Discoid or System Lupus

[MSGT]

I have had Lupus since nov 2002, they said Drug induced at first because my body was red with rash like a deep sun burn, then the rash stayed so they started me on Plaquenil, still have alittle rash but just spotty on my body. Now how can they tell if I have Drug induced, Discoid or System Lupus? The blood comes out as showing Lupus and the biopsy shows lupus, but they have not told me what kind? I do feel tired, but we walk everyday for 30 minutes. Do not really feel bad yet, will that come later? I am an old man :wacko: 60 but feel all and all ok for almost 3 years of having something. Can someone help. I should add I have had seizures since early 1985. thanks

[Tom]

Welcome Rex, :hello:

Drug-induced lupus may develop after taking certain prescription medications. Symptoms generally disappear after the drug is discontinued. Drug-induced lupus requires months to years of frequent use of a drug before symptoms appear. Usually symptoms disappear after six months after stopping the drug, but it could be days or weeks, it varies.

This was the case with my stepdaughter. After she changed the med she was taking (It even said can cause lupus on the bottle) it disappeared. Hers showed up as a rash too but she also had the fatigue as well.

The following medications have been definitely proved to be associated with drug-induced lupus-Procainamide (used for heart rhythm abnormalities), Hydralazine (used for high blood pressure), Isoniazid (used for tuberculosis), Quinidine (used for heart rhythm abnormalities), Phenytoin (used for seizures). There are other drugs which might possibly be associated with drug-induced lupus, but as yet there is no definite proof.

If your doctors suspected this, did they switch any of your meds to eliminate this possibility?

Systemic lupus is irreversible, whereas drug-induced lupus generally is reversible. The symptoms of drug-induced lupus generally do not include kidney or central nervous system involvement.

Are you seeing a Rheumatologist? They should be able to tell you what is going on. Hopefully you will get some answers soon.

[MSGT]

Thats probably part of the problems most all seizure medications have a possiblity of Lupus, and Of course I have to take them. I stopped the other drugs as soon as they saw my reaction rashes, red etc. But trileptal is other drug am taking for seizures and still possible lupus, crazy its be d*#n if you do and be d*#n if you don't :lol:

[MSGT]

I apoligize for my bad word, I really didn't think about it being bad to print :erm:

[Tom]

Rex,

I understand how you feel. With all the meds we take, it's a matter of the good outweighing the bad. If the benifits are better than the side effects, it's the best we can do until something better comes along.

I don't understand the fact that you have been having seizures for 20 years and they don't know what's causing them yet? I'm glad you are taking a med that works for you on that one. Trileptal is used by many here, Lupus causing drugs don't hurt those that have the disease already, so far.

This is the way I understand the lupus rash thing. A lupus rash without systemic involvement = DLE, OR you have SLE with lupus rash/es. I have SLE w/rashes, but which came first? :unsure:

It seems to take forever to get anything done for us sometimes but be patient, your not alone. Keep a list of problems and take them to the doctor with you. I think half of the dx is symptoms anyway (You need 4 out of 11 of them).

Hang in there and take care.

[Clare.T]

Welcome !

If you can't get off the drug that seems to be causing the lupus symptoms then you have to be treated for ' real ' lupus, which you are.

Discoid lupus refers to a particular sort of lupus rash with a characteristic appearance,not the same as the malar rash on the face or sometimes other parts of the body.

Most people with discoid lesions do not have systemic disease. But even when there is no bloodwork they might have a variety of lesser symptoms such as fatigue, joint aches and pains and if there is relevant blood work that's even more likely.

A person with severe SLE might also have discoid lesions as well as a 'malar' rash or even other sorts too.

Make sure urine is tested and other blood work carried out regularly.

I hope you feel better soon - keep up the walking ! :)

Good Luck
Clare