Kim Kardashian West, Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, and Other Stars Who Have Struggled with Lupus
Some illnesses are easily recognizable. With the flu, the symptoms are pretty routine. Nausea, fever, and chills. With strep throat, the same is true. Painful swallowing, fever, and fatigue.
But other illnesses are harder to diagnose and therefore can plague people for years before anyone figures out what is wrong.
What’s going on with Kim Kardashian West’s health?
On Sunday’s premiere of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kim Kardashian West expressed some concerns about her health.
“I’ve been feeling so tired, so nauseous and my hands are really getting swollen,” she said. “I feel like I literally am falling apart. My hands are numb.”
At first, she thought that she might have been pregnant. But once the pregnancy test came back negative, she went to see a doctor.
“Lately, my wrists are starting to hurt again but it’s definitely a different feeling,” she said during the episode. “I feel this in my bones. It’s starting to really worry me. I really have to look into this.”
“Based on the symptoms, it looks like I have rheumatoid arthritis,” she said. “It’s so scary. So I have to go to the doctor and see what’s going on because I can’t live like this.”
“I have a baby on the way, I have law school. It just can really scare you when you start thinking about how much this is going to change [your] life. … I can’t living without knowing. These few days are just torturous.”
What is Kardashian West being treated for?
At the end of Sunday’s episode, Kardashian West’s doctor revealed that her antibodies were “positive for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.”
This morning, she went on Today and revealed what was going on.
“I did find out, we’re gonna talk about it next Sunday,” the reality star told the morning show. “I was able to find an amazing doctor, Dr. Wallace, and we figured out what the problem is.”
In order to live normally, she had to be put on medication.
“I, unfortunately, had to be put on medication to stop the symptoms, I tried everything natural for the longest time and we chose the best route for me so luckily right now everything is under control,” she said.
What is lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can have several different manifestations. It can lead to inflammation in tissues and organs. There are a number of symptoms associated with the disease but the most common are joint pain, rashes, fatigue, and even fever.
There is no cure for lupus, but with medication, it can be managed in most cases.
Other stars with lupus
Though lupus is not often talked about, it is quite common. Several celebrities have come forward with their struggles with the disease.
Singer Selena Gomez even had to get a kidney transplant due to the illness.
“So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering,” she shared with fans on Instagram after her surgery. “It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you.”
In 2010, Lady Gaga tested borderline positive for the disease.
“So as of right now,” she said in an interview with Larry King, “I do not have it. But I have to take good care of myself.”
Singer Toni Braxton has openly struggled with the disease since 2011. Nick Cannon, Seal, Trick Daddy, and Kristen Johnston all struggle with lupus as well.
