It would be entirely wrong to believe that because a person has lupus they can never experience a happy and fulfilling relationship or that the relationship that they were in before they were diagnosed is doomed to failure. Being diagnosed with lupus can put a great deal of pressure on a relationship.
Dating someone with lupus means you're not only in the back seat, but you're effectively in the trunk. The Experience of having a girlfriend with lupus means being a caretaker and a nurse when your girlfriend isn't feeling well enough to make it out of bed.
Lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You cannot "catch" lupus from someone or "give" lupus to someone. Lupus develops in response to a combination of factors both inside and outside the body, including hormones, genetics, and environment.
Make It Easy for Others to Understand
Start by explaining that “lupus is a disease where the immune system makes a mistake,” says Dr. Petri. “Instead of fighting infection the way it should, the immune system starts to attack normal tissues in the body.”
Lupus can cause serious kidney damage, and kidney failure is one of the leading causes of death among people with lupus. Brain and central nervous system. If your brain is affected by lupus, you may experience headaches, dizziness, behavior changes, vision problems, and even strokes or seizures.
In some women, physical effects of the disease may include limited range of motion in the hips or knees and decreased vaginal lubrication. Men are reported to have higher rates of impotence. Chronic pain, stiffness and fatigue, as well as certain medications, also may decrease sexual desire among people with lupus.
Lupus is a long-term, autoimmune disease affecting major organs and body systems. Symptoms can affect day-to-day life and make usual activities more difficult. Lupus is on the list of disabilities under the SSA, so those with the condition may qualify for disability benefits if their experiences meet the requirements.
Approximately 85% of early-diagnosed patients survive 10 years and 75% – 20 years [2]. Many studies show that the quality of life in patients with SLE is lower than in general population, independently of variables: measurement instruments (SF36, SF20, SF20+, and QOLS), ethnic origin or the size of the study group [3].
You'll want to make sure you share details of your lupus symptoms and treatment with your family — keeping them informed can lessen their concerns. It'll also help them understand why you may sometimes say “no” to activities.
With age, symptom activity with lupus often declines, but symptoms you already have may grow more severe. The accumulation of damage over years may result in the need for joint replacements or other treatments.
However, the majority of people with lupus can expect a normal or near-normal life expectancy. Research has shown that many people with a lupus diagnosis have been living with the disease for up to 40 years.
The seriousness of SLE can range from mild to life-threatening. The disease should be treated by a doctor or a team of doctors who specialize in care of SLE patients. People with lupus that get proper medical care, preventive care, and education can significantly improve function and quality of life.
25% of lupus patients experience major depression and 37% have major anxiety, research shows. Pain, fatigue, and other symptoms of lupus can make it hard to work, socialize or do things you enjoy.
Since lupus affects so many parts of the body, in so many different ways, everyone's situation is different. Some people with systemic lupus can work for years with few issues. But others need some type of accommodation, such as flexible work hours or more frequent breaks.
Common triggers include:
Being out in the sun or having close exposure to fluorescent or halogen light. Infection. Injury. Stopping your lupus medicines.
Sunlight, stress, smoking, certain medicines, and viruses may trigger symptoms in people who are most likely to get lupus due to their genes. Hormones such as estrogen. Lupus is more common in women during their childbearing years when estrogen levels are highest. Problems with the immune system.
Not only are the symptoms tough to deal with, but diagnosing the disease takes some detective work. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder, meaning your body's immune system starts attacking your own healthy body systems. The cause can be related to genetics, hormones, medication or exposure to chemicals.
Many people with lupus sometimes have confusion, memory loss, and trouble expressing thoughts. The medical term is cognitive dysfunction. These symptoms can come and go.
The sun is the main source of ultraviolet light and is enemy no. 1 for patients with lupus, because it can trigger the disease or trigger flares at any time in its development.
Eat an autoimmune-friendly diet
Because lupus is an inflammatory disease, focus on eating an anti-inflammatory diet, such as the Mediterranean diet or the DASH Diet. Providing your body with essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients will help it fight back against flare-ups.