Lupus and fibromyalgia are a bitch!
Both Lupus and Fibromyalgia are a bitch! The most frustrating, is they have similar symptoms!
The Definition of Lupus, according to The Lupus Foundation of America, “Lupus is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system attacks itself. Medications are immunosuppressants, that weaken your immune system, to help Lupus stay in remission, The side effects of having a suppressed immune symptom mean that we are more likely to get infections and take longer to recover from colds and flu. Due to Covid-19 those with a suppressed immune system means we need to self-isolate, because we are more susceptible to getting sick, which could be fatal. In 2001, I was 11. I started experiencing chest pains and severe joint pain and swelling. At first, doctors thought I had rheumatic fever, which explained the chest pain, but not the Joint pain and swelling. Doctors spent a while scratching their heads, till I deteriorated in just 8 hours and I wasn’t able to breathe, my oxygen level was so low that I ended up having a helicopter ride to the hospital that had all the resources to save my life.
Who Gets Lupus?
The Lupus Foundation of America states At least 5 million people have been diagnosed with Lupus, and 90% of people diagnosed with the disease are women. 1 in 250 people may develop lupus.
The symptoms of lupus differ from one person to another. Some people have just a few symptoms, while others have many. In addition, there are many different symptoms of lupus because the disease can affect any part of the body. Some of the more common symptoms include:
Achy and swollen joints
Unexplained fever
Swollen joints (arthritis)
Severe fatigue ( no rest helps and is constant)
Skin rash- butterfly rash
Ankle swelling and fluid accumulation
Pain in the chest when breathing deeply (pleurisy
A butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose
Hair loss
Sensitivity to the sun and/or other light
Seizures
Mouth or nose sores
Pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
Types of Lupus (lupus.org )
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the form of lupus most often referred to as lupus. The word systemic means the disease can affect many parts or systems of the body. A person with SLE may have mild or serious symptoms and usually affects a person between the ages of 15–45.
Discoid lupus erythematosus only affects the skin. A red, raised rash may appear on the face, scalp or elsewhere. The raised areas may become thick and scaly. The rash may last for days or years and may recur. A small percentage of people with discoid lupus later develop SLE.
Drug-induced lupus refers to a form of lupus caused by the use of certain medications. The symptoms go away when the drug is stopped.
Breakthrough research offers new hope to lupus patients. The definition of Fibromyalgia according to reumatology.org “Fibromyalgia is a common neurologic health problem that causes widespread pain and tenderness (sensitivity to touch). The pain and tenderness tend to come and go and move about the body. Most often, people with this chronic (long-term) illness are fatigued (very tired) and have sleep problems.” “You are at higher risk for fibromyalgia if you have a rheumatic disease (health problem that affects the joints, muscles and bones). These include osteoarthritis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.” In 2015, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it started when I went to bed and I couldn’t move my legs, and since being officially diagnosed by my rheumatologist with Fibromyalgia, I am very sensitive to touch and smell. I have headaches that can come on anytime, anywhere. Reflux and digestive problems along with fatigue, that I have quadrupal whammy of, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, a neurological disorder, and hepatitis Fibromyalgia Fatigue and headaches Tiredness and feeling drained is another big complaint is a symptom. People often feel tired even when they should feel rested, such as after a good night’s sleep. Some say it’s like having the flu. Some compare it to working long hours and missing a lot of sleep You may feel too tired to exercise or more tired after a workout. Simple things such as grocery shopping or cooking dinner could wipe you out. Starting a project such as folding clothes or ironing could seem like too much effort. Some might even be too tired for sex. Up to 2 out of 5 people with fibro also get migraine or tension headaches regularly, I notice I have just started getting these type of. This may be a result of pain in your neck and upper back. They’re often caused by tight neck muscles. They may also be caused by tender points over the back of your head and neck. Headaches can make it much harder for you to live with fibro and manage the disease. Sleep problems The majority of people with fibromyalgia have trouble sleeping. You may be able to fall asleep, but your sleep is light and easily disturbed. When you get up in the morning, you’re exhausted and not refreshed. It doesn’t help the fatigue. Fibromyalgia can cause sleep issues, like insomnia, sleep paralysis. Anxiety or depression Up to half of all people with fibromyalgia have depression or an anxiety disorder when they’re diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The fatigue and pain can exhausting within itself, that can lead to depression and anxiety. Thoughts like: I need to get ‘something’ done. Numbness, and tingling in hands, arms, feet, and legs and morning stiffness You may feel numbness and tingling, as well as nerve discomfort. These sensations, called paresthesia, tend to happen randomly. They may last a few minutes, or they may be constant. For me it’s the most annoying symptom! Usually my Paresthesia last about 12 hourse. It usually happens in the evening, and I struggle with getting to sleep. There is no way to help with the discomfort I feel. Irritable bowel syndrome Fibromyalgia often have stomach pain, gas, bloating and feel nauseous, and as.well as constipation and diarrhea GERD Those with fibromyalgia may have acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). I have this problem constantly, and I’ve never thought it could be fibromyalgia Problems with urinating Feeling the urge to go a lot, hurting when you do, or a leaky bladder can happen when you have fibromyalgia.These symptoms could also be caused by bladder and kidney diseases, such as an infection.