What symptoms are different for each? How are they different and how are they the same? How common is it to have Lupus (SLE) and a neurological disorder such as MS?
My mother has Lupus, and I am worried about it. Can anyone tell me the odds or likelihood of a child of a Lupus patient having the disease? I’ve been to several sites but didn’t find an answer to this ?
My mom might have Lupus. She has the butterfly rash and she hasnt gotten a test back from the doctor but he really thinks she does. Is Lupus serious? I’ve heard it takes a very long time to take its full course. In many years does Lupus kill you?
For some patients whose kidneys or central nervous systems are affected by lupus, a type of drug called an immunosuppressive may be used. Immunosuppressives, such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) and mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), restrain the overactive immune system by blocking the production of immune cells. These drugs may be given by mouth or by IV infusion. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, bladder problems, decreased fertility, and increased risk of cancer and infection. The risk for side effects increases with the length of treatment. As with other treatments for lupus, there is a risk of relapse after the immunosuppressives have been stopped.
Skin problems are very common in people with lupus. Some skin rashes and sores (also called lesions or ulcers) are very specific to lupus, while others can occur in other diseases as well. Sensitivity or too much exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of sun and to some types of artificial light are responsible for aggravating some rashes and lesions.
Caring for Yourself
* Reduce your exposure to the sun and to some sources of artificial light (especially fluorescent and halogen bulbs). The skin of people with lupus is very
sensitive to the UV light that comes from these sources.
* Limit outdoor activity between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This may mean a big change in your lifestyle if you work or play outdoors a lot.
* Wear sunscreen on exposed areas of skin. It should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. To be sure that your sunscreen protects
against both UVA and UVB rays, look for one labeled broad-spectrum protection, or look for ingredients such as micronized zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
that block both UVA and UVB.
* Wear sunscreen all year round and on cloudy days as well as on sunny days. Also wear it indoors if you spend a lot of time in a room with many
windows (UVA rays can penetrate glass).
* Wear protective clothing, such as hats with wide brims and clothing made of tightly woven material. Thin, loosely woven material allows UV light to
penetrate to the skin. If you are very sensitive to the sun, you may want to try specially designed UV- protective clothing.
* Be aware of fluorescent light and halogen lamps. Found in many places, they include floor lamps, overhead lights, photocopiers, and slide projectors.
Sunscreen and protective clothing can help. If you work in an office that has fluorescent lights, ask whether you can remove the bulbs directly over
your work area, and use a desk lamp if necessary.
* Tell your doctor immediately if any rash or sore appears or gets worse.
* If your doctor prescribes a medication for your skin condition, be sure to take it as directed.
* Try rinsing your mouth with salt water and eating soft foods if you have mouth ulcers. A number of other treatments and preparations are available to
treat mouth ulcers as well as those in the nose and vagina.
* Avoid preparations or medications you know will make your skin condition worse. These might include products such as hair dyes and skin creams. Also,
some drugs can make you more sensitive to the sun. These include tetracycline antibiotics, diuretics and, ironically, some of the drugs (nonsteroidal
antiinflammatory drugs, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine) used in lupus treatment. Be particularly conscious of sun protection if you are taking any of
these drugs.
* It’s okay to wear makeup, but try hypoallergenic brands. A brand that also includes UV protection would be good to use.
* If you have Raynaud’s phenomenon, dress warmly in cold weather. Pay particular attention to keeping your hands and feet warm. Keeping your home
warm will also help prevent an attack. Avoid smoking, caffeine, and stress – all of these can contribute to Raynaud’s phenomenon.
* If you have trouble maintaining a positive attitude about your appearance or your lupus, call your doctor or nurse to discuss your feelings and concerns.
Publication Date: May 2001
Revised September 2006
Lupus: A Patient Care Guide for Nurses and Other Health Professionals
3rd Edition
Simple urine tests for four proteins might be able to detect early kidney disease in people with lupus, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found in an animal study. Although it might take years before such tests could be used clinically, the findings suggest they could pinpoint kidney disease better than tests currently in use, the researchers said…
Because of the nature and cost of the medications used to treat lupus and the potential for serious side effects, many patients seek other ways for finding lupus pain relief and treating the disease. Some alternative approaches people have tried include special diets, nutritional supplements, fish oils, ointments and creams, chiropractic treatment, and homeopathy.
Alternative or complementary approaches may help the patient cope or reduce some of the stress associated with living with a chronic illness. However, it is important not to neglect regular health care or treatment of serious symptoms. An open dialogue between the patient and doctor about the relative values of complementary and alternative therapies allows the patient to make an informed choice about treatment options.
Although pregnancy in women with lupus is considered high risk, most women with lupus carry their babies safely to the end of their pregnancy. Women with lupus in general have a higher rate of miscarriage and premature births compared with the general population. In addition, women who have antiphospholipid antibodies are at a greater risk of miscarriage in the second trimester because of their increased risk of blood clotting in the placenta. Lupus patients with a history of kidney disease have a higher risk of preeclampsia (hypertension with a buildup of excess watery fluid in cells or tissues of the body). Pregnancy counseling and planning before pregnancy are important. Ideally, a woman should have no signs or symptoms of lupus and be taking no medications for at least 6 months before she becomes pregnant.
Some women may experience a mild to moderate flare during or after their pregnancy; others do not. Pregnant women with lupus, especially those taking corticosteroids, also are more likely to develop high blood pressure, diabetes, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), and kidney complications, so regular care and good nutrition during pregnancy are essential. It is also advisable to have access to a neonatal (newborn) intensive care unit at the time of delivery in case the baby requires special medical attention.
For women with lupus who do not wish to become pregnant or who are taking drugs that could be harmful to an unborn baby, reliable birth control is important. Previously, oral contraceptives (birth control pills) were not an option for women with lupus because doctors feared the hormones in the pill would cause a flare of the disease. However, a large NIH-supported study called Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment (SELENA) found that severe flares were no more common among women with lupus taking oral contraceptives than those taking a placebo (inactive pill). As a result of this study, published in 2005, doctors are increasingly prescribing oral contraceptives to women with inactive or stable disease.
The links between autoimmune diseases, infections, genetics and the environment are complex and mysterious…
