Common Q&A about Lupus

Question: What is Lupus?

Lupus is an auto-immune disease. The three kinds of Lupus are:

   1. Discoid Lupus (affecting the skin only)
   2. Systemic Lupus (involving arthritis, pleurisy, organs, etc.)
   3. Drug Induced Lupus (only occurring during time on medication causing it)

Some people may describe Lupus as an allergy to yourself. Lupus is most common in black women and more women have it than men. 90% of people with Lupus are black women.

Question: How exactly does Lupus work?

What happens with Lupus is that your white blood cells fight infections, etc. that you may have caught and then they don't know when to stop and work overtime, fighting against you, thinking that you are an infection.

Lupus effects everyone differently. You can't count on having any specific symptoms. One person may go through their whole life now even knowing they have Lupus, while someone else may die as a result of organ failure due to Lupus. So, listen to others' experiences, but don't trust that's how your disease will go."

Question: Is Lupus hereditary?

Most people you ask will say they've heard that it is only 5% hereditary, but I believe differently. I know many people who have a lot of it in their family, thus leading me to believe that it is a much higher percentage.

Question: How is Lupus caused?

Nobody knows what causes Lupus, but there is continual research being done on this.

Question: What can I do to prevent a flare?

There are many factors in flares. One is stress. Avoid stress as much as possible. I've found also that when I stay up late I break out in my rash. Get plenty of sleep. It has been recommended that Lupus patients get 10-12 hrs of sleep per night and take two 45 minute naps daily. This is impossible for those who work, but try to get as much sleep as possible. A major cause of Lupus flares is the sun. Stay covered - hat, long cotton shirts, gloves if necessary, and sunscreen that blocks all rays. I use Solbar 50 and it seems to work pretty well. You should even wear sunscreen indoors. Flourescent lights let off ultraviolet rays.

Question: Is there a cure for Lupus?

There is no cure for Lupus...yet!

Question: What is the Antiphospholipis Antibody and how is it treated?

When I was first diagnosed, they tested me for the Antiphospholipid Antibody Coagulant and I tested negative. This can cause miscarriages in pregnant women or strokes or other problems in patients with SLE. It is possible to have this antibody without having Lupus and it can change from negative to positive or the other way. I now test positive for this antibody. The way they help treat it in pregnant women is with baby aspirin daily. Another treatment used is heparin during the pregnancy. This antibody causes the blood vessels to constrict and stick together and in turn causes a blood clot to form. These treatments help to expand the vessels and keep them from constricting as much, minimizing the chance of a blood clot.

Question: Is it okay to be on Prednisone during pregnancy?

Although it is best to be on as low as 7.5-10 mg of Prednisone before trying to become pregnant, many women have been known to do fine throughout pregnancy on pretty high doses.

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