Can you die from Lupus?

Question

My friend might have Lupus. She finds out on Monday. I've googled it but can't find an answer.

Answer 1

Yes, you can die from Lupus. The odds are better now that one won't then they were years ago but it is still not an option that is off the table.

At present, there is no cure for lupus. However, lupus can be effectively treated with drugs, and most people with the disease can lead active, healthy lives. Lupus is characterized by periods of illness, called flares, and periods of wellness, or remission. Understanding how to prevent flares and how to treat them when they do occur helps people with lupus maintain better health. Intense research is underway, and scientists funded by the NIH are continuing to make great strides in understanding the disease, which may ultimately lead to a cure.

Despite the symptoms of lupus and the potential side-effects of treatment, people with lupus can maintain a high quality of life overall. One key to managing lupus is to understand the disease and its impact. Learning to recognize the warning signs of a flare can help the patient take steps to ward it off or reduce its intensity. Many people with lupus experience increased fatigue, pain, a rash, fever, abdominal discomfort, headache, or dizziness just before a flare. Developing strategies to prevent flares can also be helpful, such as learning to recognize your warning signals and maintaining good communication with your doctor.

It is also important for people with lupus to receive regular health care, instead of seeking help only when symptoms worsen. Results from a medical exam and laboratory work on a regular basis allows the doctor to note any changes and to identify and treat flares early. The treatment plan, which is tailored to the individual's specific needs and circumstances, can be adjusted accordingly. If new symptoms are identified early, treatments may be more effective. Other concerns also can be addressed at regular checkups. The doctor can provide guidance about such issues as the use of sunscreens, stress reduction, and the importance of structured exercise and rest, as well as birth control and family planning. Because people with lupus can be more susceptible to infections, the doctor may recommend yearly influenza vaccinations or pneumococcal vaccinations for some patients.

Answer 2

Yes, you can. There is currently less research into the causes of lupus than the other "celebrity (Parkinson's - Michael J. Fox), (MD - Montel Williams) diseases."

However, there are many kinds of lupus and subtypes of lupus. At first, I had Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, then after 3 years, developed a mild form of lupus, which could at any time turn into the severe type.

Lupus is also eposodic. This means you can go for a while with no pain or skin, muscle or bones problems and then WHAM, you've go more than you can handle.

Lupus can be diagnosed by a blood test but it takes a while to be detectible. I had heart failure and the heart doctor couldn't find out why it happened, so he kept at it, looking for a cause and then the MCTD showed up. I take over 21 individual medications a day and some of them two or three times a day. The medication alllow me to function somewhat normally. So, my best advice for your friend, if she has Lupus, is enjoy every day you have. You may have 100 years, you may have only five. But every one is a gift.

Answer 3

I fully disagree with Mitch P. Lupus shouldn't be necessarily a loss of life sentence. That's an ignorant announcement. Lupus isn't an understood disease, and a part of that confusion comes from the truth that nobody has the identical signs. Many, if now not most humans who have lupus haven't any symptoms of the disorder. Cutting-edge treatment has come a long way in it use and develpment of vehicle immune diseases. There are lots of many medications out there to help discontinue the progression of the disease. In my opinion, i'm on Cellcept, a drug that is used to sluggish down the immune process. The drug has accomplished wonders for me. All of my signs are gone now. Sure, they can come back, however for now, i am fully well. The range of lupus is in all places the map. The fundamental thing to don't forget isn't all people is alike. What works for most may not work for one other. Lupus has to impact multi-systems for it to me fatal, and that is very rare. DONT take heed to the extremist who let you know or else. I have had Lupus for over 45 years and that i look and believe first-class. So there!

Answer 4

My Mum was diagnosed with Lupus. It's a horrible thing to go through I feel for you and your friend. This changes a lot of things for everyone.

Bottom line? Yes you can die from Lupus.

Answer 5

You bet you can. If the diagnosis is "system lupus erytematosus" then the 10 year survival rate is 90%. This means that 10% of persons diagnosed today will die within 10 years. Nephritis, infection, cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and malignancy are the most significan killers of persons with lupus. Active lupus itself is the cause of death in some- in others it is a complication of their disease or a complication of their treatment which kills.

Answer 6

Yes, you can die from Lupus. I lost a friend from lupus and I have been treating a pt who got a new kidney transplant after lupus.

Answer 7

Lupus is not a universally fatal disease. In fact, today with close follow-up and treatment, 80-90% of the people with lupus can expect to live a normal life span.

Answer 8

yes you can but now a days it is less likely as long as you keep up with doctors visits and treatments. I have lupus and its a hard thing to cope with but it is possible to live a normal life span. The hardest thing that I had to get over is the 50% chance that I will never be able to concieve a child or carry it to full term.

Answer 9

yes you can.... but there are good treatments out there these days.......

lupus is when the body attacks itself... it is an autoimmune disorder and it can effect the internal organs....

with proper medical care your friend could live for a very long time..

i have a cousin with lupus and she has been doing just fine...

Answer 10

Sadly yes you can. My cousin died from complications of Lupus 7 years ago. Her kidneys failed. Probably you friend should ask all this questions to her Doctor. I hope everything goes well for her