Imagine at 19 years of age being told you have Lupus. You may feel some relief that your years of pain and confusion now have a name. That was Helen’s first thought. For her diagnosis mean treatment from the pain, tremors, pins and needles in her limbs, but to the outside world she looked normal. Helen was faced with finding a new ‘normal’ in her approach to everyday tasks like exercising and she was now confronted with the injectable drugs that she would need.

Lupus is a form of arthritis  that affects joints, muscles and other parts of the body, but it can also affect the skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system and blood and in particular the immune system.

Arthritis New Zealand Chief Executive Sandra Kirby today asked New Zealanders to remember that arthritis comes in many forms, including lupus. “Arthritis comes in many forms,” she said. “Lupus may not be as prevalent as the ‘big three’ (osteoarthritis, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis), but is still be debilitating for those who develop it. And people who have one of the less common forms of arthritis may have the added disadvantage that their condition may be not well understood by other people.”

“Further information about lupus (or any other form of arthritis), phone us toll free on 8000 663 463, or visit our website: www.arthritis.org.nz,” Ms Kirby concluded.