Changes in hormone levels, stress-linked protein levels occur in response to trauma. These events can even mark a person’s DNA, also known as epigenetics, which changes how the body “reads” the genetic code in ways that can be passed on to one’s children.

Traumatic events have been linked to changes in the immune system, inflammation, and immune cell function. Researchers are still trying to determine the exact changes that occur due to trauma and stress, but it is clear that post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, causes people to be more vulnerable to developing autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is characterized by intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings that typically relate to a major traumatic event in their lives. This event can have happened directly to them, to someone close to them, or to the world at large. In either case, the experience, or the details thereof, have left a deep and upsetting psychological impression in the person’s mind and caused many changes in their body.

PTSD can contribute to other mental health issues as well, such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations. People experiencing traumatic events can have issues adjusting to life after the event, as well. Not everyone develops PTSD in response to a traumatic event. And sometimes the symptoms are temporary, but PTSD can also linger throughout someone’s life. Psychotherapy including both therapy and medications, can help with many of the manifestations of PTSD.

Anyone can potentially develop PTSD, but certain people and professions are exposed to more traumatic events.

Military service, as well as certain dangerous professions, also involves exposure to hazardous substances, increasing the risks even more. People who experience natural disasters, tragedy, abuse can also, and hardship (especially early in life) can develop PTSD.

Women and people of African American descent are especially likely to experience traumatic events and to develop PTSD. This could potentially account for why lupus is more likely to develop in women, minorities, and people with high-stress professions.

PTSD and Lupus

People who have PTSD are 2-3 times more likely to develop lupus, and in some cases traumatic events might trigger the first symptoms of SLE. According to an analysis of medical records, the first diagnosis of SLE can show up within a day, or within years. Though this is not a very good measure due to how difficult it is to get an immediate diagnosis of either condition.

The more symptoms of PTSD that are reported, the more likely the person was to develop lupus. However, the two disorders go both ways: Some symptoms of SLE might be heightened or exacerbated by lupus, as well, including anxiety, depression, and fatigue. You can read more about fatigue and the neurological symptoms of lupus here.

Genetics play a significant role in who develops lupus from PTSD or other causes.

Genes determine how sensitive immune system cells are to changes. Also, how resistant they are to “stand down” signals. As well as how well the immune system culls out antibodies that target the body’s own cells.

For people who are already at a higher risk of developing lupus, PTSD can potentially push them over the edge into developing the disease and experiencing a flare. Other factors can also further increase the risks of developing autoimmune disease, including:

• smoking
• hormonal treatments (such as oral contraceptives or postmenopausal hormones)
• exposure to dangerous substances

Developing lupus can cause additional stresses that can exacerbate both the symptoms of lupus and the symptoms of PTSD. For example, employment or on the job troubles due to lupus can make it difficult to normalize oneself and might cause reminders of the trauma. Flare ups of either disorder can feed into the other, and lead to a separate symptom flare. This makes taking care of both the PTSD and lupus very important for people with lupus and PTSD.

Treating Lupus and PTSD

A mental health professional is an important part of your lupus treatment team. You can read more about them, here.

Stress-reducing methods, such as mindfulness, can help reduce symptoms of lupus and help heal the deep wounds caused by PTSD. Medication and self-management are important for controlling both conditions, and bringing down lupus symptoms through can give PTSD therapy room to heal. Expressive therapies such as art therapy, writing therapy, music therapy, aromatherapy, and stress-relieving supplements such as green tea, can also help.

Regular clinic visits, laboratory tests, and prescription medications are essential for battling lupus and for living your best life. But, the costs can add up quickly. Healthcare (at least in the US) is expensive and the accompanying bills can be daunting.

Lupus Warriors spend $12,643 per year on healthcare alone according to a 2008 study shared by the Lupus Foundation of America. Direct costs included costs for hospitalizations, emergency department services, physician visits, outpatient surgical procedures, dialysis, and medications.

Though this can vary depending on your individual symptoms and needs, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by costs.

Having that debt can seriously damage your credit score, hinder your life, and get you harassed by creditors — and you don’t need that pain on top of what you already have. Fortunately, financial assistance programs can help with the burden.

Health Insurance and Financial Assistance

Health insurance is a very good option, and you can read more about what that is and how to get it here. 

It can take some research to find the right one, but you should try to get health insurance if you are able, especially if you live in America. You may be able to get health insurance through your job, your spouse, or through other means. No matter how you get your insurance, it is very important to make sure that your medications, specialists, and facilities are covered. 

Starting in 2014, you can also get financial aid to purchase health insurance. The qualifications are the same for Medicaid, which is paid for by your taxes. However, since Medicaid may not be the right plan for all Lupus warriors, financial aid can help pay for a plan that covers what you need.

However, health insurance is not the only option to help pay for your medical needs.

Disability and Government Assistance

Disability bonuses, also known simply as disability, is money that the government distributes to people with qualifying health conditions. If you are unable to work due to lupus, you still are able to have a roof over your head, food on your table, and contribute to the household needs. However, it can be a challenge to be approved to receive benefits.

In order to see if you are eligible, the Social Services Administration – the government department that handles the funds – requires information on your current level of functioning. They solicit info on your employment status ,the severity of your condition, the nature of your condition, and whether you can continue working in any capacity. They also have a list of “approvable” disabilities. Lupus is included on that list, as well as some common comorbidities such as kidney damage and arthritic pain. Here is the specific quote from Disability-benefits-help.org:

“To meet the lupus listing you must have at least two body systems or organs and are affected by the disease and you must additionally experience other signs and symptoms on a consistent basis, like fatigue, fever, or weight loss.”

