[Meriel]

Hello

I've had a few infections recently and have been on lots of antibiotics. I have noticed something strange and wondered if anyone has had a similar experiece to me...?

When I get a bad infection my joint and muscle pain improves considerably. When the infection gets better my joint and muscle pain comes back. Do you think this is because my immune system's attention is diverted whilst I have the infection?

As an example, I've had a really large inflamed sebaceous cyst on my back for the last few days (it is revolting :sad:!) but very little joint and muscle pain (usually it's 24/7). I went to my GP today and he draned the puss out of my cyst and within about four hours my joint and muscle pain had come back...

Sorry for the rather gross details but I would be really interested to hear if anyone else has noticed something similar or if there is a biological explanation for this.

Thanks very much.
Best wishes,
Meriel

 

[jellyjazz]

I noticed when i had an allergic reaction to the flu jab i was hospitalized - it was like mini flu (ironic!) afterwards i had a stomach virus bug thing but my joints felt great! As soon as i was on the mend the joint pain came back.

I always thought my immune system got distracted for a bit then got bored with nothing to attack so went for the joints again:hehe:

Is that what you meant though?!

 

[KarolH]

I can honestly say this is not the case for me however it does not surprise me.

Doctors sometimes treat patients with bad back problems with a Tens Unit. Once a doctor told me if you create pain somewhere else in the body then the daily issues you deal with go away.

Sorta like what your talking about, but not exactly.

I will be curious to see what others come along and say here.

 

[KarolH]

In Newly diagnosed see the thread titled "Confused".....similar subject to what your speaking about here, especially what granny says in her reply.

I would post the thread link here if I knew how to do it.......:blush::blush::blush:

 

[SophieH]

I have the opposite experience, when I am sick with something minor it seems my joints get involved. When I got meningitis I could hardly move at all in addition the actual pain from the meningitis that was going on in my head, neck and back. Also I had an allergic reaction the the flu vaccine and it was horrible. I was extremely ill and uncomfortable for several days. I just got my first bout of pleurisy this week and it is NOT fun. I am a Respiratory Therapist and I am developing a new respect for my patients through this ordeal. Although through my career most of my patients have been babies I have had a few adults. Over the years it has really opened my eyes to what people go through as a caregiver and a parent too. Now being the pt for the last several years has been somewhat frustrating. If you know to much it seems they are suspicious, if you don't speak up you don't get proper care. How do you find a good doctor who will respect you and treat you as an equal in your own care? It seems pediatricians are much better at that sort of relationship... Sorry got off topic there a little.....

Sophie

 

[Katharine]

Hi there,

I also have the oppostite. If I have the slightest thing wrong whether cold or infection everything hurts more and my breathing gets a lot worse (not related to the infection). Things only pick up after I get better and then another good while of rest.

I think it is like many things in lupus, it is different for everyone. For example, some people seem to get colds and infections non stop whereas others seem to have an almost total immunity to such things (I did until I was a year into imuran). Just one of those mysteries.

Katharine

 

[Meriel]

Thanks very much for your replies. It seems like along with everything else to do with Lupus everyone has very different experiences

I'm going to mention it to my rheumatologist at my next appointment, there must be an explanation for it. Karol, perhaps I should invest in a Tens machine...

Best wishes,
Meriel

 

[Karen Elizabeth]

Hi Meriel
Thanks for the link to your thread. I started a very similar thread under a different heading and you found me! It does seem that different people react differently to viruses, doesn't it. Lupus is not really all that predictable, is it!
I was just glad of a few days relief from fatigue/aches while coping with a head cold. Although, it did make me aware of what I used to feel like...
Never mind, think positive. It's always better to focus on what you CAN do and not what you CAN'T.
Take care, and do let me know what your rheumy says. I don't seem mine for another 4 months.
XX

 

[pollianna]

:lol: Finding myself wondering how one can aquire an emergency cold at 10.30pm on a Saturday night, just to try it. Lord what does this Lupus do to us