I went into a flare around the end of November, courtesy of nursing school stress. From January to February I had pericarditis which is not a fun way to spend your winter break, but I still managed to have fun and relaxed. In the end of February I started Plaquenil. I was on 400mg, but that caused me to have problems with bleeding (turns out I'm sensitive to its anti-coagulant properties) so I went down to 200mg and felt fine. Had a great spring break and everything. I didn't need my 2-3hr naps, the aches were gone, it was awesome. The next class started up on Monday after spring break. that was actually a snow day for us so our schedule got rearranged for the week. On Tuesday school really did start since the snow all melted, but then a friend of mine died Tuesday night. I don't know if I went out of a flare for a few weeks and fell back into one or what, but I'm miserable. Every joint in my body hurts, including my spine. I have aches between each vertebrae. I can't get warm. Today was 60 degrees (finally!) and I was bundled from head to toe, winter hat and everything. I have that funny feeling in my throat that I get with each flare too. I ache so much that I don't want to move.
I'm so tired of this. I went back up to 400mg on the Prednisone to see if it'll help. So far I haven't had any easy bleeding/bruising issues which is good. Rheum said I might just have to start out at a low dose so my body can slowly get used to the Prednisone. If I go up gradually with my dose, he said the bleeding sensitivity will likely go away.
I want to take a semester off of school so I can rest and deal with my health, but I really want to finish this out and graduate with the rest of the gang. I have 7 weeks of class and clinical to do, then I have summer vacation. I just want to make it to summer vacation. So much has happened this semester between school, my official diagnosis, family, etc. I'm so overwhelmed and sick feeling that I just want to cry. :(
Hang in there sweetie, things will get better!!! I can totally relate to what you’re going through right know, I actually had to take a break from my nursing school due to the extra stress school caused for me. I was diagnosed less than a year and a half ago and have been in a continual flare since. My Rheumi said that it can take a year or more to get me on the right medicine and dosage that works for my body. For some reason though this month has been extremely harder on me, but we did just move into a new home, my kids had Spring Break, and my mom and step dad came to visit for 2 weeks. Do you see a Pain Specialist that can help with managing your pain? If so, does it help any? The reason I ask is because I think I’m going to start looking for one myself. I routinely go to the Chiropractor, go for massages, and swim often. However, I haven’t tried any Pain Management yet and would love any feedback on it. I also take a lot of long hot baths and sleep on a heating pad, that seems to help a lil.
Thanks. I haven't been to a pain management person, but I'm definitely going to look into it. Heat helps me a ton so I think tonight I'm going to soak in the tub and study. If I lay really still, it doesn't hurt as much. At the gym I go to, they have a therapy pool that's really warm so I've thought about looking into some of the classes they do in that pool too.
Sorry to hear your like this my friend and the plaquenil sounded like it was doing wonders for you...the actual stress of losing your friend as caused you to have a flare megan, as be both know stress and depression is a large thrieving food for Lupus.
Venting won't hurt you it will do you the world of good and if you cry your releasing pressure out your system which actually helps you along the way to slowly picking up...as it used to do me the world of good and not being able to now through the sjogrens is making issues worse.
I hope you can fight through this and graduate but you know we're hear for you dearly.
I'm sorry you're going thru this honey. When I first got diagnosed I went thru so much before they figured out the right combination of meds that would help me function normally. Hang in there and just know you're not alone.
The most important thing for me has been finding little ways the relieve the stress. I’ve had doctors try to put me on plaquenil but I think that since stress is the culprit, getting to the root is more important that covering it with plaquenil… Working out, yoga, breathing and meditation have been very helpful!
I hope you are having a better day today. I use ibuprofen, the heating pad, massage and as a last resort a muscle relaxant to help me out when my flares are bad. When I was on plaquenil I also had easy bruising, but it did help me tremendously. You’re in a stressful situation because of school almost being out and I hope you’re able to finish the last 7 weeks, so you can relax and give your mind and body a break as much as possible during your summer vacation.
