Hello and thanks to anyone who reads/responds to this. I am wanting to get some basic advice about lupus and what happens if you "ignore" it. I am in the middle of what I guess would be called a flare. I am running a fever, losing hair by the handfuls, having trouble sleeping from the pain in my knees, ankle, elbow, feel this weird dizzy feeling, and am just exhausted. I do not get a rash on my face, not sure if that is an absolute criteria for Lupus.
This happens to me about 3 times a year and when it does it lasts for a couple of weeks. I went to my family doctor about 2 years ago and she ran some blood tests and referred me to a rhematologist because my ANA test was positive. I went to the appointment and she was wanting me to do a whole lot more blood testing and X-rays and said I for sure have arthritis ( I am 34 now so this totally freaked me out to hear). From what I understand all they can do is put me on steriods and I will gain a ton of weight and still be sick when I have to get off of them eventually. I never went back and now that the pain is sooooooo intense and my knees are making a grinding horrible sound I am wondering what to do. She prescribed relafen and mobic and neither one even touch the pain.
I am wondering what you that have been diagnosed would say to all this? Do the treatments really help? Is it worth it to gain a ton of weight on the steriods? What am I facing if I keep on trying to just deal with this without treatment? To be honest I think I am scared. Any advice is a blessing to me and I appreciate it! Thanks! Barbara
This happens to me about 3 times a year and when it does it lasts for a couple of weeks. I went to my family doctor about 2 years ago and she ran some blood tests and referred me to a rhematologist because my ANA test was positive. I went to the appointment and she was wanting me to do a whole lot more blood testing and X-rays and said I for sure have arthritis ( I am 34 now so this totally freaked me out to hear). From what I understand all they can do is put me on steriods and I will gain a ton of weight and still be sick when I have to get off of them eventually. I never went back and now that the pain is sooooooo intense and my knees are making a grinding horrible sound I am wondering what to do. She prescribed relafen and mobic and neither one even touch the pain.
I am wondering what you that have been diagnosed would say to all this? Do the treatments really help? Is it worth it to gain a ton of weight on the steriods? What am I facing if I keep on trying to just deal with this without treatment? To be honest I think I am scared. Any advice is a blessing to me and I appreciate it! Thanks! Barbara