Lupus is a strange and often baffling disease that affects approximately 2 million people in the U.S, of those, nearly 90% are women. Because no two people with lupus will present with the same set of symptoms, or will have the disease run the same course, it can be extremely difficult to diagnose. If you are a fan of House M.D., like I am, then you know that lupus as a diagnosis is batted around like a badminton shuttlecock on the show, simply because it does have such an odd, and confusing, cluster of symptoms. By the way, on House, it never is lupus.
Lupus is a rhematoid autoimmune disease. An auto immune disease is one in which the body, for some reason, attacks itself, causing inflammation. Rhematoid arthritis an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints. Lupus is more common in African Americans, and Hispanics, and it can take years to properly diagnose because of the broad constellation of symptoms that can present, coupled with the fact that lupus can show itself in several forms.
One form of lupus attacks the skin, another causes problems with the joints, and yet another form of lupus attacks the internal organs. Lupus can also be caused by drug reactions, which was the case with me. Once I stopped taking the offending drug, the symptoms went away. Most people with lupus are not that lucky, though I did not feel lucky in the midst of it, as it took months and months of tests, and misery, before Paxil was found to be the culprit.
My symptoms were hair loss, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, joint pain, weird skin lesions on my legs, and memory changes, along with dizziness. At times, it was almost impossible for me to even walk. I was tested for HIV, multiple scelrosis, and lupus, among other things. No doctor knew what was wrong with me, and none felt it could be the Paxil, though I asked over and over again. They were wrong. I stopped taking the medication–case closed for me. Lupus has what are called ‘flares” when the symptoms are at their worst. It may take many flares, combined with testing, and other evidence, before lupus can be properly diagnosed.
The following are the most common symptoms of lupus. Keep in mind that a person may have one or two symptoms, or all. If lupus is attacking the internal organs, then a whole different set of symptoms may be seen. The problem with lupus is that there really is no true common denominator.
Fatigue–Almost all people with lupus will have issues with fatigue that can be quite severe, making it difficult to make it through a day.
Joint pain, or joint swelling–The most common joints affected are the knees, elbows, ankles, and the small joints in the hands. Joint pain may simply be some morning stiffness, or warm, red, swolling, and very sore and painful joints.
Skin Rashes–Since one form of lupus attacks the skin, and whole host of odd skin rashes can be a symptom of lupus. The one type that screams “lupus” most loudly, is a butterfly shaped rash over the bridge of the nose, and onto the cheeks. This is called a Malar rash. Other rashes may be flaky areas, or may develop actual sores. There may be a red, or purple, raise rash that is generally seen on the upper body.
Mouth Ulcers–Ulcers similar to canker sores are common in lupus. If you’ve ever had canker sores, then you know how painful mouth ulcers can be.
Anemia–A low red blood cell count is often seen in those with lupus.
Photosensitivity, or sensitivity or light–this can manifest as rashes occurring after sun exposure, or rashes that get markedly worse after any exposure to UV rays, be it the sun, or a tanning booth.
These are the beginning symptoms of lupus, all of them vague and can indicate many things. Lupus can also cause kidney problems, heart problems, and problems with the nervous system. If you have a combination of any of these symptoms, and just plain feel badly, your doctor will begin testing for lupus with an ANA test, or anti-nuclear antibody test. This test is not 100% accurate, so a positive test may mean that you have lupus, but it not a certain indicator. Conversely, and negative ANA test may be inaccurate, as well. This is why you and your doctor will have to work closely together as a committed team to determine if your symptoms are lupus, or not.
Jeri Jewett-Tennant, MPH
Lupus Signs and Symptoms
http://lupus.about.com
Lupus Symptoms
http://lupus.webmd.com