Stress makes Lupus worse & nursing school is very stressful. I've been an RN 20+ yrs & have had Lupus for that long. I ended up having to quit work because I was constantly flaring with nephritis, exhaustion & ended up hospitalized with Sepsis & pericarditis. You may have to take a break & get the Lupus under control. Your health is more important than school. Be patient you will feel better.
Thanks everyone for your love and support. I'm so incredibly thankful for each one of you. I usually bottle up my feelings, but I'm learning (the hard way) that I need to just let things out so I can reduce the load on my body. I took a hot shower tonight and it helped a bit. The gym I belong to has an aqua arthritis class so I'm going to give that a try. They have yoga too, but it's soooo early in the morning. I'm not a morning person at all. I haven't really grieved for my friend yet so I need to let myself do that too. I compartmentalized everything so I could finish out the week of school without having a meltdown in front of everyone, but I have to stop doing that! Thanks for helping me through all of this. Love you guys!
I am sorry to hear that things are so lousy. It sounds like we flare in similar ways. Sometimes when I flare I get fevers which is part of what makes EVERY joint in your body scream and gives you the chills. I bought a queen size electric blanket to help with the times u just can’t get warm. When my body gets like that I take Advil but I do the prescription strength dose which is 800mg. And I sleep because that is really the only way I can get through it. I really hope this passes for you soon. May have been brought on by combo of stress from losing a friend ( which I am very sorry to hear about) plus the goofy weather. No matter the reason I wish you luck and hope you make it through school!! Good luck!!
I’m so sorry you’re feeling lousy too. Like Ann said, sometimes a good cry helps me I too am in school and I’m done in May with my masters but it has been very tough. I was diagnosed about a year and a half ago and have had lots of ups and downs (way more downs because I am still getting used to this). Anyways, have you spoken with your teachers? I know you say you only have weeks left and then the whole summer to rest. It was really hard for me at first but I decided to be very open with all of my teachers with what I was and am going through. They blew me away with how understanding and accommodating they were. I am not looking for an easy way out by any means, but if I ever was having a flare or a really hard time they worked with me and helped me finish what I needed to. One teacher even gave me an extension…I had a huge final paper due but there was no way I would’ve finished it on time, so based on my grades my professor gave me an “A” and told me to submit the paper when I could. Maybe you can try to talk to them, especially because you’re in the medical field hopefully they understand and can work with you.
As hard as it is try to keep your chin up. I’m guessing you are young because you’re in school (I’m 27) and its completely discouraging to not be able to do the things all of my friends can do. I was in your place the last few weeks and was crying constantly. I found a lot of help from some people on this site and have trying to just accept the fact that I might not be able to do everything exactly the way I’d like. I hope you feel better soon and if you ever need to talk I’m here
HAY!!! it's okay to feel like this . I've been through this also , but Living with LUPUS that trys to shut us down whenever it want to -it's not fair but that's what happens . Just take the moment for what it is and don't make plans go on how you are feeling when you wakeup!!! and know that are things that you know are for you to do , it's okay go at your on pace !!! Don't stress that's what make LUPUS run the show for the things you want to do . Fight back mentally and remember that you ar not alone in this Living with LUPUS stuff. hope that this comfort you , talk with you later best wishes....Beverly L.
Crying will do you god mate release the lot out and doing things at the swimming pool which you think suites your body will help as so many members attend.
My first rheumo suggested swimming to me as it helps strengthen the muscles with Lupus.
I too am in school and I’m done in May with my masters but it has been very tough. I was diagnosed about a year and a half ago and have had lots of ups and downs (way more downs because I am still getting used to this). Anyways, have you spoken with your teachers? I know you say you only have weeks left and then the whole summer to rest. It was really hard for me at first but I decided to be very open with all of my teachers with what I was and am going through. They blew me away with how understanding and accommodating they were. I am not looking for an easy way out by any means, but if I ever was having a flare or a really hard time they worked with me and helped me finish what I needed to. One teacher even gave me an extension…I had a huge final paper due but there was no way I would’ve finished it on time, so based on my grades my professor gave me an “A” and told me to submit the paper when I could. Maybe you can try to talk to them, especially because you’re in the medical field hopefully they understand and can work with you.