[pixie123]

I was diagnosed with lupus approximately 3 months ago and i go to a specialist appointment tomorrow. The flares have been getting worse and going on for longer it used to be no more than a week and now this ones been for a month. I feel really achy and I get stabbing pains in my joints and back. And the latest symptom is nausea and i have been feeling nauseous for at least two weeks now. Oh and by the way i am from New Zealand.

 

[keebler]

Hi Pixie,

Welcome to the lupus site.

Have you started on meds or are they waiting for you to see the specialist tomorrow? Some of the meds they start you on take quite awhile to kick in.

You have found a great site with loads of information and very caring members.

Please let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow. We will try to help you threw our experiences of dealing with lupus.

Love,
Lyn

 

[pixie123]

Yeah I have been taking brufen and then the naproxen with a omeprazole to line the stomach I don't take it regularly because it doesn't seem to help when i do take them I have tried the brufen about 5 times since i got it = and naproxen i got last week and i have taken it twice and it doesn't really do anything

 

[Lily]

Hi Pixie,

I wanted to wish you good luck with your specialist appt :luck: hopefully you will start something like Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) which will help calm the Lupus down. It is slow acting though and takes time to do it's job. Anywhere from 3 months to 9 months, but you will see some improvement along the way.

With the Brufen or Naproxen.............they don't work instantly, you have to take them every day and after 2 weeks they should have kicked in. Make sure you take them with or straight after food to help avoid stomach problems. It's a shame your GP didn't explain that to you Most people are on those sorts of things as well as the Plaquenil I mentioned earlier. Start taking them every day and after a few weeks you should notice an improvement esp in joint pain

Take care,

love
Lily

 

[x_claire_x]

Hi Pixie, I am glad you are seeing your specialist so soon...it amazes me in hindsight that you can be diagnosed but it still takes them some time it seems to start you on your meds.. I was diagnosed in Nov after five months of severe joint pains, couldn't wash my hair, open a high cupboard door, even pick up a glass on the table without supporting my arm etc etc..anyway finally got underway with plaquenil in Dec and started low dose pred following a flare that put me in hospital. I found anti inflammatories..tried three types absolutely useless for me, though I know others find them helpful so it is a question of trying these things and seeing what concoction works for you and your body. It shouldn't be too long before you at least get a degree of relief... and don't forget the plaq can take ages (up to a year) to kick in, so you do have to be patient...all the best,
Claire X

 

[pixie123]

Thanks everyone you've been so helpful

 

[KarolH]

Hi Pixie,

Welcome to the forum. Sorry about your diagnosis but glad you found us here.

I like to tell people new to a dx of Lupus to buy The Lupus Book by Dr. Daniel Wallace. It is loaded with great information and written in layman terms so that we can understand it.

Join us in the chat room sometime and hope to get to know you better.:wink2:

 

[pixie123]

Hi everyone

I went to specialist today and he said I might not have lupus after all. I just have a general athritic pain. He can't say that it isn't lupus for sure or that it is. So I got some bloods done and go back in about 6 weeks

 

[KarenM]

Hi Pixie

Welcome. New myself today also. Already I feel very at ease and at home here.

 

[Lily]

Hi Pixie,

That would be great if it wasn't I guess we didn't get a chance to ask if you have any of the characteristic symptoms because you said you had already been diagnosed. I suppose it was your GP who diagnosed you?

Here's some more info on common symptoms, also on this page there are links to the blood tests used to help diagnose Lupus. You might want to get familiar with them to make sure your specialist is being thorough.

http://www.uklupus.co.uk/isitlupus.html

Let us know how you get along at your follow up.

 

[pixie123]

Yeah it was my gp who diagnosed me with lupus, but my specialist said only my ANa(I think that was the one) was abnormal and viruses etc can make it have an abnormal result. I am also getting tested again for Coaliac disease as it runs in the family.

 

[pixie123]

Most of my symptoms are pretty general aching joints, sometimes stabbing pains, feeling tired a lot, dizzyness, light headedness and sometimes i get stomach cramps and nausea.

 

[onetay]

Hi Pixie,
Welcome to the site and I hope that for the most part you are handling the lupus well. It can be a shock to find out that you have it, but like anything it take some adjustments to you life and knowing what your body is telling you. I hope that you find the site full of information for you and very supportive to you.

Feel better soon.

 

[Lily]

Hi Pixie

Do you know the numbers on your ANA test?

love
Lily

 

[pixie123]

No i don't I will try to remember to ask when i next see my doctor or specialist about the ana test

 

[KarolH]

Good luck at your next appointment.

It may be helpful to keep a daily diary of symptoms, etc...

Also, I always get a copy of my test results to keep in my personal health file.