“I thought it was stress not knowing it is Lupus. Being a mum, juggling work, sleepless nights—it just made sense. But deep down, I knew this wasn’t normal.”
That’s how Gift’s story began. She was 34, energetic, and the kind of woman who made multitasking look effortless. School drop-offs, client meetings, dinner preps—all packed into one nonstop day. So when her lower back began to ache, she chalked it up to life.
But then came the fatigue. Not the kind a nap fixes—the kind that clings to your bones. Her joints started to hurt in strange places. Her fingers, her knees, her wrists. The sun began to feel hostile, triggering angry rashes on her face. She started losing hair.
Still, doctors told her it was stress. Maybe vitamin D deficiency. Maybe anxiety. “You’re doing too much,” they said. “Try to rest more.” So she tried. But the pain didn’t rest. It screamed louder.
Misdiagnosis: The Silent Detour
Gift isn’t alone. Lupus is called “the great imitator” for a reason. It mimics other illnesses and sneaks under the radar, especially in women. Especially in mothers. Especially in women of color. She saw four different doctors before one paused long enough to listen.
Blood tests. Antibody screenings. Specialist referral.
The verdict: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). An autoimmune disease where the immune system—your protector—turns against you. It explained everything. The fatigue. The rashes. The joint pain. Hair loss. The breathlessness.
Living with Lupus: More Than Just Symptoms
Gift had to re-learn everything:
How to slow down without guilt
How to ask for help without shame
How to explain to others that some days, she looks fine—but she’s not
And yet, she still showed up. For her kids. For her job. For herself. Because that’s what women do.
What You Should Know
Lupus symptoms in women can be easily brushed off. But they’re real.
Here are the common signs:
Chronic fatigue
Joint pain and stiffness
Facial rash (often butterfly-shaped)
Hair thinning or loss
Chest pain or shortness of breath
Increased sensitivity to sunlight
Unexplained fevers
If any of these sound familiar and keep returning, ask for a second opinion. Or a third. You deserve answers.
Why World Lupus Day 2025 Matters
Every May 10, the world lights up purple to honor the millions battling lupus. But awareness isn’t just about ribbons or hashtags. It’s about stories. It’s about being believed. It’s about not dismissing a woman’s pain as “just back pain.” Gift’s diagnosis didn’t fix everything. But it gave her direction. A name. A community. And most of all, validation.
Let’s keep talking. Let’s keep asking questions. Let’s keep listening. So next time someone says they’re always tired or complains of joint pain or unexplained rashes, pause before offering advice. Listen. Believe them.
