Lupus is a rare and often overlooked disease that affects approximately 2 million people in the US, nearly 90% of whom are women. Because no two people with lupus present with the same symptoms, or run from the same disease, it can be very difficult to diagnose. If you’re a fan of House M.D., like I am, then you know that the wolf diagnosis rams around like a badminton shuttlecock on the show, simply because it has such an odd, and confusing, cluster of symptoms. There is never a wolf in the house.
Lupus is an autoimmune rheumatoid disease. An auto immune is a disease in which the body becomes inflamed for some reason to cause inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints. Lupus is more common in African Americans, and Hispanics, and can take years to properly diagnose because of the constellation of symptoms the wide range that can be present, combined with the fact that the wolf can show itself in several forms.
Some lupus affects the skin, some problems with the joints, and other lupus affects the viscera. Lupus can also be caused by drug reactions, which was the case with me. When I stopped taking the offending drug, the symptoms went away. Most people are not happy with the wolf, although I did not feel happy in the midst of it, as it took months and months of trials, and misery, before Paxil was found, he is guilty.
My symptoms were loss, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, joint pain, weird skin lesions on my legs, and memory changes. with vertigo. Sometimes he could hardly even walk. I was tested for HIV, multiple sclerosis and lupus, among other things. No doctor knew what was wrong with me, and didn’t think it was Paxil, even though I asked over and over again. They were wrong. I stopped the medicine – case closed for me. Lupus has what are called “flares” when their symptoms are at their worst. It can take many flares, combined with testing, and other symptoms, before a wolf can be properly diagnosed.
The following are the most common signs of lupus. Mind you, anyone or that or everyone. If the wolf attacks the internal organs, then other signs may be seen intact. The problem is that the wolf is not really a true common denominator.
Whiplash— Almost all people with lupus will experience fatigue, which can be quite severe, making it difficult to get through the day.
Joint pain or joint swelling – The most common joints affected are the knees, elbows; ankles and wrists. Joint pain can be simply some morning stiffness, or it can be hot, red, swollen, and very sore and painful.
Rasina skin–When one species of wolf infests the skin, and all the population of odd skin can be a sign of wolf sarcophagus. Another type that cries “wolf” the most is a butterfly randomly formed on the bridge of the nose and on the cheeks. This recklessness is called malar. Other epinyctides may be scaly areas, or actual sores may develop. Maybe red or purple, random ones that are seen in the upper body.
Oral ulcers canker-like ulcers are common in lupus. If you’ve ever had canker sores, then you know how painful mouth ulcers can be.
Anemia–A low red blood cell is often seen in these lupus.
Photosensitivity, or light sensitivity–that is from exposure to the sun, or epinyxites, which become much worse after all exposure to UV rays, or the sun, or tanning booth.
These principles are a healthy wolf, they are all vague and can indicate many things. Lupus can also cause kidney problems, heart problems and problems with the nervous system. If you have any combination of these, and you feel really sick, your doctor will start with an ANA test, or an anti-nuclear antibody test. This test is not 100% accurate, so a positive test may mean you have lupus, but it is not a definite sign. Conversely, a negative ANA test is inaccurate. This is why you and your doctor will need to work very closely together as a committed team to determine if your symptoms are lupus or not.
Jeri Jewett-Tennant, MPH
Wolf signs and symptoms
http://lupus.about.com
Lupus Symptoms
http://lupus.webmd.com
