Update

Hi all!  I am still in a flare   I did go to see my rheumy Thursday and he thinks that when he took me off the methotrexate and piroxicam that sent me into a flare. He increase my Imuran to 2 pills a day and added Etodolac twice a day. I am still having pain though. I am getting really frustrated and I think depressed  it has been over a month now that I haven't felt well. My husband has to help me esp. at night just to get to the bathroom because my feet hurt so bad and I am dizzy,I haven't worked during this entire time so I decided to go on fmla and ask for donated sick time simply because I have none. I started the disability process in June it seems to be going pretty fast I saw their Dr. on the 13th I feel pretty good about it. My husband has been awesome. My son went to the rheumy with me and he got to learn alot abput what is going on with is mom,he is 13 so I don't expect him to understand everything but he is trying which I really appreciate. I have been craving tomatos like crazy,does anyone else have this craving? Can anyone explain to me what nightshade food are,is there a list somewhere? I understand lupies need to stay away from nightshade things. I have looked online but can't find an actual list of nightshade foods. If anyone has any suggestions on what I can do to get any relief I would really appreciate it I have run out of ideas and nothing I do seems to help.

 

Sorry to hear you are still flaring, I agree it's probably because the doc took you off the 2 meds. My body doesn't like it when we change meds around, increasing is ok but taking away is a nono. My rheumy has tried to take me off Plaq 2x and piroxicam 1x. I had symptoms from chest pain (from joints in the chest and Costo), ear pain, extreme fatigue, etc. So with the that rheumy agreed to go back on them, they weren't hurting me in any way so I went back on them and within days/weeks all the weird symptoms were gone! Do you know why he took you off Mtx & piroxicam? I am on Imuran too and don't think it does a thing for my joint pain but I'm on it for the problems with my gut. The piroxicam, plaq and mtx are all for my joint pain. I sure hope the increase in Imuran and new meds gets things under control for you, if not do not hesitate to call the doctor and ask for something else or to go back on the others, if they were working well for you.

~~Here is some info ~~
Avoid alfalfa seeds and sprouts because they contain the amino acid L-canavanine, which provokes a lupus-like condition in monkeys and possibly humans. (Roberts & Hayashi, 1983)

Avoid the nightshade vegetables (peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, white potatoes). These foods contain a substance called solanine, which can contribute to inflammation and pain.

Get your iron from food sources, not supplements, as taking iron in supplements may contribute to pain, swelling and joint destruction.

Use caution if taking immune enhancing herbs such as garlic, echinacea, Panax ginseng, andrographis and eleutherococcus. These herbs could theoretically increase autoimmunity.

Avoid foods which are high in arachidonic acid such as animal meats, dairy, eggs, peanuts and nori seaweed.

The info above is from the following website www.compassionateacupuncture.com/Systemic__lupus__erythematosus.htm#HERBS%20AND%20FOODS%20TO%20AVOID

It sounds like you have a great supportive family, that's very important! I hope you get through this flare soon and begin to feel better.

We don't realize how well our meds are working til we come off them, that's what happened to me! Now my rheumy knows not to take me off my current meds! Maybe your rheumy would consider putting you back on them since you are feeling so poorly now??

Date night and wings sounds great, enjoy your evening and I hope you feel better soon! Take care... oh and vent all you want, that's what we're here for!