When you’re living with an autoimmune condition, your health can sometimes feel unpredictable. Two things can help you feel more grounded and in control, the first is taking your medications as prescribed without stopping regardless of feeling fine. It may seem obvious, but we can get so caught up in daily responsibilities and commitments that we may overlook the signs our bodies are giving, until it is too late. The second is learning to listen to your body and check in regularly. This means taking note of any new symptoms so you can provide this information at your next medical appointment.
Resources
Self-Care Pillars
Two Rules to Remember
Consistency
Taking your medicine as prescribed isn’t just a routine, it’s one of the strongest tools for preventing or minimising flares-ups and protecting your health over time. When medications are taken consistently symptoms like pain, fatigue, and inflammation are easier to manage and complications can be reduced or prevented. You want to keep the quality of your life optimal with less disruptions to how you function day to day. Trips to the hospital can be less frequent or avoided. The plan is to give your body its best chance at long-term balance and stability.
Target to Treat or Treat to Remission
Sticking to a medicine routine isn’t always easy and side effects, life stress, or feeling discouraged can make it tough. If you’re experiencing adverse effects from your medication, or if you’re still suffering, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know. There are often other options available, and many of us in the community try several different medications before finding the one that works. Don’t give up. Bringing chronic inflammation under control is key to protecting your joints, organs, and overall well-being and this approach is often called ‘target-to-treat’ or ‘treat-to-remission’ and means working with your care team to find the right fit. If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone. There are gentle ways to get support and strategies that can help. This is your community.
Know Your Numbers
Regular monitoring can help you to spot flares early and give you a chance to respond before they escalate. It can help you stay ahead of complications, like joint or organ changes. It can allow you to see what’s working, and what might need adjusting. It can help you to feel more connected and confident when talking with your care team, and feel more at ease knowing you’re not in the dark about your condition. Monitoring doesn’t have to be overwhelming – it’s about creating a plan that works for you and that reflects your goals and your pace. We have created a tool to help you with this called MyNumbers for our members to download. Medication and monitoring are two steady ways to support your health. You are not chasing perfection, but trying to stay connected to what your body needs, and to get support when you need it.
Medical Matters Resources
Autoimmune Conditions – Medication and the Immune System
Medications can interact with the immune system either by intentionally suppressing it, or unintentionally affecting it, leading to all kinds of side effects.
Autoimmune Conditions: Flares & Epigenetics Pt1
Autoimmune flares don’t happen 'out of the blue', even when it feels like it. Epigenetics can help explain why. Think of it as the way your environment and experiences like stress, infections, sleep, hormones, diet, even medications can switch certain immune genes on or off, without changing your DNA itself. In RA, these switches can turn up inflammation, making joints suddenly hurt, swell, or stiffen.
Lupus Series: Prof. Eric Morand talks about specific therapy for SLE
Prof. Eric Morand, Dean of Sub-Faculty of Clinical and Molecular Medicine at Monash University, and Head of Rheumatology at Monash Health, gives a presentation on 'Specific Therapy for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).' He talks about new research in an article published in Feb24 from Monash, 'Smith-specific regulatory T-cells that halt the progression of Lupus Nephritis'.
Medical Cannabis and shared decision making
If you’ve ever wanted more clarity in conversations with your care team, or wondered whether medical cannabis has a place in autoimmune treatment – Professor Buchbinder, a Melbourne-based rheumatologist, breaks it down with honesty and ease for us. Professor Rachelle Buchbinder offers a thoughtful look at shared decision-making, and how we can work with our providers to shape our care. She also clears the air on what current evidence really says about medical cannabis for autoimmune conditions.
How do new meds become available to the Community?
From pre-clinical research to a new medication being listed on the PBS, patient advocate Cathy Sertori talks about the steps involved to get the medicine to the community.
Intro to Chinese Medicine P 1
In this conversation, Dr Joan Campbell explores the differences between Eastern (Chinese) medicine and Western medicine: how each understand the body, health, and healing, and what those different lenses can offer. It’s not about choosing one over the other, rather than understanding the strengths and limitations of both.
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