Could someone explain there lupus symptoms?
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Hi Im Chris, I have had Lupus since i was a teenager, Im now almost 40. I was not diagnosed until my 20's. because when my symptoms started not much was known about Lupus and my onset was strange.
Usually the first onset of symptoms goes somthing like this
Fatigue
low grade fever
Muscle and or joint pain
rashes to face and or body
Inability to concentrate
irritability
headaches
anxiety
deppression
knowing somthing is wrong, but not being able to pinpoint exactly what
swelling of joints or even of legs or arms
swollen glands or lymph nodes
Noticable change to reaction to sun called photo-sensitivity
can produce what is called malar rash (from bridge of nose that spreds across cheeks, usually painless, wear sunscreen 30+)
too much sleep or insomnia
irritated easily
can be hard to open and close hands
sometimes vision disturbances
some may get mild (focal seizures) a feeling your out of it, they are not the grand mal, thrashing on the ground type. you just seem to get disorientated, confused, and a bit scared because you dont know what is happening
sores in mouth or nose
There are so many more, that I cant just list them all. But i can explain a bit. Lupus is an autoimmune disease where our bodies begin to attack ourselves, the cells become hyperactive thinking there is a foriegn invader when there is not one. It can attack ANY organ. It is not curable but managable with proper care, it can range from mild to severe. Many people live normal life spans.
I am including the 11 diagnostic critera. 4 of which have to be met to get a diagnosis of Lupus (SLE) Systemic version, there are several kinds
Diagnostic criteria for lupus
The following criteria are used to distinguish lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) from other autoimmune and rheumatic diseases.
A person with 4 of these 11 conditions can be diagnosed with lupus; 3 symptoms suggest that lupus is probably present, and 2 raise the possibility of lupus. Symptoms may be present all at once or appear in succession over a period of time. 1
Butterfly (malar) rash on cheeks
Rash on face, arms, neck, torso (discoid rash)
Skin rashes that result from exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light (photosensitivity)
Mouth or nasal ulcers, usually painless
Joint swelling, stiffness, pain involving two or more joints (arthritis)
Inflammation of the membranes surrounding the lungs (pleuritis) or heart (pericarditis). This inflammation is called serositis.
Abnormalities in urine, such as increased protein or clumps of red blood cells or kidney cells, called cell casts, in the urine
Nervous system problems, such as seizures or psychosis, without known cause
Problems with the blood, such as reduced numbers of red blood cells (anemia), platelets, or white blood cells
Positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test
Signs of increased autoimmunity (antibodies against normal tissue), as shown by laboratory tests
References: if you have these symptoms see your primary care dr, so you can be reffered to a specialist called a rhuemotologist, that is the specialist eho cares for lupus paitents and is most able to diagnose and treat Lupus.
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of lupus include:
Profound fatigue.
Low-grade fever.
Severe muscle aches and joint pain.
Skin rash on the face or body.
Extreme sun sensitivity.
Weight loss, mental confusion and chest pain on taking a deep breath.
Nose, mouth or throat sores.
Enlarged lymph nodes.
Poor circulation in fingers and toes.
Bald patches.
Discolored urine.
Frequent urination.
Blocked urination.
Lupus can be deadly. If you think you may have lupus, you must see a doctor. Treatment is much more successful if begun early and followed faithfully.
Call Your Doctor If:
You have several of the symptoms listed in the above description, and suspect you have lupus.
You have a family history of lupus and you have experienced some of the symptoms listed in the above description. Be even more alert for these symptoms if a close family member - such as your mother, father, or sibling -- has lupus.
on occasion very tired.musle aches joint pain.rash from time to time.not very pleasent.
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