What a worrying situation to be in, especially watching a loved one go through something so uncertain. It's completely understandable to wonder if lupus could be behind your sister's symptoms.
Lupus is known for mimicking many other conditions, which is actually one of the reasons it's so notoriously tricky to diagnose. When Show Full Answer
What a worrying situation to be in, especially watching a loved one go through something so uncertain. It's completely understandable to wonder if lupus could be behind your sister's symptoms.
Lupus is known for mimicking many other conditions, which is actually one of the reasons it's so notoriously tricky to diagnose. When lupus affects the nervous system, it's called Neuropsychiatric Lupus (NPSLE), and it can cause symptoms that look very different from person to person. The confusion your sister is experiencing could be relevant here. NPSLE symptoms can include:
- Memory and thinking problems
- Confusion
- Headaches
- In more serious cases, stroke or psychosis
The fact that her confusion is more prominent than muscle involvement is actually worth noting, as cognitive symptoms are a recognized part of NPSLE. Late-onset lupus (diagnosed after age 50) can also be harder to identify because symptoms can overlap with other age-related conditions, making diagnosis more complex.
It would be worth asking her neurologist whether lupus-related nervous system involvement has been ruled out, and whether a referral to a rheumatologist might help get a clearer picture. A rheumatologist would be best placed to assess whether lupus could be contributing to her symptoms.
7 days ago
Join
Your Privacy Choices
