It's been a mixed batched of medicines for other illnesses. For instance: methotrexate. It's used to help control chronic inflammation in patients such as myself. Although this particular medication was originally created and is still used for cancer patients. The side affects can be so severe that instead of taking away the inflammation, it can add symptoms such as: severe nausea or vomiting, lower extremity pain, infertility, and the list goes on. I know some of these symptoms first hand. Many nights, during the month I was on methotrexate, I couldn't get out of bed due to the extreme muscle cramps I would get in my legs. I couldn't understand why I being given meds that were intended for cancer patients, and were only making me more ill. I went back to my Rheumatologist and asked him to change it, I couldn't handle the side affects any longer.
Only after doing some reading, did I learn that there isn't any specific medication made just for patients with Lupus. It's quite literally a mix of whatever might work for each person's case. In my case, I found it dangerous, and it was the different steroid injections and pills that helped the deterioration of my hip joint. Sited from Lupus.org, there recently was an announcement of a new drug called BENLYSTA. Click on the link to learn more about. After listening to the announcements, I found that even though this is a medical break-thru for treatment. It is not for everyone with Lupus. Although it's exciting to know that advancements are being made, research is on-going, and that there is hope, I fall short on any expectations with this new drug.
Nevertheless, I'm excited take part of sharing and learning more about a the life I have to look forward to with a new walk, and a new hope for treatment meant just for cases like mine!!!
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