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Systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE or lupus) is a disease in which your body’s immune system starts attacking your body instead of defending it. Lupus can affect many different parts of your body.
There are several effective drug treatments for people with lupus.
Discuss lupus with other people who have the condition
What happens?
It is not known why people get lupus although it is most often seen in young women and those from Asian and African-Caribbean descent.
Lupus usually starts with aches and pains in the joints – sometimes there will be an obvious attack whereas in others symptoms can be very mild. Inflammation is also involved.
How will it affect me?
Lupus can affect people quite differently, which makes it difficult to diagnose. You may also have periods of active disease (flares) and times when the lupus disappears, either for a while or completely.
Some common symptoms:
- fever and tiredness, rather like having flu
- joint and muscle pain, although joint damage is rare
- tendons may be inflamed and stiff, making it difficult to straighten your fingers
- skin rashes can also occur and may worsen after exposure to the sun or ultraviolet light
Lupus can also cause inflammation of the linings of the heart and lungs, which can cause chest pain or breathing difficulty.
How is it treated?
Lupus can be treated and controlled with:
- steroids to quickly reduce inflammation
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the inflammation
- disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) if your lupus lasts more than a few months
Resources
The Arthritis Care Helpline can offer further information or you can contact Lupus UK
