Can surgery cause SLE Lupus?

If you find definitive answers to those questions you will greatly further Lupus research!

Basically, no one knows why we get Lupus or what might cause it. We kinda' all believe that stress (mental, physical, spiritual, whatever) can contribute to it, but there is no scientific evidence to answer any of your questions.

Additionally, your situation is made more confusing because some (many) Drs are happy to diagnosis on symptoms alone, while some stubbornly cling to the idea of a blood test. The Lupus Org and the Rhemy folks all say you need 4 of 11 symptoms, only of of which is the blood test...so some Drs may have diagnosed you back in the past just by symptoms....

All we can really do is be aware of how we feel in the present and see that our Drs give us symptom relieve, with or without a formal diagnosis. Fun, huh?

I've often wondered if surgery can trigger certain auto-immunes.  I had surgery a year prior to my RA diagnosis and a few days after surgery, I developed something strange, with a fever, and hot swollen joints, I was like a balloon, and my fingers were so swollen I had to have my wedding ring cut off. It was very painful. Nothing like that surfaced until nearly a year later, triggered by a stomach bug. I say anything is possible.

Oops! Its supposed to say "once I had the hysterectomy" - gotta love these little word finders! (On my kindle fire) :)

Thanks for the feedback! It is interesting that others have also wondered if Lupus started following a surgical procedure or illness. After my new family Dr diagnosed me with Lupus, I dropped my long-time rheumatologist for ignoring my symptoms and saying I only had FMS and OA the last several years. Had I known I had Lupus, I may have avoided three total left knee replacement surgeries in 14 months (the first two had problems and needed to be re-done, by two surgeons in two different hospitals) to deal with chronic inflammation, fluid build-up, coming loose, and being painful. My new Lupus Fdn. book specifically described the disease attacking joints, especially knees. The symptoms the book described were the ones I had experienced for about 3-4 years. When I shared this with my 2nd knee surgeon at a post-op appt (following the Lupus diagnosis), he agreed that indead the Lupus could have caused problems with the knees, including after the surgeries. Prednizone for the severe inflammation seems to have helped knee #3, so far. It has lasted longer than the previous ones. Best wishes to everyone battling Lupus and other related health problems! Overall, life is a blessing although each moment of each day is a challenge.

Thanks, Bill, for the info and link!

Thanks for sharing your stories.  It sure sounds like surgeries can trigger SLE, especially for those with genetic links to SLE.  Good luck living with yours.  Each day has its challenges, but I just keep on going as well as I can for as long as I can.