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| *Women health>>>Lupus |
Does anybody know anything about the disease Lupus? |
Im 15 years old and i jus recently got diagnosed with the disease Lupus. I am on the steroid Prednisone and the side affects are unbearable. Does anyone know of other meds besides Prednisone they use to treat Lupus? Any facts on Lupus wud help me alot because im frustrated and i want to get off these steroids so bad!!! Its kinda hard goin throught this situation but im trying to deal with it. I really need help so anything wud be useful. Thanx! hello, I'm so sorry that you have been recently diagnosed with Lupus, and that you are only 15 years old =(. I'm 22, and I was diagnosed with Lupus a year ago, a month before I turned 21. Anyways, I am currently on 9mg of prednisone, and also on plaquenil and cellcept. I know taking steroids sucks, and can cause bloating/weight gain and a bunch of other issues. However I do know that for most people the side effects go away the longer you take it, I guess your body just gets used to it or something. Also, once your Lupus stabilizes (or goes into remission) your doctor will most likely significantly reduce the prednisone, which should help too. I know you must feel tired and have achy joints, but on days when you are feeling well, exercise is great for you. Especially because taking prednisone makes you prone to loos of bone mass, you should definitely be taking calcium + D supplements and exercise as well. Having Lupus as definitely made be grow up alot. You realize what is important in life. Not popularity, not clothes or partying...what really matters is family, love and your positive outlook on life. Stick in there, I know its really hard. It took me about 5 months to really come to terms with my new disease. In the mean time, eat healthy, exercise, hang out with friends, do something that makes you happy and life worthwhile! Ask your doctor about plaquenil, it is very effective in preventing further attacks, and is usually very well tolerated. I don't know if you're at the stage to take cellcept yet, because it's usually for people who have more serious cases of Lupus SLE, but still ask your doctor. Cellcept and plaquenil has worked wonders for me (letting me reduce my daily dose of prednisone from 60mg to 9mg!!- and still lowering too). lol..needless to say, I have one of the more serious cases. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs For people with joint or chest pain or fever, drugs that decrease inflammation, referred to as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are often used. While some NSAIDs are available over the counter, a doctor's prescription is necessary for others. NSAIDs may be used alone or in combination with other types of drugs to control pain, swelling, and fever. Even though some NSAIDs may be purchased without a prescription, it is important that they be taken under a doctor's direction. Common side effects of NSAIDs, including those available over the counter, can include stomach upset, heartburn, diarrhea, and fluid retention. Some patients with lupus also develop liver and kidney inflammation while taking NSAIDs, making it especially important to stay in close contact with the doctor while taking these medications. NSAIDs Used To Treat Lupus* Generic Name motrin, advil naprosyn, aleve clinoril voltaren feldene orudis dolobid relafen lodine daypro indocin (don't remember the web site, sorry) Your doctor will change your prescrition for you tho. I don't know anything about meds, but I know that Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system is attacking itself. It probably hurts a lot because your cells are eating each other up. I don't know how to treat it... But I hope you get better soon because it is fully treatable. Good luck! My mother had Lupus. She died 5 years ago from it. She was 48. I get tested every year because it runs through our family. Here is a quick overview of what Lupus is. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain. Normally the body's immune system makes proteins called antibodies, to protect the body against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign materials. These foreign materials are called antigens. In an autoimmune disorder like lupus, the immune system cannot tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies directed against itself. These antibodies -- called "auto-antibodies" (auto means 'self') -- cause inflammation, pain and damage in various parts of the body. Here is a website featuring a FAQ of questions regarding lupus: http://www.lupus.org/education/faq.html... _______ Some doctors prescribe advil or aspirin for joint/muscle pain. Some give topical creams for rashes. For very serious cases, stronger medicines such as antimalaria drugs, corticosteroids, and chemotherapy drugs are used. But your doctor will give you treatment based on your situation. Lupus is a rheumatic disease, potentially deadly. You should use anti-inflammatory drugs like Celebrex and antibiotics to get a remission. See our group's home page at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ant... You should consult a Rheumatologist and insist on taking antibiotics. I have Lupus. It is autoimmune; basically meaning the immune system is in 'hyperdrive' and it attacks it's own cells like they're foreign invaders. Each person with lupus has his or own symptoms. When the body attacks joints, there is pain in the joints. When the body attacks tissues, there is fatigue and weakness. Steroids can decrease the inflammation that lupus causes: FAST. That's why they're used. I was just started on Plaquenil (not a steroid) to ease joint pain, fatigue and weakness. It takes a few months to take effect though, but I hear it's worth the wait. Lupus is known to affect the bones and bone density. I'd advise, though check with your rheumatologist first, that you start taking calcium supplements, even though you're young. It's really important to develop a trusting relationship with your doctors; lupus isn't an illness that'll go away, unfortunately, but if you work WITH your doc, you won't feel alone with it. Reach out to the school nurse; there are likely lupus support groups near you and the way to find them is through church or the local hospital. You say you're feeling frustrated and hate the side effects of steroids. Talk to your doctor about WHY you continue to need the steroids. There are times when lupus is managed with other meds (like plaquenil or NSAIDs or others meds) and then steroids are "called in" from time to time. Best, take care of YOU. |
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