Charlotte gerontologist shares challenges of living with lupus

WBTV reported that Charlotte gerontologist Sam Cradduck opened up about her personal experience living with lupus, an autoimmune disease that causes pain, exhaustion, and unpredictability not always visible to others.

Cradduck explained that the hardest part of lupus is the uncertainty of daily symptoms and the judgment patients often encounter. She noted that many lupus patients take steroids like prednisone, which can cause physical changes such as weight gain and a round face, leading to unfair assumptions by others.

She described how her life changed rapidly after her first lupus flare, going from playing eight softball games in a weekend to being unable to walk to the bathroom unaided just days later. The following year included difficult adjustments, including time in a wheelchair and significant weight gain.

Despite the challenges, Cradduck said she made the decision to live fully with the disease, stating she has lupus but will not let it take her life. She also noted that people often assume she is healthy based on appearance, even after losing mobility.

WBTV also shared insights from Dr. Rhea Rogers, who described lupus as “a case of mistaken identity” because patients may look healthy outwardly while battling serious internal symptoms.