Lupus Awareness Month - Day 22💜 — Treating Nerve Pain and Neurological Issues in Lupus

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Today, I treated the day like it was Saturday. As a solopreneur working on a budding program, I work pretty much every day. By Friday, I usually feel drained, so today, I let myself sleep in.

Even though that meant juggling a few things and sending this Day 22 email a little later than usual, I didn’t feel that dragging heaviness that usually sets in on Thursday evenings. I’ll let you know if this strategy worked tomorrow 😊💗💗💗

Now let’s talk about anticonvulsants and lupus.

What Are Anticonvulsants?

Anticonvulsants are medications most commonly used to treat seizures. But in people with lupus, they’re also used to manage neurological symptoms like nerve pain, cognitive dysfunction, and even mood instability caused by lupus’s effects on the brain and nervous system.

Why Are They Used in Lupus?

Lupus can cause neurological issues, especially in cases of neuropsychiatric lupus. This can show up as:

✔️ Seizures

✔️ Chronic nerve pain or tingling

✔️ Mood disturbances

✔️ Cognitive issues like confusion or brain fog

In these cases, anticonvulsants can help calm overactive nerve signals and reduce symptoms.

Common Anticonvulsants Used in Lupus

• Gabapentin (Neurontin) – often used for nerve pain
• Pregabalin (Lyrica) – another option for nerve pain
• Valproic acid – sometimes used for mood or seizure control
• Carbamazepine or Lamotrigine – for more complex neurological symptoms

These are typically taken orally and may be used alone or with other medications in a lupus treatment plan.

Side Effects to Know

Side effects can vary depending on the medication, but may include:

• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Dizziness or coordination issues
• Weight changes
• Mood changes or irritability
• Interactions with other medications (always important to discuss with your provider)

💜 Where We Are With Fundraising

We’ve now raised $3,072.55, and I’m truly grateful for your continued support! Every donation, share, and conversation helps us keep raising awareness and expanding the support available for people with lupus.

We’re continuing this effort through May 30, and I’m honored to keep showing up each day.

👉🏽 https://linke.to/2025lupuswalk

xoxo

Jowanna

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📧 Email: [email protected]