Indiana Woman Describes Stress Induced Lupus Flare Symptoms

I was diagnosed with Lupus after my immune system turned on itself after I had COVID for the first time in 2020. Lupus affects everyone differently, and it is nearly impossible to explain to the people in my life. It is getting more difficult to hide, especially with my ever-changing face and neck rashes.

In these photos I used different angles and the last one has a filter. This is an example of a 'nice' Lupus Flair. I was not in the sun, this just appeared after a regular stressful day. It doesn't itch, but sometimes it's hot.

PHOTO liberty lupus rash

What is Lupus?

Lupus is basically the most 'Liberty' autoimmune disease that you can have. Why? Well, the symptoms are literally different for everybody! Treatment is trial and error, but a lot of it has to do with self-care, and I'm terrible at that. I am on a daily medication that is helping with some skin issues. Shingles also like to appear, and I'm on medication for that, which is hit or miss. I'm also on low-dose steroids to help with energy.

Lupus is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system — the body system that usually fights infections — attacks healthy tissue instead.

So Many Triggers

Ask anyone who knows me, and they will tell you that I am naturally prone to stress. I am slowly learning what my limits are. Picture the Little Tea Pot nursery rhyme song. Once I get to the 'Tip me over' part, I know that I have exceeded the amount of stress that I can handle without Lupus Flare-Up.

Obviously, walking away from a stressful situation is one way to deal with it. That is not always possible. I can't stop a meeting and leave because I can feel a rash developing. I am starting to feel anxiety when I look at the calendar and I have a lot coming up. Not because I didn't want to do things, but because I know that some weeks I will be mentally and physically drained.

Another fun discovery of my Lupus symptoms has been wanting to shut down completely. I could sleep for days if I didn't set an alarm. And I hate that I'm not present with my family because I'm feeling bad.

So Many Symptoms

First, there is sheer exhaustion. It's hard to even describe that part. My whole body is tired, and my brain shuts down. Brain fog is so irritating. If you hear me on the radio, and I literally forget the word I was going to say - that's a classic example of brain fog.

Liberty DeWig

Some days the bathroom is my best friend. Yes, that is TMI, but I know that a day or two after a particularly stressful incident, a form of IBS attacks my body. Super fun, right?

Oh, and once I get sick, my body likes to hold on to it for weeks. This is the Lupus attacking the cells that are trying to heal me from the flu or whatever.