Lupus & Rheumatoid Arthritis questions

[TrudieC]

I am 46 and just found out I have Lupus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis.  Right now my symptoms are fatigue, edema, intense itching, and muscle and tissue pain throughout my body.  I have a few questions I am hoping I can get help with.

1.  Have you had any benefits to changing your diet?  I don't eat processed food and eat a pretty balanced diet.  Is there anything I should add or avoid?

2.  I am taking Plaquenil.  Can I drink wine occasionally or do I need to cut it out?  I also read that it can interfere with hypothyroid meds.  Anyone have experience with that?

3.  How do you know if the Lupus is moving into your organs.  What symptoms should I watch for?

4.  I read that hair dye can be a trigger.  Anyone know about that?  

Many thanks,
Trudie

[TrudieC]

My understanding is that the Plaquenil reduces the inflammation which thereby reduces your pain.  I believe it also helps to protect your organs from the disease.

[TrudieC]

Thank you PlateletGal!

Lori707, because I have to travel to see my rheumatologist he has been communicating with my GP on how to treat.  I don't head back to him for another 8 weeks and will get copies of all my bloodwork then.  My rheumatologist is a world renowned leader in Lupus and arthritis research so I feel pretty good about his treatment.

He said my blood work was developing but did indicate RA and Lupus and that based on that and my symptoms (bone, joint and muscle pain, rash, fatigue, etc.) he feels pretty certain on the diagnosis.  

I had ulcerative colitis for 10 years before having surgery to remove my large colon and create J-pouch which cured me.  I also need to take pantoprazole to guard against ulcers in my stomach.  Therefore my system is very sensitive to anything that can affect gastro area.  I'm doing pretty good on the paquenil.  I have been on it for just over a week and do get some light nausea that pepto bismal has been helping with and some occasional loose stools.  I am very pleasantly surprised.  My itchiness (have had for a number of years and understand is a Lupus symptom) has increased but not sure if it is due to the drug or the Lupus.  I will just keep up with my non-drowsy anti-histamines in the day and take a double dose of benadryl at night.  I also started taking fish oil.  I know the plaquenil is supposed to take a while before you see the benefits but a lot of my muscle and bone pain has reduced in the last two days - could be the plaquenil, the fish oil, reduction in wine drinking, or the flare is just waning.  I am so thankful for this drug and hope I can avoid prednisone.

[PlateletGal]

Dietary Considerations for Patients with Chronic Illnesses and Multiple Chronic Infections: A Brief Outline of Eighteen Dietary Steps to Better Health

by Garth Nicolson and Richard Ngwenya

http://www.immed.org/treatment%20considerations/TownsendDietConsid[1]._01.7.rtf

(click on "cancel" when it asks you for your username/password).

You might also be interested in Prof. Nicolson's research on infections found in people with autoimmune diseases. These infections can be treated.

link: http://www.immed.org/illness/autoimmune_illness_research.html

[Lori707]

I just turned 58 and was diagnosed with RA and possibly Lupus. Last year I was in extreme bone and joint pain along with muscle pain. I read up a lot on "anti-inflammatory" diets and went on it. I have no idea if it's the diet that took away 98% of my pain or just a fluke. I do have neurological problems which cannot be explained. I'm on Neurotin that helps. My doctor wants me on Plaquinel but I haven't started it yet. How long have you been on this med and do you know what it's suppose to do? Does it bother your stomach because I have chronic gastric inflammation and also in the esophogas.
Also, how did they make your diagnose? What was your "total compliment" and C3,C4 and did you have an RA Factor test? Any others?
I read about hair dye but I keep forgetting to ask my doctor about it.