Common symptoms of SLE:
SLE is one of several diseases known as "the great imitators" because it often mimics or is mistaken for other illnesses. SLE is a classical item in differential diagnosis, because SLE symptoms vary widely and come and go unpredictably. Some people suffer unexplained symptoms of untreated SLE for years. Luckily, most people with SLE lead a normal life.
Common initial and chronic complaints include fever, malaise, joint pains, myalgias, fatigue, and temporary loss of cognitive abilities. Because they are so often seen with other diseases, these signs and symptoms are not part of the diagnostic criteria for SLE. When occurring in conjunction with other signs and symptoms (see below), however, they are considered suggestive.

Other common symptoms include:

Chest pain when taking a deep breath
Fatigue
Fever with no other cause
General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
Hair loss
Mouth sores
Sensitivity to sunlight
Skin rash -- a "butterfly" rash in about half people with SLE. The rash is most often seen over the cheeks and bridge of the nose, but can be widespread. It gets worse in sunlight.
Swollen lymph nodes
Other symptoms depend on which part of the body is affected:

Brain and nervous system: headaches, numbness, tingling, seizures, vision problems, personality changes
Digestive tract: abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting
Heart: abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
Lung: coughing up blood and difficulty breathing
Skin: patchy skin color, fingers that change color when cold
(Raynaud's phenomenon)

Symptoms vary from person to person, and may come and go. Almost everyone with SLE has joint pain and swelling. Some develop arthritis. The joints of the fingers, hands, wrists, and knees are often affected.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS