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Got a new diagnosis, of course because of my Lupus. Why does Lupus attract so many other conditions?

A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭
Kentucky

Sjogren's syndrome.

October 14
 · 
Reactions

Answer Summary

Members rallied around a newly diagnosed Sjogren's patient asking why Lupus tends to attract other conditions, with many sharing that having... Read more

Members rallied around a newly diagnosed Sjogren's patient asking why Lupus tends to attract other conditions, with many sharing that having one autoimmune disease makes it much more common to develop others, due to chronic inflammation. Several members described their own experiences managing Sjogren's symptoms with daily eye drops, preservative-free drops for severe dryness, dry mouth rinses, and staying hydrated throughout the day. A recurring theme was encouragement to see an ophthalmologist regularly and to stay proactive, with members reminding each other that they are not alone in navigating multiple diagnoses.

MyLupusTeam

First off, getting a new diagnosis on top of lupus is a lot to take in — so it's completely understandable to feel frustrated. You're not alone in this either, as many MyLupusTeam members also live with both lupus and Sjögren's.

The reason lupus tends to "attract" other conditions comes down to one key culprit: inflammation.

Show Full Answer

First off, getting a new diagnosis on top of lupus is a lot to take in — so it's completely understandable to feel frustrated. You're not alone in this either, as many MyLupusTeam members also live with both lupus and Sjögren's.

The reason lupus tends to "attract" other conditions comes down to one key culprit: inflammation.

Lupus causes the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissues, keeping inflammation levels chronically high. This ongoing, overactive immune response can create the right conditions for other autoimmune conditions to develop alongside it. Sjögren's is a common comorbidity of lupus, affecting an estimated 14% to 17.8% of people with lupus. The two conditions share a lot in common:

- Both are driven by inflammation
- Both can cause joint pain, skin rashes, and kidney issues
- Some of the same antibodies show up in both conditions

What makes Sjögren's distinct is that it specifically targets the glands that produce tears and saliva, which is why dry eyes and dry mouth are its hallmark symptoms.

The good news is that a rheumatologist can treat both conditions, so you're already in the right hands. It's worth having an open conversation with them about managing both diagnoses together.

October 14
A MyLupusTeam Member

@A MyLupusTeam Member That. Sucks.
But I'm glad you're already treating the lupus, which is great. You are strong and resilient. I'm proud of you for staying on top of things and knowing what's going on with your body!! 💜🦋💜

October 15
A MyLupusTeam Member

Thanks, @A MyLupusTeam Member, for the clear answer! That's exactly what I should have said.😂

For those of us whose dry eyes aren't too bad and only need artificial tears 2-3 times a day, the bottled drops are okay. For those who need them more often, the preservative-free drops are best, since the preservative can irritate the eyes.

October 15
A MyLupusTeam Member

Hi Tim! Sorry about the new diagnosis! Sjogrens and Raynauds came in the same package for me. I use eyedrops daily and always have a glass of water or a water bottle nearby to keep my mouth wet.

October 15
A MyLupusTeam Member

Inflammation has so many detrimental aspects to it unfortunately

October 15

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