I'm on 2,000 mg of CellCept a day, and I LOVE it. My joint pain and fatigue is almost completely gone. The only side effect I've noticed is an increased frequency of diarrhea. Not fun, but it's also...
I know we've posted like a million threads on this, but I am feeling so aggravated this morning! I've had KAMIKAZE itching bouts the last 2 nights. I mean, it felt like I was being stung by a million...
Hey sck, I'm scheduled to have a hysterectomy in late February. My suggestion is to check out the hystersisters site. It's awesome! They have forums for all stages of the hysterectomy process, and I...
Hey Lynwood, The last time I got a cold, it hung on for almost a month! The cellcept, I guess. I think that all the lupus meds not only make us more susceptible to colds, but they interfere or slow...
Hey gang, Surgery is scheduled for 2/22. I can't wait! Right now I have to wear adult diapers when I get my period because I bleed so much. I pass clots as large as a golf balls, and last month I had...
LAWCHICK, That's "good" news it was just the lupus! LOL. I know what you mean, though, about getting new symptoms and freaking out that it's something serious. Just don't do what I do and use one of...
Good luck Dazz! (((hugs))) We all react differently to these medications (Thank You, Lupus), but I hope you tolerate this well and see a reduction in your symptoms. I actually switched to CellCept...
(((hugs))) Perhaps a second opinion is in order? If you don't have confidence in your rheumy, then you're probably right that it's a waste of time. I'd try to find a new rheumy before I settled on...
((((hugs)))) I'm sorry your test results were not great. At least a UTI is treatable, though, right? If they can find an antibiotic you can tolerate, that is. Which ones are you allergic to? Brandi...
That's good that there's no blood in the urine! Yay for good news! /community/emoticons/tongue.gif Was the bacteria like a UTI or something? Also, I get the impression from your posts that your...
(((hugs))) You do have our support! I don't know anything about your autoimmune disease, but I like the fact that you are voicing your opinions and concerns to your doctor....
UPDATE. It's a dense baseball sized mass, going across the submucosal, intramural, and subserosal layers of the uterus. I go next week for pre-op stuff in preparation for a laproscopic or robotic...
Denita, that happened a bunch of times to me until I changed my eating schedule and habits. I got where I could tell if an episode was coming on - if I felt flushed, then sweaty, and irritable or...
Thanks for answering. /community/emoticons/smile.gif I went to my OB/GYN after posting that. She said I have an enlarged uterus, like I was 12-14 weeks pregnant (which I'm not), and that my uterus or...
WOW! That picture was amazing. I had no idea it could welt up like that. That was only after 5 minutes? How long did it take to go away?...
Anyone experience heavy menstrual bleeding while taking cellcept? Just curious....
((Hugs)) This forum has been a life saver for me. There are people in all stages of the disease, some recently diagnosed, some dealing with lupus for years. Everyone is quite generous in giving their...
I posted too soon - I came down with a fever Monday night. It's a chest cold, but it's my first while taking CellCept, so I'll have to see how it goes. I've had a fever of around 100 degrees F and...
Kernal, When is your next appointment with your rheumy? Lupus responds to treatment different for all of us, so I would make a list of your concerns and ask your rheumy for advice on your next visit....
Wow, that is interesting! I love your comment about your kids writing messages on you. :-) Good for you for looking for the silver lining. A good attitude is half the fight with lupus, don't you...
I have a yucky cough with yellow greenish phlegm, but no fever as far as I can tell. I cough until I gag on this nasty mess. Blegh. Thanks for letting me whine. :(...
I haven't noticed any difference. Of course, I live in Florida, so maybe it doesn't count! I alternate between UPF 50 clothing, sun umbrellas, and sunscreen, depending on the time of day I go out and...
Update: I saw my doc...turns out it was the plaquenil causing the kamikaze itching. I've since discontinued and it is much improved....
Hey couchtater, I'd recommend a white noise machine, but your CPAP machine is probably just as good. What's your caffeine intake like? If you drink coffee, tea or soda, do you just drink it in the AM...
Is your hair long or short? When my hair was in a longer style, I noticed the hair loss more. I recently got the 'Judi Dench' cut (do a Google image search if you're curious) and it looks much better...
