Unraveling the Mystery of Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Hey there, Lupus Warriors! 🌟

Lately, I've been diving deep into the complexities of lupus and its companions. Today, I want to chat about a condition that often plays the 'background dancer' to our main star, lupus: the Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). But before we get all sciency, shoutout to my super-doc, Dr. Maria Jose Cuadrado from Universidad de Navarra. She's been my guiding light in navigating this rollercoaster.

What on Earth is Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)? 🤔

In the simplest of terms, APS is an autoimmune disorder where your body kinda thinks it's cool to attack normal proteins in the blood. This can increase the risk of forming blood clots. Not the fun kind of clots you get when you accidentally cut your finger, but the ones that can cause serious issues like strokes or heart attacks.

But Why Should Teens Care?

First off, knowledge is power, right? And while APS is more common in adults, some of us teens with lupus might also have APS. And when paired with other conditions like Raynaud's, which I ALSO have (because why not, right? 🙄), things can get complicated. Raynaud's can make our fingers and toes change colors when it’s cold. Combine that with a higher risk of clots, and well, you can see why it's essential to stay informed.

Let’s Get Our Facts Straight

• It's not contagious: Just like lupus, you can't catch APS from someone or pass it on.

• Symptoms vary: Some people might have skin issues, while others might experience more serious problems due to blood clots.

• Treatment exists: Blood thinners are commonly used to prevent clot formation. Always good to know there's a game plan, right?

To Wrap It Up…

Life as a teen with lupus is like living in a maze with surprises at every corner. APS is just another piece of our puzzle, and understanding it gives us more power over our bodies and our health.

So, here's to us: the brave, the strong, and the ever-curious lupus warriors! And always remember, every challenge we face makes our story even more epic. 💪🌈

Until next time, Lila Ruffe

P.S. Huge thanks to Dr. Maria Jose Cuadrado and the team specialy to Dr. Eugenia Enriquez MErayo at Universidad de Navarra for being absolute champs in helping teens like me tackle lupus and its buddies head-on.