Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which is triggered when your immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. Lupus is triggered by inflammation in any part of the body and can cause organ-specific complications affecting the kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, lungs, and joints. 

Lupus is an elusive disease with no definitive causes known. People with inherited predispositions to Lupus usually develop the disease when exposed to an environmental trigger. While there is no cure for lupus, the specialists at Monarch Pain Management take a holistic approach to manage the pain associated with this inflammatory disease. 

Symptoms of Lupus

Lupus can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages because its signs and symptoms are the same as other ailments.  Every patient presents differently with this disease, and symptoms can vary for each individual diagnosed with the condition.  The symptoms of Lupus typically develop slowly and become more severe over time. Like with other autoimmune diseases, some people can experience periods of being symptom-free and then experience flare-ups where inflammation and pain worsen.

Some of the signs to look for with Lupus include:

• A butterfly-shaped rash on the face, mainly across the cheeks. While not every person will develop this distinct rash, it is one of the initial telltale signs of the disease. Rashes on other parts of the body may also affect some people. 
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness
• Skin lesions that worsen with sun exposure
• Fingers and toes turn white or blue if exposed to cold or when experiencing a stressful situation
• Chest pain
• Headaches, memory loss, and confusion
• Dry eyes  

Treatments for Lupus

At Monarch Pain Management, we work with each individual patient to assess your Lupus symptoms and work with you to develop a treatment plan that will help manage your pain symptoms for the long term. Because symptoms can vary and some can come and go, we tailor your treatments to how you are feeling during each visit with us to help ensure you receive targeted pain management. There are several oral medications we use to help alleviate symptoms, including:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) are common over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). These drugs can help reduce inflammation and pain. 
• Antimalarial medications. Interestingly, it has been found that certain drugs used to treat malaria also help manage inflammation and pain during Lupus flare-ups. 
• Corticosteroids such as prednisone are prescription medications that can alleviate systematic inflammation and pain over a shorter period of time. 
• Immunosuppressants may be used in severe cases of Lupus to help calm the body’s immune response to decrease inflammation. 

Get Lasting Pain Relief

At Monarch Pain Management, we work with you and your other healthcare providers to create a customized treatment plan that is right for you.  Dr. Przybysz is helping more patients live active lifestyles and find relief from pain.  

Schedule your appointment with Monarch Pain Management to begin your personalized treatment plan – Call us or Connect with us to book an appointment today.