My brother recently got diagnosed w Lupus Nephritis class 5. Before his diagnosis, he had no lupus symptoms. He is 27 now. His initial presentation was fluid overload/pleural effusion that was misdiagnosed as pneumonia... anyway, after several hospitalizations, he got the diagnosis of LN- he was started on MMF, prednisone, ACEi, lasix, PPI, beta blocker.... was also put on bactrim 3/ week (has anyone else been on this to prevent PCP pnuemonia???- has since stopped due to steroid dose decreasing)
6 mo after diagnosis and has now decreased to 10mg pred daily but increased to 1500MMF BID. after this change, he seems to be getting sick every 2-3 weeks. He got shingles (still bothering him after months of rash being gone) and is now having random joint pains/fevers.
I am wondering if anyone has a similar story? he never had common lupus symptoms before the nephritis.. maybe the nephritis was just his first symptom? reaction to MMF? Fevers come with shaking chills, as high as 103 at times....
His renal function seems to be responding to the meds, the protein in the urine is coming down slowly (started at 8g/day...now 2-3)..so I'm thinking the meds are working but now he is having even more symptoms? I don't know..just trying to understanding and I find real examples helpful.
Thank you
- Worried big sister trying to help.