I was diagnosed in November but I couldn't see the specialist until Jan 15. My Dr gave me meloxicam to help with the inflammation but the past 3 weeks it hasn't helped at all! Any suggestions or things I should ask the Dr about this week? I want to be prepared since it took so long to get in. Looking for suggestions
Hi Michelle! I'm sorry to hear this about you and your treatment. It can be very discouraging at times to find something that helps us medically.
Please bear in mind that I'm not a doctor and have no medical training. That being said, my line of thoughts would be:
1. My body has acclimated to this medicine in only 3 weeks. Usually it's much longer before we find that the illness has surpassed the pain thresh-hold when we're taking meds for the pain and inflammation. In other words, if you were to stop taking the medicine you might be surprised to find out that it WAS working and blocking out a lot of pain because you feel even WORSE without the medicine. But the medicine can only control it to a certain point. So I would wonder if
I needed a higher dosage? Definitely a question for your doctor!
2. Is this the right medicine for me? Is it helping at all or not? If not, what other choices do I have?
3. Have you been tested for any other auto-immune illnesses? They can occur along with the lupus and could cause additional pain. I have fibro and it occurs in many, many people with lupus. We have a great fibro board that you could go over to and read up on. You might be surprised to find your own symptoms there. I'm not saying you will; I'm just saying that it's a possibly and one worth looking into. Fibro is largely made up of nerve pain, so only responds to a few medicines, including Lyrica, Cymbalta and Savella.
4. Could your pain be related to something other than what's listed? If you are working or going around like crazy, your body might send out pain signals, especially with fibro.
5. Are you experiencing other medical issues as well? Even weird ones that don't correlate to lupus? Please write them down and bring the info to your doctor.
6. Are you doing anything different that might bring on a flare, like staying out in the sun? Not much of a possibility if you're in a northern state but possible if you live in the south.
7. Could the pain you're feeling be a side-effect of the medicine? You can type in "side effects" plus the name of the medicine to find a list. You'd be amazed at how many side effects some of the meds we take can have.
I don't know if that will help you at all. I'm hoping that other members will also respond to your message because I'm not diagnosed with lupus; I suspect I may have it, but I DO have fibro.
Good luck at your next visit and please keep us updated!
My Rheumitologist went through about 8 different NSAIDs before finding one that took care of most the pain, and didn’t cause distress from the side effects it is usaualy trial and error until one works.
Good luck!
I was diagnosed on Dec 10, 2014. I've been taking Plaquenil and Prednisone since then. According to my rheumatologist, it takes 3-4 mths for Plaquenil to kick in and prednisone is temporary and mainly for the inflammation. As far as I know, prednisone really helps me not to feel much pain. However, I will need to get off the prednisone within 2 months because it's not good to take it in the long run. During the first week, I had to take 40mg...20mg for 2 weeks after...and now I'm on 15 mg for another 2 weeks. I think it's best to ask your doctor if it's ok to take prednisone and to see if it will help to relieve the pain.
Typical entry point drugs are Plaquenil and an imonusuppresant of some kind. Most rheumys like to avoid prednisone, if possible, by using immunosuppressants instead (methotrexate, imuran, etc). They will be a lot of blood tests to check your, ASA, dsDNA levels, and will check to see if your internal organs have been effected by Lupus. Make a list of your symptoms before you go to the appointment. I know it’s very frustrating to have to wait to get an appointment with a specialist. It also often takes years to get a correct diagnosis, in some cases. Good luck on your journey!
Try a supplement xalled curamin extra strength take two. Also vitd3 5,ooo mg helpful. Plaquinil was very helpful to me
Meloxicam was useless to me too. The Only thing that works for me is Celebrex. Have to try a few before insurance will pay for it. It’s expensive. Aleve was a good second choice for cheap over the counter in meantime. Keep trying diff meds till you find the best one. None takes it all away.
Ask to have your vitamin D level checked. Very important factor!
Hello dealing with Fibro, it takes almost 4-8weeks for the med to work . don't change right now it still going through your body finding the point where it has to start working just wait a little longer 2more weeks ...Beverly L.