Originally Posted by AnnieB3

Dorothy, Have you had your B12 checked? If not, please do. Methylcobalamin sublingual tablets go right to work in the bloodstream. Some gets stored in the liver, some is used by the body and the rest is peed out!

Your feet and ankle pain may "only" be lupus but if there is any peripheral nerve component going on, it would definitely help to take B12. I have gotten mine at iherb for over a decade now (there prices are far less expensive than stores). I like the Jarrow brand (5 mg.) but the Source Naturals is good too.

Here's a thought. Maybe bring up having Flovent, an inhaled steroid, to your rheumy. No, you may not have asthma but Flovent is a tolerated steroid and it does go systemic in the body. It may be worth a trial of it. It helps to think outside the box with these conditions.

There are these things called "Boo Boo Buddy" gel packs for kids. I use them on my ankles/feet when my neuropathy flares. They are not too cold, so the chance of getting cold damage to the nerves is low and it helps in order to get you to fall asleep. Some people use Lidocaine patches but that might make your MG worse.

Well, we'll never be "normal" again HOWEVER we can have a new normal. And everyone wants to feel like they are contributing to the world or are useful. Do you have a hobby? Something you could do at home? Some people knit caps for children around the world. There are so many things you could do - take time to think about what you love to do. It will help keep depression at bay and can make you feel more normal. That's why I began, and finished, writing a book. I absolutely needed to do something, even if it took for what seemed like forever to do. It kept my mind off of my health crap!

You should still come here for support when you need it. We all need to connect with people, even if it's over the Internet.

I know how hard lupus can be on patients and their families. Keep pampering yourself and your immune system. Even the smallest amount of stress can flare lupus! Or MG for that matter.

I'm glad you are finding some relief.

Annie