Hi everyone,
I couldn't find anything related to these in the search and hoped that some of you could help me with these odd questions I have.
1. Moon phases affecting flares? New moon and full moon?
(I've been trying to keep track of my flares now that they are less frequent and have noticed an odd occurrence. That around the time of the full moon my flare symptoms increase as well as a few days before my menstral cycle. Do any of you have this? Is this common?)
2. Flares and hemroids? (Sorry!!)
(Another thing I've noticed is that I think there must be some connection to my GI tract being weaker in a time of flares... because I seem to get hemroids a lot more frequently lately. I thought they were from sitting too long and constipation... could there be something else I'm not thinking of? I take a strong probiotic daily... )
3. Odd reactions to pain meds?
(So I don't know if this is caused by interactions with the plaquenil or what... but pain meds seem to have weird reactions lately rather than being helpful. Like palpitations, and not relieving the pain when I do flare. Have you guys had this happen? If so how did you guys approach it medically? Naturally?)
Thanks you guys - I know it's a lot!!! Appreciate any help you could offer.
Well, it is common knowledge that the phases of the moon affect a person. Emergency rooms and labor and delivery departments have an increase in business during phases of the moon. This is something that is written up many times. Also, there is increase in insomnia and other behaviors and health problems associated with the tides.
Also, the menstrual cycle can cause an increase in symptoms for some days prior to a period. It is felt that the hormones are involved in this.
I have never heard of hemorrhoids being affected and can't think of any reason why. Yes, sitting, standing, constipation affect the hemorrhoids.
Also, I am a nurse and have given a lot of pain meds in my life. I don't know of anything that could cause the palpitations from a pain medication. Are you taking it with other medications or over the counter meds that you din't take previously. Otherwise, maybe you are having a strange reaction to the drug and need to tell the doctor about this. Sometimes if pain medications are taken with sedative or other meds that affect our brain/seizure meds, sleeping pills, etc. we can get an increase in the effect of the pain pill. In other words, the pill can pack more of a punch when taken with some meds.
It could be anxiety that rears its head at times. The one thing that really affects flares is stress in our lives. Hard to get away from but behooves us to keep our lives somewhat under control. Good luck. Irish
Thanks Irish!
Hmm I'll have to mention the palpitations and the hemorrhoid story the doctor then. It's good to know though that the other stuff does happen!! Appreciate it!
I don't know whether it was directly related, but one of my phases of minor health problems in recent years was several months of painful recurrent hemorrhoids which then disappeared again. I used Preparation-H and it offered some relief. Maybe try adding some psyllium to your diet for a while?
Sorry I can't be of help with regard to moon phases. I have worked in healthcare in the past and know that nurses say full moons lead to busy nights.
It's not unusual for people with SjS to have GI tract involvement. I've had an array of issues and have to take Nexium daily for GERD.
With regard to pain meds I found as a result of years of testing and trying different meds that my pain was from two issues: 1. osteoarthritis (spine, top to bottom) and 2. nerves (impingement and neuropathy). It was not until I started taking medication for nerve pain that I had some real relief. To me the moral of that story is that if a med isn't working it may not be for the type of pain you are really experiencing.