Lupus is often called “the great imitator” — and for good reason. Its symptoms can resemble those of many other conditions, from blood disorders to heart or kidney issues. Understanding the early signs of lupus is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
In this post, I share the common symptoms of lupus—including some based on my personal journey—and why it’s important to listen to your body.
🎬 Quick Intro
Hi everyone, welcome back to Lupus Comforts, where I share real-life stories, facts, and support for those affected by lupus. Today’s topic is one close to my heart — what are the symptoms of lupus, and how can you recognize them?
⚠️ Why Lupus is Hard to Diagnose
Lupus can affect any organ system or part of the body, and its symptoms may come and go or change over time. This makes it an invisible illness that is notoriously hard to diagnose.
If you’re searching for answers to “early signs of lupus”, “how lupus feels”, or “symptoms of autoimmune disease”, keep reading — this article is for you.
🛌 1. Fatigue – But Not the Regular Kind
The most common lupus symptom is chronic fatigue — but it’s not your usual tiredness. It doesn’t go away after 8 hours of sleep or a relaxing weekend.
💬 “Some mornings, lifting a blanket feels like lifting a mountain.”
For many of us, lupus fatigue feels like being forced to run a marathon without any training — it’s intense, overwhelming, and not easily explained to others. Sadly, this often leads to hurtful misconceptions like being called lazy or antisocial.
🦋 2. Butterfly Rash (Malar Rash)
One of the most visible signs of lupus is a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose. This red rash can also appear on the chest, neck, or elsewhere on the body.
🟣 Fun Fact: The butterfly is the symbol of lupus, representing both hope and visibility in this invisible illness. The term “lupus” comes from the Latin word for wolf, due to the facial lesions once thought to resemble a wolf’s bite.
🤕 3. Joint Pain, Stiffness & Swelling
This was my first symptom back in 2007 — a swollen, painful finger I couldn’t even bend. Lupus joint pain usually affects hands, wrists, and knees and can come with noticeable swelling and warmth.
👉 Let me know in the comments: What was your first lupus symptom?
🩸 4. Anaemia (Low Red Blood Cells)
Lupus frequently causes anaemia, especially in women. Despite eating a balanced, iron-rich diet, I stayed anaemic for years. If you’re constantly low on energy and iron, speak to your doctor about further autoimmune testing.
💢 5. Unexplained Bruising or Blood Clots
Have you noticed dark patches or bruises with no known injury? Abnormal blood clotting is a common lupus symptom. I often find mysterious bruises on my legs and arms.
💇♀️ 6. Hair Loss or Thinning
Lupus affects hair follicles, leading to hair thinning, brittleness, and even alopecia (total hair loss). For some, this could be caused by lupus flares or medication side effects.
🔔 Stay tuned — I’ll share more about my lupus-related hair loss journey in an upcoming video.
🌡️ 7. Other Symptoms to Watch
Lupus symptoms are vast and vary. Here are other common signs:
- 🤒 Frequent low-grade fevers
- 🧼 Skin lesions or rashes
- 🧊 Raynaud’s disease (fingers turning white or blue in cold)
- 😮💨 Shortness of breath
- ❤️ Chest pain
- 👄 Mouth ulcers
- 👁️ Dry eyes or blurry vision
- 🤯 Confusion or memory issues
- ⚖️ Weight gain/loss
- 😞 Depression or mood swings
- ☀️ Sensitivity to sunlight or artificial light
👩⚕️ Trust Your Body, Advocate for Yourself
You know your body best. If something feels off and persists without explanation, don’t ignore it. See your GP and be thorough with your symptoms.
🩺 Pro Tip: Help your doctors help you. Keep a journal of symptoms, frequency, and triggers so they can make an informed diagnosis.
💜 Final Thoughts
Understanding lupus symptoms is the first step toward awareness and management. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or supporting someone with lupus, sharing knowledge makes all the difference.
📹 In my next video, I’ll talk about how lupus is diagnosed and what tests are commonly done.
👉 Hit subscribe on my YouTube channel and share this post with loved ones to help raise lupus awareness.