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Mid back pain with lupus?

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Posted 1/25/2014 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
I have a 15 year old son that was recently diagnosed with lupus. (First visit with a rheumy if you can believe it). We were told that he has likely had lupus for a few years already. He has tried plaquenil but is highly allergic and is now on methotrexate 10 mg every week. He has been on it for 6 weeks with no improvement. His most recent complaint is mid back pain and spasms. I was wondering if this is common with lupus, or if it could be medication related. The rheumy told me to call our family doc, but I seem to remember that kidneys can be affected by lupus and/or the meds. He has been consistent about his complaint all week. He has an appointment with the rheumatologist on Monday, but I get the impression that he just isn't that concerned.

Is back pain common? Everything on his lower half has been bothering for a few years, but the back pain is new.

Posted 1/25/2014 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
I would mention my kidney concern to the rheumy on Monday. Perhaps he can go ahead and draw the extra vial of blood or whatever it takes to satisfy your concerns.

That said, it could be from Lupus, from MTX, or from something he did. It's really hard to tell with these things. If it does indeed spasm, that probably is something for the family doc.

Have him lie flat on the floor with feet on footstool. If that doesn't release the spasm, try putting a rolled up towel under him right where the spin is. Or under him left to right just under the underarms - mid back. Also a warm Epson salt bath may help.

Be wishes,
Posted 1/25/2014 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
Will definitely bring it up again on our visit with the rheumy. He is currently curled up in bed with a heating pad. He says it helps a little, but not much. We will give your other suggestions a try. The fatigue is so hard to see. He refuses to let his friends at school know, though. If the specialist won't look into it we'll try our primary, but I feel like I'm playing the childhood game 'go ask mom, no go ask dad.' More frustrated than anything I guess.
Posted 1/25/2014 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
"right where the spin is" should read "right where the spine is". LOL
Posted 1/25/2014 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
Also, of the easily available OTC pain meds, acetaminophen(Tylenol) works the best for muscle spasms. Make sure he is well hydrated.
Posted 1/26/2014 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
I had him take some Tylenol yesterday and he did feel a bit better, only rated his back pain at 5-6 after the heating pad and Tylenol. He is still pretty active when he can be, but it seems harder lately. I know I don't have the disease, and can't understand how he feels, but I want to make sure to meet his needs and empower him as much as I can. I want the best for him and I'm feeling lost now, so I can only imagine how much harder it is as a teenager.
Thanks for the direction.
Posted 1/26/2014 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
He might also be photosensitive. Get him some sun protective clothes and sunscreen. The fluorescent lights in schoolrooms can make him ill too.
Posted 1/28/2014 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
Better visit with the rheumy. Trying to figure out the back pain. He is trying to rule out ankylosing spondylitis. We have added yet another medicine to the daily routine. We now have Meloxicam 15 mg and tripled the folic acid. Doc is considering the possibility that the methotrexate may be contributing to the back pain. And now just waiting for the labs to come back and hope for no more new diagnoses.

C
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