Roy Keane’s daughter Caragh admits she ‘thought life was over’ after being diagnosed with an incurable illness aged 25

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Roy Keane’s daughter Caragh has admitted she ‘thought’ life was over after being diagnosed with an incurable illness aged 25.

In 2021, Caragh was diagnosed with Lupus, an incurable autoimmune condition which occurs when the body’s immune system mistakes its own tissues and organs as foreign, making proteins called autoantibodies that attack them.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease – famously suffered by singer Selena Gomez – causes inflammation, affecting joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. 

And in a new interview four years after her diagnosis, Caragh, now 29, opened up about her tough battle with the condition that left her with joint pain, alopecia, and painful blisters on her skin.

The beauty, who is the second-oldest child of Manchester United legend Roy, 53, and wife Theresa Doyle, also credited her parents for saving her life as she recalled struggling so much that she couldn’t leave her bed for over a month. 

Speaking to PA Real Life, Caragh explained: ‘Life was over. (There was) no way out. I wouldn’t be here without them (mum and dad). When I was diagnosed, I mourned the person I had been and the person I felt I should have been.

Roy Keane's daughter Caragh has admitted she 'thought' life was over after being diagnosed with an incurable illness aged 25 [Roy and Caragh pictured together]

Roy Keane’s daughter Caragh has admitted she ‘thought’ life was over after being diagnosed with an incurable illness aged 25 [Roy and Caragh pictured together]

In a new interview four years after her diagnosis, Caragh, 29, opened up about her tough battle with the condition that left her with joint pain, alopecia, and painful blisters on her skin

In a new interview four years after her diagnosis, Caragh, 29, opened up about her tough battle with the condition that left her with joint pain, alopecia, and painful blisters on her skin

‘The fatigue was unbearable but you just power on. I was essentially bed-bound for a month-and-a-half.

‘I had been experiencing fatigue and memory loss for about six months. Since your immune system is essentially attacking itself, you feel like you only have yourself to blame.’

Things got so bad amid the pain and fatigue that Caragh faced lifetime of taking immunosuppressants and was even told she may need chemotherapy to help ease her symptoms, with Caragh also forced to give up her dream of becoming a teacher.

After feeling that there was ‘no way out’ amid her crippling symptoms, Caragh took things into her own hands and began to search the link between gut health and inflammation.

WHAT IS LUPUS?

What is lupus?

It is one of the chronic autoimmune conditions, where the body makes antibodies against itself and starts to attack it. Lupus – Systemic Lupus Erythematotsus (SLE) – has a range of severity. Some sufferers will have only mild problems, others have life-threatening organ damage to the heart and the kidneys.

What are the symptoms?

Tiredness, joint pains and muscle aches. A common first symptom is joint stiffness, particularly in the mornings. Skin and hair problems are a major feature of SLE – a rash in the shape of a butterfly over the cheeks and nose is common, as is hair loss and sensitivity to the sun. Other problems include depression and lung and heart disease, as well as kidney inflammation.

What can it be mistaken for?

It is often mistaken for other joint problems such as rheumatoid arthritis which is also characterised by morning joint stiffness. It can also be misdiagnosed as a skin or blood disease.

How is it diagnosed?

If your GP suspects SLE they will request a blood test. The specific antibodies that attack the body can be measured in the blood. The diagnosis is made when there is the combination of typical symptoms and high antibodies.

Who is at risk?

SLE is ten times more common in women than men and usually develops between the ages 12 and 25.

What is the treatment?

Controlling the symptoms, as there is no cure, using anti-inflammatories and steroid tablets in more severe cases. 

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