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A person clutching their head with a red scribble where their brain is. Text reads "Lupus In America : Results from our second survey."

Managing the Unimaginable: Lupus Symptom Control

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By Editorial Team

1 min read

A lupus diagnosis can be scary and confusing. Managing lupus can be overwhelming for the newly diagnosed as well as the warriors who have been fighting for years. Unless you are living with lupus, it can be hard to understand how it ravages the body. Our 2nd Lupus In America survey showed us what it is like to live with lupus. Time to take a deeper look.

Seeking lupus symptom relief

Not many people with lupus feel their symptoms are controlled under their current treatment plans. Those whose lupus is not as well controlled as their counterparts' include people struggling due to COVID-19 and the 63 percent who also have another autoimmune disease. Other people are just not confident that they are doing all things necessary to manage their lupus.

Person walking with low battery signal above their head. Metaphor for a lack of control with symptoms like fatigue and pain.

Lupus treatment options

People with lupus have experience with a variety of treatments, including specialty drugs, surgery, and complementary and alternative therapies. However, it can still be a struggle to overcome unexpected flares and symptoms. Two-thirds of survey participants said they rely on their doctors' recommendations. Here are the most commonly used treatments.

Treatments being used by people living with lupus include antimalarials, immunosuppressants, anticoagulants, monoclonal antibodies, and Benlysta® (belimumab).

Alternative lupus treatment options

Aside from prescription drugs, infusions, and surgical procedures, people living with lupus frequently:

  • Use rest or sleep to manage fatigue
  • Limit their light exposure to prevent flares
  • Take over-the-counter medications
  • Use heat therapy to manage pain
Alternatives to prescriptions include rest/sleep, limited sun exposure, OTC pain medication, and heat therapy.

Looking back on lupus symptom management

It is tough not to look back on earlier decisions and wonder, “Was that right?” More than 8 in 10 wish they could have done things differently when managing/treating their lupus.

A person turns back the clock. People with lupus wish they were diagnosed sooner, received better treatment, or changed doctors.

Confidence in managing lupus symptoms

Among those who took the survey, people ages 50 and older reported greater control of their lupus along with fewer symptoms and flares. They also shared that they have greater confidence managing their condition.

The transition from cocoon to caterpillar and butterfly to signifiesy the changes and confidence people living with lupus have as they grow older.

The Lupus In America 2021 survey was conducted online from February through March of 2021. Of the 836 people who completed the survey, 592 were 50 years or older, 95 percent were women, and 5 percent were men.

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