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Numbness, Tingling then Sudden Enlarged Heart Complications

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Posted 1/3/2013 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys,

Im posting on behalf of my 28 year old sister how was diagnosed with Lupus last year. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Here is a quick summary:

December 2011: Very bad arthritis/joint pain, prescribed Plaquenil.

After than that one flare no other Lupus symptoms besides fatigue.

November 2012: Tingling in fingers, prescribed Prednisone. Increased tingling and numbness in legs/feet. prescribed higher dose of Prednisone(60mg/day).

Prednisone seemed to improve her conditions, so she began physical therapy.

December 13, 2012: First Cyclophosphamide treatment. Went well, recovery continued.

December 24, 2012: Has been tapering -10mg a week. Currently at 30mg. Experienced vomiting, severe stomach pain, insomnia, loss of appetite, short breath.

December 28, 2012: Went to Hospital, vitals way off, enlarged heart, kidney complications.

Vitals are now stable after a ton of meds, fluids and rest. Heart and kidneys are getting better.

As you can see things happened really quickly with her. Doctors are not sure what caused the enlarged heart.  Could it be a Lupus flare? Was the Prednisone taper too quick?

She is now on 60mg of Prednisone, but the tingling/numbness continues.

Has anyone had experiences like this?

Thanks in advance,

Toby

 

Posted 1/3/2013 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
This is just a thought but i suffer tingling and numbness in toes and fingers due to Antiphospholipid syndrome i get numbness in upper thighs too but mostly fingers and toes because my blood is too thick and clots quite easily
Posted 1/3/2013 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
10mg a week tapered did you say im no expert but i taper 2.5mg every 2 weeks my doctor tells me to do this i would think 10mg is to much in a week
Posted 1/3/2013 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Miss Lupus, It is correct to taper as much as 10 mg a week once you are on higher dosages like the 60 mg in this example. On lower dosages, smaller amounts are correct. Always follow your Drs directions, drug dosages in particular can vary greatly by the patients specific circumstances!

Toby, I doubt the enlarged heart had anything to do with either a Lupus flare or the Prednisone. I've not found any instances of these being associated with heart problems in the past. Sometimes these things just happen without explanation. I hope everything becomes manageable soonest.
Posted 1/4/2013 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
Is she experiencing that nifty sensation that feels like ants crawling on her skin? I get it every time my predinsone is changed - or is it the other, more aggitating and scarey tingling?

I'm currently stepping down 10mgs a week, once I get to 10 mgs daily it will change to smaller steps - but that's me and my flairs.
Posted 1/4/2013 7:01 AM (GMT 0)
My son heart became enlarged after cyclophosphamide,worried his drs a bit but was put down to the chemo,it is fine again now,hope this helps.
Posted 1/4/2013 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi SICKOFSULPHITES,

Did the doctors confirm the cyclo was the main cause of the enlarged heart? How long was your son on cyclo for? And what do you mean he was "put down to the chemo"?

Thanks!
Posted 1/4/2013 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
TobyJC,they couldnt confirm it was the chemo,but was strongly suspected.Cyclo = Chemo.He had about 9 months of treatment,monitered yearly afterwards and was found to have returned to normal,should add was also on intravenous pred as well as cyclo,so could be comination of both!Hope have explained it bit clearer now,should you need futher help just ask away,someone will try to help you,good luck.
Just to add cyclophosphamide was for Lupus Nephritis
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