Flare ups are an increase in lupus activity causing more or worse symptoms. Often flares cause very bad (often debilitating) pain in joints and muscles and extreme fatigue. Sadly, they can also cause organ damage, depending on how lupus is affecting you. Everyone is different, so we all experience flares differently. For most people, flares are much worse than what you describe, so you are fortunate. The goal is to reduce the frequency and severity of the flares. Drugs such as plaquenil do this. Cold weather, changes in weather, infections, physical truma or surgery and stress can be triggers for flares so it is good to minimize exposure to these if possible. Hope your foot feels better soon! Best to get it checked out by a doctor.

You will find out then. To get ready for your first appointment, make a list of all your questions and a list of all your medications and your symptoms. That way you won't forget anything. Sometimes it is helpful to have another family member or friend go with you to your first visit because a lot of information will be coming at you and you may not remember what the doctor says. Unless you have just had some, you will likely be sent for bloodwork and urinalysis. Good luck at your appointment!

I'm seeing a rheumatologist in a couple weeks. I don't even know which lupus I have.