DEHA

[shigefumi]

I heard that DEHA is effective for lupus. The efficacy is not only supressing disease activity but also preventing osteoporosis that often happens among
patients taking steroids.

You can take it as a supplement casually and side effects do not seem to be so severe.

Has anybody tried DHEA??

Thanks,

[kiley]

Hi-
From reading the research, both my primary care Dr. and my Rheumatologist believe in the benefits of DHEA. I've used it and thought it may have helped me a little with my energy level. However, I also have endometriosis and find that it throws my hormones out of whack enough to cause my endo. symptoms to worsen, so I stopped taking it. I found the same thing w/ Plaquenil though that helped my joint pain much more.
Am interested in hearing what others have found with DHEA...

Best to all, Kiley

[3forme]

Dear Shigefumi,
I am on DHEA at the suggestion of my endocrinolgist, as I have adrenal failure. I have low blood pressure and a very low pulse and very little aldosterone production. I have done much better on it. HOWEVER, I did not have endometriosis.
Take care, 3forme

[raggedyann1]

Hi,

DHEA is a type of male hormone that is made by the adrenal gland. These types of hormones can be used as a bridge till one of the disease modifying medications becomes effective.

My understanding is that DHEA is effective for those patients that are low on it in the first place. It has a role in of mild to moderate lupus. And may be beneficial in patients with cognitive disfunction and fatigue. It may decrease the rate of bone loss.

At the moment i think DHEA is only available in health food type stores in the USA and the problem of how much is really in the capsules. It is something to be discussed with your doctor. There have been studies or at least a study on its use in Lupus.

Take care,
Karen

[flowergarden]

I take 25 mg. DHEA because my level was low, as can happen in lupus. It brought it back up. My doc told me which brand he wanted me to buy, as it tends to have a more stable amount of the active ingredient.

The study was done using doses of about 200 mg., I believe. Many docs. think it helps. But the study did not show any scientific proof of efficacy, so the med is not readily available.

I heard one specialist say that to have a compounding pharmacy make up drops to by put under the tongue is effective. Haven't tried it, though. :flowers: