Join the 'Plaquenil' group to help and get support from people like you. How it works
Plaquenil Blog
| Tweet |
Strides Made in Diagnosing, Treating Lupus
Posted 18 days ago by Drugs.com
THURSDAY, May 10 – Sometimes it takes years for people to get diagnosed with lupus. That wasn't the case for Marisa Zeppieri-Caruana, who had so many of the classic systemic lupus erythematosus symptoms – such as a butterfly-shaped rash on her face, a daily fever and achy joints – that her doctor knew right away that the 23-year-old had the illness. Since then, Zeppieri-Caruana, now 34, has been hospitalized 30 times and has had four mini-strokes along with numerous other problems related to her lupus. Most people who have lupus go through periods where they have active disease (flares) and periods where they don't have any symptoms (remission). Unfortunately, Zeppieri-Caruana said she's never had a time where she's been totally in remission. "An average day for me includes fatigue and fever. It's really hard to try to put weight on, and I usually don't feel like doing anything. I ... Read more
Related support groups: Prednisone, Aspirin, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Prednisolone, Plaquenil, Methylprednisolone, Hydrocortisone, Cortisone, Medrol, Triamcinolone, Betamethasone, Dexamethasone, Hydroxychloroquine, Entocort, Decadron
New Guidelines Issued for Severe Lupus
Posted 3 May 2012 by Drugs.com
THURSDAY, May 3 – When diagnosed with lupus, one in three people already has kidney inflammation, and during the first 10 years with the disease as many as 60 percent of patients will have some kidney problems. Because kidney inflammation (also called lupus nephritis) is so common in people with lupus, the American College of Rheumatology has issued new guidelines for the screening and management of this potentially devastating complication of lupus. "Without treatment, lupus nephritis can lead to end-stage-renal disease, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant. But, not all types are this serious. It depends on the pattern of damage to the kidneys," said the lead author of the new guidelines, Dr. Bevra Hahn, a professor of medicine and chief of rheumatology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. Hahn said the course of lupus ... Read more
Related support groups: Lisinopril, Prednisone, Benicar, Diovan, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Losartan, Prednisolone, Plaquenil, Methylprednisolone, Micardis, Cozaar, Hydrocortisone, Cortisone, Medrol, CellCept
As Venus Williams Bows Out of U.S. Open, Little-Known Disease Takes Center Court
Posted 1 Sep 2011 by Drugs.com
THURSDAY, Sept. 1 – Venus Williams' surprising withdrawal from the U.S. Open on Wednesday has shifted the spotlight from the tennis star's daunting serve to her diagnosis with a little-known disease known as Sjogren's syndrome. Williams, 31, said the disease has diminished her energy level and caused joint pain, curtailing her ability to continue in the tournament. More than 4 million Americans have the chronic autoimmune disease, which also causes dry mouth and dry eyes. Ninety percent of those with the disease are women. Sjogren's syndrome "targets and destroys over time the exocrine glands responsible for tear production and saliva – and is characterized by dryness of the mouth and eyes," said Dr. Michael Belmont, an associate professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology at NYU Langone Medical Center and medical director for Hospital for Joint Diseases. Less commonly, it ... Read more
Related support groups: Methotrexate, Plaquenil, Hydroxychloroquine, Sjogren's Syndrome, Methotrexate LPF Sodium, Plaquenil Sulfate, Rheumatrex Dose Pack, Folex PFS, Quineprox, Trexall
Some Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis May Cut Diabetes Risk
Posted 22 Jun 2011 by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, June 21 – Some medications commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis may help patients with these autoimmune disorders lower their risk of developing diabetes, researchers say. New research found that a particular class of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) known as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine can reduce diabetes risk by 38 percent and 46 percent, respectively, in people with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis. "If you have rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis, you may be at an increased risk of diabetes, and a number of different antirheumatic drugs may reduce your future risk of diabetes," said study author Dr. Daniel Solomon, chief of clinical science in rheumatology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. However, Solomon was quick to point out that this was an observational study, and does ... Read more
Related support groups: Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Plaquenil, Hydroxychloroquine, Etanercept, Infliximab, Adalimumab, Plaquenil Sulfate, Quineprox
Ask a Question
Further Information
Related Condition Support Groups
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sjogren's Syndrome, Malaria Prevention, Malaria Prophylaxis, Malaria, Dermatomyositis, Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease, Lyme Disease -- Arthritis