CARAGH Keane, 29, daughter of football legend Roy Keane, on battling an incurable autoimmune condition.
In the summer of 2021, I developed blisters on my fingers and toes, which a dermatologist told me were chilblains.
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But that didn’t make any sense, given the warm weather.
I was also suffering from fatigue and struggled to keep my eyes open while driving.
I even fell asleep during a haircut once, which was mortifying.
I was experiencing gradual hair loss and joint pain, too.
Once, when I was driving home from an interview for my dream job as a primary school teacher, my hips, knees and wrists were so painful I could barely turn the steering wheel.
The role was everything I’d worked towards since graduating from the University of St Andrews, but when the headteacher called to offer it to me, I choked back tears and told him I couldn’t accept it as I wasn’t well.
After that day, I crashed. My hair fell out in clumps, I was covered head to toe in blisters and too weak to get out of bed.
One evening, I got stuck in the bath because lifting myself out felt impossible. I remember thinking: “I’ll never walk again.”
Within two weeks of hitting rock bottom – and 24 hours after seeing a doctor – I was diagnosed with lupus.
There is no single test for the autoimmune condition, however various markers in the blood can point towards it.
A low white blood cell count signals the body is attacking itself, and an increase in C-reactive protein in the liver shows the body is fighting inflammation or infection.
All of these were present in my system.
Before my diagnosis, I had only heard about lupus because of Selena Gomez, who discovered she had the disease in 2013.
I was clueless about the details and, with no definitive cause, I went down a Google rabbit hole for answers.
I found horror stories of organ issues and people becoming reliant on immunosuppressants, such as chemotherapy medication.
My dad is the most supportive person, and my mum Theresa is super-positive, too, which stopped me spiralling.
Stopped me spiralling
Mum said: “You need to give your body what it needs to heal.”
That’s when we turned our attention to my diet.
I’d always eaten well, but I began following the Autoimmune Protocol diet, which eliminates inflammation-triggering foods, such as gluten, dairy and nuts, and also improves sleep and lowers stress levels.
It’s a work in progress, and I occasionally get flare-ups, which mean hair loss and pain
Caragh
I find it interesting that almost 80% of those with autoimmune conditions are women.*
Genetic and hormone factors come into it – oestrogen boosts immune activity, so women with high oestrogen levels are more prone – but societal factors, such as how women more commonly internalise stress, are also to blame.
Within two months of focusing on my health, I noticed improvements.
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My hair began growing back, the blisters healed and my joint pain eased. Day by day, I could do more and more.
I’ll never be cured, but I manage lupus with supplements, diet and lifestyle.
It’s a work in progress, and I occasionally get flare-ups, which mean hair loss and pain.
Recently, I noticed blisters on my fingers and realised that was because I’ve been so busy launching my new gut-friendly food company, Superkeen.
When my symptoms flare up, I know I need to tweak how I’m living and prioritise my health.
I used to love Barry’s Bootcamp and competitive sports, such as netball, but now I avoid exerting myself too much, otherwise I pay for it afterwards.
In the beginning, suffering from alopecia and blisters took a mental toll.
I felt self-conscious and, being single at the time, I thought I’d never feel lovable.
Back on track
But 18 months on from my diagnosis, after I’d got my health back on track, I met my boyfriend on a night out in Manchester.
I didn’t want to tell him about my lupus straight away, because I didn’t want to burden him – or put him off – but he’s now the most supportive person. He’s my rock.
Recently, I got offered a science coordinator job at a school in Manchester, teaching from reception to year six – but right now, I’m giving my all to my business.
It’s wonderful to be able to help people with autoimmune conditions.
I just want anyone going through what I’ve experienced to know that they’re not alone.
- Superkeen is available at Whole Foods Kensington, Selfridges and Planet Organic (Superkeenfoods.com).
- Source: *Emerging Infectious Diseases