DHEA for Lupus

Anyone heard about taking DHEA to help with Lupus symptoms?

Katie,

Here is a link to the topics that deal with Lupus/DHEA on this site:  Links

I just used the "Search Site" window at the top of the page.  You can check things out there to get info from past posts, as these questions come up frequently and there will be more dialogue to look at there.

IMHO you are playing with fire if you try to manage the reporductive hormones you've mentioned on your own.  This requires a real skill and lots of repeat testing to make sure you don't really fowl things up. 

It takes a lot of time and patience to work through all the issues that we have sometimes.  Your GYN would be a good place to start since your cycles are difficult and that doc would have training in assessing and balancing those hormones. 

I know I'm not much help and you are anxious for some relief.  Hang in there!

Blessings!

Katie, several years ago I read about DHEA and was really tempted to try it and even bought some from a health food store, but I chickened out and never tried it. I'm afraid to take it because right now most supplements aren't regulated through the FDA, so you never really know what you are getting. I was also leary of some of the possible side effects like facial hair. Now I'm on a good combination of meds that are working pretty well, so I haven't looked into DHEA for a long time.

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So now you're like me & get facial hair from prednisone, hippi?

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Lynnwood, Co-Moderator: Lupus Forum
SLE(’00), Sjogren's Syndrome, Raynaud's Syndrome, SAD, Depression, Herpes Simplex 1
Piroxicam, Plaquenil, Prednisone(was 15mg, now 8mg), Cellcept, Xanax, Trazodone, Boniva(3mth shot), Wellbrutrin SR, Valtrex
Links: DIAGNOSING LUPUS (4 of 11), LUPUS INFORMATION, LUPUS RESOURCES, Donate to HealingWell, Drug Interactions

Hi Katie:

I have taken DHEA per my Rheumys instruction. I took it for about 6 months back in 2003, I honestly can say it didn't make a difference in my condition. I've been flaring for almost 3 years now, I truly think that since I've got several disease going on, that they are all fighting against each other and making me very sick. My doctors are at a point where they just don't know what to do for me.

I'm in pain day in and day out. I never have a moments peace from the pain and fatigue. I'd recommend that you let your doctor offer you plaquenil and see if it makes a difference. Plaquenil is the medication that has the least side effects. Lots of Rheumys patients w/o having a firm DX. Sometimes they aren't sure what you have, whether it's SLE. UCTD, or MCTd, they treat you symptoms.

I hope that you can get some answers and that you start feeling better real soon. Welcome to the forum and if I can be of any help just ask.

Take care,
Barbara

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dx fibro, SLE, glaucoma, cateracts, bells palsy, depression, migraine headaches, gastreopaersis, chronic anemia, RA,MDS (Blood Cancer). Tons of meds.