Help needed.

[Paul_Williams]

Can someone please help. I have a friend that is suffering very badly from Lupus. She needs some help. She is down to 6 stone and I'm very worried. If anyone can help I would be very grateful. I am working abroad but I'm trying to get back ASAP. She is in the Horley, Surrey UK area. I can give details. I have not heard of Lupus before, only last week. But she has bruises all over her she can breath she has heart pain. I'm still in shock with it all. Please someone help.

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

Dear Paul,

I don’t understand the situation.

1. Has she seen her GP?

2. Has she been seen by a lupus specialist/rheumatologist who works with SLE patients.

3. Who has diagnosed SLE.

4. Is it systemic lupus erythematosus or positive lupus anti-coagulant, which is to do with APS. Some patients with SLE have both.

I know you are very concerned but your friend needs to see a doctor & she is welcome here. Nothing can be done until she sees a doctor ASAP. If she has lost so much weight IMHO, she needs to be hospitalized to determine why she is 6 stone. Any infection would be very serious.

With good wishes,

Ros

[Paul_Williams in reply to lupus-support1]

She can't eat at the moment please be patient with me as I have only just found out about all this and am trying to understand it. She is at the Royal Brompton but they don't seem to be doing very much she is too weak to talk because of her lungs maybe I can give you a phone numberXxxxxxxx her name is Vanessa and she lives with her daughter. She seems to have just about every bad you can have. I'm trying to get back to the UK asap that's how worried I am. She has not been given anything for it at the moment.

[lupus-support1 Administrator in reply to Paul_Williams]

I have removed the phone number. Please don’t post any information on line.

She must go to her GP as soon as possible. The Brompton is a good hospital.

I know you are very worried but she must go to the GP.

Does she have family or support?

Sadly, even if I wanted, I cannot do anything. She has to see her doctor for her daughter’s sake!

[Paul_Williams in reply to lupus-support1]

Trying to get info now.

[Paul_Williams]

Yes to all of your questions. She is trying to phone her consultant but can't get through.

[Paul_Williams]

She is still trying to get though now. I am trying to tell her to go to hospital but she is scared of Corona Virus.

[lupus-support1 Administrator in reply to Paul_Williams]

Tell her to wear a mask, take her daughter somewhere where she can be looked after & go to her GP who can arrange whatever is necessary. Or, phone the GP. If necessary, I would go to the Brompton A&E where she is being treated.

I understand this is a very serious situation & particularly distressing for you as you are not in the UK. There must be another issue because people don't just stop eating & lose weight, down to 6 stone. If you can't eat solids, there are fluids that give calories & the necessary nutrients. Many people would have contacted their GP, which makes me even more concerned for V & how can she care for her daughter (I don't know her age) in her condition.

I don't know, I am not a medical doctor, but from what you are saying she may be suffering from acute depression/anxiety and this may necessitate a medical intervention.

I am sorry but there is nothing I can do. She is an adult & must be aware of her situation. Perhaps if you stress that she can't look after her daughter in her condition, she must seek medical help for her daughter's sake. If you know her parents, or family member, perhaps they can intervene?

With good wishes,

Ros

[Paul_Williams]

Yes she is depressed I'm trying to what I can. Thank you.