Has anyone found that IM steroid injection improved their brain fog, dizziness and fatigue as well as their joint pain?

[Ophelia1]

I have been struggling with my lupus symptoms for several years now, and was formally diagnosed with lupus two years ago. I suffer with joint pain, mainly in my hands, legs and feet, have various gut issues, including diverticulitis and have chronic oral thrush. However, these symptoms are as nothing in comparison to my brain fog and fatigue. Essentially, I find it difficult to get up in the morning, and am not able to work effectively until after lunch when a window of opportunity opens - but only until about 6pm when I am exhausted again. Today I saw my rheumatologist, and found that I have blood and protein in my urine - not terribly surprising as I have had abdominal and back pain for a week. I previously tried hydroxychloroquine but could not tolerate it. Today my rheumatologist has suggested an IM steroid injection and suggests that if the outcome is good, then maybe it might be beneficial to try a more heavy duty immunosuppressant. Does anyone have an opinion about this? BTW I haven't had the IM steroid yet due to the UTI, which will need to be treated first.

[svfarmer]

Hi Ophelia I’m really sorry that your struggling at the moment all your symptoms are very common with lupus I have lupus SLE too and the fatigue for me is probably the worst symptom , I had a steroid injection right at beginning of my diagnosis and it did really ease my symptoms with joint pain but not the fatigue and brain fog but think you should go ahead and try with steriod injection.

I can’t take hydroxy but I am on methotrexate injections that I do myself once a week, they also come in tablet form , it has really helped with my joint pain , think it’s worth you giving it a try , some people feel abit nauseous on it but I have no side effects what so ever.

All I can say is try to rest when your feeling exhausted x

[4youreyesonly]

Hello,I’m new to the site but have undifferentiated connective tissue disorder.I had my first steroid injection over ten years ago when they were not sure what was wrong with me .I was in terrible pain and could hardly walk .it made a huge difference to me within a couple of hours as the inflammation started to subside.I was put on methotrexate and low dose hydroxachloroquine and have been on it ever since .I still have ims but only when the pain gets too much .

[4youreyesonly]

Sorry forgot to say ,yes it does help my brain fog and for a short while I feel like the old me again

[Ophelia1 in reply to 4youreyesonly]

Hi - Many thanks for that.

[Florence91]

Hi Ophelia, sorry to hear you are struggling at the moment. I have SLE diagnosed in 2007. I had no problems with hydroxy but do take it with meals. I will never forget my first IM steroid injection years ago as I was struggling in a similar way to you and Hydroxy wasn't helping. I was off sick aching all over and so dozy and exhausted that I couldn't get up in the morning. The day after the injection I woke up feeling much better and got up at a normal time! After that the rheumatologist put me on methotrexate long-term (took for over 10 years) and oral steroids which I still take with hydroxy. I think it is difficult to start some of these meds as the write up on them lists every problem in the book and we can get quite fearful. Some work for one person and others don't suit, but at the end of the day, I would rather live my life as best I can and feel as well as possible -not everything can be solved - so I personally will try what is suggested after some discussion and then review. What is to lose?

[Ophelia1 in reply to Florence91]

Many thanks for this Florence. You are right about the fear. I do worry about the toxicity of some of the meds used to treat lupus,, but like you I am open to trying things before reviewing. Best wishes

[marypw]

I had an im steroid injection in December and it really helped my fatigue, joint pain and just generally feeling awful. He did warn me about potential immunosuppression, so only gave me a low dose.The consultant also put my hydroxychloroquine dosage up from 200 to 400mg and I'm now feeling better (although after 11 years, taking the higher dose always worries me because of potential eye damage).

[Ophelia1 in reply to marypw]

Hi Mary PW. Thanks for your advice. Like you I do worry about the toxicity of some of the meds, but it seems that there is nothing better at the moment. I'll try the steroid injection and see where I go from there. Best wishes

[debsgm]

“Protein in your urine” ! Frothy urine! Very important signs of kidney dysfunction. Healthy kidneys do not excrete protein. Check it out ASAP!