Kéllé Bryan discusses her progression while living with lupus
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In recent weeks, the former Hollyoaks actress highlighted symptoms of the disease by posing naked for a TV advert. Signs of the condition included “arthritis in the joints, liver and kidney damage, memory loss, [and a] butterfly rash”. Appearing on the ITV chat show, the 47-year-old shared her knowledge on lupus, which she was diagnosed with back in 2000.
“At the moment there is no cure; there’s no reason why you get it and there’s limited research,” she said.
The mum-of-two previously feared her children would be taken away from her when the condition “went to [her] brain”.
“It went to my brain but I didn’t realise at the time. I thought it was mental health problems,” Bryan revealed.
“I used to bolt on a regular basis, my children were scared of me. I was worried they would be taken away.
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More research is needed in this area, which requires funding – something Bryan was happy to help out with.
“It’s a difficult time to raise money, but I have managed to raise £10,000 – but I haven’t done it alone!” Bryan said on Loose Women.
Kelle Bryan stars in BBC Two’s Celebrity Antiques Road Show on Wednesday, November 23 at 8pm.
“I didn’t know what I was capable of. If you are wondering what is wrong with you, it could be lupus.
“Go to your GP, demand they check for the symptoms. It started in my mouth and it got to the point where I couldn’t move and I couldn’t speak.”
Lupus
Lupus UK explained that the chronic autoimmune disease can cause joint and muscle aches.
The condition can lead to “extreme fatigue”, in addition to: anaemia, light sensitivity, headaches, hair loss, nasal ulcers, brain fog, and depression.
But what is lupus?
“In lupus the immune system produces far too many antibodies which, circulating through the bloodstream, cause reactions leading to inflammatory processes anywhere in the body,” the charity explains.
How the condition is diagnosed
“The GP will usually do some blood tests. High levels of a type of antibody, combined with typical symptoms, means lupus is likely,” the NHS says.
“You might be referred for X-rays and scans of your heart, kidney and other organs if the doctor thinks they might be affected.”
The severity of lupus can range from mild to severe, and symptoms can flare, meaning they become worse for a few weeks or, sometimes, longer.
READ MORE: Acholic stools are ‘the most common’ sign of pancreatic cancer in ‘initial’ stages
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A post shared by Kelle Bryan ������������ (@kelle.bryan)
As to why flares occur, this is yet to be found out, but there can also be periods of remission.
Lupus is generally treated with anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, and “hydroxychloroquine”, which addresses fatigue and skin issues.
People who have the condition might be prescribed steroids to help treat kidney inflammation.
The causes of lupus are not fully understood, nor has a cure been found.
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A post shared by Kelle Bryan ������������ (@kelle.bryan)
More research is needed in this area, which requires funding – something Bryan was happy to help out with.
“It’s a difficult time to raise money, but I have managed to raise £10,000 – but I haven’t done it alone!” Bryan said on Loose Women.
Kelle Bryan stars in BBC Two’s Celebrity Antiques Road Show on Wednesday, November 23 at 8pm.
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