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I Have Been Having Bouts Of Anxiety That Leave Me

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Posted on Tue, 19 Mar 2019
Question: I have been having bouts of anxiety that leave me feeling that I won't recover . The medications which had been effective for almost a decade provide little relief. The concern I have is that my SLE, Diagnosed in 2017, is affecting my brain now, as it has my kidneys, lungs, & other systems . Lupus fog is the least of my fears. I feel psychotic ....totally confused and scared and fear people. My rheumatologist thinks I'm joking an/or dismisses them. How could the mercurial and exhausting illness NOT reek havoc on my preexisting mental health issues? I had an episode during which I couldn't remember what coins were for! Paranoia , moodiness , confusions are lately my steady companions. I moved and must find new psychiatric care but i'm feeling hopeless, untethered, and fearful. If 2 yrs of prednisone is responsible , how could I know? My SLE requires steroids, but they've been awful .
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Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
These are most likely due to anxiety only.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for using ask a doctor service

I can understand your problem. First of all I'd like to tell you that the problems you are having are part of anxiety and are not really psychotic issues. SLE sometimes in late course is known to result in mood symptoms and cognitive decline. But that doesn't mean that each and every individual will develop such mental issues. Full blown psychosis is rare and is not common.

You are on steroids too and these too are known to worse mood symptoms. Individuals develop depressive symptoms which further complicates the illness. You are 47 and are doing good. Try to remain relaxed, slight cognitive issues or mood symptoms should be ignored completely. These could be there independent of SLE. You have anxiety for mental issues and also due to chronic SLE which is expected because of chronicity of illness. Try to stay calm and you will not develop any serious mental issue. If you feel anxiety is uncontrollable then try to get an appointment from a psychiatrist.

Thanks and Take care

Please let me know if you have more doubts.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

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Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5192 Questions

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I Have Been Having Bouts Of Anxiety That Leave Me

Brief Answer: These are most likely due to anxiety only. Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for using ask a doctor service I can understand your problem. First of all I'd like to tell you that the problems you are having are part of anxiety and are not really psychotic issues. SLE sometimes in late course is known to result in mood symptoms and cognitive decline. But that doesn't mean that each and every individual will develop such mental issues. Full blown psychosis is rare and is not common. You are on steroids too and these too are known to worse mood symptoms. Individuals develop depressive symptoms which further complicates the illness. You are 47 and are doing good. Try to remain relaxed, slight cognitive issues or mood symptoms should be ignored completely. These could be there independent of SLE. You have anxiety for mental issues and also due to chronic SLE which is expected because of chronicity of illness. Try to stay calm and you will not develop any serious mental issue. If you feel anxiety is uncontrollable then try to get an appointment from a psychiatrist. Thanks and Take care Please let me know if you have more doubts.