swollen knees

bunker_57 · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:25 am Post subject: swollen knees

For the past few weeks, I have had swollen knees and joints, also my face is swollen, especially my eye lids. My vision seems worse and my ankles are really painful and week. My wrists and elbows too. Is this just the heat or should I be concerned about something more serious?

Oluwa · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:41 am Post subject:

Hi Bunker,

Are you between appointments? I would make an appointment...the key to managing Lupus is not to wait until the symptoms worsen.

It could be many things, from kidneys, to heart, sodium intake to your medicine that is causing fluid retention.

I could go into depth about each potential reason, but I think the best advice I can give for you is to make an appointment today. Please don't wait.

Be well.
Hugs.
Oluwa
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bunker_57 · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:50 am Post subject: appts

I don't know if this counts, but the only one I can see is my family dr. who has only delt with one case of lupus, and that would be me. My rhuemy only sees me once a year, and if you don't have an appt. six monthes in advance, you don't get in. Makes my family dr. mad, and I am not due til Nov. Then I have to request twice a year because of problems in the summer and my family dr. recommends this. But thanks for the input as I will call my family dr. tomorrow and she will get me right in, at least I will have an idea what to tell her. Embarassed

Oluwa · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:09 pm Post subject:

Hi Bunker...

I think it is great idea to call your Primary. Your family doctor can diagnose you...just make sure she has a list of all your prescriptions. She can order all tests to assist in a diagnose of why the retention of fluids..

If you are unable to see your Rheumatologist every two months to keep track of the activity of your disease I would schedule every two months with your primary. She can order your labs, blood work, UA just as well as the Rheumatologist.

The reason for regular visits, every two months, every three months is to allow the doctor to note any changes and to identify and treat flares early and new symptoms. And so your treatment plan can be adjusted accordingly.

If new symptoms are identified early, treatments may be more effective.

Some of us get better care from our Primary than our RheumBAs...this maybe the case for you.

Keep well...
Hugs,
Oluwa
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bunker_57 · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:15 pm Post subject: Following the rules

I try to follow all the rules about staying out of the sunlight at certain hours, wearing long sleeves and hat and sunglasses and sunblock. I ate well take vitamins and for over 3 yrs, by counts have been good. Last year I didn't even put in a garden, I mostly stayed in the house, with the air on and all the shades pulled. Kinda like living in a cave and couldn't quite force myself to do it this year. My family said it was so dark in the house, that I was like a vampire. So I painted all my walls and rooms brighter colors and it was still to depressing, so I put in my garden and started to go for walks again. Blew up like a balloon and my family dr. said no more walks outside. Wanted me to go to the armory and walk around with the other people that do it. That defeated the purpose of the walk. Tried it at dusk and the bugs ate me alive. Shocked

Guess I looked like a giant lupie smoorgasboard! Bug spray just seem to season the food. Anyway, I went back to doing my gardening and waiting til the sun wasn't out so high, but before dusk. Could I have set my counts off doing this?

Oluwa · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:49 pm Post subject:

Hey Bunker.

Some of us are more photosensitive than others that it may or may not trigger a flare. And some of our medications can make us more sun sensitive.

It is hard to say the cause as all of us are so different, and it maybe more than a flare as Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain.

Inflammation is considered the primary feature of lupus. Inflammation is characterized by pain, heat, redness, swelling and loss of function, either on the inside and/or on the outside of the body..skin, organs...digestive tract.

Sometimes we take all the precautions and still develop symptoms and/or flare. It is just best always to be diligent with your care. I know it is hard...but when we don't we pay the piper.

How are the bugs in the morning, for a before breakfast walk. Key is to avoid the sun at it's most intense. Most areas that would be between 10am - 4pm....

There have been new studies on sunblock, a family member, I believe it was Hatlady who posted articles about it, have you read it and seen where your sunscreen was rated as.

Were you able to make an appointment with your primary?

Keep well,
Oluwa
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bunker_57 · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:48 pm Post subject: Oluwa

My doc is gone in the afternoon hours, but she will be back tomorrow and I am to tell them to get me right in. I looked up Sjorgens and I really fit it to a tea. Printed out a paper for her to read and will see what she says. Most of the tests are simaliar to my lupus tests. Developed a new symptom, my little finger on my right hand feels like I stuck it into a nest of fire ants. Actually I had that feeling before on my forearms when I put in my garden. Might have spent a little too much time in the sun though. Thanks for all the info, sometimes I just want to talk to someone who knows, as I am kinda in a world of my own here...., very small town and if I say I have an auto immune disease, everyone presumes aids and even the doctors when I go as they take an aids test everytime. If you tell them no, I have lupus, the next thing you have to say is no it is not contagious. Laughing

Saysusie · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject:

Bunker;
Let us know if your doctor agrees with your assessment and, if not, what she thinks is going on and what she is going to do to treat it.
I feel you about small towns and people who are ignorant about Lupus. No, not every auto-immune disease is AIDS (for crying out loud). I guess it falls upon you to educate your doctor and those folks in your town Sad

In the meantime, you can always come to us. Everyone here understands what you are dealing with, someone will always answer your questions, and someone will always be here to listen!

