Hi i'm new here; Can Lupus (systemic) cause dementia/ dementia type symptoms?

[Carer2]

[NatashaW]

Not sure about Dementia like symptoms but my memory is terrible, since diagnosis it's got worse. I'd be interested to hear aswell if you have any feedback.

[Trace]

Hi Carer, I think what your describing is commonly known to Lupus sufferers as "Lupus fog" talk to your Dr/ Rheumy about whats happening & he/she will hopefully be able to reassure you thats its not Dementia/ Altzimers, Lupus attacks the brain cells & you find you cant spell properly & you cant get the words out that your thinking off when having a chat with other people. I have had this problem for about 10 years now & have come to terms with it, I substitute the words that Im thinking of with "thingy", my friends, my GP & my Rheumy are used to it now & for anyone who dosent understand, I just tell Ive got Lupus & it affects the brain.

I hope this has helped, try not to worry about it, I know its frightening but sadly it is quite normal for Lupus suffers xx

[Carer2]

Thank you so much for your replies - information is so important and i appreciate you sharing your experience

[heatherx]

Hi Carer

Lupus can cause dementia type problems, I am seeing a neurologist for mine. He did suspect I was in early stages of alzheimers but on further testing with mri scans and testing with a clinical psychologist and also numerous other tests he's quite sure its not alzheimers but the lupus attacking my brain. It makes me confused, forgetful etc but on a higher level than the usual 'lupie brain' that I have experienced for numerous years. Ask your gp or rheumy to refer you for a neurologist assessment, my mri is showing brain inflammation which is quite serious so definately worth getting checked out and being monitored for any underlying problems. Good luck to you and whoever it is you look after x

[Carer2]

Thanks for your reply Heather, i appreciate you sharing your experience

[jillieannthesecond]

I don't have lupus or Alzheimer's (I hope), but I have friends with one or the other. I read this morning (laboratoryequipment.com/new... that a common age-related deficiency in the immune system has been closely linked to Alzheimer's - that enhancing the immune T- and B-cells might presumably enhance the ability of the body to rid the plaques. That being the case, and the little I imagine that I know about lupus - that it is associated with an overactive immune system attacking self as well as non-self - I immediately wondered whether there have been studies on likelihood of people suffering from both. (I would assume there would be fewer.) All I could find was reassurance that lupus just might cause fogginess and that's different from Alzheimer's blah blah (and also a website warning that dental fillings caused both!). So, does anyone know of actual studies showing an association - especially negative - between lupus and actual Alzheimer's (as opposed to more general dementias)?