Hi all! Hope everyone is managing ok. I am writing because I have flu symptoms(again) for the third time in two months. I was wondering if anyone else seems to get colds and the flu frequently during flare ups. Is this just coincidence or is this a symptom of something going on with my lupus. I tried doing some online research, but didn't find anything that connected the two.
On a positive note, the plaquenil is starting to make a difference! My hair loss seems to be toning down a bit, and I am improving my muscle strength with physical therapy. I still am in bad pain, and am sleeping a ton, but overall, I seem to be getting better, slowly but surely. Also, with my switch to an all organic diet, I've lost 15 lbs!
Please post any of your other experiences with flu symptoms, as I am very new to this.
I always feel like I have the flu during a flare. That’s one of the ways that I know it’s the SLE, fibro, Sjogren’s, etc… is acting up. The bidg difference between the real flu and the flare is that I don’t get the nasty cough or high fever during a flare. By high fever I mean 102 and up. I run a low grade temp during a flare but never over 101. Just to be safe I get the flu shot every year. Gentle hugs, Annemarie
I have both fibro and lupus and when I'm flaring I get low-grade fevers, chills, exhaustion, muscle aches, etc. Is that what you mean by flu-like symptoms? Also, I suffer from allergies and we are having a pollen storm here plus cottonwood trees shedding fluff all over the place. I am congested with a sore throat from miscellaneous allergies in spring and fall.
Yes, I feel like I have the flu when I'm flaring, especially in spring and fall.
So thankful for this thread! Not for other women suffering but for the information. I am 35 weeks pregnant and was diagnosed with SLE at 9 weeks after having issues for years. My high risk ob told me to wait until after the baby is born to find a rheumy because I couldn’t be medicated during the pregnancy. For the past few days I have been experiencing flu symptoms, but I don’t feel like I have the flu at all. Aches, chills, fever, nausea… Most all of it responds to tylenol. I have been going crazy trying to find a link between lupus and flu symptoms but have come up with nothing. I knew there was a chance of fibro since a large percentage of lupus patients have it also, can’t wait to get into a rheumy to finally figure out what’s going on
Erin, there are med you can take during pregnancy. Prednisone is one of them. I have been through 4 pregnancies and was able to take most of my med while pregnant. That was per my high risk OB. Not sure why yours said there weren’t any med to take. Very odd. Good luck with your baby. Gentle hugs, Annemarie
When I describe a lupus flare to people I usually tell them it is like having a very bad flu, pain all over and exhaustion. Also that it takes forever to go away if at all. Actually after I am in the sun even with protection...I feel like I have the flu for a few days. I would ask your doctor about the prednisone as Annmarie said, you shouldn't have to suffer so much.