What to expect with Lupus?

Question

I have a friend’s whose adult daughter has been diagnosed with Lupus. She would like to know what to expect. We know that it is something that isn’t very predictable or typical but I am looking for what is “most” typical from most patients and what usually happens over the next 20 years or so. Right now only her joints are affected and she is able to work just fine. She isn’t in much pain but more of what she would describe as “disfomfort occasionally.” They just put her on medication (immunosuppressive) that didn’t work and have added a more powerful med (Imuran) that may make her sick. She was diagnosed with: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Answer 1

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) is a chronic, potentially debilitating or fatal autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage. SLE can affect any part of the body, but often harms the heart, joints (rheumatological), skin, lungs, blood vessels and brain/nervous system. Lupus is treatable, mainly with immunosuppression, though there is currently no cure for it.

The standard treatment has been a limited group of drugs (primarily corticosteroids, anti-malarials, and chemotherapy drugs). Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine sulfate) is currently the only FDA approved anti-malarial for treating SLE. In 2005, CellCept became accepted for treatment of lupus kidney disease.

Treatment:
SLE is a chronic disease with no cure. There are, however, some medications, such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants which can control the disease and prevent flares. Flares are typically treated with steroids, with DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) to suppress the disease process, reduce steroid needs and prevent flares. DMARDs commonly in use are the antimalarials (e.g. hydroxychloroquine or methotrexate) and azathioprine. Hydroxychloroquine is used for constitutional, cutaneous, and articular manifestations. Cyclophosphamide is used for severe glomerulonephritis or other organ-damaging complications. Renal disease produces the most significant morbidity.

Patients who require steroids frequently may develop obesity, diabetes and osteoporosis. Hence, steroids are avoided where possible.

Measures such as avoiding sunlight (to prevent problems due to photosensitivity) may also have some effect.

Answer 2

well... lupus is a disease that attacks either your immune system or your skin causing scars. I know someone with lupus and her symptoms can flare up at any moment, especially if you are not taking good care of yourself. Stress can easily flare up lupus causing fatigue, swollen ankles etc. Also, its not good to be in the hot sun because its not good for your skin.... these are just some of the symptoms that I have observed from my friend... hope it helps somewhat

Answer 3

My cousins grandma died of this. It is not a good thing and one of the last diseases I would choose if I had to pick one. Your body detects a part of your DNA (which is in every cell of your body) as foreing material, like it does when you get a virus. So it kills anything it recognizes as foreing and in SLE that is everything. She was in terrible pain the last year of her life. For the first part of the last year she would have about 3 good days out of 4 bad days. On the bad days she was in soo much pain and she would be really mean to everyone without really meaning to be. Then towards the very end she barely ever felt good. I've heard that most people with SLE die from kidney failure but her's was a rare type.

Answer 4

SLE has a broad spectrum of organ affection, virtually any organ could be involved. 50 years ago, 80% of people with lupus died within the first year of diagnosis, however things have changed dramatically with SLE, now there is a fatallity rate of 5% during the first 5 years and this are usually very serious cases. Now, from what i´ve read it seems that your friends daughter has what we call, easy going lupus or ostheoarticular SLE (no mention of internal organ involvement), this does not mean it could not happend (lupus nephritis, pneumonitis, etc). She would probably enter remission but flares should be expected.

Answer 5

It's impossible to tell you what to expect with SLE. It is not unusual for people who have this disease to never progress in their symptoms!

The most important thing I could recommend is that you have a good Doctor. Make sure she is going to a specialist, a Rheumatologist.

Also, it is not uncommon for women who have one auto-immune disease, to develope more auto immune diseases as well. So you want to become aware of all the symptoms of other autoimmune diseases as well so that you can have them treated as soon as they arise.

Other diseases include; diabetes, psroiasis, sarcoidosis, thyroid problems etc... you have to check the internet to learn about them all - there are alot of them!!!

ALso, dont be afraid to ask for drugs to help manage the symptoms of the immunosupressive drugs.... There are lots of anti-nausea drugs available. And if she perfers, marajuana ALWAYS works on the nausea. As for that... she doesn't need to smoke a whole joint - she doesn't need to get stoned. Just a few puffs does the trick. There is also Marinol. Also picks up where the other drugs leave off.

Finally, dont believe what you read in chatrooms. It's usually the really really sick end of the spectrum that utilizes them, and they can drive you nuts. They all have extreme symptoms which may not relate to your friend. No use in getting upset on something that may not ever happen.

Hope that helps.

Answer 6

Forget anything you have ever been told about Diabetes.

And get this - it has nothing to do with insulin, exercise, diet or anything else you've heard in the past. It's all based on latest breakthrough research that Big Pharma is going Stir Crazy to hide from you.

Visit here : https://tr.im/qmAPs to find out what all the fuss is about.

Answer 7

My mother-in-law and sister-in-law both have lupus and have been functioning well for years. They both have Masters degrees and are active, vibrant women. Mom takes methotrexate shots for the joint pain, which is associative rheumatoid arthritis. Sis has other immuno issues like low thyroid. Otherwise they are managing very well. Hope your friend keeps her spirits up and gets plenty of rest when she needs it. Those things will help more than anything. God Bless!

Answer 8

check the internet there is a site-
check under Lupus or medical and they have a list of symptoms and names of services.
just found it.

www.lupus.org
Lupus Foundation of America

Answer 9

inflammation of the lining of the lungs. painfuls coughs, sore ribs. can't remember anything else.