Interesting I just came across this topic as I had this discussion with my rheumy yesterday. I dont get a flu vaccine and I wont. My dr. supports that belief. She basically said that since I am on...
I tend to get what I call a "mini flare" about a week before my period. My fatigue level is far worse than normal and my hands and feet get very sore. I also feel a burning sensation across my...
Sugaring is the way to go in my opinion. It is a far more gentle alternative to waxing and threading. When calling around to find a salon that sugars be sure to ask if they use "strips" or "hand...
Thank you! It is nice to be back. I had been reading but not posting because I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I was so fatigued it was nuts! I hate to admit this in a public forum but I was so...
I also have been away for a while. It is nice to be back. Welcome back PeacefulHarpist! I am sorry the summer was so rough for you. It can be tough. I was feeling wonderful for a while then hit a...
I am participating in a Lupus Walk this Sunday, Sept 9th sponsored by the Lupus Alliance of Upstate New York. We have a wonderful team walking made up of my husband and I, my mom and stepdad, my...
Sorry! I totally misread your post! I thought all the tests you had came back normal. Please pardon me for misunderstanding. I agree 100% with the others... find a new dr. There is no reason for a...
Just so I can understand.... You had an ANA that came back elevated w/a speckled pattern then you got the next batch of tests listed at the end of your post and they were all normal? If I am correct...
Here is a site that offers quite a bit of info on assistance/special programs for medication http://www.needymeds.com/ You also may consider asking your healthcare provider for samples until you get...
Hello Friends! Hope all is well and everybody is enjoying their summer. Sorry I havent participated more in recent weeks. My entire family is here from out of town and I picked up a few extra...
The first few months after being diagnosed I was very dizzy. It is a hard feeling to describe... it wasnt dizzy like the room was spinning but more a feeling of being off balance and feeling like my...
I really agree... as harsh as it sounds the only thing you can do is provide your family with the information about your illness and treatment and let them form whatever thoughts or ideas they want...
I am sorry things have taken a turn for the worse. Here is a very basic but informative site about creatine kinase and possible new directions for you to investigate for treatment. As I understand...
Avoid foods in boxes, plastic wrap and bottles. Most prepared foods have tons of sodium simply for preservation. Even things like bottled salad dressings and sauces are loaded with sodium. Scratch...
I am sorry you were feeling such pain. I have had that feeling before and at the age of 32 I seriously thought I was having a heart attack. It is quite simply a crushing pain. For a while mine was so...
I have been wondering how the lady who was trying to get in with Duke medical center was doing. Last I remember she was trying to get a diagnosis. I wish I could remember her name. I always think...
Sorry you are feeling so bad. Feeling sick all the time is the worst! Sometimes pure ginger (not ginger ale but actual ginger) can help ease feeling ill. Hope you feel better soon!...
HI! I was officially diagnosed with systemic lupus last Dec. The kindey issue is fairly new, those issues cropped up in March/April. Via my blood and urine all my kidney tests are normal except for...
HI Everybody! Hope this message finds you all well and enjoying summer. I have been reading the forum every few days but not posting as much. Now that my diagnosis is six months old I feel a bit more...
Plaquenil takes about 3 months to fully leave your system. Both my rheumy and gyn have been very clear about that. This whole topic came up as in the next year or two my husband and I would like to...
I am sorry your appt. didnt go as well as you had hoped. Have you looked into the possibility of going out of network with your insurance plan? I know with our plan we are welcome to go out of...
I think the most important thing to remember is nothing will happen overnight. Generally speaking if a person gained 100 pounds chances are it took a while for the weight gain. If somebody is 50,000...
I think the best healthy eating plan is balancing your food (all meals and snacks) with equal parts good fat, lean protein and good carbs. That is the best way to let your body process the foods and...
Good luck with the taper. My mother in law is currently in the same boat and is thrilled to be reducing her dosage as well! I dont take it myself but I know Prednisone is tough. Hope you continue to...
I am so sorry you are having hip pain.. I can relate 100% as hip pain is one of my worse problems in relation to lupus. I am not exactly sure what you mean by pinching. Mine feels like a drill is...
