Serositis advice?

[joanneM200]

Hi,

I have lupus and am taking immunosuppressants ( mycofenolate) and also fexofenadine or skin rashes., I was diagnosed about 6 years ago. Over the last 2 -3 years I’ve been getting murderous stomach/ abdomen pain on and off. My Consultant has diagnosed this as serositis. Over the last 6 months the instances of this are becoming more and more frequent, lasting longer, and the pain is ridiculous, I was advised to take paracetamol and/or ibuprofen and until recently that was enough, but now they are barely taking the edge off. Do any of you have advice on what might help with this?

Thanks

Jo

[happytulip]

I've previously had abdominal and total thoracic serositis. In my case the thoracic serositis was the absolute worst. Unfortunately the only thing that helped was a course of high dose Prednisone and I now follow up with colchicine to keep it at bay.

You say that your consultant has diagnosed serositis. Is that a rheumatologist or gastroenterologist? What investigations have they done?

It definitely sounds as as if the current management plan is not helping you. Has anyone suggested steroids?

[joanneM200 in reply to happytulip]

Hi, I had an abdominal scan, X-rays and an echocardiogram plus all the usual blood tests,

It was my Rheumatologist who diagnosed me ( and what my GP had suspected) I was told to call my GP if the paracetamol and ibuprofen weren’t cutting it anymore and they’d give me ‘something else’ -I’m awaiting a phone call- but up to now it’s been manageable.

I take as few meds as I can get away with but this is extremely painful. I’m due to go back to work on Monday for the first time since March 20 and was looking forward to it, but if this doesn’t ease off I can’t see me managing the 5 minute walk there, let alone doing my actual job

[happytulip in reply to joanneM200]

Well it sounds like you have a solid diagnosis. I suspect they would want to try you on a course of steroids to reduce the inflammation. I'm sorry this is happening to you but maybe a short sharp burst of pred will get on top of this?

[joanneM200]

The GP I spoke to was reluctant to prescribe pred straight away so has has prescribed co-codamol. If that doesn’t work it’ll be a week on pred. Hopefully it will work.(It wasn’t my regular GP)

[happytulip in reply to joanneM200]

Serositis is inflammation. Steroids are anti-inflammatories where as co-codamol isn't so hopefully if they go down the steroid route it will work. It always does with me .

Good luck.

[joanneM200 in reply to happytulip]

I’ll talk to my rheumatologist when I see her in October, but for now I’ve got something called solpadol, i don’t think its quite the same as co-codamol and its working first time pain free in about 10 days!

[happytulip in reply to joanneM200]

Solpadol is brand of co-codamol. It come in two strengths over the counter. You can get higher dose co-codamol from GP. Glad you are painfree.

[joanneM200]

Ffrom what I’ve read solpadol is a higher strength only available on prescription, and co-codamol is lower strength available to buy. ( at least in England) Are you perhaps thinking of Solpadeine?

I’m just glad they’re working.