Lupus Support Group

Lupus is an auto-immune disease in which the immune system cannot distinguish between threats (like viruses and bacteria), and healthy cells and tissue. As a result, the body produces antibodies that inflict cell damage, most commonly targeting joints, skin, kidneys and the nervous system. Join the group and find support for coping with lupus.

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Bon67 03/27/2016

Hi everyone, I was just diagnosed with Lupus and mixed connective tissue disease. My body temp has ran low around 97.8 for a few years now, I just ignored it. I have been having bladder retention and have to drop off a urine sample tomorrow to make sure I don't have a UTI. Anyway today my temp read 96.5, then it dropped to 96.2, has this happened to anyone? Is this Lupus related? If it drops to 95.5 I think I will go to the ER just to be safe. It said possible causes are Kidney failure, sepsis, and low thyroid, which I don't have a thyroid anymore and just had my numbers check out normal last month. Thanks for your help (hugs)

Bon67 04/06/2016

Yeah, I have been taking 200mcg Levothyroxine and 5mg x2 of Cytomel. My Doctor should increase it without me going in, he is very good. I was shocked he hasn't called me yet though. Maybe he was off yesterday. I will let you know. Thanks so much.

Kristina1 04/08/2016

Hello Bon67,
Please keep a close eye on your kidneys and their function. I am saying this because in my case (I suffer from SLE/MCTD and some other related/connected diseases) my kidneys were regularly "attacked" during "my" SLE/MCTD-flare-ups and since all that started long before I was even diagnosed with SLE/MCTD etc., these flare-ups damaged my kidneys irreversibly and now I am on dialysis with the hope of being successful on the kidney-transplant-waiting-list.
Please work close together with your rheumatologist and other doctors and please make sure your kidneys are not going to be damaged during flare-ups.
All the best wishes and please take good care of your kidneys and their function.
Kristina.

Bon67 04/08/2016

Hi Kristina, I have been worried about my kidneys. I'm not sure what the symptoms are. I have had horrible bladder retention. No kidney pain, or blood or protein in my urine yet though. No swelling of any kind. But, it is a nagging feeling, I cant explain, I'm worried because I already have scar tissue on my kidneys from being very sick when I was 4. I have an appointment for Urodynamic, testing my bladder I think. If there is any other information about the kidneys you can tell me, please let me know. Thanks so much. (hugs)

Bon67 04/08/2016

Butterfly, my doctor increased my Levothyroxine to 225 from 200. We shall see. I wish he would increase the Cytomel though, if I remember right that is the one that gives you the most energy. (hugs)

MButterfly 04/09/2016

It's a good start! Hopefully you'll feel better soon.

Cytomel is short acting. So, you'll be zoomed-up for the first bit and then absolutely exhausted after about six-eight hours. Most people split the dosage between am and afternoon so they don't get the afternoon crash. Without your Free T3 levels it's hard to say if you need more or not.

Your Free T4 levels are screaming for more, so if in about four weeks you don't feel better...I'd ask for another increase in T4 meds.

Hope you feel better soon!

Bon67 04/09/2016

Butterfly, that's a great idea, I will split the cytomel up. Thank you so much for all your help. Much love to you.

MButterfly 04/09/2016

Back at ya! Hang in there.

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