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David Zelman MDView Thread

Some symptoms of lupus are "soft" (joint pain, fatigue...) but others are more suggestive like protein in urine, pleurisy, abnl blood cells and carry more weight to diagnosis.
Tricky but not overly mysterious.View Thread


Lupus for the most part is not cured but suppressed and there may be times when treatment may need to be increased. The addition of other medications to control the disease is often the only way to keep the steroid dosage as low as possible.
David Zelman MDView Thread

David Zelman MDView Thread

This is not easy to show. In arguable cases some may choose to get an attorney but a well written statement from your treating MD will more likely tip the balance. Since this is outside the scope of usual care your MD may charge for a report of this nature. Having your records sent however should not cost anymore than a copying charge.
David Zelman MDView Thread

In order to minimize the adverse reactions (which are numerous-- check this out on Webmd site) you should:
1. Always follow your MD's advice on dosage, do not manage this on your own. If it is possible, your doctor may prescribe other medications to allow your dose to be as low as possible to control the disease. This might include "alternate day" regimens, use of skin applied ( topical) steroids for skin disease or use of other "steroid sparing" medications.
2. Take measures to minimize weight gain including exercise and watching your calories.
3. Keep sodium intake low and potassium intake high. Often a diet that is generous in fruits and vegetables will accomplish this.
4. Take Vit D 1000 IU daily along with calcium 1000-1500 mg a day. Your physician may also sometimes prescribe a medicine to help protect your bones.
5. Since steroids make you more susceptible to infection, report high fever T> 102 degrees to your physician. Other symptoms such as severe cough, painful urination might also prompt a call to your MD
6. Do not stop taking steroids suddenly especially if you have been taking them for more than 2 months.
7. Be an educated healthcare consumer and take the time to learn about steroid side effects so that you can report them to you doctor as soon as possible.
David Zelman, MDView Thread

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