What is Safe? Over the Counter Meds

So last night I had a huge headache and I didn't know what I could take for it.  I am worried about mixing medicines so I just went to bed.  I found this article below on the University of Maryland School of Medicines website and it was easy for me to read and understand.  I wanted to post it for me to find it easily.  It is a good reminder for my family, friends, and coworkers of my symptoms.  No, I'm not being lazy, I'm tired...very tired.  Or, no, its not that I don't want to lift that thing, my wrists hurt... And this is why.

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common form of lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body' s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy organs and tissue. Lupus can affect any part of the body, causing inflammation and damage in joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, or the brain. More than 90% of people with lupus have skin rashes, often triggered by exposure to the sun, and about half have kidney and lung problems. Because lupus affects the joints, it is considered a rheumatic (arthritis) disease.

Signs and Symptoms:

Lupus is often accompanied by the following signs and symptoms:

• Extreme fatigue
• Painful or swollen joints (arthritis)
• Muscle pain and stiffness
• Unexplained fever
• Skin rashes, including a characteristic "butterfly" rash over the nose and cheeks
• Kidney problems
• Hair loss
• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Mouth and nose ulcers
• Headaches, migraine, seizures, stroke
• Anemia
• Depression
• Photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight)

Treatment Plan

There is no known cure for lupus. However, your team of health care providers can develop a treatment plan to prevent flare-ups, to treat them when they do occur, and to minimize complications.

Drug Therapies

Your health care provider may prescribe the following medications:

• Corticosteroids (such as prednisone), to quickly bring down inflammation. Side effects from long-term use include increased risk of osteoporosis.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to control pain, swelling, and fever. These drugs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), aspirin, and naproxen (Aleve). Ask your doctor before taking any of these drugs over the counter.
• Drugs that suppress the immune system, to help keep the disease under control and prevent flares, for severe cases of lupus. These drugs include cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), and azathioprine (Imuran), mycophenolate (CellCept), and methotrexate.
• Antimalarial drugs, to treat fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, and inflammation of the lungs. One of these drugs, hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), also helps prevent flares.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

A comprehensive treatment plan for lupus may include a range of complementary and alternative therapies.

Nutrition and Supplements

Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is important for anyone with a chronic disease. People with lupus may also benefit from the following strategies:

• Eat more antioxidant-rich foods (such as green, leafy vegetables) and fruits (such as blueberries, pomegranates, and cherries).
• Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
• Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, or beans for protein.
• Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
• Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Exercise moderately at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.

The following supplements may also help:

• Flaxseed (30 g per day) contains omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid, which may help decrease inflammation. One preliminary study suggested that people with lupus who took flaxseed had better kidney function -- important because kidney disease (lupus nephritis) is a major complication of lupus.
• Fish oil, which also contains omega-3 fatty acids, may help decrease inflammation. Although evidence is mixed about taking a fish oil supplement, doctors do suggest that people with lupus eat more fish. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good sources. Talk to your doctor before taking a fish oil supplement if you also take anticoagulants (blood-thinners), such as warfarin (Coumadin). Eating fish doesn' t cause the same risk.
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), start at 5 mg three times a day and work up to 100 - 200 mg per day for 7 - 12 months. Do not take DHEA without your doctor' s supervision. DHEA is a precursor to the hormones estrogen and testosterone in the body, and several clinical trials show that it may help improve symptoms of lupus. However, side effects -- including acne, increased facial hair, and excessive sweating -- were common. DHEA may also lower HDL (good) cholesterol, which could contribute to heart disease. Because of DHEA' s hormone-like effects, people with a history or higher risk of breast, uterine, ovarian, or prostate cancer should not take DHEA.
• Calcium and vitamin D supplement, 1 - 2 tablets daily if taking corticosteroids. Corticosteroids can raise the risk of osteoporosis, and calcium and vitamin D can help keep bones strong.
• Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), 3,000 mg two times per day, may help prevent joint and connective tissue breakdown.

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/systemic-lupus-000161.htm#ixzz2Ahx7Ptmw