Malabsorption and medication

[Gail41]

Hi everyone. I was diagnosed with Lupus last Tuesday. I was given some information at Dermatology but was in shock really to learn that I had an incurable disease. She asked if I had any questions but I just couldn't think straight and left without asking anything. I haven't started any meds yet apart from creams and gel for my skin and scalp, but these don't help the tiredness or pain. Will Dermatology even address these? Also I had a Gastric Bypass roughly 10yrs ago, so I have malabsorption due to having a small stomach and usually can not absorb enough medication to work. Can anyone offer any words of wisdom please. Don't go back to Dermatology until November - do I just wait?

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi Gail41,

Do you know if you were diagnosed with discoid lupus (generally affecting just the skin) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)? If you are having issues with tiredness and pain, have you received a referral to a rheumatologist too? A dermatologist may not suggest additional treatments from the creams and gels, though there are other treatments that can be considered if necessary - you may need to discuss this with them. If you don't feel able to manage to November, then there is no harm in calling to see if you can get an earlier appointment.

If you would like more information about lupus I would be happy to send you one of our free packs. Just send me a private message or email [e-mail] with your name and address and I'll pop one in the post for you.

[Gail41 in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thank you so much that would be amazing. I had to call at the doctors today and going in on Wednesday afternoon just so tired all the time n the aching don't know if its because I'm so tired or if its just aswell. Thank you again though and il email you now x

[MargaretGail]

Hi Gail my first diagnosis was by a dermatologist but he referred me to a rheumatologist pretty quickly after that.

[Gail41]

Thanks Margaret that's good to know x