Lupus Question

[CrystalChick]

Hi All,

I am posting this thread because I know there are so many intelligent people on the board.... and maybe I can get an answer.
My Dad has been battling Lupus for a couple of years and he is always in moderate to severe pain.
When he has a flare up he takes a steroid to calm down the inflammation of his joints.... but he said the pain is alway's worse at NIGHT???
Any suggestions or alternative treatment's?
I have a friend who has this horrible autoimmune disease and said Omega 3 is wonderful.
Any comment's or suggestion's are appreciated.

Thank you,
CC

 

[Torchy]

As a lupus sufferer, my pain is always during the winter months. During this time, I too am the sorest at night. i always associated it with stress and fatigue throughout the day and coming to a head in the evening.

I have taken DHEA for it to help boost my test levels. Although, the only thing that has helped in the past has been the likes of Bextra at 20mg and that is an anti-inflammatory that the Doc gave me. Also, amitryptiline(sp?) at night, but it knocks me out completely. That is what I was given when I could no longer stand the prednisone...horrible drug!

I am sorry that your Dad's not well...I wish you the best.

 

[CrystalChick]

Torchy, Thank you so much your response... I already passed this info over to my Dad....I feel so helpless I wish I had a wand sometimes..
I wish you well and thank you.

Thanks CC

 

[CrystalChick]

Bump...

 

[wilson6]

Have him start on about 3 - 4 grams of fish oil per day. Omega-3 FAs are the precursor to DHA and EPA but the converting enzyme (delta-6-desaturase) decreases with age. Thus, while something like flax is high in alpha-linolenic, with low D6S activity, it isn't going to get to DHA and EPA, thus he needs straight DHA and EPA. He may also want to add some Borage oil. This is an omega-6 (GLA) which is elongated to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid that has anti-inflammatory metabolites and it's conversion to arachidonic acid is slow. Since it uses the same desaturase enzyme, conversion from linoleic acid is slowed with aging as well.

Other anti-oxidants may be helpful as well.

W6

 

[CrystalChick]

Wilson6 Thank you so much for your response.
So Im clear, Omega 3 comes in a Capsule form?
Is Borage Oil similar to flax in consistency?
3-4 gram's of Fish oil daily by this you mean the omega 3 correct?

Thank you in advance,
CC

 

[CrystalChick]

Oh I hope I don't sound dense.... DHA & EPA can you get straight DHA and EPA?

 

[valerie]

Hi CC I can recc a brand of fish oil. The company is Carlsons and they have recently come out with a product that contains 1600mg of epa and dha per teaspoon. It is lemon flavored. The company set me a bottle to try(I'm a retailer). I really like the product and the company is very well regarded for fish oils.

The borage oil is a plant oil, I really like the company, Barleans which is the producer of the best flaxseed oil. You should be able to find the Barleans borage oil at a health food store, Carlsons is also carried by most health food stores as well. You may have to ask them to order in the fish oil as it is a new product.

Good luck-valerie

 

[BeeUnique]

Sorry to jump in, but I am glad you posted this CC!
My mom was diagnosed with Lupus almost a year ago and it hasen't been going too well either. She is taking the dreaded prednisone and IT IS aweful! Although it does make her feel better at times, it makes her so puffy.....she hates it!! I am glad to find there are other alternatives out there and I am going to share this info with her. She just wants her energy back and not ache. I fear I may get this someday as well and knowing there are others on these boards gives me hope I can still be active and not puffy with Lupus

Bextra & amitryptiline are other alternatives to prednisone....right? I am excited to share this with my mom!

Hope the suggestions work for your dad CC. Please give an update

 

[Torchy]

Well...that's what I have...Bextra is a NSAID and amitryptiline is Elevin aka sleep and mood elevator but wipes you out, thus night time taking of the pill. All are prescribed. It has helped and I do not feel the need to take the elevin all the time. The bextra has been less harsh on my stomach as a Vioxx or Mobic was...that is why I prefer it.