Dermatomyositis

[educk]

Currently having a flare up of lupus symptoms and dermatomyositis symptoms. Was put on steroids last week when my lupus flared up but having horrible muscle inflammation in my chest muscles which is causing me significant pain when I'm breathing. I don't really know what to do because I'm in Berlin at the moment with friends travelling around Europe until a week on Friday and not sure if I will be able to cope with the pain if it continues at this level.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi educk ,

Do you have any steroids with you? Could you call your doctor at home and see about whether temporarily increasing your steroid dose to try and control the flare is an option?

If you can't do this, do you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you? You could arrange to see a doctor while you are in Berlin and ask them for a prescription and the NHS should cover the cost. You can find more information about accessing healthcare abroad at nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcar...