Hi, I'm new to this board so forgive the late response. I've had Systemic Lupus since June 1999. For the past year or so, I've been pretty much pain free and even off all medication. I did see my rheumatologist a few days ago and mentioned I had been following Atkins now for 2 months. He was totally supportive! He even said he's followed Atkins himself. He approved of the supplements I take: a multivitamin, a B complex, chromium picolinate, glutamine, and flax seed oil. If your wife would like someone to talk to, have her email me. By the way, I also work out, though I skip weight lifting on days when I'm experiencing muscle and joint aches and just do cardio.