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Louise Thompson was holding back tears when she announced to fans this week that she has been diagnosed with Lupus.
The Made in Chelsea star took to her Instagram Story to shared that she had been suffering from 'really, really intolerable joint pain', among other 'tough' new symptoms.
Louise, who also suffers with mental health difficulties including PTSD, has confessed that she 'could just cry' after getting the diagnosis.
"I had a call yesterday with one of the rheumatology guys and they got more of my blood test results back and the diagnosis is that I’ve got drug-induced lupus. So I’m suffering from that, which is fabulous," she shared.
"It means that I'm really tired but I've also started to get really, really intolerable joint pain, especially if I sit down for any amount of time... I mean I was just on the bus going to one appointment this morning and when I stood up and started walking... my knees were in such agony.
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"I've never experienced anything like it before. I've always been so able-bodied and so active. Exercise has been such a big part of my life and it's just so rough having to adapt to all of these new medical conditions."
On top of the agonising physical symptoms, Louise shared that the neurological symptoms have been 'almost unbearable'.
As her voice started to crack, she admitted: "I just feel like I'm constantly navigating so many different things and I could just cry. How has my life come to this? It all just feels so heavy. There's so much doom and gloom, and I can't catch a breath."
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Unfortunately, there is no cure for Lupus, though it can be managed better if it's found and treated early.
Symptoms of the long-term autoimmune disease include:
- Joint pain
- Extreme tiredness
- Rashes
- Headaches
- High temperature
- Hair loss
- Light sensitivity
- Mouth sores
- Inflammation of different parts of the body - including heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.
These symptoms can often flare up and settle down for weeks at a time - though the reason for that isn't yet known.
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If Lupus is severe, it can cause damage to the heart, lungs, brain or kidneys and can be life threatening.
People with Lupus need to get regular tests to keep track of any flare-ups.
The causes of Lupus aren't entirely known, though according to the NHS, possible causes include:
- viral infection
- sunlight
- puberty
- childbirth
- menopause
- certain medications
It's believed that hormones and genetics might be linked to Lupus, since it's far more likely to occur in women, especially if there's a family history of the condition.
Topics: Celebrity, Health, Made In Chelsea
Ali Condon