It’s easy to bat away common symptoms like headaches, nausea and fevers on a day-to-day basis, but they might be a sign of something more malicious than a simple ache.
In fact, one TikToker, who goes by @_jess.corrigan_ online, has shared how the combination of all her seemingly benign symptoms led to a life-threatening diagnosis.
Admitting that her symptoms developed to a point where she was taking painkillers on a daily basis, she told followers: “I saw the signs of Lupus and I ignored it until it was affecting every part of my body.”
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune condition when the immune system fails to work normally, identifying the body’s own tissue as “foreign invaders”, Lupus UK has explained, and, as such, can be a life-threatening diagnosis.
TikTok/@_jess.corrigan_
|Facial rash and headaches were just two of the symptoms Jess mentioned
The most common symptoms of the chronic disease are aches and pains in joints and muscles, due to its tendency to cause inflammation throughout the body.
Meanwhile, around 90 per cent of patients have feelings of extreme fatigue, proving detrimental to quality of life.
The TikToker even admitted that she felt inclined to go back to sleep as soon as she woke up, which is a common occurrence of those who suffer from lupus.
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Additionally, Jess explained that she experienced joint pain which began in her wrists, as well as hair loss and rashes across her face.
The Cleveland Clinic said that such rashes can spread from cheek to cheek in a butterfly shape, hence its nickname as a “butterfly rash”.
Other symptoms that she experienced include:
- Oral and nasal ulcers
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fevers and night sweats
- Breathlessness
- No appetite
- Swollen joints
- Random bruising
- Cuts on fingertips
- Vasculitis in feet
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|Jess said she suffered from headaches
And, finally, she said that she experienced Raynaud’s phenomenon, which is a condition impacting blood circulation to fingers and toes, often in response to extremely cold temperatures or anxiety.
It is a common symptom and “does not usually cause severe problems”, according to the NHS, and is easily self-remedied.
However, the health service warned that it could be a more sinister symptom, causing potential pain, numbness and pins and needles.
Overall, the symptoms of lupus are intricate and complex. If you are concerned by any symptoms, please consult your GP or equivalent medical professional for a full assessment.