Michael Jackson - Lupus and Autoimmune Disease

King of Pop
Michael Jackson
1958 – 2009




"Gone Too Soon"....that is one of my favorite Michael Jackson songs and now it has been appropriately sang for him.
I was affected deeply and shocked by Michael's sudden death and my heart goes out to his family, friends and fans all over the world.
It came as a big surprise to many that
Michael Jackson suffered from the autoimmune disease Lupus. But, it was in 1986 that Michael Jackson was diagnosed with Vitiligo and Lupus.
As a fan of his music and someone who defended the entertainers uniqueness for decades, I'm glad the truth is coming out and Michael's being vindicated. He deserves it and so does his family.

As the story unfolds we learn Michael Jackson may have worn the famous sequined white glove to hide the early stages of his skin disease Vitiligo. Larry King interviewed Michael Jackson's dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein who stated; “Jackson's particular case was bad because it affected his entire body, but it was Michael’s face and hands that were difficult to treat."
Dr. Deepak Chopra told PEOPLE that his longtime friend Michael Jackson suffered from Lupus a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any organ of the body including the skin.
Sadly autoimmune diseases are gravely misunderstood and people are generally berated and criticized who have them. People do not understand why symptoms come and go so a person may be considered lazy or faking it. The symptoms are chronic and include various types of pain which can vary widely from one flare to the next.

Researching for this post I learned that Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis often have "Overlap Syndrome."
Connective tissue diseases are a family of closely related disorders which include: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Polymyositis-Dermatomyositis, Systemic Sclerosis, Sjogren's Syndrome and various forms of vasculitis. When you have more than one of these diseases it's called 'overlap.'

Michael hid his illness from the world but maybe the media coverage will enlighten people to autoimmune disease; and more compassion will be shown for those who suffer chronic pain.
Video: Michael Jackson in video clips discussing Vitiligo > http://mj.magnify.net/video/Michael-Jackson-Vitiligo-clips


ABC News video: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/MichaelJackson/story?id=8041395

Tribute to Michael Jackson

"Gone To Soon"

Like A Comet
Blazing 'Cross The Evening Sky
Gone Too Soon

Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon

Shiny And Sparkly
And Splendidly Bright
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like The Loss Of Sunlight
On A Cloudy Afternoon
Gone Too Soon

Like A Castle
Built Upon A Sandy Beach
Gone Too Soon

Like A Perfect Flower
That Is Just Beyond Your Reach
Gone Too Soon

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like A Sunset
Dying With The Rising Of The Moon
Gone Too Soon

Gone Too Soon...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=101iXwPTNE0

Recommended read: "The Autoimmune Epidemic"
by Donna Jackson Nakazawa.
The book sheds light on why there is an increase in autoimmune diseases in developed countries.

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/ra-tv

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheumatoid_arthritis

Good Health to You!

© Copyright 2010 Sandy Guerriere. All Rights Reserved.