What are the symptoms and avalible treatments for Lupus?

Question

Any information, links to information, experience or suggests are welcome. They are for a close friend of mine who was recently diagnose with Lupus and is understandably a little frightened.

Answer 1

I was diagnosed in 04 and it is quite understandable that she is frightened. Although there is no cure , doctors can prescribe many different types of meds to "control" the severity of pain and over function of our immune systems. Trying to maintain less stress will help with flare ups. She can have children , she can lead a pretty normal life we just have a chameleon disease. Sometimes its really hard , pain-full , and depressing but I try to look to a better tomorrow. As long as her family and friends support here and make her understand this better . The more comfortable she will become in her skin. I hope she seeks treatment and embraces life! I have included a wonderful web site.

www.lupus.org

Answer 2

Although lupus can affect any part of the body, most people experience symptoms in only a few organs. The most common symptoms of people with lupus are listed below. Occurrences of particular symptoms happening are listed as percentages.

-Achy joints / arthralgia (95 percent)
-Fever of more than 100 degrees F / 38 degrees C (90 percent)
-Arthritis / swollen joints (90 percent)
-Prolonged or extreme fatigue (81 percent)
-Skin Rashes (74 percent)
-Anemia (71 percent)
-Kidney Involvement (50 percent)
-Pain in the chest on deep breathing / pleurisy (45 percent)
-Butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose (42 percent)
-Sun or light sensitivity / photosensitivity (30 percent)
-Hair loss (27 percent)
-Abnormal blood clotting problems (20 percent)
-Raynaud's phenomenon / fingers turning white and/or blue in the cold (17 percent)
-Seizures (15 percent)
-Mouth or nose ulcers (12 percent)

Medications are often prescribed for people with lupus, depending on which organ(s) are involved, and the severity of involvement. Commonly prescribed medications include:

-Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): These medications are prescribed for a variety of rheumatic diseases, including lupus. These drugs are usually recommended for muscle and joint pain, and arthritis.

-Acetaminophen: Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) is a mild analgesic that can often be used for pain.

-Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids (steroids) are hormones that have anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties. Example: Prednisone

-Antimalarials:They are most often prescribed for skin and joint symptoms of lupus.

-Immunomodulating Drugs: These drugs act in a similar manner to the corticosteroid drugs in that they suppress inflammation and tend to suppress the immune system.

-Anticoagulants: These drugs are employed to thin the blood, or in actuality to prevent blood from clotting rapidly.

Answer 3

Symptoms: In Brief

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Lupus includes the 85 symptoms listed below:
Some of the most common symptoms are:
Vague symptoms
Extreme fatigue
Malaise
Unexplained fever
Chills
Arthritis
Joint pains
Butterly skin rash - about 50% of SLE cases
Kidney problems
Hair loss
Chest pain on deep breaths
Raynaud's phenomenon - about 20% of SLE cases
Swelling
Swollen glands
Skin symptoms
Butterfly rash - butterly-shaped skin rash on cheeks and nose
Rash on cheeks and nose
Sun sensitivity - the rash is affected by the sun
Mouth sores
Nasal sores
Finger rash
Rash on palms
Arthritis (joint problems)
Joint pain
Swollen joints
Arthritis of one joint
Arthritis of multiple joints
Kidney problems
Kidney inflammation (nephritis)
Proteinuria
Ankle swelling
Neurological disorders
Headaches
Dizziness
Memory problems
Trouble thinking
Vision problems
Peripheral neuropathies
Sensory neuropathy
Seizures
Transverse myelitis
Paralysis
Stroke
Behavioral symptoms
Personality changes
Depression
Psychological problems
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Mania
Schizophrenia
Raynaud's phenomenon - see symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon:
Finger numbness
Cold sensitivity in fingers
Fever
Weight loss
Hair loss
Fatigue
Aching
Weakness
Anemia
Abdominal discomfort
Chest pain from deep breaths
Pleurisy
Abdominal pain
Episodic flares and remissions
Poor finger circulation
Poor toe circulation
Leg swelling
Swelling around eyes
Repeated miscarriages
Pleuritis
Pleurisy
Vasculitis
Leukopenia
Thrombocytopenia
Cardiovascular disease
Myocarditis
Endocarditis
Pericarditis
Enlarged spleen
Enlarged lymph nodes
Patchy hair loss
Brain symptoms

Read it in Detail:

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/l/lupus/symptoms.htm

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Treatment of Lupus

Treatment of Lupus
Because the symptoms of lupus vary not only in type but also severity, the treatment may also need to vary. It may take time to find the right combination of treatments for each individual. Treatments may include:


rest

exercise

physical therapy for muscle weakness

avoiding sun exposure

using medications such as:

anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin for symptomatic relief

corticosteroid drugs such as prednisolone for inflammation

antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine phosphate or hydroxychloroquine for rashes, arthritis and malaise

immunosuppressive and cytotoxic drugs such as Immuran (azathioprine) and Cytoxan (cycyclophosphamide) are prescribed with vital organs are involved and/or corticosteroids aren't effective

http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/118/main.html

You can also read in a presentation format:

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/lupus_systemic_lupus_erythematosus/article_em.htm