Discouraged - with SLE

[Guest guest]

Hi Everybody -

I visited Dr. Mirkin today, after months of waiting for my first appointment,

and he told me that, if indeed I have SLE, the AP therapy will NOT work and I

must stick with the Plaquenil (or similar drug)/Prednisone combo - which I

really don't like at all and have reacted negatively to. He is also testing for

Lyme and he is hoping that is what I have instead of SLE because then he can

treat it with AP therapy.

I am SO discouraged. I was so encouraged to be starting AP therapy. Two top

rheumatologists have told me I have SLE and I just had a horrible flare in the

fall (my first since Summer '06 diagnosis). Still on 10 mg Prednisone,

though I went off the Plaquenil because I couldn't stand it. No pain now and

getting the Prednisone down 1 mg a week, but need long-term help.

Is there any encouragement out there?

Jan