What Does Lupus Fatigue Feel Like

Sle Fatigue Conceptual Model

Our conceptual development approach revealed three overarching domains of the fatigue symptom experience. Two of these domains, physical fatigue and mental and cognitive fatigue, relate to distinct manifestations of fatigue. Physical fatigue was associated with the expression of fatigue in physical and bodily symptoms and sensations, while mental and cognitive fatigue was associated with the expression of fatigue in mental and cognitive symptoms and sensations. The third domain, susceptibility to fatigue, encompasses how fatigable patients were in relation to both physical and mental/cognitive manifestations, i.e. how easily physical and mental/cognitive fatigue came about and how easily these manifestations were alleviated . Within each of these domains, patients described experiences of fatigue that related to severity, variations, and impact of fatigue.

Fig. 1

Conceptual model of fatigue in SLE. Three overarching domains of the patient experience of fatigue were identified by the conceptual model: physical fatigue, mental and cognitive fatigue and susceptibility to fatigue. Susceptibility to fatigue related to how physically or mentally and cognitively fatigable patients were

Melatonin Vs Cymbalta For Reducing Symptoms

Two drugs are commonly used for reducing lupus symptoms, they are Cymbalta and melatonin. While Cymbalta is a medication prescribed by doctors for severe lupus symptoms, melatonin is more of a supplement that you can use if you experience mild flare ups and want to take care of the situation at home. Heres a look at how each one works and what we know about which one is better.

Cymbalta : Cymbalta has been shown to work as well as other medications in people with moderate to severe Lupus and it also improves sleep problems. However, there have been some concerns that this drug may cause liver damage or heart problems among those who already have such conditions. It also causes sexual side effects in men who take it. Women should not take it because of the potential risk of birth defects. Its important to note that this medicine does not cure lupus, but it does help ease some of the pain and discomfort associated with it.

Melatonin : This hormone is naturally produced by your body during periods of darkness so that you can fall asleep. Your doctor will prescribe melatonin only when taking other medicines has not worked they recommend using them only when absolutely necessary since they are considered experimental treatments. One benefit? Melatonin does not have as large of negative side effects as Cymbalta does! For example, the incidence of nausea and vomiting due to Cymbalta was 9% while with melatonin, it was 0%.

Dopamine And Fatigue In Lupus

Dopamine is a major neurotransmitter, responsible for regulating many different processes throughout the body. These processes include, but are not limited to:

• Mood regulation
• Circulatory system and kidney function
• Immune system regulation

Many of these dopamine-requiring functions are heavily related to lupus symptoms and to fatigue alike. One of the possible explanations of fatigue, the dopamine imbalance theory, is that inflammation may affect dopamine levels in the body. This could be by interfering with the production of dopamine in the brain. Or the ability of the neurons to sense dopamine.

Changes in dopamine levels would send all of these systems out of whack, causing or contributing to fatigue. Some support for this theory is that treatment with antidepressants or medications that affect dopamine can help with fatigue.

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Central Nervous System Involvement

Lupus can affect almost any part of your body, but not everyone realizes this can include the central nervous system and the brain. Doctors may refer to lupus with CNS involvement as neuropsychiatric lupus , neurocognitive dysfunction or central nervous system lupus . When lupus affects the CNS and the brain, it can cause symptoms such as headaches, confusion, fatigue, depression, seizures, strokes, vision problems, mood swings and difficulty concentrating.

Some medications used to treat lupus can also cause side effects that are similar to the symptoms of CNS lupus, so its important to follow up with your doctor to determine the root cause of your symptoms.

Central nervous system involvement. I not only have migraines, seizures, myoclonic tremors, but lupus took away my ability to walk. But with high dose steroids and physical therapy I went from wheelchair to walker to cane and now able to walk on my own with bad days in between. Gabrielle S.

Seizures are something you dont hear about. I havent been diagnosed with them, but I can almost feel them coming from the fatigue. Its a real possibility especially for those who are trying to work and make a life for themselves. My doctor says Im at risk for seizures. I get horrible headaches that have me shaking if I dont stop what Im doing and go to sleep. Raine W.

Treatment For Symptoms During A Lupus Flare

Its important to learn how to treat a lupus flare up when it comes on. Some common treatments for the symptoms of a lupus flare are anti-inflammatory medications or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Prescription drugs such as prednisone can be prescribed for more severe flares where the disease is active in the bloodstream.

