HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Is this normal??

Support Forums
>
Lupus
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/12/2011 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
I know lupus varies greatly from person to person and flare to flare... but I still have been feeling very much like an oddball.  I got sick six months ago and was diagnosed with lupus nephritis a month later.  Basically it went straight for my kidneys, do not pass go, do not collect $200... I was almost at kidney failure by the time we got to the biopsy.  Up until about two weeks ago, I didn't have any "normal" lupus symptoms (joints aching, rashes, etc).  Now that my kidneys have half-healed I don't even really have fatigue problems - no more than usual, anyway.

Two weeks ago, my wrists and elbows started aching when I move them, or apply pressure.  So my questions are... is it expected that this can still happen even though I am on 3 grams a day of Cellcept?  Is it common to have just two joints hurt and not all of them?

I haven't been clear on whether the joint pain comes even when you are between flares...  I kindof expected that it didn't and so this makes me worry that I am flaring and my kidneys are still in danger even on heavy Cellcept.  I don't see my rheum for another month so unsure if this is worth calling about or not.

Thank you so much for any help you can give!!

Christina

Posted 9/12/2011 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Christina....

For me personally, cellcept did not help with joint issues. I was on it for about 8 months a few years ago and it helped with the kidneys but did nothing for the joints. Sometimes I will have just a few joints hurt and other times everywhere hurts and is swollen.

If you are worried about your kidneys, I would deffinatly call and ask to get a basic metabolic ran. Are you retaining more fluid in your feet or ankles? Foamy urine? Has the color changed? Sometimes I wish lupus nephritis gave us more symptoms so we would know for sure when the kidneys are flaring. but if you suspect somethign is up, please call...as you have found, it can get out of hand quick!
Posted 9/12/2011 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
I've found that lupus can cause tendonitis to flare in different joints. Plaquenil has helped a lot with these attacks with me.
Posted 9/13/2011 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for your responses...

Amy, I get labwork done this week so I will have a check on my kidneys. Urine is a normal color and I am not swelling anywhere yet. When I first got sick, I swelled belly first then legs and feet... it receded in the opposite way. My rheum says that if it happens again it would be feet first this time. Is this true in your experience? It seems a little weird to me.

Joy, if the symptoms get worse I will definitely talk to my rheum about Plaquenil! I have heard that it helps with fatigue too and that would be wonderful... I only have mild fatigue but there are still days I struggle.

Thanks again :)
Chris
Posted 9/14/2011 1:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hey girl. I hope your kidneys are remaining stable. Yes, i usually will swell in my feet and ankels. Then it will go into my eyes and fingers. My abdomen is usually the last place to start retaining fluid. I know when that happens, I need to let the doc know. Well, let us know if you have any other questions and hope the joint pain stops!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply