Lupus flare- how long??

[Sianied]

Hi everyone, I just wondered how long people go into a flare up for? I am really lucky and generally my meds keep things in check but when I do flare up it can last weeks and then I am back to normal!! Xxx

[misty14]

Hi sianied

I find it can vary how long I flare for depending on how well my regular medication is working! Days, weeks or months!. Hope your well at the moment? X

[Chrissy53]

My first flare up started last June when I was holidaying in Egypt my exposed skin became sensitive to the sun's rays and I had very dry scaly large patches instead of a lovely sun tan. I did wear high factor sun cream every time exposed to the sun. So I am still waiting for 100% diagnosis my bloods indicate I have Lupus however I have to wait for the sun to shine in my skin this year so they can do a skin scraping to test. However I know I have lupus as my skin is always very itchy and dry, I can sleep all day and night my moods are very low. But with learning to love myself again and accepting life on a daily basis has really helped me with the depression. I have made another appointment to see the specialist for next week as recently I my joints ache like arthiritis I started playing badminton but cant go now as I have tennis elbow, a few weeks ago I felt naseaus and vomitted a large amount of blood so went into hospital for tests. They now say I have haemorrhagic gastritis, hiatus hernia, and iesophageal stricture, I presume with all the years of coughing? The treatment for this is anti-acid tablets and avoid alcohol and aspirin. I now have totally stopped drinking which isn't a bad thing. I am also learning to be more active walking, and gardenning to strengthen my muscles.

[sezzie]

Hi sianied,

flares vary and mine can be a anything from 4wks my shortest to 4 months being my longest.

[MargaretGail]

my first big flare which was 7 years ago kept me off work for 10 weeks, but my current one has lasted 13 weeks so far with little sign of improvement. I am about to start some new medication so am hopeful!

[jeevan05]

Hi sianied im the same about a week,iv just had a episode last week after 7 months the flare lasted 1 week..normally meds controll fairly good..t.care

[Chapter]

I am in San Diego, California, on holiday with all our children and grandchildren. We came to share our daughters wedding and now are all having a great time together. I am not sure when, as I have been very careful, but somewhere the sun got me. I made it through the wedding day but then I could see I was starting to swell. That seems to be my week spot - starts in the eyes and then my whole face swells up and rash starts. My Rheumi gave me extra prednisone to bring just in case and I am sure glad I have it. I am on day 5 at 20mg a day but only just keeping it "not bad". I hide out through the day and as soon as sun sets then it is my time to play, unfortunately everyone else is done for the day by then. I am hoping I can start weaning off prednisone in couple days and then will be good again. Loving my time here!

[Hidden in reply to Chapter]

Hope you recover quick enough to enjoy the rest of your holiday.

[Chapter in reply to Hidden]

We will be going back home to Canada and the cold tomorrow. One last walk on the beach tonight at sunset. Not feeling great but wouldn't have missed it.

[mstr in reply to Chapter]

That sounds wonderful....hope you have a fab time and you stay stable with the meds xx

[EllaMay]

hiya.

ive only had 2 flares possibly going through my 3rd will be seeing my doctor to confirm on monday. my flares vary usually they do last months tho because I dont usually realise its a flare untill I cant get out of bed in the morning from being so exhausted. if this is my 3rd flare up then its been about 3 months so far.

[Chapter]

I am following up on your question, Sianied. As I mentioned earlier I was on holiday and started flare which I assume was sun related. My flares have so far started with fatigue closely followed with facial edema starting around eyes. By March 9th (2nd day) I was looking pretty bad and started 20mg Prednisone. Swelling would go down a bit through day but next morning I was back to square one, with a lot of fatigue and sore muscles. This lasted until the 15th. On the 16th, back home in my own bed, I woke up to a not so swollen but very red and burning face. Today, the 20th, I am happy to say my face is almost back to normal but still feeling pretty lazy, and down to 5mg tomorrow. As far as length of flare I am pretty happy (to bad it happened on holiday), now just have to deal with the prednisone.