There are other non-prescription options including taking over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or an oral decongestant such as pseudoephedrine. Keeping hydrated with fluids throughout the day can also help you get relief from some of your symptoms. Avoiding things that make your condition worse and getting plenty of rest are also important in helping you recover from a lupus flare.

Lupus rashes are caused by the bodys immune system attacking its own cells. They can be red, scaly and itchy and can vary in size and shape. They can also spread quickly so its important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing worse clinical signs.

Lupus flares can be difficult to deal with even with moderate flares for people with Lupus. There are things you can do to manage your symptoms and feel better. Work with your doctor to come up with a treatment plan thats right for you and make sure to avoid triggers that

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Obesity & Fatigue In Sle

The prevalence of obesity in SLE is between 28 and 50% . Few studies have documented associations between diet and nutrient density with SLE and/or fatigue, although adverse associations between obesity and fibromyalgia, functional capacity based on the difficulty performing activities of daily living and inflammatory markers have been noted in SLE . Data from LUMINA, a multiethnic SLE cohort study, showed that 28% of the patients were obese, with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 and above, and that this was associated with worse depression and fatigue . Another study showed a prevalence of obesity of 39% and demonstrated a positive association between obesity and higher levels of fatigue in the SLE cohort . Obesity and SLE are both inflammatory diseases with evidence of increased TNF- levels in SLE and evidence of increased C-reactive protein and IL-6 levels . Higher concentrations of both C-reactive protein and IL-6 increase concerns that these patients may be at higher risk of developing vascular disease. Identifying obesity as a cause of fatigue and poor quality of life in SLE is important, because this risk factor can potentially be modified.

What Are The Symptoms Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Lupus symptoms vary widely, and they come and go. The times when symptoms get worse are called relapses, or flares. The times when symptoms are under control are called remissions.

Lupus symptoms depend on what body organs are affected and how seriously they are affected.

Common symptoms

Many people have these symptoms:

Other symptoms

Other symptoms people may have include:

Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Some people with lupus have Raynaud’s phenomenon. It affects the small vessels that supply blood to the skin and the soft tissues under the skin of the fingers and toes. It causes them to turn white and/or blue or red. The skin affected will feel numb, tingly, and cold to the touch.

Hair loss.

People with lupus may have periods of hair loss, either in patches or spread evenly over the head. This hair loss usually isn’t permanent.

Inflammation of blood vessels in the skin .

Inflammation or bleeding from the blood vessels can lead to small or large blue spots or small reddish spots on the skin or nail beds.

Symptoms from complications.

Over time, some people with lupus have problems with the heart, lungs, kidneys, skin, blood cells, or nervous system.

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People With Lupus Explain What It Feels Like

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects 1.5 million Americans alone. Symptoms generally include fatigue, skin rashes, swollen and painful joints, unusual hair loss and a high fever. Nine out of 10 adults with lupus are women aged 15-44, and its more prevalent among African American and Latina women. Symptoms can strike at any time, and because of the inconsistencies, the disease is difficult to diagnose and even harder to understand if you dont have it.

The Mighty teamed up with the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation to ask their community how they would explain life with the disease to someone who is unfamiliar with it. Heres what they had to say:

1. Its like having the flu without having the flu. I feel sick, exhausted, weak and in pain for 24 hours or weeks. Then it goes away and will hit again whenever it feels like it. It takes so much energy to keep going from day to day. There is a lot of praying, crying and anger due to this disease. I appreciate when I have my good days, and fight through the bad ones because I refuse to give in or give up. Neeco Massengale

2. It feels like some vague but powerful evil is coursing through my lymphatic and circulatory systems, because it is. Trey Turnbull

3. I feel like a 90-year-old in a 27-year-old body. Alyssa Jones

4. It feels like you ingested a toxic poisonand the sick feeling doesnt go awayever! Dawn Gursin

5. Two words: It sucks! Sharon Antonellis

10. Its a bully!

What Are The Symptoms Of A Lupus Flare

Common symptoms that indicate a flare are:

• Ongoing fever not due to an infection
• Painful, swollen joints
• Sores or ulcers in the mouth or nose
• General swelling in the legs

Some flares happen without symptoms. This is why it is important to see a trained lupus doctor who regularly monitors your health.

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When Youre Tired Of Being Tired

If fatigue is affecting your quality of life, its time to talk to your doctor. Tracking your daily sleep and activity levels can help you present him or her with a better overall picture of your condition, especially if your symptoms are vague. If you donât have a fitness or smartwatch, consider downloading a phone app like Sharecare, available for iOS and Android.

