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Pleurisy......

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Posted 6/25/2010 10:03 AM (GMT -8)
For those of you that have had pleurisy, can you tell me the treatment you were on and how long it lasted?

I have had it since the end of January and been on 5-20 mg Pred. Right now I can't get below 7.5mg without the pain coming back. I see my rheumy on Tuesday and she has already mentioned a pulmonologist, just wanted to see what you guys thought.

Thanks for listening :-)
Posted 6/26/2010 5:31 AM (GMT -8)
Hi hun, I'm so sorry I know it hurts like heck! What I do is lay down with a heating pad on my chest. Sometimes warrm milk helps for some reason. You may need an antibiotic. You could have an infection. Have you gained unexplained weight like possibly retaining fluid? sometimes the sack around your heart/ lungs can have fluid which can cause some of the pain. Try sleeping on the least painful side. I don't know that it actually helps but I use vicks vapo rub sometimes. Not the stuff that has a strong smell.
As for seeing the pulmonologist I frankly think everyone with lupus should see a pulmonologist at least once a year. Just to stay on top of things. are you on a pain med for it?
sorry I couldn't answer sooner but the server has been missed up for a couple of days.
love ya
carol
Posted 6/26/2010 1:28 PM (GMT -8)
Dear Stacie,

I'm so sorry that you're still having problems with pleurisy! For me, heating pads help, as Carol suggested. Also, I like drinking hot tea with lemon and sleeping propped up up in bed, so that I'm almost sitting up. But I think that these things are very individual and it all depends on exactly where the pain is!

Unfortunately increasing prednisone is usually the most effective treatment for me..... :(

Take care...you are in my thoughts and prayers!
((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))
JoAnn
Posted 6/26/2010 1:29 PM (GMT -8)
Hey Stacie! So sorry you are still suffering from this. Generally the way I am treated the few times I have pleurisy is initially with 125mg-250 mg of solumedrol and then followed with a high oral dose for several weeks. The pain hasn't lasted more than 3 weeks for me and I usually start feeling relief after the IV within hours.

Hopefully you can get this figured out!!! Will continue to pray for you!
Posted 6/30/2010 5:37 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks Carol, JoAnn & Amy,

I saw my rheumy yesterday and she wants me to stay on 7.5mg of Pred for a while. When I asked her how long this pleurisy pain could last she said she had a patient that had it for 3 years!!!! After that it was intermittent. So I'm not going to worry and just keep taking the pred and will try to taper down every now and then.
Posted 7/1/2010 3:50 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Stacie. I have pleurisy again. Third time this year. I thought sinus surgery to end my sinus infections was supposed to help the pleurisy too. Guess not. Today rheumy put me on a quick 40mg pred taper and I'm to stay at 8mg. It seems 7mg is a bad place for me too. I'm also very SOB. I sure hope you start to improve. At least I get breaks. Love ya, Donna
Posted 7/3/2010 7:13 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Donna, you have it again too, what is it with this stuff?!?!?!!? I don't feel it much as long as I stay at 7.5 I just hope I don't have to go up on it anymore. I guess I am more bummed that this disease seems to be progressing despite all the meds I am on. I pray you start to improve too! Love ya
Posted 7/5/2010 3:30 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Stacie. I'm really bummed about the disease progression too. Right now some pain relief would be great. Love ya too.
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