How do you know if it's a Lupus flare up?

[Sunny_bear]

I have been diagnosed with cutaneous lupus and have continual symptoms of dull headache, painful joints, sore calves, mouth ulcers, deterioration in eyesight, sore, red, itchy eyes, palpitations and exhaustion. I eat well and exercise as much as I can but I am struggling to just work, walk the dog and do housework. I feel constantly irritable and frustrated, like I've been hit by a bus. How do I know if this is a flare up or hormones or something else? It's debilitating. I'm desperate for answers.

[YT02]

Sunny bear - loved your raw honesty!Cutaneous lupus brings various challenges with symptoms . The unpredictable nature of pain and symptoms will mean you can feel as you do throughout the day. After my diagnosis the best advice I received was "Less is more. Pace yourself. Praise yourself for what you do achieve each day". Walk the dog but as they pause to enjoy a sniff, breathe deeply and enjoy the environment! Housework is good exercise in itself but again needs pacing. You want to be like others but ..... it's hard accepting you have a long term illness. For eye problems I am under the care of an Ophthalmologist. Oral problems are helped by dental nhs prescription of Duraphat toothpaste. Rheumatology deal with the other problems. Listen to your Sunny bear and communicate well with your doctors.

[MusicalFurbaby]

Sunny_bear, sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time at present. I feel your pain.

It’s hard to know what is a flare up and what could be something completely unrelated. Everyone with lupus struggles to work out their flares! With time, it will get easier to spot when you are flaring, but in a nutshell, a flare means a worsening of your symptoms. It can be mild or severe, anything from increased joint pain and fatigue to a medical emergency situation.

Usually I try to rule other things out first, eg. if I’m in more pain I take OTC meds, and if it doesn’t improve over the next few days, I can be pretty sure it’s a flare up. But often times I only work that out afterwards!

Take care of yourself—you didn’t ask for this, but now that you have it, all you can do is do what you can manage. The rest will have to wait. Be kind to yourself during this time; take longer breaks; eat more chocolate! 🌻🌈

[Ajontheedge]

I was diagnosed with cutaneous lupus, via dermatology, my skin flares are separate from my connective tissue disease flares (I'm undiagnosed as to which one, but they said it's CTD). If you haven't been seen by Rheumatology, ask your GP for blood tests to rule out other autoimmune conditions. Including testing for Inflammation.A full MOT of blood tests can mean progress.

Keep a diary and mark your symptoms daily on a scale of 1 to 10.

Make a note of what things you are now struggling to do and make it clear exactly how it's affecting your lifestyle.

I've learnt that being vague with ooh it hurts or 'its uncomfortable ' doesn't get heard.

Doctors see a lot of patients, most for minor things that need no worry, and also see a lot of people that Google their slight pain and think it's more serious than it is.

Must be like saying No to toddlers !!!

All the best with your health