The first time I was diagnosed with Systemic lupus eryhematosus (SLE),I was a first-year law student and I had absolutely no idea what it meant.  I did not know the symptoms or  implications of the disease, nor did I understand what it would mean for my life.   I was watching t.v. with my roommate one day and she mentioned that I did not look good.  I believe that her exact words were “Roommate, you look a little yellow (i.e. jaundice)”.  I was exhausted and my skin was horrible, which I chalked up to the stresses of Law School.  The next week I ran to my doctor to see why I was so exhausted.  Before my doctor entered the room, the nurse (who I would later discover was a lupie as well) gave me “THE LOOK”.  After graduation, another doctor believed that I had been mis-diagnosed.  The following year, after switching doctors, I was diagnosed again with lupus.  I decided at that time to really immerse myself in all things lupus.  After all, Knowledge is power! Here are five things you should know about lupus as well.

1. Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body. Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, the immune system of the body attacks its own cells and tissues. Specifically, the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system, and other organs of the body are affected.

2. There are five types of lupus.

• Systemic lupus erythematosus – affects joints and organs
• Discoid lupus – affects the skin
• Sub-acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus – characterized by a specific, non-scarring skin lesion
• Drug-induced lupus – develops after a drug reaction
• Neonatal lupus – affects newborns

3. Ninety percent of lupus patients are women.  Lupus affects roughly 10 times as many women as men. Most often, lupus develops in people 18 to 45 years old. Though lupus is most prevalent among women, it also may affect men and children, as well as people of all ages. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, lupus is two to three times more prevalent among people of color, including African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans.

4. Common Symptoms.  If you experience 4 or 5 of these, you should consult a doctor.

• Butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and nose
• Scaly disk-shaped rash on face, neck, ears, scalp, chest
• Sunlight sensitivity
• Mouth sores, tongue sores, inside nose sores
• Arthritis pain in joints
• Pain in chest and side when breathing or moving
• Kidney problems
• Neurologic problems
• Blood problems such as anemia, low white cell count
• Immune system malfunction
• Antinuclear antibodies

If you believe that you or someone close to you may have lupus, please click The Lupus Foundation of America for more information.

5. I will finish by clearing up some common misconceptions about Lupus! If I hear any of these things again in my life, it will be too soon.

• Lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You cannot “catch” lupus from someone or “give” lupus to someone.
• Lupus is not like or related to cancer. Cancer is a condition of malignant, abnormal tissues that grow rapidly and spread into surrounding tissues. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, as described above.
• Lupus is not like or related to HIV (Human Immune Deficiency Virus) or AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). In HIV or AIDS the immune system is underactive; in lupus, the immune system is overactive.
• Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life.  Just because some looks fine, doesn’t mean that they feel fine.

I hope that someone finds this helpful.  I hope to share more of my health journey with you through my blog but if you have any questions, please feel free to comment below.