Lupus Erythematosus.
Last updated Thursday, December 23, 2004
SymptomsWhat are symptoms of lupus erythematosus? There is no uniform pattern of symptoms at the onset of lupus.
Fever, weakness, fatigue,
or weight loss may be among the first signs of illness. A skin rash may
appear on the face, neck, or arms. When this rash involves the nose and
cheeks, it is called a butterfly rash. In people who are very sensitive
to ultraviolet light, the rash may appear or get worse after exposure
to the sun. Sometimes the fingers are unusually sensitive to cold and
will turn blue on exposure. This color change is called Raynaud's phenomenon.
Another early sign of lupus may be joint pain in the hands, wrists, elbows, knees or ankles. Although the joints
may become red, warm or swollen, the development of deformities is very
uncommon. A feeling of stiffness in the joints and muscles upon
awakening in the morning may accompany the joint pains, or may even
occur without joint pain. Other common symptoms of the illness include
muscle aches, swollen glands, lack of appetite, low grade temperature,
hair loss, and nausea and vomiting.
There may be an increased tendency to get infections or to bleed
easily. You may develop anemia. This is a condition in which one type
of blood cell may be decreased in number, causing weakness and
paleness, or even shortness of breath. Some people with lupus may have
an increased tendency to form blood clots.
Other frequent symptoms include inflammation of the lining of some
body parts (for example, the heart and lungs) causing symptoms of pain
on breathing or shortness of breath. Kidney problems commonly occur. In
the early stages, there may be no symptoms of kidney involvement,
although edema, a swelling of the legs, may occur if there is a leak of
protein into the urine.
Sometimes people with lupus experience depression or inability to
concentrate. Rapid changes in mood or abnormal behavior may occur.
These changes may be due to the disease itself, or they may be a
reaction to the changes in appearance and energy caused by the disease.
In a very small percentage of people, more severe nerve and mental
problems, especially convulsions like those in epilepsy, may develop,
but they rarely persist.
The doctor will watch you closely for any signs of these problems,
and treatment will be started quickly if they occur. Remember that
lupus can take many forms. You may have only a few of these problems.
Many people with lupus do very well without having major problems. What conditions have similar sympoms or might be confused with lupus erythematosus? Some medications taken for other conditions like high blood pressure,
certain heart problems, seizures and psychiatric problems such as
severe depression, may cause many of the symptoms and abnormal blood
tests of lupus. These symptoms almost always go away when these
medications are stopped.
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