I know each of us deal with this wonderful disease in different ways and it affects us all differently, but do you ever see any warning signs that you're about to enter into another flare?
I honestly thought I was in a mild one, and that may have still been the case, but now I have vomiting spells, headaches, am having a lot of trouble breathing, hair is falling out in chunks and the insomnia is back.
Just didn't know if there were any telltale signs that your body's mad at you again :)
Jenn
When I start needing naps, that's how I know something's coming. Ever since I was put on Plaquenil, I have been nap free... unless I'm entering into a flare, getting sick, or just completely beat from school. I also get a weird feeling in my throat. It doesn't get sore, but it's almost a little scratchy feeling.
My dad gets a welt on his face before a flare which I've always found interesting since he doesn't get any of the skin rashes. It's always just one bump and it looks like a mosquito bite, but that's how we always know he's likely to enter a flare.
Momma2mm
I get different signs with each flare! It is not always the same for me! I will get the same red spots on my face in the same place with swelling of my joints. Sometimes it is a rash on the top of my right leg with pain and a low grade fever. Sometimes it is my glands swelling with a low grade fever, sore throat and then my joints start! Sometimes it is my hair falling out, eyes and joint pain! Sometimes it is my stomach, throwing up for no reason and a lot of abdominal pain! And sometimes it is a skin rash and/or swelling in my face, hands, mid section, and feet!
But the one thing that stays in common is the fatigue with each flare it becomes worse and I can’t fall asleep! And then sometime I can just sitting down for a rest and I can’t hold my eyes open at all!
I wish you all the best in trying to figure this out! If you do, please let me know because I have been wondering the same thing for years! Why don’t my flares ever start the same way?
Deenie
Thanks for your replies! I know that I took 2 naps this weekend, something i NEVER do, so that was a huge sign along with the shallow breathing and rashes on my joints (elbows, knees and hips). I just ran to the walk-in over my lunch to get what I call my almost monthly cocktail of steroids and antibiotics.
My family doctor tells me she thinks I 'm ready for some other type of Lupus medicine (Plaquenil, etc.) , but my rheumy isn't convinced due to my bloodwork. She did call him and tell him that next time I see him (in two weeks) that my bloodwork needs to be checked again, and something else needs to be done. She's concerned that the symptoms are coming faster and stronger with every month.
Like this crazy disease isn't enough with all it's ups and downs.
I would suggest having your blood work done when you have the rash and/or you are in a flare! Remember a lot of us that have lupus have negative blood work! They need to treat the Symptoms and not worry so much about the blood work! If you fit the lupus Criteria, you need to be treated!
Best of luck! I will be praying for you!
Deenie
Thanks for your replies! I know that I took 2 naps this weekend, something i NEVER do, so that was a huge sign along with the shallow breathing and rashes on my joints (elbows, knees and hips). I just ran to the walk-in over my lunch to get what I call my almost monthly cocktail of steroids and antibiotics.
My family doctor tells me she thinks I 'm ready for some other type of Lupus medicine (Plaquenil, etc.) , but my rheumy isn't convinced due to my bloodwork. She did call him and tell him that next time I see him (in two weeks) that my bloodwork needs to be checked again, and something else needs to be done. She's concerned that the symptoms are coming faster and stronger with every month.
Like this crazy disease isn't enough with all it's ups and downs.