HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

What's normal and not

Support Forums
>
Lupus
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/29/2013 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Greetings! I trust everyone is having a blessed holiday season.

I am really in need of the experience represented here. I went from having odd stomach pains (had a clear ultra sound) to a week of running to the bathroom; Even waking up during the night to go. Last night I ran a fever of 100.2 with body aches and that weird stomach pain again. I have no respiratory symptoms.

I have read fevers are common to Lupus. Why is that? And why am I running to the bathroom? Yesterday I ate only rice. It helped only a little. And I am hydrated btw.

Id love to hear your responses. I don't see a rheumatologist til jan 30.

PT

Ps I took Imodium Christmas Day. It didn't help. I don't want to keep taking it. My kidney is sensitive to meds.
Posted 12/29/2013 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi PT. Thanks for the Christmas Blessing :) I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. I've had bowel problems with lupus for years and discussed it with my gastroenterologist, internist, and rheumatologist. Both the gastro and internist agreed that I needed to start the over the counter probiotic Align. I tried a generic Align which did nothing, but within 2 weeks of taking Align daily, the diarrhea was much better. I also talked with the gastro about gluten and he said there are some folks who don't have Celiac Disease (must eat gluten free), but are gluten sensitive. I started a gluten free diet almost two years ago and between this and the Align I do pretty well. There are still times I need to take Immodium and I wear a pad every day because of the occasional accident. Lastly, I often take Gas-ex for abdominal gas pains. That's it for me. I hope it helps. Love, Butterflake
Posted 12/29/2013 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for responding Butterfly. I appreciate having someone to talk to about this. My DO suggested gluten free for autoimmune diseases. I didn't want to start anything before Christmas or before I saw the rheumatologist.
Actually I can't believe how many symptoms I've had since the initial positive Ana in October. But this stomache distress is starting to discourage me. Since I have recently had both a colonoscopy and sonogram I might be able to rule out everything but lupus.

Do you know what causes the diarrhea? Or unexplained fevers??

Thanks again for answering.

Pt
Posted 12/29/2013 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
The fevers are normal. It's your body's reaction to germ fighting, but you have no germs to fight. That's what lupus is basically. It thinks there is a germ so it goes on a defensive attacking everything. The fevers are the "fires" it's setting up to burn the enemy out.
I picture Lupus as a blind and stupid General who orders his blind and stupid soldiers to attack everything who he thinks is the enemy. It can get to be bedlam at times. ;-)
Posted 12/29/2013 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Couchtater thanks for the great picture. It makes sense for fever and kidney trouble without a culture that grows. Not sure how the loose stools fit in; but your illustration for what lupus is doing is awesome. Thanks.
Posted 12/29/2013 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
well darn sorry to hear about your troubles purple tulip. i have had the same thing in the last year or so along with vomiting and uti's...colonoscopy was fine. Aren't the fevers just peachy? i've just learned to live with it because my rheumy wont say for sure its the effect of the lupus...i'm so very upset with life right now!!! i'm so very glad i have all of you to share my frustrations with because i feel no one understands!!

well hope you get some answers, keep us informed
Posted 12/29/2013 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Snowcone!

I had no fever this morning and I was well enough to go to church. But I am resting this afternoon wondering if the fever will reappear as night comes. I have been feeling poorly in the evenings.

We seem to have similar symptoms. My ut troubles started 2 years ago with chronic infections or whatever they are. My doctor told me after the positive ANA that I was fortunate, most of his patients with autoimmune problems have no sign of kidney trouble until they are in real trouble with kidney failure. Yikes!! Glad you have a rheumatologist.

I have not had the vomiting with the stomach issues. But as my DO says, your symptoms are progressing. Maybe the other shoe will drop.

I am glad you responded. Thank you! You are right. It does help to have people who understand.

Blessings!
Posted 12/30/2013 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ladies. I don't get UTIs often, but I can usually link them to contamination from a recent liquid stool accident. I have a BS in Medical Technology (lab) so I really know how important it is to keep stool where it doesn't belong, but sometimes it's such a mess it's impossible.

As for fevers, I don't run them (at all) unless I'm sick enough to be hospitalized. I feel badly for those of you who run daily fevers. I know they wear you out. Love, Butterflake
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply