Toni Braxton on Lupus and Heart Attack Scare

It took singer, actress, and producer, Toni Braxton ten years to get a lupus diagnosis. In this episode of SHE MD, Toni Braxton shares her story alongside her rheumatologist, Dr. Daniel Wallace, one of the world’s leading authorities on lupus. This episode dives deep into Braxton’s personal experiences with lupus, including passing out during a performance and overhearing her surgeons debate the necessity of bypass surgery while under twilight. Despite being advised to conceal her condition, Toni now advocates for lupus awareness, an often invisible illness that disproportionately affects women, and is frequently misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia. Braxton also touches on personal milestones, including being discovered as a singer at a gas station at age twenty-two, and her upcoming residency in Vegas with Cedric the Entertainer.

Dr. Daniel Wallace and Dr. A explore the complex interplay between lupus and pregnancy, emphasizing the critical goal of supporting lupus patients through their first trimester and addressing the reproductive issues linked to autoimmune diseases.  This episode not only sheds light on Toni Braxton's personal battle with lupus but also educates and empowers others dealing with similar challenges, offering hope and understanding for those navigating the complexities of this autoimmune disease.

Lupus Takeaways

1. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that impacts nearly a million people in the United States.
   
2. Lupus is characterized by symptoms of fatigue, joint pain, low-grade fevers, swollen glands, and shortness of breath.
   
3. It's important for those with lupus to carefully choose their physical activities. Isotonic exercises like tennis, bowling, weightlifting, and rowing may exacerbate joint inflammation during flare-ups, whereas isometric exercises, including pilates, tai chi, and yoga, are beneficial.
   
4. Managing lupus also involves soothing the sympathetic nervous system through practices like prayer, meditation, and relaxation techniques. “The head-bone is connected to the immune-bone.”
   
5. Women experiencing recurrent miscarriages without an apparent cause should consider autoimmune disease testing.
   

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Tests for lupus patients: 

Complete blood count

Comprehensive complete panel

Thyroid

Urine

Tests for autoimmune disease: 

Antinuclear antibody (ANA)

Rheumatoid factor

Complement levels

Antiphospholipid antibody panels (aPL) with ANA-reflex testing for additional antibodies if ANA is positive