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For more information, call our Ask a Nurse hotline 24/7 or use Find a Doctor online.

You can also get care for minor injuries or illness at CareNow Urgent Care or visit Medical City Virtual Care for non-emergency medical treatment from your computer or smartphone.

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What Can Trigger A Lupus Flare

Emotional stress — such as a divorce, death in the family, or other life complications — and anything that causes physical stress to the body — such as surgery, physical harm, pregnancy, or giving birth — are examples of triggers that can set off lupus or bring about a lupus flare. While a persons genes may increase the chance that he or she will develop lupus, it takes some kind of external trigger to set off the illness or to bring on a flare. Other known triggers can include infections, colds or viral illnesses, exhaustion, severe exposure to ultraviolet rays, or an injury.

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What Can I Do About Fatigue

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Why You Feel Fatigued

Fatigue is a nearly universal problem in todays hectic world. People of all ages are sleep deprived. They dont eat enough of the nutrients they need to energize their cells. The use of caffeinated beverages and energy drinks has increased in recent years.

But when you have lupus, fatigue can go to a new level and make it hard to perform simple daily tasks or even enjoy your life. Fatigue in lupus can cause:

• Trouble concentrating
• Difficulty motivating yourself

Type I interferons are key cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus . Type 1 interferons are also associated with fatigue, which may partially explain fatigue in SLE.

In addition, pain and psychological factors may contribute to your fatigue. You may also have another underlying condition thats causing or worsening your fatigue.

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How Are Fatigue And Neurological Symptoms Related

An article in the Lancet goes deeper into the connection between neurological symptoms and fatigue:

Chronic fatigue is a typical symptom of neurological diseases, and is most disabling in multiple sclerosis, postpoliomyelitis, poststroke, and in chronic fatigue syndrome.

The article goes on to describe how various parts of the nervous system may be involved in propagating feelings of fatigue. Possibly linked elements include the central nervous system, the parts of the brain related to the senses and perception, and the neuromuscular junctions .

The neuromuscular junction theory is particularly interesting. It speculates that more energy is required to activate and control the muscles, which may cause both muscles and nerves to become tired faster.

What Causes Fatigue In Lupus

There are many potential causes of fatigue. Stress, poor diet, and overstimulation can cause fatigue. Chronic conditions like depression, insomnia, and anemia can contribute so can infections and inflammation. On top of these common causes, lupus disease activity is a major source of fatigue.

Why, exactly, does lupus cause fatigue? SLE, the most common form of lupus, can have negative effects on your entire body. As opposed to types of lupus that affect only the skin, SLE is a chronic disease that can impact the kidneys, joints, brain, lungs, and blood vessels.

Fatigue in people with SLE can be related to many different factors theres no one cause of lupus fatigue. Some of the factors that can cause fatigue in lupus include:

• A lack of physical activity
• Poor sleep quality
• Brain fog, or cognitive dysfunction
• Related medical conditions like fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis

Its difficult to know whether fatigue is a cause or an effect of these factors. For example, brain fog can cause fatigue, but fatigue can also cause brain fog. Mental health problems often lead to tiredness, but tiredness can worsen mental health problems. Addressing one or more of these common causes can help to chip away at your fatigue, but there is no one fix that will get rid of your fatigue entirely.

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What Does The Lupus Joint Pain Feel Like

In Lupus, immune cells also attack the joints and cause inflammation in the joints that result in lupus arthritis. It makes your joints tender, warm, swollen, and stiff. It becomes very hard even to move your joint a little bit. Lupus mainly affects the joints that are away from the center of your body like the wrist joint, finger joints, ankle joints, and toes joints.

Lupus joint pain has many similarities with rheumatoid joint pain. In both, joints are affected in a symmetric distribution . However, lupus joint pain is not as severe as rheumatoid joint pain. It causes less swelling and morning stiffness for a shorter duration.

However, lupus can cause bone deformities such as fingers of the handdeviating towards the little finger like the neck of the swan, called Swan Neck Deformity

But fortunately, lupus doesnt cause long-term joint problems. If you properly manage lupus, you can overcome many symptoms.

One thing that distinguishes lupus joint pain from other joint pains is that it occurs in combination with many other symptoms. If along with the joint pain you experience the following symptoms, then you may consider that you have lupus syndrome:

• A butterfly-shaped rash across your cheeks and nose bridge

But, every joint pain is not due to lupus. Other causes of your joint pain may be septic arthritis, osteoporotic pain, and fibromyalgias.