June 22, 2015

New to Lupus? Get Educated!

LFNC's Patient Education Classes offer an excellent avenue to learn how to deal with and manage your disease, and we conform to the highest standards set by the American College of Rheumatolog.

If you are new to lupus - whether you are a patient, a caregiver or a loved one, please check out our classes. The classes for the rest of the year - beginning July 11 - have been announced. Register for your preferred date now.

5K Updates, Photos, and T-Shirts!

The 5K is over this year, but we have updates and photos and T-shirts! See the photos (find yourself?), and buy a T-shirt for just $10 - shipping included - right here.

Information contained in this e-Newsletter should not be considered a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment or management of S.L.E. and symptoms by a physician.

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Editor: Spandan Chakrabarti

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Plaquenil Shortage? What You Need to Know and How to Protect Yourself

The anti-malarial drug Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine in generic form) is commonly used to treat auto-immune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. There are some reports now, however, that a shortage might be on the horizon, making it difficult for patients to get access to it. Ranbaxy, a company that supplies 71% of the US supply of the drug may have its supply interrupted due to an overseas manufacturing plant that has failed to meet FDA standards. Demand for the drug has also increased.

Nonetheless, many pharmacies, patients and university observers note that there does not yet seem to be an immediate shortage that would leave patients without a supply. More details and some stories from pharmacies and patients are available here.

Plaquenil is a first-line-of-defense drug for lupus patients and is credited with preventing up to half of lupus flares. Given its nature of being a lifeline to many patients, the Lupus Foundation of Northern California is committed to following this development and providing you with timely updates. If you have had any experience with the plaquenil supply, we encourage you to write to us at communications@lfnc.org to share it.

For now, however, we recommend that you continue your regular prescription regimen, and the LFNC strongly advises that patients only change their regimen in consultation with their rheumatologist and other physicians.

LFNC to Launch Teen Support Group, Buddy Program

As many of you may know, July marks the beginning of LFNC's fiscal year. We are excited to launch two new ongoing programs for 2015-2016: a Teen Support Group and a Lupus Buddy Program.

While the LFNC already has a successful and popular Young Adult Support Group, The Hangout, which meets at our San Jose offices monthly, we are excited to announce a new support group focused on teens who are living with lupus. Under LFNC's string confidentiality policy and with staff and parental supervision, the first meeting of the Teen Support Group will take place on Saturday, June 27 at the LFNC offices at 2635 N First St, Ste 211, San Jose, CA 95134. If you or your child is interested, please send us an email at outreach@lfnc.org or give us a call at 408-954-8600.

The Lupus Buddy Program is a unique, first-of-its-kind approach that will pair lupus patients with a great deal of experience with those who are relatively new to learning about the disease. In a safe, confidential an friendly environment, the buddies will be able to learn from each other and provide each other with support that can only come from someone going through the same thing. Slated to be launched in mid-July, the program is now gathering interested parties. Please email outreach@lfnc.org or give us a call at 408-954-8600 if you are interested.