Lupus Pain Relief

Lupus, an autoimmune disease mostly affecting women, can bring on enormous amounts of pain for its sufferers. Many who have lupus also must contend with excruciating arthritis as well as muscular pain and discomfort. The disease can also cause chest pains as a result of swelling in the area around the heart and lungs. Although not yet curable, modern medicine has made some strides in helping those with this illness live with their pain.

Over-The-Counter Remedies

• The first step many doctors take is to prescribe NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). This includes medicine such as Tylenol and Motrin. These medicines should be taken as directed on the label unless your doctor has specifically instructed you otherwise. However, it is important that you communicate to your doctor if you already take these types of pills regularly because long-term consumption can lead to liver damage and eventual failure.

Prescription Medicine

• If the over-the-counter medicine just isn't strong enough, your doctor can prescribe a prescription-strength version of the same medicines. Sometimes doctors will also consider immunosuppressants if your pain is nearly intolerable, but these kids of medicines can make you more susceptible to becoming ill as they weaken your immune system.

  Anti-malarial drugs have also been known to reduce pain in lupus and lupus-like illnesses. Doctors are currently unsure why, but lupus patients have reported a decrease in pain when taking such drugs for several months or longer.

Home Remedies

• Aching muscles and joint pain can also be relieved with home remedies or at least helped a little bit. Have a family member or spouse give you a massage when your muscles are in pain. Soak in a warm bath as it will help alleviate the pain and discomfort of swollen, achy joints.

  Hot packs and cold packs can also be used to ease discomfort. Purchase some ice packs at the drug store, or invest in a heating pad or products specifically made for the relief of arthritis pain. In the first aid aisle, you should be able to find many hot and cold packs at a variety of prices.

Get Active

• Although it seems counterproductive, exercising really does help the relief of your pain, especially exercising the muscles around your affected joint. If you are in a lot of pain in your knees or ankles, try doing the elliptical or riding a bike. If you mainly suffer from elbow or wrist pain, start lifting weights. Swimming is also a great way to strengthen all of your joints without too much impact. Talk to your doctor about exercises you should do. Remember that your goal is to strengthen, not put yourself in more pain. It is usually advised that lupus patients skip the treadmill or lifting very heavy weights as these activities can cause your joints to "bang" onto the floor or overexert. This will, in turn, cause more pain instead of relief.

  While exercise is important, it is also important to listen to your body. If you feel pain (beyond the discomfort of pushing your muscles), you should immediately cease the exercise. In addition, it is important not to exercise if you find you are experiencing a serious lupus flare (when your lupus is most active), are running a fever or your flare is potentially causing organ damage.