As you have discovered, Lupus (SLE-systemic lupus erythematosis) is a complicated disease. Basically, it is an auto-immune disorder- a patients immune system attacks connective tissue-the lining of blood vessels and various organs and causes arthritis and kidney disease. Some patients have severe disease, some have a mild form with flair ups. She needs a good rheumatologist.

Wethead is right. It's an autoimmune disease much like rheumatoid arthritis. It can attack organs, cause fatigue and muscle aches and pains. Treatment is much like what is given for rheumatoid arthritis: steroids, immuno-suppressive drugs like methotrexate, imuran, enbrel, etc. Here's the lupus society site that should give you information in simple English: http://www.lupus.org/

Hi Dani...I used to have a friend at work who has Lupus...it is a very confusing disease, and they still don't know all about it. Somedays my friend would be fine, others no energy, and heading downhill.
There's got to be a Google site on it....have you tried typing in something there? I know there are zillions of medical sites.
A naturopath might be good to try. Chehalis is a very small town, and I live not too far, in Portland,OR. You might try OHSU (Oregon Health Sceinces University) in Portland....it's supposed to be one of the best teaching and research hospitals in our area!!
Good luck!!!

at
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lupus/DS00115
They offer a very good health care site and this link discusses the disease

It's attacking her own tissues.  In one way, it's kind of the opposite of AIDS, where the immune system gets knocked out.  In this case, the immune system is far too active, and it's hostile to the rest of the body.  

To site another metaphor, the immune system is your body's police force.  Lupus is like a police force that has gone out of control and has begun to loot, torture and kill the general population.  It seems to be an inherent natural danger of a police force of any kind.  As far as I know, nobody knows why it happens with Lupus and how to reverse it.  

Basically, the treatment has always been to try to repair the damage and avoid things that for some reason send the person's immune system into a rampage.  

Your cousin has my sympathies.  It effects some people more slowly than others, but effects everyone who has it very badly over time.  This is an extremely devastating disease.  

Patients with any debilitating chronic illness will tell you that empathy for their condition is the best medicine. The patient is not looking for sympathy, just understanding. Staying in contact is so important. So many people say they stop seeing the pt. because they don't know what to do, or they don't know what to say. Just being there is enough. One problem patients have with the healthy is the steady stream of advice they receive. They hear freinds and family say try this treatment, go to this doctor, think positive!! These are all messages that communicate to the patient that you seem to think they are looking for sympathy; and, that they aren't trying hard enough to get well. If only they'd do more, they wouldn't be sick. It's a no-win situation. That's why belonging to a support group is so beneficial. The patient can communicate their feelings without being viewed as attention seeking. If such a group exists for lupus in your friend's area, I'd encourage her to attend. Perhaps you could attend the first meeting with her.