Bloating with lupus

[Zaniahfriesen]

Hi, I was recently diagnosed with lupus and I'm only 15. I was wondering if I could be taking water retention pills to help with the bloating. Because I'm currently on 60 mg of prednisone and the bloating is so bad it's hard to breathe. My back is also in incredible amounts of pain.

[SusieMC]

Yes I do. I am now taking very tiny amounts of prednisolone but recently had to take 40mg a day because of my asthma. I immediately became bloated and like you felt very uncomfortable. My GP knew this is a problem for me and increased my diuretics accordingly. They don't take the problem away completely but make it more manageable.

You should certainly contact your doctor if the bloating is making it hard for you to breathe. 60mg is certainly a high dose. Hopefully, once they feel they have got the condition more under control, that can start to be reduced. However, in the meantime they can give you so etching to help the side effects.

Good luck.

Sue

[cedric]

have u been to see your dr about your bloating and breathing

[AndrewT]

Dear Zf,

Sorry to hear that you are suffering, like this, especially at such a young age. One thing that occurs to me, probably because of my own history, is have you had your kidneys checked? I only ask because kidney problems can easily lead to considerable bloating. (I was on dialysis, for four years, prior to a kidney transplant). I do hope that I AM 'barking up the wrong tree' here, and it is just a side effect of the Lupus- which is, in fact, highly likely. Sorry if I have worried you unnecessarily- I'm sure that you have more than enough to concern you anyway.

I sincerely hope that I am very wrong here- please will you let me know anyway?

In any event I send you my prayers, and best wishes.

AndrewT

[michichgo]

Hi Zaniah. Terribly sorry to hear about your condition and issues with treatment. Try not to feel too scared as you're not alone. I too suffered your same side effects while on the same dosage. I swelled up and breathing became quite difficult, especially while laying down.

Check with your physician today. Your dosage might need to be tweaked.

I wish you all the best! Be strong and know that this too shall pass.

[Tinabelle]

I had that same problem but it didn't stop and ended up in the hospital. Please call your doctor and let him/her know. You may need your kidneys checked. Lupus does strange things to our bodies and it's best to call the doctor then end up with something serious. Please take care!