Kelle Bryan is best known for being a singer in the group Eternal. The former singer has since appeared in Hollyoaks and is a regular on ITV’sLoose Women panel.
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Kelle has used her position to become an advocate for lupus, an auto-immune disease from which she suffers. Indeed, she raises awareness about the disease and is a patron of the St Thomas' Lupus Trust. She's not the only Loose Women star who have used the platform to raise awareness about their health condition.
Kelle Bryan was diagnosed with lupus in 1998 and has recently shared an uplifting update about finding a treatment that works for her. But the journey to get there has been a long one.
Kelle Bryan reveals she has found a treatment that works for her
Kelle Bryan attended the TV Choice Awards and spoke exclusively with Express about her lupus experience.
The Loose Women star revealed that she has finally found a treatment that works for her and has helped her have a life again.
For me to be up and about and feeling like I do now, I’m really grateful. It’s a tough journey. It is for anyone with a long-term illness.
There's no cure for lupus. So for me, having a treatment that means I can get on with my life and be able to carry on as normal. I’m just grateful that I found a treatment that works for my body.
She explained that it has been a ‘long journey’ but she feels ‘really privileged’ to be where she is now.
Kelle Bryan talks about her experience with lupus
As with all chronic illnesses, no one experiences the disease the same as another person. Back in 2021, Kelle Bryan spoke about her experience with lupus, which greatly affected her life.
During an appearance on Loose Women, she explained that she had cerebral lupus, which meant she had swelling on the brain. This swelling caused her to have a stroke. Following the stroke, Kelle lost the ability to speak, read, and all movement.
I had cerebral lupus... I lost the ability to speak, to read, to write and [my] movement and coordination.
The former singer recalled that moment in her life, revealing she ‘lost three days of her life’ as she couldn’t remember anything after the stroke. Kelle eventually had to relearn basic life skills, including how to drink from a cup.
I lost three days of my life where I don't remember anything at all. [...] I had to learn how to use a cup to drink again.
Kelle also revealed that lupus affects her short-term memory, which impacts her day-to-day life.
I would go out and leave my front door open, or I would go shopping and leave my car door open.
What is lupus?
As mentioned above, lupus is an auto-immune disease. According to the NHS, it is a long-term condition that causes joint pain, skin rashes, and tiredness. As with many auto-immune diseases, there is no cure, but symptoms can be managed with medication.
The main symptoms of lupus are the following, as per the NHS:
- joint and muscle pain
- extreme tiredness that will not go away no matter how much you rest
- rashes that usually come on after being in the sun – the rash is often over the nose and cheeks
Other symptoms can include headaches, mouth ulcers, hair and weight loss, and swollen glands, usually in the neck, armpits, or groin.
Those who suffer from lupus may experience flare-ups, which is when there is a spike in pain and symptoms for a few weeks, then it goes away. Others may feel constant pain with no relief.
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Sources used:
Express: ‘Loose Women star issues emotional update on health condition that has no cure’
NHS: ‘Lupus’
Lupus Trust: ‘Kelle Bryan's Story’
