Hello all,
I am now on day 7 of my 5mg prednisone fix for my flare.
Last night, I was very tired and had to work late because I am on call for work this week.
I started to get some muscle spasticity and
When I got up to go to bed, I couldn’t walk properly. It was like I was drunk. It’s a little better now, but not all the way.
I know that every person is different, but about How long should new symptoms keep popping up during a flare?
Other than a high fever, are there any other symptoms that need immediate attention?
Thanks! 
Jcangel3,
As you said we are all different so it's very difficult to say what will work for one person. It's not unusual to be a bit wobbly when standing up as blood flow can change as well as having difficulty walking. Sometimes it's blood pressure, sometimes it's because your flare may be affecting your CNS or your sight. It will usually rectify itself, but the time it takes for this to occur varies with each person. If you are doing much the same and not getting worse, it is probably just taking time to take effect.
Prednisone is a terrible med but the best one for the onset of a flare. Other meds take up to 4-6 months to take effect and the side effects can be much worse than Pred.
Good health,
DeAnne
Hello Jcangel,
Flares can keep hitting members constant with hardly a break and if it's just one symptom of a flare kicking off refering skin for example it can take up to 2wks to resolve itself but if you have a combination flare which is bad with different issues involved they can stretch to 6wks or more and they're called chronic flares.
Here's a list of symptoms which can occur through a flare :)
Signs and Symptoms of Lupus Flare
Be aware of one or more of these symptoms:
- Persistent fatigue out of proportion with what you would usually expect
- Persistent weakness
- Aching all over
- Fever, which may be slight to high (you can check your temperature yourself)
- Persistent loss of appetite
- Involuntary weight loss
- Increasing hair loss
- Recurring nose bleeds
- Sore on the roof of the mouth, which burns with spicy foods
- Unexplained skin rash anywhere on the body
- Hives
- Sores on the skin
- Painful joint(s)
- Swollen joint(s)
- Stiffness of the joints when waking up in the morning
- Chest pain which increases with breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood
- Persistent unusual headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Recurring or persistent abdominal pain
- Persistent, increasing swelling of the feet and legs
- Puffy eyelids
- Blood in the urine
Lupus is often a self-repetitive disease: watch for a recurrence of the symptoms that you experienced when your disease started.
Thank you for that info…I hope it doesn’t last 6 weeks , though!
If it does last 6wks then you surposed to see your rheumo or what specialist you do see for stronger meds to help you :)
Jcangel3 said:
Thank you for that info.....I hope it doesn't last 6 weeks , though!
the muscle pains.......... i didnt think of this untl recently ....but u should problem make sure you eat a minimum of one banana per day.
lupus women seem to be low on potassium which will definitely icreae spasms and we dehydrate fast due to meds. so drink a lot of WATER.
its so important to hydrate.
our bodies just need water and more potassium.
my doc had me on potassium and i immediately had more energy.
also... when yo are so uncomfortable to where u cant sleep and eat- u need to be seen.
this was a baby rule the pediatrician told me.......and funny enough- i apply this to myself now.
hope this helps to guide u.
sometimes flares last long- until the right treatment and right scenarios.
a maintenence dose of prednisone wont help u in a flare though.
a Doctor friend of mine told me never to allow a flare to progress of possible. simply becz with lupus, the damage to tissue is irreversible.
the flares cause major damage.
I am confused too. I always have issues that seem like flares. I guess I would like to know what is a "normal" day? I am doing better then a couple of weeks ago but not ready to say I feel good. And I really wish that I had the part where I keep losing weight. I have the opposite problem.
i take 40mg of prednisone daily for the last 14 years. ive found that taking a warm bath with lavander/muscle relaxer epsom salt helps. you literally can feel the blood flow in your legs with this. i also make a paste of the epsom salt and a little water to put on wrists or elbows when hurting and just wrap a warm towel around it. ive found help with that. you need to probally eat a bananna daily as well. hope you feel better soon!
more PREDISONE…
Thanks everyone.
Victoria, I LOVE lavender oil!
I feel like every single part of my body is rotting, but at different times.
What do you do if your dr says they can’t see you, or you just need to keep taking the meds and wait?
They will keep popping up until the flare is brought under control :( usually.
and to be honest-- new symptoms just let you know the flare is getting worst.
I am the bearer of bad news... i am sorry.
I think of a flare when my body is in an uproar. So for me, I have been in a flare for about 2 years... 1 year finally out of the hospital. But always border line to having an emergency room visit.
Others wouldnt call this a flare- but the disease is impacting my life 100%
When I can say Lupus is affecting me 40% or less on a daily- then I feel like my body is calming down.
I miss tons of work. fatigue. not sleeping.hurting. swelling. in needs of daily pain meds than just lupus meds.
I just can't get cant get a break in this last year.
so just answering your question.... its been more than a year--- and my body as not calmed.
I really hope your body calms down soon...
sometimes its so hard to get to that happy place.
What used to be tolerable for me is now enough to stop my day.
My abnormal is now my everyday normal- and that alone is difficult for me to grasp.
I have not experienced my doc office saying they cant see me... especially not when i am hurting.
But it's usually me that does NOT want to go to the office.
So i will up the prednisone on my own...as i am used to the whole "taper" process.
Since your only at 5 mg... you will feel an immediate reaction to 20 mg if you take 10mg in morning and 10 mg at night for at least 2-3 days.
then 10 mg in morning a 5 at night. for 2 full days. then 1 at night and morning for 2 days...
HOWEVER--- if you feel your body hurting again when you drop the dose... you most likely need to stay at that "happy" place... wherever that dose is for YOUR body.
