Need some help

[yellowmarie]

I was diagnosed with LUPUS in 2015 and am on the surface managing ok but am increasingly worried about back pain, upper left and central spine mostly which keeps me awake at night. My eyesight is getting worse as is my hearing, i appreciate that may just be aging but not sure. Also have constant swollen glands, dry eye and mouth... can anyone else relate or advise!? thank you

[Spanielmadlady]

Hi.dry eyes and dry mouth could be sjorgens which is another AI illness connected to lupus.i have it and use hypomellose eye drops and I am prescribed salivix pastels by my gp.do you take any meds for your lupus ? If not it might be time to go back to rheumatology for a check and some advice on meds as lupus treatment is also about prevention and preserving as well as treating symptoms xx

[eekt]

Hi yellowmarie, there's an easy-read guide for GPs on anklosing spondylitis by NICE, the UK-wide authority (cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anky... - it's an inflammatory condition of the spine, but it's usually the lumbar region. Won't always show on an x-ray, but imaging would show any osteoarthritis and any changes in shape that could cause pain...I was prescribed NHS pilates videos...nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitne...

SLE can affect the hearing, progressively and also suddenly, and sudden hearing loss means a course of steroids swiftly to prevent irreversible damage. Worth asking for an audiology test, then at least you have a baseline (or end up with hearing aids, as I did..)....onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

Sjogren's causes dryness as spanielmadlady says (there are tests for it), some meds too...if you're on hydroxychloroquine, you should have an annual eye check

Wishing a happy and healthier new year! xxx

[yellowmarie in reply to eekt]

thank you so much xx