The answer to this should be interesting....

Started itching 6/18/12 called Dr Jonnala's office and ask to speak to nurse. The front desk lady said I needed to talk to the dr and she would have her call me..By Wednesday the itching was not so bad and I never received a call. I had some vacation days to take a break and Thursday and Friday were pretty good days. Saturday we went to the pool and unfortunately I got too much sun . I started itching bad by Sunday night I had to take Benadryl it was so bad. I felt like I was being ate up by something...Rick was not itching however we checked the dog for fleas and found nothing...we keep K9 Advantex II for fleas and tic and mosquitoes on her religiously...I was trying to figure out what in the world was going on....I have red bumps and spots on my legs and arms and some on my back and chest....I've tried aloe and still am itching like crazy. Needless to say I have put in another call to the Dr reminding the lady about our conversation last week and ask her if I should see my primary Dr or keep waiting for them to call me...I'm pretty sure I should hear back soon....
Just a note I have been on Cymbalta for 6 weeks...itching, rash is a side effect but would it take 6 weeks to have the reaction???? It sure is working for my pain...I actually love it......could it be from getting too much sun? I never hurt from the redness but I was very red..still am a little bit..but have been using aloe for it......right now I just need relief. Yes, itching is also a symptom of Lupus....The answer to this should be interesting.....

Update: Rheumotologist thinks its the Lupus. A flare is what it's typically called.....off to the pharmacy to start on prednesone. If the itching stops with that..it's for sure Lupus...if it doesn't it's most like side effect from one of my meds....

Itchy night symptoms..but why?

Well I have been very happy with the new medication Cymbalta, the Dr. put me on for pain.  I have had less pain.  No thigh pain and no arm pain. Mostly just back and knees and not real severe so I have been happy with it effects.  A few nights ago (June 18) i started Itching… all night.. Last night was even worse.  Today I am still itching not extreme but itching all over.  Head neck, ears,back, arms everywhere..... At night it was all over stomach, legs, thighs, everywhere… Decided to Google it and found 2 things… One of the many symptoms of Fibromyalgia is itching and one of the MAIN side effects of Cymbalta is ITCHING…. So I called my Dr. to see what she thinks… Waiting for her to return my call. Well today is the 20th and I have still not heard from my Dr...so I thought I would post this. It's much better during the day but nights are itchy...I will call her tomorrow...not happy about that....anyway since all this we had Fathers Day and it went well. Dinner was at Longhorns Steak House with Rick and Heather and Matt and kids. I put some big red beautiful flowers on mom and dads headstone. Now I am looking at a 5 day break from work and I am VERY excited!!

I pray it continues....

I haven't blogged lately so I must catch up on the latest Lupus updates. The muscle pain in my left thigh and my right arm that I have suffered with for over a year has not hurt in over 2 weeks. When I saw my Rheumatologists in May she gave me a medication for Fibromyalgia, Cymbalta ( keeping me on my Lupus meds) I am amazed how after 2-2 1/2 weeks on it the difference it has made. I am still tired requiring daily naps which I never did before and may be a result of the 5-7 meds I take daily. But whatever the case I remember last year at this time....mom was in the nursing home...having horrible dementia and I would sit with her and just ache. Especially my right arm muscles and that continued up until 2 weeks ago even though I am on many drugs for pain and muscle relaxers etc...so I am thankful and happy for the new medicine even though I was apprehensive about another drug...I have now went from 6 pain pills a day to 2. When I saw my Dr this week it was the first time i was able to tell I had no pain!!!!! Praise The Lord!!! I pray it continues.