At this point, the most notable difference is that most of my joint pain is gone. My hands are still stiff on occasion, but the really awful pain I had in my hips is mostly gone! The worst of the lupus symptoms that are still active right now are the fatigue and pleuritis.
The worst of the side effects from the Benlysta that I have to deal with at this point are nausea, anxiety and headaches. Ron is forever asking me how I am feeling, so this adds to my anxiety. I don't like worrying him, but I think I have to be honest. When I tell him how I really feel, I feel badly that I have to tell him that I'm not 100% yet. I told him that these side effects are my "new normal." I have underplayed my lupus symptoms for years because I don't like to worry him. He's not very patient with any illness - mine, his or our daughters'. He wants to be able to fix things....right NOW!
At any rate, I am looking forward to being in this next remission. I am going to stay positive about this medication because it does seem that it is starting to make a difference.
