Do have any medicines or supplements prevent flare ups?

[Jennifer251]

I’ve lived with lupus for 2 years. Though my doctor has prescribed medicines to treat, lupus is only relieved when I take medicines. After 4-5 months of treatments, joint pain and fatigue occur again. I asked my doctor, she only encouraged me eat more vegetables, fruits, fish and gave me vitamin b12 supplement. But I didn’t see changes after 2.5 months of taking it. Who can recommend me treatment to prevent flare ups?

[emma2462]

hi, jennifer 251

Flare ups seem to be normally for lupus patients. I also sometimes have flare ups, but I'm less likely to have them than you. Unhealthy lifestyle, harmful diet and stress may trigger your disease. So, you need to be careful. Have you ever tried to change your lifestyle and eating habits? For me, after taking medicines for lupus, I begin to take supplements and change lifestyle. Whenever I'm in stress or eat processed food, fever and tiredness start to come. Thus, I've to avoid harmful foods and share troubles with my husband to reduce stress. For b12 supplement, many people with lupus take them to boost their health and reduce fatigue. But if you don't feel better when taking it, you can meet your dr and change another one. Hope you prevent flare ups.

[Jennifer251 in reply to emma2462]

Hi, emma2462

Thanks for your reply. Actually, I don't wanna meet my doctor again. Maybe I don't believe in her and intend to change another doctor. You may be right as I'm extremely exhausted when I go to bed late. Due to diet and lifestyle, can my disease be healed?

[Tiras in reply to Jennifer251]

As of now there is no cure for Lupus?!

[emma2462 in reply to Jennifer251]

As people said, there is no cure for lupus. If you have good lifestyle habits and eat healthy food, flares will be reduced. Instead of 4-5 times per year, flares only occur 2-3 times. So, listen your body and find out what triggers your disease; then, avoid them.

[Jennifer251 in reply to emma2462]

Thanks all

But flares often come frequently and makes me exhausted. I just wanna seek cure options to reduce it. Since many people tell supplements and diet may help, I wanna find out ones to reduce flares

[emma2462 in reply to Jennifer251]

supplements can be a good support, but they may work depending on individuals. If b12 complex doesn't work, you should ask your doctor about omega 3s, lupufree, DHEA, vitamin D before taking.

[Jennifer251 in reply to emma2462]

thanks for your recommendation. I'll ask my doctor these suppls before taking.

[Tiras]

I was diagnosed with lupus 5 years ago. Now this is just me, not saying it is or can be the same for you? For me I have flares reguardless what I do, I can't seem to find a common denominator for flares? They seem to come and go, on what ever part of my body they want? At any given time.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi Jennifer251 ,

There is currently no cure for lupus which will completely stop flare ups from lupus, but some people do experience prolonged periods of remission where they may have few (or no) symptoms.

There are things that you can do to help manage your lupus and reduce the chances of triggering a flare. It is important to identify anything that may trigger flares for you. Common triggers include exposure to UV light and stress. We have a couple of blog articles that you may find helpful for these;

lupusuk.org.uk/stress-manag...

lupusuk.org.uk/coping-with-...

It is also important to keep a healthy diet and maintain regular physical activity. For tips on these, we have another couple of blog articles;

lupusuk.org.uk/diet-and-hea...

lupusuk.org.uk/lupus-and-ex...

[misty14]

Hi Jennifer

Lupus is a tricky illness to deal with . Unpredictable when good times and bad times will be but as others have rightly said lifestyle changes can help to minimise flares. I find being excessively tired can trigger a flare so try to get enough sleep.

You say your on lupus drug treatment. Which one?. Steroids can be effectively used to dampen down a flare. Short courses can be prescribed by your GP or consultant of a higher dose for a short time then when your better you can reduce and or come off them. If during a year you have to have a lot of these then the Cobsultant should look at changing the dose of the lupus treatment or changing you to a different one. Steroids must be kept to a minimum because of their side effects!.

If your already on steroids then a increase in dose for a short time can be very helpful then when your better you can go back to original dose, reducing slowly. Your doctors may suggest this too.

Hope that's helpful and your better soon. X

[Jennifer251 in reply to misty14]

hi misty14

thanks for your helpful comment. My doctor prescribed prednisone in 3 months and plaquenil in 4 months. After taking them for 2 months, hair loss and dry eye occurred. I asked my doctor, she reduced the doses and encouraged me to keep taking them as lupus symptoms are relieved. I followed her instructions, the disease is eased but flares return.

Maybe I need to meet the doctor again.

[misty14 in reply to Jennifer251]

Hi Jennifer

If I were you I'd keep a note of how many times your flaring in time for your next Rheumy appt. if your having a lot then it might be that Placquenil needs either a dose adjustment or needs to be changed to a different drug. Do you have a follow up Rheumy appt ?. If not I'd ask for one specially if you keep being poorly!. Glad I've helped and take careX

[Jennifer251 in reply to misty14]

thank you so much. If I continue to have flares, I may ask you for one speciallist