Drugs for lupus

[beccaboom]

How fast do the meds work love how ate on them,,,,?

[beccaboom]

Sorry.. How long does it take to feel relief from lupus meds is what I meant to write...

[floridalupus]

Different lupus drugs have different purposed and work in different ways. Prednisone gives very fast relief, but the side effects can be problematic. Prednisone is the first line of defense if you have a flare. Aspirin relieves pain rather quickly as do other non steroidal anti inflammatory medications. Hydroxychloroquine aka Plaquenil takes four to six months to read full strength in the blood. Chemotherapies give relief gradually over a long period of time.

None of them cure lupus. Lupus medications are designed to weaken the immune system so it cannot attack you as vehemently. Autoimmune activity causes inflammation. Inflammation causes pain and damage. Suppress the immune system and you stop the cycle at the beginning. Taking pain meds only treats symptoms but not the cause.

[beccaboom in reply to floridalupus]

Thank you so much.

[Shaysuekirk]

I take gabapentin for side effects and it starts working the same day. But, I also take Plaqunil to prevent flares.

[Chapter in reply to Shaysuekirk]

Shaysuekirk, what side effects does Gabapentine help you with. I was prescribed Gabapentine for shingles pain. I ave continued after shingles -just on pill a day - found that it helped with the prickly pain and annoying twinges that kept me up at night. I don't know if it helps me sleep or just takes away the disturbances that inrerfere with sleep. What say you?

[Shaysuekirk in reply to Chapter]

Yes. The tingling feelings, muscle pain in my neck and shoulders, anxiety/mood, nausea. I take 2/day. I can definitely tell when they are running thin.

[Cas70]

I'm on Hydroxychloroquine and it took about a month when I realised I had a lot more energy and my joints were easier. It can take up to a year to feel the benefit from Hydroxychloroquine. No one seems to tells us these things - except LUPUS UK and the people on this site! Good luck

[Puska]

I've been on plaquenil for 3 months now. It took about 6 weeks before I noticed anything happening and it was a realization that my scalp rash was no longer as itchy. Still there as it's discoid but not making me feel like I had to keep scratching (or avoid scratching). Then I realised I was doing activities that I couldn't have imagined doing months ago. I didn't have to stop midstream and rest. So the fatigue was improving. Just this week I've noticed my knee isn't aching during the night. I still have joint issues in my fingers. I'm hoping that's next.

[beccaboom in reply to Puska]

Thank you for the encouragement. I feel better but have 8 sores on my face and it is so depressing and embarrassing.. I hope it continues

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi beccaboom ,

There are lots of different treatments for lupus and each take a different amount of time before they may be effective. Have you been started on any treatments?

You can learn more about medications in lupus in our factsheet here - lupusuk.org.uk/wp-content/u...