Fatigue is a very common complaint among those living with lupus.
Up to 80% of people with lupus say that fatigue is a primary symptom. About 40% of people with lupus have fatigue that's severe and doesn't go away.
The most common response given is that people feel fatigue as a heaviness. It feels like there is a weight constantly pushing down on part of them or on their entire body. With that degree of heaviness, it is much harder to find the energy to move and get things done.
Broad estimates suggest that 81% of lupus patients experience fatigue that negatively affects their life and 61% of them report not feeling recharged after their sleep. Unfortunately, having enough sleep is crucial to preventing lupus flare in patients. For most people, enough sleep means at least 7 hours.
Experts aren't certain what causes the fatigue of lupus. In some patients it may be caused by fibromyalgia, a syndrome of widespread muscle pain and fatigue. About one-third of people with lupus have fibromyalgia. In other cases, the fatigue can be caused by another condition, such as anemia or depression.
Jessica Berman indicates that research estimates 40% of lupus patients have persistent severe fatigue, meaning that the fatigue stays for a long period of time. However, in her practice she believes that almost 100% of people living with lupus experience fatigue at some point in the disease.
Use meditation, yoga, or guided imagery to relax. Get plenty of rest. Some people with lupus need up to 12 hours of sleep every night. Pace yourself.
Stress, joint pain, and fatigue are common lupus symptoms. While rest is essential, moving your body regularly releases “feel good” hormones called endorphins. This can boost your mood and keep your stressors in check. Physical exercise can also lessen joint pain and prevent stiffness in the body.
Belimumab is a prescription medication that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat SLE, and has been shown to reduce fatigue (ie, to increase vitality).
Remember that rest is also needed to restore energy. Lupus patients will want to work towards a healthy tiredness where subsequent rest or sleep recharges the batteries, and more recovery obtained in this way should help to minimise lupus tiredness.
Lupus symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, and pain can get in the way of your workload. To minimize them, first work with your doctor to come up with an effective treatment plan.
Many lupus patients aren't able to do intensive physical work, like waitressing or working in a grocery store. Jobs that involve standing for long periods, like working a cash register, greeting customers, or being a hostess at a restaurant, can be physically tiring as well as rough on the joints.
Class 4, or diffuse lupus nephritis
Class 4 involves damage to more than half of the glomerulus. A person will have high blood pressure. They may require dialysis as kidney function begins to worsen.
Kidneys About one half of people with lupus experience kidney involvement, and the kidney has become the most extensively studied organ affected by lupus. Lungs About 50% of people with SLE will experience lung involvement during the course of their disease.
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.
People with lupus may experience unpredictable changes in moods and personality traits. This can include feelings of anger and irritability. These may be related to the disease process or, in some cases, the use of corticosteroid medications.
Lupus nephritis tends to develop within 5 years of the appearance of initial lupus symptoms. The condition affects about 40% of people who have SLE and can lead to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in 22% of patients over a period of 15 years.
Sleep. Commit to at least seven hours of sleep a night and take a short nap in the middle of the day, when possible, to reduce flare-ups and pain sensitivity. Be careful not to spend too long in bed, though, as it can disrupt the circadian rhythm and make falling asleep in the evening difficult. Essential Oils.
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.
This is also called “brain fog” or “lupus fog,” and it often comes and goes over time. In some people, lupus fog can be present for many years. Lupus fog is common: 70-80 percent of people with lupus experience lupus fog at some point during their lives.