What are the Symptoms of DILE

 

 

 

Signs and symptoms of drug-induced lupus erythematosus include:

  • Joint pain (Arthralgia) and muscle pain (myalgia)
  • Fatigue
  • Inflammation of the heart (pericarditis) and lungs (pleuritis)
  • Anti-histone antibodies in 95% of cases

These signs and symptoms are not side effects of the drugs taken which occur during short term use. DILE occurs over long-term and chronic use of the medications listed above. While these symptoms are similar to those of systemic lupus erythematosus, they are generally not as severe unless they are ignored which leads to more harsh symptoms, and in some reported cases, death.

 

As for myself,  I did have many more symptoms than just the symptoms listed above.  

 

Mine seemed to follow the pattern of full blown SLE.  That is why the medics kept testing me for three years even though the results were always either negative or inconclusive.

 

Symptoms of SLE are many more and varied

 

  • Joint pain (arthralgia)
  • Unexplained fever (more than 38C or 100F)
  • Swollen joints (arthritis)
  • Prolonged or extreme fatigue
  • Skin rash
  • Ankle swelling and fluid accumulation
  • Swollen lymph glands
  • A butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose
  • Hair loss
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Anaemia
  • Mouth and nose ulcers
  • Pale or painful fingers or toes from cold or stress (Raynaud's phenomenon)
  • Sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea
  • Dryness of the eyes and mouth
  • Chest pain
  • Bruising
  • Thought and concentration disturbances
  • Personality changes
  • Migraines