I have been sick for 56 days with Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Tremors, Low grade fevers for 3 weeks, Joint pain, Swollen Hands, Swollen Lymph Nodes felt and seen in 2 CT scans, Headaches, Sinus Infection and now a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection), Dizzyness, Lightheadedness, Feeling really weak, couldn't take a shower one day because I felt like if I did I would faint in there, Butterfly Rash. Just all around not feeling well. I don't see my Rheumy until October 17th. My PCP wants to put me on Prednisone once I am off my Antibiotics for my UTI. Is Prednisone a good med to be on for Lupus?
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Wow. If I were you I would call the rheum and tell them how sick you are and see if you can come in. Has your PCP done lab work? You really need to see what is causing you to be sick. Not all of your symptoms sound like lupus but a lot do. Blood work could tell the dr a lot. If you look for long on the boards you will discover that prednisone is an “angel/devil” drug. Can be wonderful for a while then hits you with some pretty bad side effects. But when you need it you need it. (I was recently on pretty high doses for 8 months). I think you should get in soon to see someone and at least have blood work. You can’t keep throwing up and vomiting. Your electrolytes will get way off which could be dangerous. And of course you will lose weight. That could be caused by so many things from serositis, gastroparesis, infections, colitis etc. Maybe some Gatorade would be good to replace potassium etc. Maybe your dr would offer up suggestions. Best wishes and prayers.
Totally agree call your Rhuem
Definitely call your rheumy. That’s what he’s there for. They expect to be called when having flares or experiencing bad problems. They need to do the right blood work to see if you need steroids. Tell them your primary wants to put you on steroids. They need to see you first. Three weeks is a long time to have symptoms so make sure rheumy knows that and get you in. If they don’t, find a new rheumatologist. I don’t think they would say no though. They need to see their patients in a bad condition. Hugs til you feel better.
get in to see your rheumy asap. Prednisone is great for lupus if you're in a flare, but you should get the labs done first to make sure the prednisone will help and not harm.
Yes prednisone is good for Lupus, but not for long term use. Has other side affects. But it should stop inflammation and joint pain. I have always been told to go to emergency room in hospital when I have a serious flare up. Hugs to you.
Your symptoms and length of time sick sound like what I experienced last spring when I was in a flare, and exposed to the flu. My partner was sick for two days and I was really sick for three weeks with the same "bug." The vomiting and fevers dehydrated me to a dangerous level of unbalanced electrolytes, etc. An E.R. visit and three liters of IV fluids helped get me back on track. I agree with others - tell your rheumatologist it's an emergency! If you can't get help when you're this sick, what good is having a rheumy?
Also, I caution you about antibiotics. We lupies are very sensitive to some of them and they can actually cause a flare. My PCP put me on one for dermatitis just before the worst flare of my life started. My rheumatologist took me off it pronto! The antibiotics that warn of photosensitivity side effects are the worst for us. Some brand names of these arylamine sulpha derivatives are Bactrim, Septra, and Ganstrisin - which are most often prescribed for urinary tract infections. Your rheumatologist can suggest a more suitable antibiotic for you. Most PCPs aren't aware that there might be a problem with them. Good luck!
Oh Angel…I totally understand. Recently I had two full months of most of your symptoms. Yes, I would say get on the prednisone asap…so all this inflamation can get pushed back. For nausea I took disolvable Zofran and disolvable Maxalt for migraines. I took cephlex for my sinus infection and hated it, it gave me heart palpatiotions especially with the prednisone…but i was on the tail end of it so didnt spend too many days in misery. Right now its about getting that inflamation down and managing all the other symptoms. Why wait for the rheummy appt…will they just prescribe the pred now?
Tracy
All I can comment on is the prednisone....Ive been on it for a couple on years.....as soon as i go of it I have another major flare.As long as Im on it my flares are mild.
Prednisone is my wonder drug. As soon as I start it the pains stop and I can function. Feel better soon and don’t wait till Oct! Are you already on Plaquenil?
Nikki
I'm on Prednisone, and it's the only thing keeping me from feeling completely awful. I definately think it helps with Lupus. The rest of your symptoms are more concerning. You are probably dehydrated from the vomiting and diarrhea, which could be causing some of the other symptoms. You need to see somebody - even your primary - right away to take care of that. If you can't get to your primary or your rheumy because it's a holiday weekend, go to urgent care. Don't wait until Tuesday - go now!
Me too…I have been on prednisone for 14 years at 17mg…my life is ok…I still take pain meds…stay strong
Prednisone works quickly to stop a flare but it’s not a good thing to remain on long term.there are many side effects that are horrible. Have you called your Rheumatologist to explain how sick you are. Maybe you can get an appt sooner. If you can’t get any help I’d go to the ER.
No, my PCP wants to wait till I am off the Antibiotics I am on now called "Nitrofurantoin" for my UTI. Not really sure why but she's a doctor she should know what she's doing though I questioned it recently when she put me on my first Antibiotic for my UTI it was called "Sulfamethoxazole" and I woke up the next morning with a sever flare with Joint pain.
Flygirl said:
Oh Angel...I totally understand. Recently I had two full months of most of your symptoms. Yes, I would say get on the prednisone asap....so all this inflamation can get pushed back. For nausea I took disolvable Zofran and disolvable Maxalt for migraines. I took cephlex for my sinus infection and hated it, it gave me heart palpatiotions especially with the prednisone...but i was on the tail end of it so didnt spend too many days in misery. Right now its about getting that inflamation down and managing all the other symptoms. Why wait for the rheummy appt...will they just prescribe the pred now?
Tracy
No, they don't have me on anything for Lupus right now, though the Doctor seems to think that's what is causing all my symptoms.
Nikki said:
Prednisone is my wonder drug. As soon as I start it the pains stop and I can function. Feel better soon and don't wait till Oct! Are you already on Plaquenil?
Nikki
I would go to an Urgent Care but I don't think they can help me with some of the symptoms I'm having because it's probably Lupus related. Don't think they can treat that at an Urgent Care.
Idioskosmos said:
I'm on Prednisone, and it's the only thing keeping me from feeling completely awful. I definately think it helps with Lupus. The rest of your symptoms are more concerning. You are probably dehydrated from the vomiting and diarrhea, which could be causing some of the other symptoms. You need to see somebody - even your primary - right away to take care of that. If you can't get to your primary or your rheumy because it's a holiday weekend, go to urgent care. Don't wait until Tuesday - go now!
When I’m really sick, I call the rheumatologist and he fits me in, or calls me that day. I got symtoms like yours once and ended up in the emergency room getting rehydrated- but not until I passed out and broke my tailbone. I was lucky my head only hit a wicker table instead of a wooden one. It was because my blood pressure was dropping so low, it turned out.
I have been really ill today as well. Fever, sweating, then chills, puking my guts up. I have lost 50 lbs. In the last 3 years. And I am not a big person. But I got my new scrip for Plaquinel and that helps me A LOT!
Predrisone is a great medication as well.
You spelled "Prednisone" wrong.
Susan Wind said:
Predrisone is a great medication as well.