Learn about Common Lupus Symptoms

Lupus symptoms are varied and complex and everyone is unique. However there are some common symptoms everyone should know. Learn all about it here.

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The guide you need to tell your doc your story -and get answers once and for all!

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⏱Time Stamps:
2:14 - Malar Rash
3:20 - Photosensitivity
4:04 - Alopecia
5:20 - Oral Ulcers
5:50 - Joint Pain
7:25 - Pleuritis/Pericarditis
9:20 - Nephritis
*13:07 - Symptoms of Kidney failure
14:20 - Nervous System

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👩🏻‍⚕️ About me:
Hello! I am Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz and I’m so happy you are here. I am a double board certified Rheumatologist with over 15 years experience practicing Rheumatology and am passionate about teaching & empowering patients to partner with their doctor.

We discuss all things Rheumatology, Immunology, Diet & Movement & Mental Health & Wellness because we believe IT IS ALL CONNECTED!

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. Any comments and/or recommendations made in the comment section by anyone other than Connected Rheumatology does not reflect the opinion or recommendation of Connected Rheumatology.**

[rosaflynn]

I was diagnosed by a dermatologist in 1982, I was 22 years old. I have experienced a lot of the Systemic Lupus reactions/ symptoms including, Kidney Nephritis, End Stage Renal Disease, Congestive Heart Failure, Arthritic pains, rashes of all kinds, and ALL the symptoms you mentioned. I became Diabetic from the post- transplant medicines and am on insulin. I am now 63 years old and am recently having trouble with my transplanted kidney and everything that goes with that. I have recently started having fluid in my lungs and need Thoracentesis almost every month. I just want to say that even though I have been very ill most of my life I still had an incredible life and times.

[jessicabrown]

I was having beginning signs of lupus. The numbers weren’t quite high enough for medication. The rheumatologist told me to wait for it to get worse and then I could get medication. 😮 I was not a fan of that idea. I started researching and found out that dairy and grains cause inflammation. I cut those out of my diet. Cut out all processed foods and additives. I eat grass fed beef, wild caught salmon, and lots of fruits and veggies. Ive been doing that for over a year. All symptoms of lupus are gone. ❤

[Paarthurnaxdova]

1) Skin rash, butterfly rash on face.
2) hair loss
3) ulcers in the mouth (mainly painless)
4) arthritis (joints of hands, feet, ankles). Need a solid hour to get moving better. Swelling of those joint. Redness, morning stiffness
5) pleura inflammation (thin tissue around organs) become inflamed. Pain in chest with deep breath or laying in bed. Shortness of breath
6) Kidney disease due to inflammation of the kidneys. Tissue of kidneys start to stop working. Dialysis, kidney transplant. Most have no symptoms to of bad kidneys.
7) swelling, fatigue
8) seizures, headaches, brain fog, numbness

[odetemartins]

After 15 years with lupus and fibromyalgia this is the very best video 🙏🌺have lost my colon 10 years ago it’s crazy 🙏now kidney but I fight and God is with me🙏🤲🤲🤲👼🏻👼🏻👼🏻

[pamelamattingly]

I was diagnosed with systemic lupus more than 20 years. Tremendous damage to organs but still here plugging along. So grateful to see this video. Most look at you when you tell them what you are dealing with so I keep it simplified. Bless you all.😉🙏

[TheSherryBoops]

I Was told 20 years ago I have Lupus. I don't have the butterfly rash. My neck, gets very red. I lost all the hair from my legs & under arms. I have a few bald spots on top my head and down to my ears Is very thin. I have kidney failure . I didn't know until a dr. told me, i had kidney failure. Both kidneys. Now i'm in stage 3. I get so tired, it's impossible to make plans. The pain I have is constant just different levels. My left hand gets so cold and a numb pain. I have brain fog more often now. I needed to tell someone, I picked you, The dr. I have now never speaks of Lupus & me. Thanks for letting me bend your ear,

[blueswallowtail]

Hearing you explain these Lupus symptoms brought tears to my heart. I am not crazy!

[MariaReyes-vyue]

When I was 37, I had a stroke I almost died the dr told my mother that he was not sure I was going to recuperate, I went to a hospital thru the er and for a week they were saying I was having a migraine, after another week in my house with severe headaches desired to go to another hospital and it was there when they diagnosed me with lupus, I started with the headaches six months prior and my doctor only gave me some pills. The sad part is that since I was 18 I started having all the symptoms and not even one dr did anything about it, even a dermatologist when I saw him for the butterfly rash that I had. Worse yet, I was called lazy by my family, that hurt more that all the symptoms put together.

[smc]

You are right on point. Each of us is very different in our symptoms and disease manifestation. My lungs and heart have been affected “when I wasn’t looking”! I thought I was doing well until I wasn’t. I was 68 when finally diagnosed but thinking back, I have had symptoms here and there for 30 years. Now I’m 72 and feeling every year of it as fatigue. We do need a cure for this disease. The young women who develop it in their 20’s have such a long road to travel. Overall I was lucky 🍀

[ahoward]

I went to college for 7 years to become a veterinarian, and lupus has taken that away. Like everyone else it seems, I have had many of the symptoms you speak of. Diagnosed at 19 (30 years ago) I have had many joints affected with hands and knees being the worst, extreme sun sensitivity, extreme hair loss, butterfly rash and other rashes, pleuritis, pancreatitis secondary to meds and then diabetes secondary to Pancreatitis, lupus nephritis, dialysis for 5 years and then a live donor kidney transplant, basal cell carcinoma (probably secondary to transplant medications), Avascular Necrosis and then two hip replacements and a knee replacement so far. When I was struggling to survive the pancreatitis I got a fungal lung infection that led to most of a lung being removed surgically and then anti-fungal therapy for 5 years, Sjogrens Syndrome, Hashimoto’s disease, protracted Seizures, Severe Migraines. The lupus made it hard to hold surgical instruments, stay on my feet for 18 hour days, handle animals, handle the environment that brought on migraines. It finally became impossible for me to do what I am, by far, the most passionate about. I gave up having children, and doing pretty much anything else in my life so I could focus on doing my job. I was either resting or working and now I have lost my job too. I can not figure out what I am still doing here and what to do with myself. I hate this disease. I am so tired of the pain.

