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Gomez's admittance to undergoing chemotherapy was a shock to many, as the treatment is generally associated with cancer. While lupus is not a form of cancer, or vice versa, some treatments like chemo are used to fight both. "In general, lupus patients don't get [as high doses], but it's certainly not fun to get these chemotherapies," Merrill said of treatments for lupus compared to the same chemo drugs being used to fight cancer.
While lupus sufferers may see some of the same side effects as cancer patients receiving chemo, including infertility, low white blood cell counts, nausea or diarrhea, most are less severe due to the loses and can be managed. As for the most common side effect associated with chemo? "Lupus patients will lose some hair, but they don't tend to get bald," Merrill explained.