It is an autoimmune illness, that is to say, the immune system itself attacks healthy cells and tissues by mistake. This can damage several parts of the body such as joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels and brain. In my particular case, it is the joints that are affected. The most common symptoms are articular and muscular pain, discomfort in the chest when breathing deeply, sun sensitivity, extreme weariness, mouth ulcers and unexplained temperature, among others. These symptoms may appear and disappear at their will, what is known as “flares”.

From my point of view, the cruellest symptom is fatigue, similar to a condition of severe anaemia.