Managing Lupus

Saysusie · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2001 12:04 pm Post subject: Managing Lupus

The most important thing to remember is that you can take a central role in the managing of your illness. Avoiding the sun, exercising and regular health care are essential in keeping yourself healthy.
Lupus is a difficult disease to understand, but it can be managed.

admin · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2001 1:01 pm Post subject: Managing Lupus

Thanks for your help Suzie!

jamesron41 · Tadpole Joined: 28 Mar 2002 Posts: 24

Yes, thank you!

Saysusie · Posted: Tue May 21, 2002 12:47 am Post subject: Managing Lupus

New topics added in this forum with beneficial information!

l_verca · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2003 7:05 am Post subject: Thanks

Dear Susie,

Thanks for the encouraging words...

Verca

Saysusie · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2003 10:18 pm Post subject: Managing Lupus Update

From: LIVING WITH LUPUS
Lupus is a chronic disease. There is no known cure, but the disease can be controlled. This becomes the responsibility of a health care team, which often consists of a rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in conditions of the joints and connective tissues such as rheumatoid arthritis and SLE), a nephrologist (a doctor who specializes in kidney diseases), an advanced practice nurse, a social worker, and perhaps other consulting doctors, like a dermatologist, psychologist, or infectious diseases specialist. Because lupus is different from person to person, the team will tailor the treatment program to the needs of the individual patient. The patient must take part in planning the treatment course. Living with lupus involves recognizing and managing symptoms as well as being able to control or modify a daily routine as necessary. This includes being flexible and having a supportive atmosphere.

Almost all patients take medication to control inflammation and reduce the risk of flares (periods when the disease gets worse). Doctors frequently prescribe corticosteroids such as prednisone. These aren't the same steroids some athletes take. Corticosteroids can have side effects - including weight gain, acne, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and cataracts, and therefore, the dosage must be carefully monitored. Anti-malarial drugs like hydroxychloroquine are sometimes prescribed to ease skin and joint symptoms. For day-to-day muscle and joint pain, patients can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or any of a variety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Some patients with kidney disease may require more aggressive treatment with an anti-cancer drug, cyclophosphamide.

Preventive behavior can also help patients minimize lupus flares. Doctors advise patients to avoid too much sun exposure by wearing sunscreen and protective clothing when outside. Regular exercise can help prevent fatigue and joint stiffness. A balanced diet and sufficient rest are also important for maintaining general health and well-being. Patients taking prednisone may need extra calcium in their diet.

Despite these precautions and lifestyle changes, much of the disease's course cannot be predicted. "That's one of the harder things for patients." says Gail McIlvain-Simpson, MSN, RN. "It's really scary. There may be a lot of variability from day to day, making it difficult to plan ahead."

Living well with lupus depends largely on respecting limits every day, and that can be a problem for homemakers, wage earners and parents. Patients with Lupus should be willing to make time for rest in order to lessen the effects of fatigue.