Hello all!
So I have had Lupus for a while, but still don't know what to make of it. I have on and off times...usually I have periods of about three days where my joints (mainly knees and hands) swell up and get really red and give off a load of heat, and oftentimes I can't walk because the pain is excruciating. I can't work out the triggers...sometimes it seems to be weather, sometimes when I put too much pressure on one joint for a while it will set them off. Is this what you call a flare? It seems to last a much shorter time than most people. The worst ones happen when most of my joints go and I get chest pains too so that I can't lie down or sleep. Painkillers don't seem to help...what on earth is going on and what can I do! I am desperate...I am trying to hold a job down still but some days I have to just write off...should I ask my doc to up the meds? Currently on 400mg plaquenil and 150mg diclofenac.
RM
So I have had Lupus for a while, but still don't know what to make of it. I have on and off times...usually I have periods of about three days where my joints (mainly knees and hands) swell up and get really red and give off a load of heat, and oftentimes I can't walk because the pain is excruciating. I can't work out the triggers...sometimes it seems to be weather, sometimes when I put too much pressure on one joint for a while it will set them off. Is this what you call a flare? It seems to last a much shorter time than most people. The worst ones happen when most of my joints go and I get chest pains too so that I can't lie down or sleep. Painkillers don't seem to help...what on earth is going on and what can I do! I am desperate...I am trying to hold a job down still but some days I have to just write off...should I ask my doc to up the meds? Currently on 400mg plaquenil and 150mg diclofenac.
RM