What is Lupus?
 

Lupus is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the body's tissues. It is an autoimmune condition, which means that it is caused by a fault in the immune system. In people with Lupus, the immune system attacks the body's healthy cells and tissue instead of protecting the body from illness and infection.

The symptoms of lupus can vary from person to person. Some people only experience a mild form of the condition, whereas others are more severely affected and may develop serious complications.

Lupus can be categorised into two main types, which are outlined below.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is by far the most common form of the condition, and it is what most people mean when they use the term "lupus". This article focuses on SLE.
Discoid lupus erythematosus only affects the skin, while systemic lupus affects the whole body.

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lupus/P...roduction.aspx


I didn't know what it was, did you?

Poor girl.. her body must be covered with stretch marks! she's probably really cautious about her body and never wants to show it :sad:

Yeah, my mum was in a hospital ward with a lady with lupus. I learned all about it.

Aww her sister died from it :(

:shocked: I didn't know that...

oh wow :sad:

My friend has a mild strain of Lupus!

I didn't know people could die from it?!

She said it spread from organ to organ, and before the doctors knew about it, it had begun to attack her brain and she went into arrest numerous times.

I don't know what that really means, just quoting what Sophia said on live feed about half an hour ago.

I think it means the cardiac arrest.

My aunty has it.
She could get rid off it if she gets pregnant though :s
but there is a risk the baby will get it or something...

I've known a few people with lupus, it's not very nice

For more info on lupus please visit our website www.lupus.org.uk.

Unfortunately people do die from the affects that lupus has on the body - it can attack internal organs. It is also treatable, particularly if caught quickly. Our problem is lack of awareness so hopefully Big Brother may help to highlight the condition.

Each case is very individual so some patients live with it being a bit annoying to unfortunately worst case scenario they die - usually from organ failure. Certain ethnic groups are more prone to lupus than others, and 90% of patients are female.

It is not contagious it is within certain people and it gets 'switched on' - hormones are one trigger - hence mostly female patients. Once triggered it is incurable, you certainly can't 'get rid of it' but sometimes it goes into remission.

It is much more common than people think, certainly than ms, leukaemia and muscular dystrophy. The only reason people don't know about it is the reluctance of the media to cover it.

A number of celebrities have lupus: Michael Jackson and Seal both have discoid lupus (the skin version) - hence the scarring on Seals face. The celebrities connected to lupus (either they have it or a family member does) are in our gallery on the website.

The comment about the baby getting lupus - there's a small possibility but we have a normal success rate with pregnancies here. It was also thought that lupus caused miscarriages but that is a connected illness which causes sticky blood (again very treatable once diagnosed).

Hope that helps
Angie Davidson
St Thomas' Lupus Trust

My mum has lupus was diagnosed with it couple of year ago. Shes ok though, on medication and strict orders to stay out of the sun. Hugs to all that suffer with this rubbish disease!:hug:

Wow.. I didn't know her sister died of it :sad: poor girl!

Thank you for coming onto TiBB in order to inform more people of this :thumbs:

Aww that's sad, I knew what it was when she mentionned it.
But let's not be all sympathical with it, I mean, I'm sure she doesn't want to get the pity vote.

i have lupus.
When i was watching big brother and i saw sophia say she had it, i think i got more excited than any other feeling because its going to bring it so much more into light. People wont look atme with a blank face so much when i tell them i have it. the media have been so ignorant with lupus.
I'm also curious to watch it tosee how she handles her bad days etc, as ive never met anyone else with the condition

Me too
 

Hi,

I also have Lupus, I was diagnosed when I was 8 and have had it for 23 years now. I know it is a serious disease, but it's not all doom & gloom you know!

Ok, so i have my really crappy days where I just want to sit in bed & cry, but on my good days I live my life to the fullest.

I had a friend with Lupus, she was only 19 and she finally had enough of the disease and killed herself last year. It makes me sad to know how she must have felt and that none of us realised it in time. I wish I had done more when I could.

So if you ever need to talk to anybody about anything at all, I'd be more than happy to have my ear bent! i know that most people haven't got a clue what Lupus is and have no idea what we go through day by day - so somebdy who actually gets it might be a good person to talk to. :xyxwave:

ill be honest i saw the title and thought it was a sly reference to the show "house md" as they jokingly misdiagnose lupus almost every episode..

but yeh as i look at this thread,i would say thankyou for atleast opening my eyes as i was ignorant before as to its true means. i knew of it but this is a really helpful post..