Lupus: Stress, Anxiety, and Fatigue

Welcome to HW!

Xanax worked for me when I was having more issues with stress. Sometimes it's a subtle change, but it did help. Of course, that doesn't mean it will work for you. Other things include taking good care of yourself. Eating regularly and healthily, mild regular exercise, sleep. Meditation or other actions that calm and relax you. Hot bubble baths for me, along with cutting out stressful situations & relationships.

The fatigue is part of the Lupus -- meds such as Plaquenil and Prednisone help some. It's also true that some of our meds cause sleeplessness. Very often it turns out part of our fatgiue is not getting DEEP, RESTORATIVE sleep -- we often need a sleep aid to help. For some, over the counter meds help, but many have to use a prescription med. I have used what My rheumy recommended, Trazodone, with great results. I sleep soundly and feel much more rested.

Trazodone is actually an anti-depressant, so it helps with depression and stress as well as sleep!

Have you tried anything else of the "big three"? Imuran, Cellcept, MTX are the Lupus meds used most often. But there is no rhyme or reason why one works with one person & not the other person. Imuram did nothing for me, but 18 mths on Cellcept put me into a "remission" of sorts.

Hope that helps, look forward to hearing more from you!

Plaquenil is really the only thing that is supposed to help keep lupus in control *before* symptoms get bad. It is well known for causing upset stomach, particularly in the first few days. Most people find if they can stick it out for 2 weeks the stomach issues go away.