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Sarah's Lupus Journey
- Sarah Johnson experienced a series of high fevers, joint soreness, and difficulty eating, leading to a two-month hospital stay at age 15.
- Initially diagnosed with Still's disease, she later received a lupus diagnosis at 21 and has managed it with medication and lifestyle adjustments.
Understanding Lupus
- Lupus is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease affecting various organs and systems, making diagnosis and treatment challenging.
- Its heterogeneity means symptoms and lab findings vary significantly, with some people experiencing skin issues, arthritis, or kidney problems.
Common Lupus Symptoms and Complications
- Lupus symptoms are diverse and can include arthritis, skin rashes (like the butterfly rash), fever, and inflammation of organ linings (pleurisy, pericarditis).
- Lupus nephritis, kidney inflammation, is a serious complication, often diagnosed through kidney biopsy, causing protein in urine and kidney damage.