I suffer if under 10 mg... and I have been on 5mg... STRICTLY because i cant stand taking the prednisone because of the affects of it.
I have better results when taking PAIN medicine. But the pain meds do NOT fix the real issue.
UGH -- so frsutraiting.... <----- spelling. LOL!
so i am in this delimma with you currently. sucks major ...playing the prednisone game.
Jcangel3 said:
Thanks everyone.
Victoria, I LOVE lavender oil!
I feel like every single part of my body is rotting, but at different times.
What do you do if your dr says they can't see you, or you just need to keep taking the meds and wait?
i am very fortunate i am able to work still and an added bonus is i work for my PCP. However, my primary usually cant always fix the problem. When i feel like my body is crinkling up, or every time i walk i pop and it hurts to walk this is my regimin: take a epsom salt bath, then when out put on the roll on bengay. now it has to be the roll on that looks like deoderant. its $10 but i tell you i would pay $20 if costed. and after that it dries off. i then put a thermacare heat pad on where the pain is. and im able to sleep comfortably. and best part this bengay DOESNT SMELL!! in my 14yrs ive tried many different things. also my ankles hurt all the time. there is a medical lotion and it smells like vicks and i rub that on my ankles and then put socks on and sleep that way. i get migraines alot and i use a pepermint oil that i put some on my temple and under my nose and it releases the blood flow and it works quickly. icy hot has sticky patchs that work as well. ive tried it all. and sometimes, literally it doesnt help but in that moment when i feel the pain i remember that at least i get to feel the pain bc im alive and there is always a tomorrow and it gets better. have a great day guys!
Permalink Reply by victoria jimenez 2 seconds ago Delete
i am very fortunate i am able to work still and an added bonus is i work for my PCP. However, my primary usually cant always fix the problem. When i feel like my body is crinkling up, or every time i walk i pop and it hurts to walk this is my regimin: take a epsom salt bath, then when out put on the roll on bengay. now it has to be the roll on that looks like deoderant. its $10 but i tell you i would pay $20 if costed. and after that it dries off. i then put a thermacare heat pad on where the pain is. and im able to sleep comfortably. and best part this bengay DOESNT SMELL!! in my 14yrs ive tried many different things. also my ankles hurt all the time. there is a medical lotion and it smells like vicks and i rub that on my ankles and then put socks on and sleep that way. i get migraines alot and i use a pepermint oil that i put some on my temple and under my nose and it releases the blood flow and it works quickly. icy hot has sticky patchs that work as well. ive tried it all. and sometimes, literally it doesnt help but in that moment when i feel the pain i remember that at least i get to feel the pain bc im alive and there is always a tomorrow and it gets better. have a great day guys!
LIFEwithLupus said:
I have not experienced my doc office saying they cant see me... especially not when i am hurting.
But it's usually me that does NOT want to go to the office.
So i will up the prednisone on my own...as i am used to the whole "taper" process.
Since your only at 5 mg... you will feel an immediate reaction to 20 mg if you take 10mg in morning and 10 mg at night for at least 2-3 days.
then 10 mg in morning a 5 at night. for 2 full days. then 1 at night and morning for 2 days...
HOWEVER--- if you feel your body hurting again when you drop the dose... you most likely need to stay at that "happy" place... wherever that dose is for YOUR body.
I suffer if under 10 mg... and I have been on 5mg... STRICTLY because i cant stand taking the prednisone because of the affects of it.
I have better results when taking PAIN medicine. But the pain meds do NOT fix the real issue.
UGH -- so frsutraiting.... <----- spelling. LOL!
so i am in this delimma with you currently. sucks major ...playing the prednisone game.
Jcangel3 said:Thanks everyone.
Victoria, I LOVE lavender oil!
I feel like every single part of my body is rotting, but at different times.
What do you do if your dr says they can't see you, or you just need to keep taking the meds and wait?
Hello, it is hard to tell how long thr flares will last , but I do know resting your body and mind helps alot. Taking moments to do nothing , even if you feel like you need to do something, setting a pace for yourself and not stressing also help. When my flares start I always stop whatever it is that am doing and lay down and rest -change of plans sometimes help. Not saying don’t finish what you start but relax your mind . lupus is like an animal-always want your attention no matter what is going on with you, so I have learned how to control the flares at times!! Smile. Hope that this comfort you,talk with you later…Beverly L.
Thanks for the peppermint oil trick. Boy mingraines are rare but they are tough. Pacing yourself, using a roll on pain relief resting between without guilt, and take pain relief when needed it’s ok! Best wishes and all are in my prayers
I have similar issues. I was recently diagnosed with lupus and I am not sure what is normal or what is a flare. And I don't have a problem with weight loss, instead I can't stop gaining weight, and it is having a very negative impact on my self esteem. It could be some of my meds like cymbalta and lyrica, but I really need to find a way to lose weight. I would appreciate any insight...especially normal day vs flare
reet said:
I am confused too. I always have issues that seem like flares. I guess I would like to know what is a "normal" day? I am doing better then a couple of weeks ago but not ready to say I feel good. And I really wish that I had the part where I keep losing weight. I have the opposite problem.
Hello, is this your first time taking this med. ? It could be a reaction from the medication adjusting to your body. Have you spoke with your doctor about ? Living with Lupus is a day to day thing, we never know anything until it happens . For me it is ,to relax -my key to fighting Lupus. Yes somedays are good and other days can be very bad, but I do try to make bad days be good ones even if my pains are hurting me very bad. Here on this site , I have read about a lot of things , that i have not had or went through yet , and I know that I might never go through , but just to know am not alone makes me feel so much better! Hope that you have the same experience in some way . And everyone is different with “Living with Lupus”…Beverly L.