My experience with lupus nephritis

Lupus nephritis is a kind of lupus-related kidney disease that affects the kidneys and can result in kidney failure. In lupus nephritis, kidneys can become inflamed. In this video from the National Kidney Foundation, learn about lupus nephritis.

Transcript

00:00

Lupus nephritis. It's a form of lupus that attacks your kidneys. And in my case, I was facing kidney failure.

00:07

[MUSIC PLAYING]

00:15

In 2004, I was diagnosed with lupus related kidney disease.

00:23

I didn't know I had lupus until I started having seizures my junior year of college and I ended up in the hospital for a three-month stay.

00:31

That's when I found out about lupus nephritis. It's a form of lupus that attacks your kidneys. And in my case, I was facing kidney failure.

00:40

Basically, my kidneys were inflamed. They couldn't function as well, which stopped them from being able to rid my body of the toxins

00:48

that you need to get rid of. People with lupus nephritis tend to have to give their kidneys a helping hand, whether that's

00:56

through diet or other treatments, like dialysis. In my particular case, my kidneys were able to perk up.

01:04

Today I live without being on dialysis and not on the transplant list and I keep to my very strict

01:11

low sodium diet. It's important to talk to your doctors and nutritionists

01:18

to find out what you can do to stay healthy and strong. [MUSIC PLAYING]