Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple parts of the body. It causes inflammation that can damage tissues and organs. Knowing when to go to the hospital for lupus symptoms is important to prevent serious complications.
Go to the emergency room if you have any of these severe lupus symptoms:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe headache
- Dizziness or fainting
- Confusion or memory loss
- Seizures
- Sudden change in vision
- Severe swelling or pain in joints
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Coughing up blood
- Racing heartbeat
- High fever over 104°F (40°C)
- Weakness or loss of strength on one side of the body
- Bloody urine
- Severe abdominal pain
These emergency symptoms can indicate a lupus flare or a life-threatening complication that needs immediate treatment. Do not wait – go straight to the ER or call 911 if you experience any of these.
See your doctor promptly if you have any of these symptoms:
- Fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
- Extreme fatigue or weakness
- Skin rash
- Chest discomfort or shortness of breath
- Vision changes
- Headaches that won’t go away
- Blood in urine
- Swelling in legs or around eyes
- Confusion or memory problems
- Numbness or tingling
- Severe pain
- Easy bruising or bleeding
While not emergency symptoms, these can indicate an active lupus flare or a complication that needs prompt medical care. Contact your doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms.
Monitor these ongoing lupus symptoms:
- Joint pain, swelling, or stiffness
- Unexplained fever below 100.4°F (38°C)
- Fatigue
- Skin rashes
- Chest pain
- Dry eyes or mouth
- Headaches
- Fingers turning white or blue in the cold
Keep track of these common lupus symptoms and let your doctor know if any get worse or interfere with your daily life. Worsening symptoms may indicate a flare.
See your rheumatologist if you have a lupus flare
A lupus flare is when symptoms suddenly get worse. This may be caused by stress, infections, medications, or other triggers. If you think you are having a flare:
- Contact your rheumatologist, even if symptoms seem mild
- Note all your symptoms and when they started
- Make an appointment as soon as possible
- Follow your rheumatologist’s advice for managing the flare
Treating flares quickly can help prevent complications. Your doctor may adjust your medications, recommend rest, or order tests to determine if another condition is causing the flare.
Go to the ER for severe headaches with these other symptoms:
- Fever
- Stiff neck
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Weakness or numbness
- Slurred speech
- Vision changes
These can be signs of meningitis, an infection of the brain and spinal cord that requires emergency treatment. Severe headaches with other neurological symptoms should always be evaluated in the ER.
See your doctor for any of these medication side effects:
- Rash
- Itching
- Hives
- Trouble breathing
- Swelling of lips, face, or tongue
- Feeling faint
- Chest pain
- Dark urine
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
Lupus medications can sometimes cause severe allergic reactions or damage to organs like the liver. Stop taking the drug and call your doctor right away if you have any concerning side effects.
When to go to the ER at night or on weekends
If your symptoms are severe and your doctor’s office is closed, do not wait – go to the nearest emergency room. The ER can provide rapid treatment for dangerous lupus complications at any hour.
It’s better to have a condition checked out than to wait until office hours. Go to the ER if you have:
- Severe shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Sudden, severe headaches
- Confused thoughts or slurred speech
- Seizures
- Heavy bleeding
- Severe pain anywhere
- Inability to walk or move one side of the body
- Coughing or vomiting blood
These all require emergency care even at night or on weekends. Call 911 or have someone drive you to the ER if you have any of these symptoms.
Questions to ask yourself before going to the ER:
- Is this symptom life-threatening or disabling if I wait?
- Could permanent damage occur if I delay treatment?
- Is the symptom steadily getting worse?
- Would I normally contact my doctor immediately about this symptom?
- Is there severe pain?
- Has this symptom occurred before and needed ER treatment?
If the answer to any of these is “yes,” go to the emergency room. It’s better to have a symptom checked urgently than to delay needed treatment.
What to expect in the ER
Arriving at the ER with lupus symptoms, you can expect:
- Intake questions about your symptoms and medical history
- Vital signs measured – temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, etc.
