goldengirl3's Journal

started cymbalta for my fibro pain. Plaquenil for my lupus symptoms.  not sure what the normal dose of cymbalta is I am being started on 20 mg. daily.  I have been able to cut down on my aleeve, and vicodin which is a blessing. The stomach pain has lessened as well.  The plaquenil is being titrated starting with 200 mg. taking 1/2 tablet one time a day for l week, then 1/2 tablet 2 times a day for a week, then 1 tablet 2 times a day for a week.  ending with 400mg. daily thereafter seems to be alot. But I am excited to be on this medication and see what results I get from it. Not having pain would be wonderful.  All I have had for the past 7 years is waking and goiing to sleep with pain.

Mixed connective tissue disease, scerlederma, raynauds, polymositis, neuropathies, copd, asthma, blood pressure problems, heart conduction problems.  I was told I need to get an echo of my heart because of the conduction problems and the doctor is concerned by the scarring of my lungs, possibly from the scerlederma going undiagnoised.  He is concerned about pulmonary hypertension.  I just had a upper gI barium swallow testing done. swallowing barium is not a problem. It is the fact of  not leaving the bathroom afterward.  I have been fighting these issues since 04, and 06 with swallowing problems, food now gets stuck and the pain of cold and hot liquids is unbeleiveable. My gastro doc has me on carafate. This is a med with coats the esophogus and stomach and helps with ulcers healing.  I hope this is not what I have.  Just the progression of scerlederma is one thing, the deal with ulcers is not my cup of tea.