High Peak mum suffers with Lupus and wants to raise awareness

Claire Springett, of Alexander Road in Dove Holes, was diagnosed with the condition two years ago. Since then she has had a cancer scare and a hysterectomy but because of her Lupus the routine operation turned serious and she needed a blood transfusion.

The 36-year-old said: “I am judged all the time because it in an inside illness and people look at you and think you are normal but nothing could be further from the truth.”
Lupus is an auto-immune condition where the white blood cells attack Claire’s organs rather than foreign bodies and viruses. She also suffers with chronic fatigue and severe pain in her joints.

The mum of nine-year-old twins said: “I was only diagnosed two years ago so the doctors are still working how to treat me, tweaking and learning about what medication works best for me.

“It can be controlled but there is no cure and if the medication is not right it will eat away at my organs and become life threatening.”
Growing up Claire suffered with Raynaud’s disease, which is poor circulation in her hands and feet, and terrible migraines.

It was only after she travelled to Greece two years ago the condition came to light after her ankle started swelling and becoming tight.

After a trip to the hospital deep vein thrombosis was ruled out and medics said blood was getting to her feet but struggling to return to the heart.

When she returned to England she had multiple tests which pointed to Lupus. She said: “Things really took a turn for the worse last October.”
After a cancerous cells were found in her cervix, Claire chose to have a hysterectomy. However, the Lupus stopped her healing properly and she was rushed back into hospital after a blood clot was found in her stomach.

After losing so much blood Claire had to have a blood transfusion.

She said: “I’ve never been the same since and everything has become much more of a struggle, I am constantly tired and spend most of my time resting in bed.

“My children are brilliant, they know if mummy is feeling a bit rubbish and my husband along with friends and family are so supportive and helpful.”
Now to raise money for Lupus UK and awareness Claire is organising a 12-hour triathlon on Friday at Buxton Leisure Centre where she will be doing 30 minutes in the pool, on the bike and the treadmill.

She added: “I want all the money to go to finding a cure for this horrible illness.”

To sponsor Claire click here.