You will need to “prove” this. Your doctor can help you here by sharing their notes and verifying your symptoms. A disability lawyer can help figure out what evidence you need, help direct it through the process, and help you with the appeal.

The pathway to receive these benefits can be long. It can sometimes take 3-5 appeals to go through. Plus, filling out detailed questionnaires can be a pain. 

But the end result, the disability benefits, can help reduce your financial burden. You can try out a free evaluation here.

What About Clinical Trials for Financial Assistance?

Participating in clinical trials for lupus is a very good option for many reasons. Clinical trials expand our knowledge on lupus and can help develop treatments. Additionally, they often provide compensation or pay for medications and therapies. 

Clinical trials.gov provides information on clinical trials, including trials that are recruiting participants. And, Lupus.org has a search engine that specifically helps match you to clinical trials via a questionnaire.

The main disadvantage of clinical trials is that you may or may not be eligible due to other medications or therapies, or may have a reaction to whatever they are trialing. The limited duration of clinical trials can also be a problem. However, it can be a good way to fund therapies, and you might get a new and effective medication regimen out of the deal.

Payment Plans

Some medical centers offer payment plans to make up the difference between what your insurance covers and what you need to pay. Many smaller payments can be more manageable.

Payment plans are best used for major, one-off crises or surgeries. A more constant use of services will mean that the amount that you need to pay will increase over time due to interest. So, a payment plan might not be the best choice for those cases. If you have a very active form of lupus, insurance plans with higher up-front costs or deductibles may still save you money in the long run.

Other Types of Financial Aid

Financial aid isn’t just for your medical bills – it can also include:

• Assistance with transportation and getting around. Transportation can be key to getting the care that you need. Whether you live in a rural area or in the city, transportation support can take away a cost and a burden associated with medical care.
• Assistance with rent, mortgage, and utility bills or with finding stable housing within your ability to pay. Keeping a temperature-controlled roof over your head can help keep your symptoms at bay, and reducing bills reduces your stress level, too.
• Assistance with financial planning, to help make what money you do have available last and get the most bang for each buck.

Using Crowdfunding for Financial Assistance

If you are having trouble getting insurance or disability funding, then crowdfunding may help. With the rise of the internet, getting help from a vast worldwide community is doable. But, you will have to make your case.

You should always have a goal for crowdfunding. Usually, with crowdfunding, the goal is to get the services that you need until you can make things more sustainable.

Sharing your need for a specific, achievable goal, such as a surgery or procedure that will improve your life, is a great motivator for fundraising sites. Or, for a specific amount of money that will fund medications for a specific amount of time, hopefully with a resolution at the end (your insurance starting up, perhaps). 

Make sure to be clear about what the money will go towards. On some of these sites, using this money for things other than your medical bills is frowned upon. On other sites it is more expected. Familiarize yourself with other funding options and the norms of the online community before posting for best results.

A few options for crowdfunding your medical costs include:

• Rally Hope 
• Gofundme 
• Plumfund 

Other Financial Assistance Options

Ready to take the first step in getting financial assistance for lupus? Here are a few links to other organizations that provide support:

• Veterans of the US Military can get financial aid through Veterans Affairs or through other private organizations
• Needymeds also lists programs for people with lupus
• Patient Help Network offers patient assistance programs that cover medications as long as they cost over $100 a month
• USA.gov a government site, offers benefits, grants, and loans to qualified people. You can view their site here as well as links to Healthcare.gov’s site, which can help you find an insurance plan that works for you.
• Some nonprofit charities, including Catholic Charities, Modest Needs and foundations such as Healthwell and PAN offer assistance and funding to people with chronic diseases
• Various charities around the country can grant funds for people with chronic diseases. Healthwell has a fund specifically for Lupus Warriors that pays for up to $15,000 in copay costs and covers 52 lupus medications. The fund focuses on lower income families who are below or near the poverty level. This does require that you have an insurance plan already. That insurance plan will pay for most of your costs, and the fund will cover the rest. This will allow you to pay nothing out of pocket for your essential medications
• The Assistance Fund offers funds for lupus that can be applied for here. They claim to cover “all FDA-approved” medications for lupus
• Quest Diagnostics pays for laboratory testing, either via payment plans, financial assistance, or by adjusting the charges
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, run by Health and Human Services, is financial assistance that aims to help families get back on their feet after a set back and “achieve self-sufficiency.” Though not appropriate for everyone’s situation, this can help a family reeling from a sudden crisis or a diagnosis.

Identifying and Applying for Financial Assistance

The right treatments, the right treatment team, and the right price can make all the difference. But, it can take some work to find and apply for the appropriate programs for you.

Looking to get started? Here are some tips:

• Create a spreadsheet of different financial programs that may be beneficial (include any due dates for applications)
• Save copies of your applications and look for follow-up information when you submit
  • Get a point-of-contact whenever possible
• Some lawyers and organizations support patients through the support process
• Ask your clinicians about local programs. They can also help get you enrolled.

The Lupus Foundation of America and the Lupus Research Alliance share additional insights on financial services. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also has additional resources for medical treatment assistance.

Try whatever options you can, and see if it can free up some of your energy for healing.