Navigating Lupus: Pooja’s Journey Through Diagnosis & Awareness

Written by, Pooja Gadhia, Litigation Executive.

Pooja is a Litigation Executive within our Clinical Negligence team and was diagnosed with Lupus around 6 years ago. She tells us about her story, what lupus is and what to do if you have been misdiagnosed.

I was diagnosed with lupus 6 years ago but had been suffering with a range of problems for a while. The diagnosis took a long time, but once diagnosed and received the correct medication, my health has improved dramatically.

What is lupus?

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body parts, and in turn causes inflammation. There are varying degrees of lupus, and it can show in many forms, which is why it is mistaken for other conditions. Just a few of my symptoms included photosensitivity, swollen joints, kidney pain, fatigue, facial rash, headaches, and digestive problems.

No-one knows the exact cause of lupus, but potential triggers include having a severe infection which can initiate the disease, certain medications or too much exposure to sunlight. In my case, I already have some other autoimmune conditions, so this made me more susceptible to the condition.

During the first few years I was constantly poorly, I use to get bad kidney infections, including kidney stones, and had severe asthma attacks. I was diagnosed with many other conditions before I found the underlying cause of everything. When my lupus was bad, there were days that I couldn’t get out of bed, because my body hurt so much, and I just didn’t have the energy.

After being diagnosed, my health changed significantly. I was prescribed with Methotrexate, which is a low dose chemotherapy drug, which dampens the immune system. This meant that my body stopped attacking itself altogether. I am happy to say, that now I am currently in remission, and completely lowered the dose of the drugs that I take, and I lead a normal lifestyle now.

What are the treatments for lupus?

There are various treatments for lupus, including antimalarial drugs, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Your consultant will decide on the best course of action to treat your lupus.

What are the complications of Lupus?

Lupus affects many parts of the body, mainly the kidneys. It could cause kidney failure in extreme cases, but also affects the lining of the lungs, heart, and blood vessels.

Has your lupus been misdiagnosed?

Lupus is a very tricky condition to diagnose, but according to the NHS website, blood tests should be taken to detect certain types of antibodies. If these antibodies are detected, then you should be referred to a rheumatologist who can manage your condition.

Have you or someone you know been misdiagnosed, or has there been a delay in your lupus diagnosis? Have a chat with our expert Clinical Negligence team and they will be able to assist you further.