feeling crap with lupus/SLE

hi my name is jason im 37yr old with wife and 4 kids,i was told i had lupus 2yrs ago after a stay in hosy wen my heart swelld up,and my joints kept swelling up and doctors kept tellin me i had tennis bloody elbow,ive had the injections in knees,elbows,hips etc.only lasted 4 or  5 days.i was very active before this thing cloberd me i would like any advice on wat foods to eat and does anyone no of any alteritive medicens to help with pain and flare ups.my knees and feet and elbows are in pain perminently they just get worse wen they flare up like rite  now i woke up and i can only lift my right arm up and down just a bit,i carnt twist it or turn it as it sends such pain up my  arm  in to  my neck the pain is unreal,and i carnt walk today without my aid,doctor says take tramerdol,why?????????they dont do nowt.as you  can proberly tell im feelin prety down,with good reason though i carnt even play games with me kids,just picking up me 18mth old baby girl gives me such pain in me  arms but i try to do it wat ever the pain,my wife is finding it difficult to handle as i carnt do as much around the house  as i used to,im going on abit now,i will be happy if anyone could give me any tips to make life better.thanks jase.

Hi Jase. Welcome to our forum. I hope you're seeing an interal medicine doctor as your primary care, but I agree with Amy that you must see a rheumatologist. Ask your internist for a referral. If you need to, search on the net to find a rheumy.  The lupus organizations can usually help you. Pile your kids in the car and have your wife drive you even if it's a long drive.

Virtually all lupus patients are on plaquenil. It takes a few months to work, but it has few side effects. There are several other prescriptions meds that lupies can take and it's trial and error to find the right combination of meds.

My favorite over the counter pain killer is Tylenol Arthritis. I'm having a flare and can hardly walk in the morning so I take the tylenol first thing in the morn. I also take hot baths with lots of epsom salt and use an electric blanket. Regardless, find a good rheumatologist and get on the prescription meds that work for you. One last thing, many of us take antidepressants. I know men think they're strong and don't need them, but you are not most men: you have lupus.  Your primary care doc can prescribe them, but keep in mind that it takes time to find the right ones for you. Please let us know how you're doing OK? Love, Butterflake

Hi Jase,

How did you feel on 60mg of Prednisolone? I know it's a begger with weight gain, but did it help you?

Pred is really the only thing that will help me with my joint pain. I've tried Tramadol as well and reacted the same way you did. Getting the disease under control is the best pain relief you can get. It's hard to manage the pain when the disease is so active.

Amy's suggestion of Epsom salts in a hot bath is a good one. I know this is easier said than done, but lowering your amount of stress will help too. That's a tough one to accomplish.

Talk soon,
Ginny