About

North East Lupus Group Let me briefly introduce myself. I am the Regional Coordinator for the North East Group. I was diagnosed with Systemic and Discoid lupus in 2007. I was incredibly fortunate to receive a quick diagnosis once seen by specialists and have since gained a new best friend in the form of a little round tablet called plaquenil. I soon realised that one, if not THE main problem with Lupus was the lack of knowledge surrounding it. This lead to feeling incredibly lonely in a new world of Chronic disease. Add that to the guilt of feeling like a hypochondriac and the grief of losing the "old you", life wasn't very rosy. I joined Lupus UK almost immediately and found their website very useful. The Healthunlocked blog on their website is a great way to ask others with Lupus questions or write how you feel knowing that those reading and replying will be like minded and supportive. 8 years later I became the Coordinator for the North East region as I believe it's important to have the support at a local level. We meet every 3 months for a cuppa and an informal chat. The group has gone from strength to strength with new faces joining us at every meeting. Everybody is welcome and details are posted on the events page. If you'd like more information about the group, please feel free to contact me.

I have recently started experimenting with jewellery making as a way to relax. I wanted the jewellery to support Lupus awareness so the items incorporate a butterfly,the colour purple or both, representing Lupus UK. Pictured are earrings and bracelets, all slightly different designs. I will also be making necklaces in the future. If you would like to place an order please email me at sal10_1@yahoo.co.uk All donations received for the jewellery will be sent to Lupus UK.

Here in the North East we are fortunate to have a specialist Lupus Nurse based at The Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. This gives the patient an opportunity to ask advice and receive treatment and care and also raises the profile of Lupus within the health service. During the last 18 months Specialist Lupus Nurse Posts have been funded in South East Scotland and Birmingham. Over the next 6 years with continued awareness and support Lupus UK hope to fund another 9 nurses. The North East Lupus Group are hoping the Teesside Region can benefit from this and our aim is to have our own Nurse working alongside Doctors and Patients across the region. I have consulted The South Tees Hospital Rheumatology Department to start the process and received a positive response....watch this space. For this to happen we require fundraising as a typical post requires around £240,000 over 5 years!! Sally.