outs. Suzanne also adds walking, rowing, recumbent biking, and elliptical training in for extra cardio.
Suzanne takes several vitamins to help manage her condition. She does not take many perscription medications and instead opts to take vitamins.
Most of the vitamins Suzanne takes can be found on Amazon, although she does take prescription Vitamin D2, which can be requested from your general practitioner. The vitamins Suzanne takes daily are Rheumate, which is a B vitamin. Vitamin D2, 50,000 once a week, and Vitamin D3, 2,000 daily. She also takes zinc and Turmeric to help with inflammation.
Suzanne has taken one prescription to help manage her neuropathy. She takes 2mg of Naltrexone at night which helps the neuropathy that is widespread, over 80% or my body. After ten years of managing with only diet and exercise, Suzanne also recently added 100 mg of Hydroxychloroquine to combat an ongoing flare. If she experiences a severe flare, she will also take a steroid pack.
Lupus manifests differently in everyone, so it is important to work closely with your doctor for the best protocol to manage your illness. Communication and honesty is key to finding the best treatment. However, Suzanne wants everyone to know that these two conditions don't define or really limit her from living a full and active life.