Although lupus usually occurs alone, people with lupus may experience symptoms typical of one or more other connective tissue diseases. In these cases, a physician may use the term “overlap” to describe the illness.

Common diseases that overlap with lupus:

• Autoimmune thyroid disease
• Celiac disease
• Myasthenia gravis
• Antiphospholipid syndrome
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Polymyositis
• Dermatomyositis
• Scleroderma
• Sjögren’s syndrome

There are also many less common autoimmune diseases that can affect people with lupus.

Overlapping diseases are most likely to develop shortly after the first diagnosis.

There is no time limit on when a second (or even third) overlapping autoimmune disease may develop, although it is most likely to happen shortly after the first diagnosis.

Nevertheless, it is still possible to develop a second autoimmune disease more than ten years after the diagnosis of the first.

It is important to keep the lines of communication open with your healthcare provider to discuss all of the symptoms you are experiencing and ensure any potential overlapping diseases are recognized.