Cognitive difficulties are common with lupus. You don't usually get them with Fibro. Many of us have "lupus fog" which is just a generalized fuzziness, like trying to think through a sea of cotton.

As for your pain, you didn't mention if your doctor is treating your disease with anything. There are many drugs that help.

Also, has your doctor x-rayed your hips? Some patients can develop vasular necrosis in their hip joints. It's extremely painful and usually treated with hip replacements. Or you could just have really painful fibro. It's hard for anyone to know but your doctor who can palpate your hip area and tell whether it's muscular or bone-based problems. And there are things to be done in both situations. Have you discussed your pain with your rheumy?

Tracy

welcome x

welcome to the group. Cognitive issues are a big problem for both Lupus and Fibromyalgia.My hips get very sore at times too especially in a flare. hugs marilyn

Yes, I'm being treated. I take Plaquenil 200 mg 2x daily. I'm on Cymbalta and Wellbutrin for the cognitive difficulties. The fog as been constant for about a year now and is the reason I have not been able to work. It's getting better now and I am thinking more clearly, but still not 100%. I haven't discussed my pain with my rheumy because it's relatively recent but I am going to make an appointment this morning.

Can you guys tell me what your flares are like? My lower back went out for about 3 weeks. I could hardly walk, it was so painful.

Just wanted to welcome you. I think Tracy summed it up quite well. I hope you get some relief soon. You will be in my prayers.

Hope you love this group as much as we all do,
Sherry

Welcome to the group! I have very bad lupus fog and I take Cymbalta too but haven't noticed any improvement with it. I also cannot work out. I have restless leg syndrome and anytime I work out, my muscle aches get much worse. And they are bad enough day to day that I couldn't handle exercise making it worse! My doctor has recommended light stretching and working my way up to yoga.

Again welcome!

Heather

Funny you say that Tracy because both my rheumy and md advised that it was in fact common.

I don't know how to edit a post yet (if that's possible) but I wanted to add that I was referred to what you said about fog with fibro.

I have cognitive difficulties and it is very frustrating. I also developed Bursitis in my hip and warm water therapy helped a lot with both the fibro and the hip. Your doctor needs to find out what is causing the pain before treating it. I've had two injections for the bursitis. I also developed migraines that are disabling. Exercise is suppose to be the best thing for fibro so you should probably try stretching and light exercise to make it better. I find water therapy the best but that's because I have muscle problems also and the warm water helps the muscles enough to allow me to exercise.

A warm welcome to you my dear. Alot of folks before me here have said quite alot of helpful stuff so i won't ramble but as for pain, I know it really helped me when I joined an exercise group that's geared for people with arthritis & related conditions so it's paced alot easier. It's been a huge help.

First want to say Welcome, I am also new to this group. I have cognitive issues....it has been happening also for me for constant for over 5 months now, sometimes it scares me. As for your hips, has your dr done an xray, I was having major pain in my hips and turns out I have osteopenia (begining stages of osteoperosis) I talked to my rheumy also about cymbalta, he does believe in that anymore as they have found new findings of the drug...can't remember what but I will ask. I don't take naproxen anymore, not good for me and scarey side effects..i take plaquenil, can't tell yet if it is helping only been on for two weeks.

Good luck to you, sending good thoughts your way.

hugs,
paige