How serious is lupus? does it affect how long you live?

my mom, who is a RN, was just diagnosed with lupus. she has been crying in her room and i'm really scared that this may be a very serious disease. i don't want to ask her how serious it is or if it will affect her life expectancy because i don't want her to feel sad.

Love and support is what your mom needs most. Depending on the severity of the form of Lupus she has, many Lupus patients lead lives as long as anyone else.

Yes, it is serious, but I have heard that they have medication for it. I'm really Sorry to hear that your Mom has this problem.

Google it for more info so you understand what Mom is going thru
hugs to you and your Mom

"Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain. Normally the body's immune system makes proteins called antibodies, to protect the body against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign materials. These foreign materials are called antigens.

In an autoimmune disorder like lupus, the immune system cannot tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies directed against itself. These antibodies -- called "auto-antibodies" (auto means 'self') -- cause inflammation, pain and damage in various parts of the body."

Lupus is not an uncommon illness. I have a few friends who have this disease and, although it can be pretty damaging, they seem to have a very good quality of life. By this I mean that they continue to do the things that they have always done.

Learn all that you can about your mothers illness. Be supportive but don't try to cure her...you can't. In time your mother will come to accept her new diagnosis and move on, but for now she is upset by the fact that she is no longer the healthy woman that she once was.

I have added a link to the Lupus Foundations web site for your use.