Lupus

[Emw6]

Can someone explain what lupus is and how you get it

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

Welcome to LUpus Patients Understanding & Support (LUPUS) at HealthUnlocked.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease which affects women during their child bearing years, although children and men can develop SLE. There is no one single "cause" of lupus. Medically speaking, SLE has "an unknown aetiology" but doctors think it is partly genetic, partly environmental and partly just bad luck! The best description I have come across to understanding autoimmune diseases is imagining playing a game of cards called "Chance". You are dealt a hand of cards: one card says young women between 16 and 35; another card says: you have relatives with autoimmune conditions;another card says: you have had glandular fever; another card says: you have had a step throat. Depending on your "hand of cards" you will develop SLE.

SLE is in the same "genetic" group as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes.

An autoimmune disease is where your immune system is OVERACTIVE (AIDs, for example, is underactive). This means that instead of just recognising bacteria and viruses, it attacks its own cells. This causes chronic inflammation.

SLE can attack any part of the body, including internal organs. It can cause arthritis, inflammation of the joints, ligaments, tendons and skin causing different kinds of rashes It can affect kidneys, lungs, bowel, heart and CNS. However, for the majority for the majority of people, lupus can be successfully treated with medication.

There are different kinds of lupus: neo-natal lupus; lupusof the skin; and systemic lupus erythmatosus ie it is systemic and affects many different systems in the body.

It is important to see a lupus specialist. Not all rheumatologists are expert in lupus; some have never treated patients with lupus. Diagnosis can be very difficult and sometimes this can take many months, even years to diagnose.

Even without a formal diagnosis, you will receive treatment. any doctors will "wait and see" what develops because it is unknown how the disease will progress. For the majority, lupus patients lead a normal life, have a normal life span, get married, have children; and many come off all medication overtime.

Even with a diagnosis, there is every good reason to be positive.

Nevertheless, waiting for a diagnosis, dealing with the symptoms and living with the unknown can make us feel anxious and depressed. This is normal and this is where LUpus Patients Understanding & Support (LUPUS) can help to support you.

Is there a reason for asking the question - which is difficult to answer!

We also have another website called the LuPUS Message Board where you can also post questions and talk to other people. Registration is FREE and we offer free information and free online psychological support. We specialise in psychological support with our own counsellor/psychotherapist available.

By becoming a Member, you will have access to the private forums and because they are private, only Members have access and even bots and search engines are forbidden.

When you register, please use the following format for entering your date of birth: nn-nn-nnnn where n=number. Please use the "-" separator and not "/".

Finally, please go to: lupus-support.org/LuPUSMB and Sign Up.

I look forward to talking with you more!

Sometimes we need to talk to people who understand and who are not family or friends.

With good wishes!

Ros

Disclaimer: No attempt is made to diagnose or to make any medical judgement. You are advised to seek the advice from your own physician. LUpus Patients Understanding & Support (LUPUS) is not a substitute for your own doctor.

[lupus-support1 Administrator in reply to lupus-support1]

Can I hep you further?