- Blood and urine tests
- Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans if needed
- Consultation with an ER doctor
- Treatment to stabilize your condition
For severe lupus complications, you may be admitted to the hospital for further treatment and monitoring. This allows doctors to provide medications, oxygen, fluids, and other intensive care as needed.
Have your medical information ready
To help the ER doctors treat your lupus flare or symptoms, have the following information ready:
- Medical records of your lupus diagnosis and care
- List of your current medications and dosages
- List of your allergies
- Past surgeries or hospitalizations
- Contact information for your rheumatologist
Having this information helps the ER coordinate care with your doctors and ensure you get the treatment you need.
Questions the ER doctor may ask
To determine if hospital admission is needed and provide appropriate treatment, the ER doctor may ask about:
- Your current lupus symptoms – what they are, when they started, severity, etc.
- Any recent injuries or illnesses
- Medications you are taking
- Previous episodes of these symptoms
- Recent trips or sick contacts
- Other existing health conditions
Answer these questions completely and honestly to help guide your evaluation and treatment.
Treatment you may receive in the ER
Depending on your symptoms, ER treatment may include:
- Oxygen for breathing difficulties
- IV fluids for dehydration
- Pain medications
- Steroids to reduce inflammation from a lupus flare
- Antibiotics for infection
- Drugs to lower high blood pressure
- Transfusions for severe anemia or bleeding
- Emergency surgery if needed
Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about treatments being provided.
When discharge is possible
If your condition is stable, discharge from the ER may be possible. This is more likely if:
- Your symptoms have improved
- Tests reveal no serious problems
- A treatment plan is in place
- Inpatient admission is not needed
- You have follow-up care arranged
- You have transportation home
- Someone is available to monitor you
Be sure you understand all discharge instructions before leaving the ER.
Questions to ask before discharge:
- What was the cause of my symptoms?
- What are my test results?
- What treatments or medications were given?
- What side effects should I watch for?
- Do I need to avoid any activities?
- Are there medications or instructions to follow at home?
- When can I resume my normal activities and diet?
- When do I need follow-up care and with which doctor?
Clearly understanding your diagnosis, test results, and follow-up needs is vital for proper recovery.
Steps to take after discharge:
- Rest and take time to recover from your symptoms and treatment
- Follow all discharge instructions carefully
- Adjust medications and care according to discharge orders
- Watch for concerning symptoms like fever or vomiting
- Follow up rapidly with your rheumatologist and other doctors
- Update your rheumatologist on your ER visit, diagnosis, and care
Following these steps helps ensure you recover fully and reduces the risk of recurrent symptoms or complications.
When to return to the ER
After discharge, return to the ER right away if you have:
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Inability to eat or drink due to vomiting
- Increasing fever or chills
- Worsening symptoms or new concerning symptoms
- No improvement in symptoms
- Confusion or fainting
- Severe pain anywhere
Worsening symptoms or lack of improvement needs quick reevaluation in the ER. Follow up rapidly after an ER visit if you have any ongoing concerns.
Preventing unnecessary ER visits
You can help avoid unnecessary ER trips by:
- Learning the difference between emergency and urgent symptoms
- Calling your doctor’s office for guidance when unsure if ER is needed
- Having regular rheumatology checkups
- Taking medications as prescribed
- Notifying your doctor early about new or worsening symptoms
- Identifying and avoiding your personal lupus flare triggers
- Following your rheumatologist’s advice for symptom management at home
Preventing lupus flares and promptly communicating with your doctors helps minimize the need for emergency care.
Conclusion
Knowing when to seek emergency lupus treatment can prevent serious complications from the disease. Go to the ER right away if you have any potentially life-threatening symptoms. Contact your doctor promptly for flare-ups or emerging symptoms that need rapid care. With proper emergency care and close follow-up, most lupus symptoms can be successfully managed.
