My mother has Lupus (was diagnosed at around 24) & I am now that age and show many similar signs and symptoms for the past few years just generally poor health.. My doctor has told me basically that I will eventually be diagnosed with lupus and the reason for me getting ill so often is because of it trying to take over my immune system and the only thing I can do is try and keep as healthy as possible with exercise & diet..
Has anyone had similar experiences or what were your first signs/symptoms of lupus?
Written by
ClodaghK
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I’m sorry to hear someone’s told you this. I think it’s really important to know that just because someone has lupus in their family doesn’t mean you have to get it.
If someone in your family has lupus that gives you a genetic predisposition (ie a higher risk of getting lupus) but it doesn’t mean you will get it.
It usually takes an environmental trigger together with your genes for the condition to be expressed. Environmental triggers can include bugs (eg bacteria or viruses), “toxins” (eg estrogens, plastics, smoking), foods that you might be intolerant to, stress (including lack of sleep) and trauma.
That doesn’t mean that anyone of those will “give” you lupus, but they can contribute to getting it. With lupus in your family I’d probably be cautious of alfalfa sprouts and perhaps you want to look at how best to eat etc to avoid lupus. (Eg Autoimmune paleo diet might be helpful - but can be hard to stick to).
Your genes don’t have to be your destiny and worrying about getting it could make you more susceptible. I would agree with you doctor that having a healthy diet and lifestyle can reduce your chances of getting it, for instance I think it would be worth while to cut out refined foods and / or eliminate gluten for 6 weeks and feel better in any way, you probably shouldn’t eat it as it may mean you have an intolerance.
My first symptoms were extreme tiredness, weakness and joint pain. I’m trying to work out what triggered mine, and I’m working on my diet and lifestyle as well but I believe it’s easier to prevent it than undo it so it’s definitely worth sticking at it if you can.
Thank you so much for your positive reply, definitely need that at times!
Yes, I’ve always had a weakened immune system but my other two siblings are so healthy (never I’ll!)
I was diagnosed with IBS in 2019, also suffer from Iron deficiency and Pernicious anaemia and have had constant flare ups of mouth ulcers the past few months and wake up every morning with aches and pains all over (even wakes me at night). My doctor wants to see me tomorrow and having some blood tests done so hopefully will get some more answers!
I don’t think it’s a given that you will have lupus because your mum has it. Me and my sister have lupus and my parents were very healthy. My daughter who is 32 suffered from terrible fatigue in her early twenties and she always seemed to come down with what she thought at the time was a virus. It turned out she is coeliac. She was tested for lupus at the time but came back negative and since cutting out gluten she has been fine. My first symptoms of lupus I can trace back to when I was 15, but the bad flare ups after pregnancy and I was diagnosed when I was 24.
Yeah I have been tested for Coeliac but that was negative & eventually diagnosed with IBS after getting serious food poisoning abroad. My lifestyle has definitely changed since then, more careful with eating food with high nutritional benefits and of course indulging at times!
Sounds very similar to my mother, she was having very bad flare ups just after she gave birth to my brother!
I currently receive iron & b12 injections so hopefully after my blood tests, I may be due another booster of both of those and it might work wonders for me!
I can go awhile feeling really good, lots of energy almost like a new lease of life and one morning I could way up and feel absolutely terrible with aches and pains, headaches etc, completely run down and that can go on for months.
Hopefully nothing to worry about and love hearing other people’s stories, very reassuring!
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I'd like to congratulate my wife, Frances on completing her first ever half marathon for LUPUS UK!
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