newly diagnose

brid · 10-04-2006, 11:00 PM

hello, my name is brid, i have been diagnose today with lupus , i have been in the lyme post, because i was told it was lyme, but today found out is lupus, i am from peru, my english is not perfect, but this is what i was diagnose..Eritema node,SLE,and sindrome antiphosfolipido..i am a little scare, tomorrow i star my treatment and dont know what too expect from the medicines..at the momet i have muscular pain, legs, electricity feeling, small little rashes over my body, low fevers,red chest, some red skin, very tired...burning sensation specially on my back..i was given Azatioprina 50 mg once a day. one aspirine once a day, and aralen 250 mg at night, doctor said was stronger and better than plaquenil..have no idea about side effects, about benefits, i would really appreciatte if someone can tell me a little bit about it... thank you very much!

pelchatk · 10-05-2006, 08:43 AM

I'm sorry to hear you were diagnosed with Lupus. I hope the meds work well for you.

realisticchic · 10-05-2006, 10:51 AM

Your English is pretty good Brid!

I have never take azatioprina, here it is called azathioprine. I looked it up online and in a nursing drug book. This drug supresses the immune system. In Lupus patients it reduces or prevent damage to the internal organs. It has side effects of mouth ulcers, vomitting, nausea, pancreatitis jaundice. It says that full theraputic effect, or when it really starts working good happens in 8 to 12 weeks.
Asprin taken in the amount you are being given should act as a blood thinner, this will help control the antiphospholipid syndrome. You might want to take the asprin with food, since it can, over time hurt your stomache if you don't.
aralen according to my drug book, is a lot like Plaquenil. My book says for SLE the dose is 250 mg. daily with evening meal. It, like plaquenil can cause upset stomache, nausea,vomitting, darrhea. It can also damage your eyes like plaquenil. I take 400 mg. of plaquenil daily, when I take it with food, I have no side effects....One time I didn't eat, and just took the pill, I felt awful

and will never do that again.
It sounds to me like you may have to wait a few months to see the full benefit of these drugs, so hang in there! I am sorry to hear you have Lupus, it is a tough disease to have

I am glad though, that you now have a proper diagnosis and are recieving good treatment from your Dr.. I hope you feel better soon.

brid · 10-05-2006, 11:42 AM

thank you veru much for your respónses...i am just scare of taking thus new medicne, specially the azatioprina, the doctor said is low dose, i am taking 50 mg a day..but still not know what the inmunosuppressor really mens...like it will protet me from getting some thing but what will be damaging... thank you very much!!! hugs!