Lupus Hypothyroidism and Ramadan

[Ibraniya]

Hi

I hope someone can help me with a question. It’s a personal one but I don’t know anyone else with Lupus I can ask.

I have Lupus and Hypothyroidism. I take Hydroxychloroquine and Levothyroxine. It is the Islamic month of Ramadan and I want to ask if any other people with Lupus are or have fasted during Ramadan.

If they have, have they experienced any problems with their health/fatigue/joint pain?

Please is it possible to ask someone about this?

I’m not sure who to ask.

[PMRpro]

I am not Muslim - but I do know that people with illnesses are allowed to not fast. Do you have a Muslim GP in your practice? They would be able to advise you far better than anyone here.

[Ibraniya in reply to PMRpro]

I spoke to the Muslim GP and she was useless. I had to explain what lupus was then how it affects me and she still was clueless. Not impressed.

Just wanted to know if any other muslims out keep or don’t.

I’ve not kept in 11 years since i first got diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and then lupus 3 years ago. It’s been a big decision and I’m feeling really ill.

I think I know , to not fast but wanted to ask

[PMRpro in reply to Ibraniya]

Fair enough. Your GP sounds pretty useless!!!

Maybe there is a Muslim member of your rheumy team?

[Ibraniya in reply to PMRpro]

I only see a consultant once every 6-9 months. And he is not a Muslim.

I think I’m making the executive decision to not fast. I’m exhausted. At least I tried

[PMRpro in reply to Ibraniya]

I think you have made a very sensible decision. The intention was there and I'm sure no-one would criticise you.

[Penguintaz]

Hi Ibraniya!While I am not religious I know that most medication suggests taking with or after food. Like Hydoxychloroquine.

Maybe cut down on meals, only eat to take your medication?

Your health is important as you'll be able to celebrate it more if your healthy! I'm hopeful you can find another way to celebrate Ramadan X

[Ibraniya in reply to Penguintaz]

Thank you

[abt84]

I hope someone on here can help you.

I am not Muslim but my nanny is and I have been working alongside her this week. I have been monitoring a lot this week when I eat throughout the day to help ease symptoms - mainly because she is not eating so I am noticing it a lot more. And I don’t think I could fast for that amount of time. I’ve been getting headaches due to the heat too so have been wondering how someone with an illness would fast in the same way.

I hope you find the answer and are able to look after yourself and celebrate Ramadan together

[SjogiBear]

I am not Muslim but was intrigued by your question as we have an obligation to fast in my religion too but this is excused if you have a health problem. I have found the following Islamic religious commentary for you which seems to say the same kind of thing except that if you get better then you make up the fast days missed or if you cannot do this then you feed a hungry person instead (which sounds like a very charitable thing to do):

islamqa.info/en/37761

islamqa.info/en/23296

Hope this helps a bit!

[Ibraniya in reply to SjogiBear]

Thank you

I know the rulings but was wondering if anyone else with lupus fasted

I am humbled by all the lively advice people are giving. I have chosend to not fast anymore and my colleagues at work are amazing in supporting me either way

[Kevin53]

Praise be to Allaah.

One of the ways in which Allaah has made things easy for His slaves is that He has only enjoined fasting upon those who are able to do it, and He has excused those who are unable to fast for a legitimate shar’i reason. The legitimate reasons for which one may be excused from fasting are as follows:

1 – Sickness

Sickness means everything that means that a person is not healthy.

Ibn Qudaamah said: the scholars are agreed that it is permissible for the sick person not to fast in general

[Ibraniya]

جزاك اللهُ خيرًا

I appreciate the support and advice

[luvlyamelia]

I’m a moslem n I fast and I have lupus nephritis. They were giving me hydroxychroquine but I don’t like reading the side effect. So I’m using prednisone 20mg and Cellcept for my proteinuria. I have joint and bone problem ever since I was on chemo and on top of that I don’t know how I developed joint and bone ache all over. This is over bearing for me..I have been up n down with my situation. But thank god my kidney is under control back to normal. My kidney was 2.4 and now Creatinine 0.82 and Bun 18. But my protein originally was over 9000, down to 6000 down to 4000 down to 2000. And backed up over 8000. Due to my stress, depress, and weak immune system and probably not eating the right way..having lupus and make you really fatigue and flare up. When you have stress or your body has fever or chills you can get flare up or new condition again. I just had shingle 2 months ago. It was due to my immune system on top of Cellcept. The most pain you could not imagine. I also have hypothyroidism but my Tsh is normal. Only T3 and T4 is under normal range. But don’t know why my tsh is normal and doctor say I don’t need to take anything

[Zainy10]

Hi, I have under active Thyroid and take Levthyroxine but nothing for my Lupus as it is controlled. When I fast I am not able to complete them for the whole month as I get very lethargic with lack of sleep and comsuming energy at work, as I am a teacher. So I then leave it. How do you find it? I manage about 2 weeks or so.