is lupus a lifelong illness?

[dark_horizon]

is lupus a lifelong illness? ..................can it be cured permanently.........??????

[ironcaster1]

Hi Dark_horizon,
i am sorry to say that at this time Lupus is a life long battle and there is no cure.
there are things that do make it better, and for some of the blessed ones it can go into remission.
i have had it now for 8 years and i have months where i would swear that it is gone, then wam- i am back in bed.
some drugs like plaqunil will push it into remission, and other drugs like celcept make it more manageable.
for some nothing works. finding a really good rheumitologist is the most important thing, find one that specializes in lupus.
know that others are going and have gone through this too, finding this site is a good start, many great and loving people here that know how to cope with such a wolf.
Blesssings
Todd

[jude mack]

Hi Dark Horizon

Yes lupus is life long, it can't be cured, but can be a very controlable disease, many people with lupus
live a fairly normal long life, working, having family just like other normal people. Life with lupus has it's
ups and downs just like everybody else. As Ironcaster says a good rhuemy is the first course of action, and coming to this site and learning all you can about lupus will give you confidence when dealing with your doctors. The support and caring of the people here will get you through just about any trial imagineable, and you'll meet allot of new friends. Good luck.

Merry Christmas
Jude style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/santa.gif

[dark_horizon]

thanks to both of u for ur kind cooperation..........actually i m not having the illness...........my cuzin is having it...................also lupus is quite expensive as it requires frequent tests and medicines........do u all also find it expensive????????

[ironcaster1]

Well yes lupus is very expensive, the drug that i am on cost about $1000.00 per fill, and the doctors visits and tests really add up. foutunatly i live in the USA and have health insurance that covers most of the costs.
but i pay in other ways- having to take time off work, time in bed and not with my family.
so i would rather pay the Dr.s payments and for the drugs- without them i would not be able to move.
as for your family member- being supportive and understanding is the biggest thing. i think it is great that you are taking time to find out ways to help, the family support is very important.
Peace
Todd

[Clare.T]

Yes, it is expensive in all respects not to mention the personal 'costs' and the cost to society. Statistics indicate it is the most expensive of all the chronic conditions.

Many people are denied access to the best treatment because they can't afford it or the drugs, even in countries where insurance is available but many don't have it, or even where there is universal health care and welfare benefits for the sick and unemployed.

Often there is no way of getting the services that make life bearable, child care, help with household concerns, shopping and laundry, transport and I would add psychological and emotional support. Or adaptations that make life easier, ramps, showers and so on.

Good luck to your cousin and family.

Clare

[LupusCat50]

Dark Horizon,

Thank you for your concern for your family member. You can be his/her greatest asset. Remember to just be there for them. They will let you know what they need. Sometimes they just need you to listen, or your opinion, your support, your arms for a hug, your hands for a task, your wit for a laugh, or your honesty to keep them grounded.

Educate yourself. Here is a good start. There are lots of us who live with Lupus everyday and can give you first hand commonsense input on everything you might have questions about. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif

[dark_horizon]

recently some1 told me tht homeopathy can treat lupus completely.........i personally take medications frm homeopathy wenever i fall ill or catch cold or cough etc.....and i get allright (let me clear tht i dont have lupus.....my cuzin has....and she planning to take homeopathy treatment alongside her regular medications)........in a few days......also my homeopathy doctor says his medicine can make a difference.........wat r ur views on this........do u think homeopathy can treat lupus ??????

[Clare.T]

By homeopathy I suppose you mean herbal medicines. Yes they can play a role in therapy but anybody who claims to be able to 'cure' by herbal remedies alone, should be regarded with great suspicion.
The important thing is to find a doctor who knows about lupus and is equally trained, qualified and experienced in both conventional, allopathy, and complementary/supplementary therapies.

Luus is a potentially serious life threatening systemic disease and can't be compared to a cough or cold.

Very often herbalists and alternative practitioners talk about "boosting" the immune system or some such phrase like 'modulating', but the general view is that boosting the immune system will increase disease activity, because lupus is not an immunodeficient disease. If anything it is caused by an overactive immune system.

There are a number of herbs that are contraindicated for lupus and some that will interact with conventional medicines.

It's like everything else, whatever the type of medicine chosen - great care is needed and it's important to be as fully informed as possible.

Whatever the choice, it is very important to get regular check ups. Kidney disease for example might be advanced before the patient feels any symptoms.

It is also important to get check ups for possible harmful side effects of herbals on the liver for example. They are indeed medicines and can have dangers as well as benefits.

Non medicated remission is not that common and aiming for that could be unrealistic. Best to hope to get disease activity under control and stop it progressing.

Lupus is notorious for coming and going. People can go into complete remission from one sort of lupus only to find it recurs maybe years later in another form. In some people the disease never progresses at all.

Even some those who have gone into remission after stem cell transplants have developed symptoms anew for example after sun exposure or getting a vaccination.

It's a very sneaky unpredictable disease.

Good Luck to your cousin

Clare

[yellonsexxy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dark_horizon @ Dec 15 2005, 05:56 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
is lupus a lifelong illness? ..................can it be cured permanently.........??????
[/b][/quote]


Hi Dark Horizon I am sorry to say that Lupus is a lifelong disease and that as of right now there is no permanent cure for it.

[Scottie]

Hi

Homeopathy is not like herbalism. There is absolutely no scientific reason why it should work - and yet it seems to. The amount of active substance in any homeopathic remedy is miniscule. The principal is that it treats 'like with like' and as no two people's symptoms are the same - different people may be given different remedies for the same illness.

3 out of 4 of my kids suffered from eczema. Homeopathy put an end to it in a way the steroid creams didn't. Young kids don't work via the placebo effect.

I was sent to see a neurologist in my mid thirties because of symptoms that suggested MS. I didn't have it, thankfully but the neurologist did not dismiss the symptoms - he said i should get my GP to refer me to a rheumatologist. My GP wouldn't. He earmarked me hypochondriac. I now believe, that it was lupus.
In desperation I went to a homeopath. Now, it could be coincidence - but I had a 15 year remission, which was very welcome. I also find that homeopathy can help my eyes with Sjogren's, so that I need to use drops less.
It's not a cure - but it can help.

Take care - Scottie

[joannemc]

Hi Scottie, lupus is lifelong, and there is no cure yet. Sometimes people can go into remission and some like myself havent. Yes its very expensive if you have no insurance, and thats why some people cant get proper treatment. Your concearn and support for your cousin is a great comfort. Your support cant take away the pain but it does make a big difference. Im sure your cousin appreciates you. I dont know where you live, but some clinics or hospitals have free services if your eligible. Has your cousin tried to apply for medical help? I hope he gets help soon, and starts to feel better. Please dont hesitate to ask more questions, this site has some links that might be helpful to you. Hugs....Joanne