I linked an interesting article about food intolerances. Maybe it will give you some insight: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2001/401_food.html DH's cousin had many food allergies. She is young, 12...
Thanks Lynwood! Mentally I feel like a new person. My C3 is still 28 points below normal but as long as it didnt dip all was good. The fact that it rose, albeit only 2 points, really made my day. I...
HI Everybody! Sorry I havent been around much recently... it has been a busy time for me. I finally have some good news to report. I went to my rheumy yesterday and for the first time since Dec. of...
Thank you for the replies and information. My rheumy did call me back last night and I let her know. She said from now on we will make my appts. a week later so this wont be an issue again. Seeing as...
I had a nuclear bone scan a few weeks ago. Mine was simply for diagnostic purproses. I had to be at the radiology center 2 hours before to get my injection then I was allowed to leave and return. The...
While I did present symptoms of lupus for several years my rheumy did tell me a trauma to your body can set lupus to full force. In my case I had a very hard fall in Aug of 2006 that resulted in a...
Hello, Please pardon this graphic question but I cant seem to get a straight answer. Currently I have my period and I was scheduled to get my blood and urine tested today. I have my regular rheumy...
Sounds like you are on your way to feeling better! I can relate to almost feeling happy about a diagnosis. After a while you begin to wonder if you are stone cold nuts. The diagnosis sort of...
The issue most people have with getting a lupus diagnosis is the symptoms vary so widely from patient to patient. Not only do they vary, lupus mimics and mirrors many other diseases and disorders....
A baseline exam is important as well as yearly or bi-yearly exams. I am not sure why the nurse was so ugly to you for simply asking a question about your own healthcare. I would follow up with that...
When I have a very busy schedule I usually sit down and try and prioritize all my tasks. One person cant do it all and at the end of the day you have to be well in order for anything to get done! The...
Sunburns can be so painful. It sounds kind of strange but you may want to try and take a milk bath. The lactic acid in the milk will very gently help loosen the burnt and dead skin from the burn and...
I havent ever heard of the procedure but I wish you well....
I have never had good luck with zpacs. I wont take them anymore as they dont do a thing for me. If you had/have an UTI you would need a more powerful broad spectrum med I would think. UTI's can...
I think this is such a positive post! I am so happy to read this. I am glad your daughter is feeling better. I will send good thoughts that the final reading of her results is good. I am also very...
Are you sure you received the correct information about medicare? In order to qualify for medicare you must be 65 or over and have at least 10 yrs. with a Medicare covered employment. You must be...
I feel like an old woman sometimes with all my "health chores"... wake up, take temp, take blood pressure, look at Amsler Grid, take meds then yoga. Well, I guess the yoga isnt old ladyish. LOL! My...
While there are signs and signals I think the only way to detect organ damage is via the blood or urine. Most commonly would be the kidneys. Dont let it get you down! Just keep doing your best :)...
Fatality from lupus has decreased over the years. This is due to early detection, more advanced diagnositc testing for lupus related effects and more options in treatment. If not treated any illness...
I wish I could articulate this better but I know a flare is coming on when I feel like my body is buzzing all over. I then develop a fever and terrible fatigue and dizziness. Sometimes it lasts a day...
I am sorry you are frustrated, I can understand completely. I love yoga - not just for the physical benefits but it really makes me feel relaxed and centered. I know that sounds a bit cliche but it...
The "film" you are feeling might be the baking soda used in many whitening toothpastes. Does it feel sort of gritty? I hate that feeling! I have sensitive teeth, I have my whole life. I *love*...
I have no experience with this at all.. I did want to mention that a lady I know from a group I particpate in (and if I recall she is 36) was feeling the same way you are. For nearly a year she had...
Black Salve has amazing drawing powers. It is strong enough to draw a shred of glass from your skin. I am hesitant to suggest it for the eye area though. It is oil based ( and it smells horrid) so I...
I have been doing quite a bit of research on sun protection since being diagnosed. I was always very faithful to sunscreen but once I started doing some investigating I realized I didnt know much...