Have been doing all these things for years. Having to be outside is the harshness.

I also have the type of scarf filled with gel which absorbs water and continues cooling the neck until evaporated. Only takes a quick rinse to have it cooling again. They are a great blessing. So is the fan blowing on me as I sit here, when it's hot out. Also have a fan blowing on me in the bedroom.

Have to close the sliding glass door about three in the afternoon when the sun hits it, and close the blinds over it. Then when the sun is above the eaves, we open it again for evening cooling in here.

Believe me, with lupus, you learn early on everything that can be done to save your life and keep you comfortable! I just don't like heat and will probably complain about it more over the summer. It's not from not doing everything possible to cool off, including getting into the shower with sundress on when it's really sickening!