Charles Leverock, 48 has lived with lupus for 15 years.

And as October marks Lupus Awareness Month he decided to share what it's like to live with the disease and what it takes to make yourself feel better.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory auto immune disease that causes the body to reject its own cells. It can result in serious damage to vital organs -- the kidneys, brain, heart and lungs.

The disease, which effects some Bermudians as well as many people around the world, varies in severity from mild to occasionally life-threatening. And the cause is still unknown.

"I was diagnosed about 15 years ago and at the time I was experiencing terrible headaches and my fingers went twice the size,'' Mr. Leverock said.

He added: "The frustrating thing about lupus is that it mimics other symptoms but it wasn't until I got a rash around my nose -- which is a tell-tale sign of the disease that doctors were able to tell me what I had.

"The doctor put me on prednisone which then led to my depression and denial about the disease. I later accepted it and learned to live a better and healthier life.

"During that period I was admitted to hospital nine times within three years because I was not educated about the do's and don'ts of the disease.

"At that time it was a disease on the back burner, it was not being researched to the extent that cancer and diabetes was.'' Mr. Leverock also said that because of his joint pain he could only work -- as a carpenter -- two days a week, however "now I can do more because I'm more educated and my medication is regulated.'' He added that in the mornings he often experiences slight joint and muscle pain but then it goes away.

"Every lupus case is different, it depends on the individual. In my case it started with the swollen joints which was not helped by my diet and activity.

"One important factor, given to me by the Lupus Association of Canada in 1981, helped me to realise that I had to come out of the fast lane of life, and since I have done that I have been in remission.'' Mr. Leverock also said that leading a healthy life eating fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats is the key because "when you have lupus it is important to keep every organ as healthy as possible. The disease attacks the weak organs.'' He added that once you become educated about the disease it is relatively easy for you to cope and accept what has happened "and with your faith in God you can believe that everything will be O.K.'' Mr. Leverock also said there are certain regimens he has to do in order to keep himself from getting sick.

"Whenever I'm outside I wear a floppy hat to protect myself from the sun along with sun block because once my blood gets heated up I can get a fever and end up in the hospital.'' He added that even though he has accepted the disease and gone back to work full time he still is not as active as he used to be. "My sports have ceased and I now have to stay away from people who break down my resistance to disease and infection, such as smokers.

"If lupus gets out of control it can be dangerous. And it is important to remember that this disease can effect anyone whether you are black, white etc.

"Inner strength got me through the depression of having the disease along with the fact that I had a young daughter who I wanted to see grow into an adult. She is now 18-years-old.'' The course of the disease is characterised by periods of remission and flares.

There are three types of lupus: Cutaneous lupus: which is also known as discoid lupus, is confined to the skin and is characterised by persistent flushing of the cheeks or disc-like lesions (rash) that appears on the face, neck, scalp, and other areas of the skin.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): causes inflammation in a number of organs of the body. In some individuals, this may mean skin and joint involvement, while in others the joints and lungs, kidneys, and blood may be involved.

Drug-induced lupus: certain prescribed drugs can cause a lupus-like syndrome which is similar to SLE, but very rarely affects either the kidneys or the nervous system. When the medications are discontinued, the symptoms of lupus fade.

There are many signs and symptoms which signal that a lupus flare is beginning some of which are persistent fatigue out of proportion with what you would usually expect, persistent weakness, aching all over, fever which may be slight to high, persistent loss of appetite, and involuntary weight loss.

Other symptoms are increasing hair loss, recurring nose bleeds, sores on the roof of your mouth, which burns with spicy foods, unexplained skin rash anywhere on the body, hives, sores on the skin, swollen joints, blood in urine, coughing up blood, recurring or consistent abdominal pain, persistent or unusual headaches, etc.

This disease affects one of every 2,000 Americans and it strikes women nine times more frequently than men.

In women between the ages of 13 and 45, lupus strikes one in 400 white and one in 250 black women. And the average patient has symptoms three to ten years prior to diagnosis.

It can be very difficult to diagnose as the symptoms come and go over a long period of time and mimic many other illnesses.

LIVING WITH LUPUS -- Charles Leverock, 48, was diagnosed with Lupus 15 years ago and he believes that living a healthy life has put him into remission.