IT’S NOT A SPIRITUAL ATTACK, IT’S LUPUS

I was invited to an event on 10^th May, 2017 and was told it was World Lupus Day. I wondered what Lupus was, yes Google is my friend but I decided to go hear from the doctors and satiate my curiosity.  I remember reading a while ago that Selena Gomez, yes the singer, had Lupus. This event was organized by the Rheumatology Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) under the leadership of Femi Adelowo, who is a Professor of Medicine and consultant Rheumatologist at Lasuth, President of the African League of Associations of Rheumatology (AFLAR) and Chairman, Executive committee of World Body of Rheumatology (ILAR). Impressive, right?

 Prof. finally satiated my curiosity with his speech.

What is Lupus? You ask

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) called Lupus is an auto-immune disease. A rheumatologic condition characterized with episodes of acute and chronic inflammation in the body.  Lupus was once thought to be rare among black Africans. Well, times have changed; I met a lot of Lupus warriors that day.

Let me break the medical language down by explaining the origin of Lupus. You know how in your blood you have white blood cells who are the super heroes that help your body fight germs and all foreign invaders and super villains? Ok, some white blood cells break away and they rebel. Instead of fighting the super villains, they become the super villains and attack the body they were meant to protect. Disappointing, right? I know.

Truthfully, Medical science doesn’t understand why those white blood cells rebel. Wait, relax, it doesn’t kill. It used to but not anymore. So, Lupus for now is like Diabetes. There is no permanent cure.  You can live a long fruitful and happy life; all you have to do is manage it with the help of a Rheumatologist.

Who does it affect?

I met Lupus survivors of all ages that day; children, teenagers, youths, old people. Both genders too though women were more. Yes, Lupus is more prevalent in women. Lupus why us? You should be a feminist.

Some of the Lupus warriors took the floor to talk about their Lupus experience and how they found out they had it. Nearly all said they and their doctors had thought it was Malaria and they kept treating the malaria but the malaria just wouldn’t go.  Scratch the doctor part. Most Nigerians self medicate. Especially, when we all know the symptoms for malaria or think we do. They’d go purchase drugs over the counter without consulting a doctor. When the malaria just wouldn’t go plus all the other symptoms that came up, some had believed it was a spiritual attack and had moved from one religious house to the other praying for a cure. Some were even called witches or Ogbanjes while others were subjected to multiple HIV tests which turned out Negative. 
 I can only imagine the number of people who’ve died because they didn’t know it was Lupus and not a spiritual attack.

What are the symptoms? Fever, joint pains, extreme fatigue, Anaemia (blood loss), mouth sores, sore throat, chest pain, cough, hair loss, skin rashes e.g butterfly rash on the nasal region,  weight loss, seizures (prevalent in kids), depression, photosensitivity (breaking out under the sun and becoming itchy),  psychotic behaviour and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Most of the Lupus warriors said they had the main three or the Triad as Prof. Calls them; Fever, joint pain and rashes.

How do they diagnose Lupus?

Lupus can be genetic. They can’t tell you have it until symptoms develop after your white blood cells rebel and you take tests. Diagnosis is made by a set of diagnostic criteria used by the Rheumatologists. A high index of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis and Blood tests are of course very important Especially a test called, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) which can serve as a pointer. The Rheumatologist usually puts 1 and 2 together to make the diagnosis.

How can you treat Lupus?

Like I have mentioned, early detection is key. Rheumatologists are the doctors trained to treat  autoimmune diseases such as Lupus and Non traumatic arthritis. They’ll give you drugs to help with the management; the drugs are called Immunosuppressive drugs. They help deal with the hero white blood cells turned villains. Examples of these drugs are Steroids, Hydroxychloroquine, Azathioprine, Mycophenolate Mofetil etc. Stronger treatments could involve super drugs called Biologics like rituximab or Hi tech stuff like plasmapheresis

Sunscreen is very important for Lupus warriors to avoid attacks. Also, avoid physical and emotional stress, eat right.

Prof. said something very encouraging. That he and his team are conducting research to know what causes it in Nigeria. The department is currently doing some work in collaboration with a UK hospital. Well, if only we had more doctors in Nigeria like Prof. and his passionate team. I know they do need funds for their research. I pray government supports them and if you’re reading this and you can support, please do, no amount is too little. There should be a Gofund me for this or what do you think?

I enjoyed my Item 7. What’s Item 7? The refreshments offered. I munched away as I listened to more warriors tell their stories.

If you have the triad and you’ve been treating Malaria please pay them or a Rheumatologist around you a visit. Have no fear; Lupus is not a death sentence. I met some lovely people living with Lupus and they’re living healthy productive lives, getting married, having kids, celebrating birthdays, you can have all these too just detect it early and manage it.

To all persons living with Lupus, you are warriors.