Why ongoing symptoms and patients’ lived experiences need more attention in lupus care
People living with lupus describe how symptoms such as fatigue affect their work and daily lives. Studies show that patients and doctors may view the impact of the disease differently, highlighting the need to better understand patients’ experiences and concerns
Nisha Panwar and Tabassum Sultana are two women who have been battling chronic illnesses, lupus and mixed connective tissue disease respectively. Both women sought medical help after months of persistent symptoms, but faced discrimination from some doctors who dismissed their condition as a mental health issue.
In Nisha's case, she was finally diagnosed in December 2013. However, her journey did not end there. Recurring flare-ups continue to impact her mental health, making her recovery a challenging process.
Tabassum's diagnosis came in 2024, but her ordeal did not end with the news of her disease. She later developed avascular necrosis of her right hip and underwent surgery in September 2025. The recovery from this surgery was slow, leading to her dependence on her mother for daily activities. Moreover, the recurring flare-ups of her condition continue to take a toll on her mental health, affecting her ability to work.
Despite the hardships, both Nisha and Tabassum's stories highlight the need for better attention to ongoing symptoms and patients' lived experiences in the care of patients with lupus and similar conditions.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
