Do have any medicines or supplements prevent flar... - LUPUS UK

LUPUS UK

31,602 members28,008 posts

Do have any medicines or supplements prevent flare ups?

Jennifer251 profile image
13 Replies

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?

Written by
Jennifer251 profile image
Jennifer251
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
13 Replies
emma2462 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
Tiras in reply to Jennifer251

As of now there is no cure for Lupus?!

emma2462 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
Jennifer251 in reply to emma2462

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

Tiras profile image
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 profile image
Paul_HowardPartnerLUPUS 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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
Jennifer251 in reply to misty14

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

You may also like...

How often do you have flare ups?

curious how often everyone has flare ups of their condition? How does a flare affect you? I don’t...

Flares up after visit dad having a stroke.

got too much on my hands. Got home for a month now, but flares still now, rash on my hands and...

How to deal with flare up?

advised i see a doctor who told me until i see a doctor in bath next month they can only offer me...

All those who have been in a flare recently, how are you doing?

good run of things that I forgot what a real lupus flare can do to you. I feel like I’ve been hit...

Flare up and having a life panic

having a little bit of a life panic. My lupus effects my joints mainly my hips, knees, elbows and...