How To Cope With Lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus or simply, lupus, is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by the production of unusual antibodies, or proteins in the blood, which tend to destroy healthy tissues. Just like other autoimmune disorders, it is a chronic condition that leads to lingering symptoms, for which there is no permanent cure. Treatment usually consists of reducing inflammation and prevention of complications. However, lupus can affect one's daily life and can lead to depression, so patients have to find effective ways to cope with the condition.

What is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation that may involve the skin and the internal organs. An autoimmune condition is a disorder that involves the immune system, mistaking healthy tissues of the body as targets for defense, just like it normally fights viruses or bacteria. 

Lupus can cause a disease of the skin, which manifests as a rash (lupus dermatitis), but it may also involve various organs, including the lungs, heart, joints, kidneys, and the nervous system (systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE).

Lupus is eight times more common among women than men, and usually occurs between the second to the fourth decades of life. The cause is unknown, but the interplay of genetic and environmental factors play a significant role in triggering the disease.

The signs and symptoms of lupus vary in every individual, and the onset and severity may also range from gradual and mild to sudden and severe. Symptoms may come and go, and flare-ups or worsening of episodes are common. People with lupus may experience these common symptoms:

• Fatigue

• Fever

• Joint stiffness, swelling and pain

• Butterfly-shaped facial rash

• Skin lesions that worsen with exposure to the sun

• Fingers and toes turning blue when stressed or exposed to cold

• Shortness of breath

• Dry eyes

• Chest pain

• Confusion

• Memory loss

• Headaches

Coping with Lupus

Patients who are diagnosed with lupus are often told that there is no cure for their disease. However, there are treatments that help reduce inflammation and flare-up of symptoms. These include corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs such as azathioprine (Imuran), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), leflunomide (Arava), mycophenolate (Cellcept), and methotrexate (Trexall). Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as naproxen (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin) may be used to relieve swelling, pain, and fever associated with lupus.

Many patients, however, feel sad or depressed because their symptoms often linger and they are not able to enjoy life as much as they could. They may also be saddened about knowing that they have a chronic condition, which can worsen and lead to complications, such as heart and kidney failure.

See Also: Lupus: When The Immune System Fires Against Its Own Mates

These include eating a healthy, balanced diet, doing regular light exercise, and avoiding bad habits such as smoking or drinking too much alcohol. Overexposure to the sun can trigger flares, so one must wear protective covering such as hats and long-sleeved shirts, as well as sunscreen lotion when going outdoors. It is also advisable for patients to get plenty of sleep and rest to be able to cope with fatigue and other symptoms such as joint pains and headaches.

Coping With Depression And Lupus

It is easy for patients with lupus to fall into depression.

But this may just be a temporary condition and there are ways to cope with anxiety and depression associated with lupus. Aside from keeping yourself physically healthy with diet and exercise, take care of your emotional and mental well-being to be able to stave off depression:

• It is normal for people to feel shock, anger, and sadness once they are diagnosed with a chronic disease. However, you must try not be stuck in this stage and move on to acceptance, so that you can think of ways to improve your situation. Talk to your doctor about how you can cope with the physical consequences of your condition and how you can work around it.

• Empower yourself by learning more about lupus. Consult your doctor, your physical therapist, nutritionist, or nurse about your condition. Read more about it and find out what treatments and alternative approaches are available to relieve your symptoms.

• Find support from your family, friends, support group or therapist. These people can help you with your physical, emotional and spiritual needs. You can also try to find out how other people with lupus are coping with their disease. You might also benefit from helping others cope with their situation by making yourself an example of strength. Online resources are also available for people who find it difficult to seek out personal encounters.

• Live one day at a time. Some days are better than others, and when moments come and you are unable to do tasks because you are feeling too tired, think about doing them another day, when you are feeling better. However, do not let yourself be discouraged, nor push yourself into being too eager to perform beyond your limits.

• Avoid over-commitments and learn to say 'no' to doing tasks that are too much for you to handle in one day. Break up big tasks into smaller tasks that are manageable. Prioritize your activities.

• Always try to be positive. Keep a list of things that make you happy and use these to pull yourself out of depression or negative self-talk. Maybe you enjoy watching movies, reading books, or calling a friend. If you cannot do any of these today because of your symptoms, turn to meditation, or simply rest and tell yourself you can do it tomorrow.

  See Also: Ten Advances In The Fight Against Lupus

• Get in touch with your spirituality. Praying, meditating, doing spiritual reading, going to church and talking with someone in a community of believers can help you gain acceptance and inner peace. Many people who nurture their faith are actually happy in spite of their disease.

• Seek professional help. Talk therapy with a mental health counselor can help you deal with stress, especially if you cannot cope with your situation on your own. Aside from this, a doctor can also prescribe medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs, if needed, to help you cope with depression.