[carolyn]

i was finally diagnosed with Lupus in 2011, then in 2018 i was diagnosed with Lychen Sclerosis, the flairs go hand in hand, my hair does the thinning thing and the rash likes to shine brightest on my neck, but crazy enough its not on the bottom part of my chin area lol, i do my best dealing with Lupus and i do have a strong support team, my family knows if i’m not talking about Lupus then im fine, if i feel something coming on or something is different they know i’ll let them know and we’ll talk about it and they’re all willing to go to dr appts with me IF i want, thank you for your support, you sure gave me some peace, thank you

[MariaGuzman-ccso]

I have been dealing with health issues for the last 4 years. Gut issues, sibo, migranes, seizures, and Mix Connective Tissue disease. I get flare-ups really bad. It takes time and a good doctor to diagnose you. I finally found a good rheumatologist who listened to me and did the proper blood orders. I have been to 2 different neurologists and epiloptologist. No one seems to find the reason for my seizures. I have done all the tests possible. But i was recently diagnosed with lupus. I have done so much research myself, and sometimes i feel like people dont believe the pain and weakness i feel. I finally had blood work during a horrible flare-up i had. They took lots of blood work. The result came back positive for lupus. Never give up. Find help and get second opinions. The rheumatologist i found was my second opinion and the one that actually listened. Seek help and know that you are not alone. Best wishes to everyone. 💜

[dancingdelilah]

I was diagnosed with systemic lupus when I was only 15 back in 1974. I was so sick for 2 year prior to my diagnosis and had all these crazy symptoms going on in my body. Constant fevers. Anemia. Nephritis. Convulsions. Severe fatigue. Horrible joint pain. Hair loss. Swollen lymph nodes in neck, armpits & groin. But what finally helped finally get me diagnosed is I developed the classic butterfly rash. My doctor couldn't figure out what was going on with me until that butterfly rash erupted & that's when my doctor finally said he thought I had SLE. And blood tests confirmed lupus. I was just glad to finally know why I was so sick. Since being diagnosed with lupus I have had to have 8 total hip replacements & 5 wrist replacements due to side effects of high doses of steroids which caused joint deterioration. I also have stage 3 kidney disease from lupus nephritis & HBP & other complications from lupus and medication side effects.

[odetemartins]

I'm 68 years but was diagnosed 15 years it must stop now i need peace for what time I have left 🙏🇿🇦I have a good medical aid what about people in south Africa 💜so I'm grateful 💫💜💜💜

[mamawfrancy]

My good friend was diagnosed several years ago with 'mixed connective tissue disease.' She also has graves disease, fibromyalgia, sjogrens, ulcers in her mouth, a bluish nose & rash across cheeks -seriously she has more than I can remember - every symptom that is named. When I met her i asked about Lupus & she said No, I don't have lupus. I just think it strange!

[brazzibingham]

I was diagnosed in 1997 with lupus I just found out recently I have kidney involvement now in which I’m on Benlysta now including hydroxocloroquine and prednisone I really enjoyed this video thank you 🦋💜💜💜💜

[Teeko]

I'm going through all the testing right now. I started experiencing bad joint and muscle pain and I thought for sure it was a parathyroid issue but all of my scans and my test came back negative. It wasn't until I asked my general physician for a recommendation to a dermatologist for the rash around my cheeks and knows that wouldn't go away for a couple of months that it seemed to click. I went to all of these specialists endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, ENT, and the one person who was able to pull it all together was my GP.

[donnam]

Thank you for your very informative video. I have been diagnosed with systemic lupus and lupus nephritis for 31 years. After many ups and downs, I am in a good place with my lupus and my kidneys are under control due to immunosuppressive drugs (Cellcept). I just wanted to mention another symptom I had early on - enlarged lymph nodes. A positive attitude, though often very difficult, has been helpful to me. Listen to your body and know when to rest. Best wishes to everyone with this disease.

[jessicacrabtree]

I'm 56 and was just diagnosed today. My sister has lupus too. She's had for about 3 years

[Luna-whtq]

My nan had Lupus ( passed from complications )

I knew I shared many traits with her . However autoimmune was not something I though we had in common .

I’ve always been sensitive to illness like common colds . Had GI issues when I was a kid and had other minor symptoms .

37 now and things got way worse, hair thinning, vascular damage, mouth sores that actually caused a tori growth to decay ( mouth ) and a host of other symptoms.

My pancreas was discovered to have massive damage as well as lung damage . ( I’m a non drinker or drug taker )


Being tested for Lupus but also for a second condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome ( EDS )

Possibility of both conditions and being sent to rheumatologist and neurologist to find out the answers .

All I can say is I went from 175lbs to 108lbs in less than a year . ( chronic Illness hit about 3 years ago ) but I’ve been sick or weaker than most all my life .

I wouldn’t wish this on anyone .

💜💜💜