I get kamikaze itching attacks, the worst when I try to go to sleep. If they're particularly bad, I get up and take a hot bath, then slather on lots of moisturizer. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it...
Let's take a page out of couchtater's book and call ourselves the Super Snoot Club. That's kinda catchy, right? Bloodhounds unite! LOL....
Hi gang, I experience what feels like itching or stinging pinpricks (all over, not just in legs or arms or whatever). It's the worst when I go to bed. It takes me 60-90 minutes at the least to fall...
Thanks for the info! That was really helpful. /community/emoticons/smile.gif RE: your question, unfortunately the methotrexate doesn't seem to be working. I am still having kidney problems, joint...
Hey gang, My rheumy is likely going to switch me from methotrexate to cytoxin come December. Is anyone taking cytoxin? Via IV or pills? Have you experienced any significant hair loss, or other...
Joy, thanks for the tip! Those UPF 50+ clothes are expensive, so being able to treat regular clothes with an additive would DEFINITELY save me some moolah....
Well, at least life's never boring with an autoimmune disease, right? :-) mscrowbar, I've also noticed that the majority of smells are unpleasant. But I guess we wouldn't complain if everything...
Me too! I can only wear gold. Most days I don't wear jewelry anymore. Speaking of allergies and lupus, I also get contact dermatitis from adhesive bandages (i.e., bandaids). So now I carry around...
Today I've been smelling the food from the other side of the office (it's in a different section of the building). Too strange! I'm glad I'm not the only one with the "super snoot". :-)...
Update: third week of methotrexate. I seem to have adjusted! No vomiting, very little nausea, some upset tummy. The only thing that stayed about the same was my level of fatigue. I am feeling quite...
Hi Sherry, I'm sorry to hear about your dx. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in 2002 and I found the diagnosis and limitations hard to accept. My advice is to give yourself time to process these...
I've heard about pregnant women experiencing an enhanced sense of smell, but I think I have the same thing sometimes with my lupus! Every once in a while I have a day or two where everything just...
I don't know if it's sun-induced or drug-induced, but the result is the same - you gotta stay outta the sun! I live in the Sunshine State of Florida, so it's an issue for me all year round. I tried...
I get those random electrical shock feelings all over as well. It's the worst when I am trying to go to sleep at night. I always assumed it was some form of restless legs syndrome or whatever....
Hey Lord Walters Lady Bug, I didn't mean to scare you off methotrexate! We all have different reactions to medication, and you might tolerate this a lot better than I have. I'm hopeful that I'll...
I think it depends on whether you're going darker or lighter When I bleach my hair for a blonder or more highlighted look, the bleach burns. Putting in lowlights or a color rinse (red, brown) however...
Update:. Took my second weekly dose of methotrexate yesterday. Today I feel like I'm either coming down with a cold or like a car ran me over in my sleep last night. Sore throat, extremely tired,...
Wow, you weren't kidding about those side effects! The wiki page was pretty serious: Adverse eventsSerious adverse events, which can cause death and disability, include:[22] Severe infusion reactions...
Thanks Dodd for the feedback. I appreciate hearing how your wife is tolerating the medicine, since I wasn't sure what to expect. Quick follow up - I took my first dose (10mg) yesterday, and this...
Great post! I like gratitude affirmations, myself. I write our company's newsletter (we have about 500 employees), and I end each one with a page of fresh affirmations. Example: - I choose to make...
Hi all, Newbie here. My rheumie started me on methotrexate 2.5 mg, 4 pills once a week, in addition to the 200mg of plaquenil I take daily. I also got a cortisone shot in the butt, a script for folic...
Chigirl2, (((hugs))) I relate to feeling like you're falling apart. I was 25 when I was diagnosed with degenerative disk disease and osteoarthritis, and 35 when I was diagnosed with SLE. I think it's...
Thanks Tater! That's a great idea. I haven't really checked those out since their inception, and I'm sure the software has come a long way with voice recognition. LOL, I remember being a teenager and...
There must be some connection. The first question out of my rheumatologist and primary care doctors' mouth is always, "how's your sleep"? Went to the ER today for breathing difficulties, and even the...
Hello! Newbie here. /community/emoticons/smile.gif I was diagnosed with SLE a couple of months ago and osteoarthritis 9 years ago. I've had a bad pain in my hands and feet for over a year now, a...