Lupus Flares

[pepeoneill]

Just been diagnosed with lupus in January 2007.
Had a flare in January 2007 and had one back in April 2006 but doctors didn't know then my diagnosis.
Anyone out there, how long do you usually get between flares, should it help that i am now on medication?
Really severe muscle pains during flares - felt like a toothache over every bone in your body but not bad now.

[guinivere67]

sorry to hear you're not well.

I'm not diagnosed yet, but i believe i've been flaring since last august. I believe there are no hard and fast rules about how long a flare can last but if you're now on medication hopefully that should help...i am myself hoping to be diagnosed next week when i see my specialist for the second time so that perhaps i can start some treatment. Being ill this long really does exhaust me and fatigue is a big problem anyway.

take care

[Clare.T]

Welcome to the forum pepe :)

There's no especial pattern to flares. A few days of feeling more unwell than usual is very common because all sorts of things can bring on temporary flares. Another problem is that lupus normally comes and goes until it is clearly stabilised & the disease is very well managed and flares are minimal. Hopefully some sort of remission
Of course people with lupus aren't exempt as they certainly ought to be if there was justice in this world from getting other temporary illnesses with very similar symptoms. It can be hard to know what is lupus and what isn't.

All the meds except Prednisone take some time to work. Plaquenil takes several months for the full effects to be experienced. Plaquenil is known to reduce flares.
In the early days we are learning what we can do and what we can't without suffering from it and almost all of us have to make life style changes. I say early days, but more like early years, because learning is usually from bitter experience.

If you feel very rough it's a good idea to see a GP to get a basic check inlcuding urine and things like the inflammation measures SED and CRP.
In an ideal world call your rheumatologist after a few days who might recommend having more specialised tests done to see if there are positive signs of worsening disease and the need for some additional treatment like a short course of Prednisone or further pain killers.

I hope you feel better soon - keep in touch !

Clare

[LoopyLoo]

Hi there,

I am Pam from Scotland & have been diagnosed 10 months. I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis but glad that you found us. This is a great site with a wealth of information & there is always someone that can relate to what you're going through. They are not a bad bunch here either :lol:

It is very daunting to find out you have Lupus but please take your time to search the boards & post questions or concerns. When I look back over my first posts I can see how scared I was.

Regarding flares - I had 2 before I was diagnosed & prescribed Plaquinel. Since then I haven't had any significant flares but I call mine 'Rumbly Grumbly' Lupus. Most days I have some from of discomfort in joints & muscles but nothing that I could say was a real flare. What medication are you on?

Looking forward to getting to know you.

Take care,

Pam xxx