Lupus vs APS

[Mera5103]

How do you tell the difference between a Lupus Flare vs APS flare?

[Julie_T]

Really interesting question....looking forward to reading the replies

I often ponder the same thing..

[Mera5103 in reply to Julie_T]

So it's not just me then?

[Julie_T in reply to Mera5103]

No Mera...you are not alone

[HollyHeski Administrator]

I haven't got Lupus but I can tell you when I have an APS flare, I know my blood is sluggish, I get headaches, slurred speach, brain fog. When I have a sjogrens flare its like a bad dose of flu with added bone pain.

[Mera5103 in reply to HollyHeski]

So basically the symptoms are the exact same.

[HollyHeski Administrator in reply to Mera5103]

Not for me, I can clearly tell them apart.

The main thing is APS flare effects my brain & SS flare effects my body.

[Pickzie]

With APS flare I get repeated migraines, urticaria and skin rashes that I don’t normally get

[daisyd]

I am not sure I have had a APS flare I can tell when my INR is below 3 as I get more muddled, I know stress being more tired makes me worse too, even when INR is in range

Before I was on Warfarin I felt even worse when on a diet .? Too much green veg vit k

[MaryF Administrator]

I can't tell where one of my conditions begins and the other ends, however if I am flaring it seems to trigger them all off! MaryF

[Jumper99 in reply to MaryF]

I’m like this too Mary.

[Tofino5]

I can’t tell what is causing me to feel worse.

It might be helpful if I could.

[KayHimm in reply to Tofino5]

What a great question. I have mild UCTD and, now that you mentioned it, I probably have had an increase in what I calm my « weird head » symptoms and not necessarily a flare of the UCTD. Definitely fever, rash and muscle aches would make me think it is the connective tissue disease. But, as others have said, it can all go together — maybe all the antibodies go up and causes worsening of all symptoms. K

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

A profoundly difficult question which revolves around knowing your own body. For me, if my blood is "sticky" - the headaches, migraines, memory problems occur. My SLE is always in a state of "grumbling" and at times, a flare ranging from numerous symptoms such as high temperatures. Pain, fatigue is a constant.

What I am trying to say is that the only person who will know is you because it is important to know your own body. Of course, of you happen to have a flare and it coincides with your specialists, they can help.

What's going on also involves our sense of powerlessness. If we "know" then perhaps we can control it better? Alas, no! SLE & APS have minds of their own and they are sneaky! Just when we are feeling better, more in control, another symptom comes along . . . .

Know your own body as best you can!

With good wishes,

Ros

[jetjetjet]

I have flares when my skin tightens and turns beat red and it can be just my head or upper torso or just legs ETC or the entire body - and then the symptoms can go anyway from there - brain cramps - memory loss - muscle cramps to weak muscles - shortness of breath - head spinning -rash on skin with the redness- blurry vision - and i could go on from there but just about all of my problems can come into play at that point