Hi again Gina,
As I think I mentionned in my other post to you you shouldn't worry too much about your diagnosis right now. You need to take things one day at a time and if your lupus is confirmed then, with good treatment, you should find a huge amount of relief.
Lupus is not a heredited disease. There is a small genetic link that means that someone with lupus in their family does have a slightly higher risk of lupus (between 2.5 and 5%) but no-one actually knows why people get lupus. There are many possible "triggers" for it. For example extreme stress, bad illness or virus, severe sun exposure...but some people just get it with no "reason" at all.
Yes, a lot of people have muscle pain (myalgia)with lupus. It is another thing which should greatly improve with treatment and with learning how to live with the disease. Lupus is a connective tissue disease. That means that you may feel pain in any connective tissues. Muscles, tendons and so on.
Lifestyle changes can be quite important too but don't have to be "life changing". For example, it is important to try and listen to your body.
Rest when you feel you need rest. DON'T try to fight against the disease; it really doesn't work and can make it worse.
Keep out of the sun. For some people applying sunscreen all year round (yes even in winter) will improve symptoms.
Avoid stress. I know that is easy to say but you really can learn to see life differently and deal with stress differently.
As I said before, please don't worry too much. Plenty of people who have lupus live perfectly normal active lives
hope that reassures you a little,
Katharine
As I think I mentionned in my other post to you you shouldn't worry too much about your diagnosis right now. You need to take things one day at a time and if your lupus is confirmed then, with good treatment, you should find a huge amount of relief.
Lupus is not a heredited disease. There is a small genetic link that means that someone with lupus in their family does have a slightly higher risk of lupus (between 2.5 and 5%) but no-one actually knows why people get lupus. There are many possible "triggers" for it. For example extreme stress, bad illness or virus, severe sun exposure...but some people just get it with no "reason" at all.
Yes, a lot of people have muscle pain (myalgia)with lupus. It is another thing which should greatly improve with treatment and with learning how to live with the disease. Lupus is a connective tissue disease. That means that you may feel pain in any connective tissues. Muscles, tendons and so on.
Lifestyle changes can be quite important too but don't have to be "life changing". For example, it is important to try and listen to your body.
Rest when you feel you need rest. DON'T try to fight against the disease; it really doesn't work and can make it worse.
Keep out of the sun. For some people applying sunscreen all year round (yes even in winter) will improve symptoms.
Avoid stress. I know that is easy to say but you really can learn to see life differently and deal with stress differently.
As I said before, please don't worry too much. Plenty of people who have lupus live perfectly normal active lives
hope that reassures you a little,
Katharine
