Lupus and Joint Pain

More that 90% of people with lupus experience joint and/or muscle pain at some time during the course of their illness.  More than half of the people who develop lupus mention pain in their joints as their first symptom.

Symptoms of Lupus 

Inflammation  is the most common reason for muscle pain and aches.  When major inflammation exists (i.e. lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease), the aches, pains and weakness are signs of your body's inability to cope with whatever process has overwhelmed it, especially during periods of increased disease activity (flare).  Lupus arthritis causes pain, stiffness, tenderness and warmth in your joints.  The joints most often affected are the ones farthest from the middle of the body, such as fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles and toes.  General stiffness upon waking in the morning, which gradually improves as the day goes on, is a key feature.  Sometimes joint pain may develop later in the day, and involve several joints, with similar joints on both sides of the body.  Compared to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus arthritis is less disabling and less likely to cause destruction of the joints.  Fewer than 10% of people with lupus arthritis will develop deformities of their hands and feet associated with weakening of cartilage and bone.  


Source:  Lupus Foundation of America    


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Adapting to Changes in Cognitive Function

Many diseases, such as lupus, affect cognitive function.  Anything that limits your ability to think clearly, reason, or remember something is a cognitive symptom.  This can involve--trouble concentrating, inability to multitask, poor memory, difficulty finding the right word, slower processing or problem solving.  Those faced with these changes can cope.

Develop A Plan 

A neuropsychological evaluation assesses every part of brain function and identifies strengths and weaknesses.  That's way, each individual can develop a mechanism for adapting.  Here are some ways, recommended by both experts and patients:

• assume you will succeed in your plans
• write down everything you have to do
• take whatever time is necessary to accomplish things and schedule yourself accordingly
• create a way to signal yourself (something you can see) for things to be done, for things finished
• do one thing at a time

Developing skills to work around cognitive difficulties can be both work and fun, and contribute to self acceptance and self esteem.

Source:  www.lupus.org

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Staying Comfortable On Your Feet

It's often said that you can't appreciate or understand how incapacitating an ailment can be, like a severe back problem, until you experience it yourself.  This is also true of foot problems.  Since we use our feet all the time, we can't put them in a sling to isolate them and allow them to heal undisturbed.

Lupus symptoms often include swelling and pain from arthritis in the foot and ankle.  The ache may be constant.  In addition, sometimes feet turn blue from sensitivity to cold.  If you have these symptoms and don't know why, ask your doctor about a potential lupus diagnosis.

More info available at www.lupus.org

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

What Is "Lupus Fog?"

As many as half of all people with lupus describe feelings of confusion, fatigue, memory loss, and difficulty expressing their thoughts.  This collection of symptoms is termed cognitive dysfunction, although many people call it "lupus fog."  It is associated with problems with memory, concentration, speech and logical reasoning.  Currently, it is not understood whether these problems are medication related or a reaction to a chronic illness.

Research is being done to determine the causes of cognitive impairment with lupus.  Staying physically fit and keeping a healthy diet are critically important to good cognitive health.  This means avoidance of nicotine, excessive caffeine, and alcohol, and, equally importantly, it means regular exercise.  Improved organization can also help overcome the difficulties and frustrations associated with worsening memory and concentration.  In addition, separate from lupus fog, people with lupus may be twice as likely to experience migraine-like lupus headaches.  This problem is usually treated by a neurologist, because different types of headaches respond to different types of treatment.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

2012 Mouth Ulcerations and Lupus

Mouth Ulcerations Are A Common Symptom Of Lupus

Mouth ulcerations are estimated to affect 5 to 40% of lupus patients. They consist of white or red lesions, not necessarily painful, on the inside of the cheek, gums, palate and lips.  There is no evidence in the literature that lupus causes an increase in. However, two other factors may complicate the oral health of the lupus patient.

Lupus Symptoms:

First, many patients with lupus will also have secondary Sjogren's syndrome, which results in reduced saliva and tear production, and manifests in dryness affecting the mouth and eyes. Reduced salivary flow increases one's risk of a variety of oral maladies such as oral infection along with difficulty with speaking, eating, and swallowing.

Second, many of the medications prescribed to manage lupus have adverse affects that can affect the mouth. Prescribed steroids suppress the immune system and can increase one's risk of an oral fungal infection and poor wound healing. Drugs such as Plaquenil and methotrexate may themselves cause oral sores or ulcerations. Over 400 medications result in some degree of oral dryness, which worsens the Sjogren's syndrome.

Source:  Lupus Foundation of America

Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309