Peace and Blessings
Saysusie
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Look For The Good and Praise It!

bunker_57 · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:49 pm Post subject: Thanks loads all of you

Thanks loads all of you for being here, wish we could do this under different circumstances, Idea

but I sure am glad you all are here. Will let you know what she says. Wink

KathyW1958 · Bear Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 692

Hi Bunker,
I hear where you are comming from as far as the community goes. You mention Auto-immune disorder and they freak. I am wondering if maybe you may have a B12 deficiency as well due to the tingling or stinging of your finger. You could ask your doctor to run a test for that as well. I would mention the Sjorgrens symptoms as well, because that can be an overlap of the Lupus. I hope that you can get some answers and let us know how it goes ok.

Hugs,
Kathy
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Lupus for many years. Like most of my life. Sjogrens that started at 35 and Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteo-Arthritis of the spine, Ankylosing Spondilitis, Periferal Neuropathy, mild CP and now just recently diagnosed with PA. I had a disc replaced in December of 2007.

Medications:
Plaquenil, Sulindac, Imuran, Celiac diet, Tramadol and B12 shot once a month.

laurid8967 · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:30 am Post subject:

OK - thats lousy as far as no one knowing what lupus is. Up to 2 million people have it in this country for God's sake!!! Talk about much-needed awareness...
Bunker - when Im in a flare, the first way my hubby can tell is my eyelids - they are almost swollen shut when Im in a flare...My knees are what swells the most too! I do have Sjorgrens, too.
Hope you get some answers soon. Is there a university hospital in your state close by? Maybe you should look into it...
Love Lauri
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God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference...

Oluwa · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:06 am Post subject:

Hi Bunker...

Were you able to get in to see your Primary today...

There is a book out called The Lupus Book Third Edition by Daniel Wallace...a good read. It touches on other illness....Sjogren's, Fibromyalgia...check it. It will help with your appointments with your doctor...

Joints still swollen? Try hot and cold compresses...or heating pad. Move the joints a bit so they don't stiffen up.

Sometimes splashing the face with ice water, a basin with H20 and ice refreshes the face so it doesn't fell so tight. And moisturize with a light lotion.

A little help, hope it helps till you can get into the doctor..

Hugs..
Keep well,
Oluwa
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bunker_57 · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:17 am Post subject: primary

Waiting for a call back, she is gone this afternoon again, she goes to all the little towns around,(they are even smaller than this one) and so in the afternoon she is gone alot. Will call again in morning if I don't hear tonite. I just don't sit too much to keep my joints working and then at nite I sit in a warm tub and do excersises. The swelling is not as bad today, but the headache is still here. Headaches are normal though, so I just ignore them and continue on, unless they get too severe. Brain fog seems to be my major problem today. Worse than normal anyway. Embarassed

Can't seem to remember anything short term. Thanks for they check. Will let you know. Gotta go do some house work so I can do outside work this evening. Husband sprayed for skitters this morning! Laughing

mnjodette · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 2:25 am Post subject:

Sorry you're having a hard time, Bunker. I get the swollen eyelids thing too - quite a lot lately, in fact. Sure wish you had better access to your rheumatologist, but maybe your primary will provide you all that you need. Let us know what you learn when you get back from the doctor. Hope today is a better day....

Jody
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"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine." Lord Byron

bunker_57 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:40 am Post subject: no reply

Well I called again and again they told me she was gone. I am so tired and fed up. I called my rhuemy in Rapid and she is spose to call back too. #Mad

My eyes are swollen so bad that the lids look like balloons and my knees are so aggravated that if I bend down, I can not get back up without help and now my ankles are getting week too. The headaches are continueous and my frustration level is about to peek , as I just am shakey from anger.Can't wear my teeth cause of the dry mouth, they not only gag me, they cause blisters. My rings don't fit and my skin itches. Especially around my neck and head. Sometimes I feel like the only way I can get the dr. to take note is to collapse. My digestive system has been a mess for well over two years and my scope showed inflamation in my stomach, which could be from the fact that the only way I can have a bowel movement is laxatives every other day and most of the time I have to take them twice. Sad

I guess this is the part of the lupus that causes mental issues, as you feel like you are putting the dr. out. Sorry about the complaining, just feel like Mad

On the funny side, yesterday I was filling the sink to do dishes and got out the vaccumn to clean out under the appliances when I heard the sound of dripping water, and I looked up to the sink and my whole cupboard was full of water and it was running behind the stove. Just stood there, which seemed like forever, which was probably just a few seconds, before I reacted and figured out to shut the water off. What a mess! Told my husband as he was pulling out the stove, which I found filthy behind it, that it was god's way of telling me I needed to clean behind it and wash down the stove! Laughing

Not too funny at the time, but funny now. Anyway thanks for the thoughts and all. Bunker