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Learning About Lupus Myelitis

What is it?

Front view of person, showing spinal cord going down center of body from brain to pelvis, connected to nerves throughout body.

Lupus myelitis causes inflammation of the spinal cord. It's a rare problem caused by the disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is an autoimmune system disease. This means that the body's natural defense system (immune system) attacks your body's healthy tissues instead of attacking only things like bacteria and viruses.

Lupus myelitis can become severe. It can occur at any time during the course of SLE, including as the first symptom or years after diagnosis.

What causes it?

The exact cause isn't known. Experts believe that some people are born with certain genetic changes that affect their immune systems. This makes them more likely to get lupus myelitis. The condition is linked to having systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

What are the symptoms?

Lupus myelitis symptoms range from mild to severe. They usually come on suddenly or get worse quickly over hours or days. Common symptoms may include:

  • Weakness in the legs or arms.
  • Numbness or tingling in the legs, arms, or trunk.
  • Loss of feeling below a certain level of the body.
  • Cold or burning feeling in the legs and arms.
  • Problems controlling urine and bowels.
  • Back pain or pain in the arms or legs.
  • Fever.
  • Trouble coordinating movements on both sides of the body.

How is it treated?

Treatment for lupus myelitis often includes medicines given through an I.V. to keep the immune system from attacking the body. Plasma exchange may be done in some cases. You may get treatment for several years.

Glossary

The immune system is the body's natural defense system that helps fight infections. The immune system is made up of antibodies, white blood cells, and other chemicals and proteins that attack and destroy substances such as bacteria and viruses that they recognize as foreign and different from the body's normal healthy tissues.

The immune system is also responsible for allergic reactions and allergies, which may occur when the immune system incorrectly identifies a substance (allergen), such as pollen, mold, chemicals, plants, and medicines, as harmful.

Sometimes the immune system also mistakenly attacks the body's own cells, which is known as an autoimmune disease.

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