The old anxiety that with every flare-up the kidneys will be further damaged is not well founded. See our separate information on Lupus and the kidneys . Depression - People with lupus may experience occasional periods of depression. Some experience depression as a reaction to long-term illness. For others it can be a result of the disease attacking the nervous system.
Depression often strikes during a flare-up.
However, in either case, these periods can pass without requiring special treatment. Other symptoms - People with lupus can also have a variety of other symptoms including high temperature, blood disorders, miscarriage, headaches, weight loss, chest pain and abdominal pain. However, it is important to remember that the symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. SLE is not easy to diagnose. It often resembles other forms of rheumatic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis.