Lupus - Experience
Please describe your experience with lupus.
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What is drug-induced lupus?
Dozens of medications have been reported to trigger SLE. However, more than 90% of cases of "drug-induced lupus" occurs as a side effect of one of the following six drugs: hydralazine (Apresoline) is used for high blood pressure; quinidine (Quinidine Gluconate, Quinidine Sulfate) and procainamide (Pronestyl; Procan-SR; Procanbid) are used for abnormal heart rhythms; phenytoin (Dilantin) is used for epilepsy; isoniazid (Nydrazid, Laniazid) is used for tuberculosis; and d-penicillamine (used for rheumatoid arthritis). These drugs are known to stimulate the immune system and cause SLE. Fortunately, drug-induced SLE is infrequent (accounting for less than 5% of all people with SLE) and usually resolves when the medications are discontinued.
See what others are saying
I was diagnosed on September 6, 2007 at the age of 43 by an internist. I started getting sick feeling on July 1, 2007 after moving. My joints swelled up and I was in extreme pain. At first I put it to moving too much too fast but as time progressed, my symptoms got much worse including sores in my hair and mouth and nose. I was not able to get out of bed because of pain and fatigue. I finally went to the family doctor and said "You better help me because I'm dying!!" I was in the internist's office for 10 minutes and he said I had lupus. He sent me across the street to the hospital for iv prednisone. Within the first five minutes of receiving that, I started to feel better. Four years later, the azathioprine slowly stopped working; I have had a constant flare for four months. I have now been put on cellcept (which is very expensive but I have group coverage of 80%) and four days later, I am almost pain free and I have energy. On the third day I had energy for the first time in what seemed like forever. I was able to make dinner, unload the countertop dishwasher and reload it, hand wash dishes that I hadn't had energy to do for a week, sorted and did laundry and cleaned my kitchen. I don't feel like a lazy person anymore and I can move relatively pain free. Today was my first day at work since starting these meds and I got home and don't feel so exhausted that I can't do anything. I love it!!
I was diagnosed with Lupus in 1999. I have taken Hydroxychloriquine since then. I have had no symptoms in 11 years. I recently moved to Florida and have a new Doctor, well after Blood Tests, they tell me I am in Remission and have no signs of Lupus, that it is gone and I should stop taking the meds. For right now I am still taking the meds, scared to stop. Me first Doctor said no cure for Lupus that I will always have it, but it was low key, but new doctor says it is gone! Happy Days I hope, but I am scared!
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