If we must be outdoors, staying in the shade and wearing SPF 70 sunscreen, clothing, hats, etc., helps. Avoiding peak UV hours--roughly 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.- is important, too.

Indoors, LED lights are best for us because other types (fluorescent or incandescent) emit UV, too, and can worsen lupus. We can also get UV exposure through windows, so using blinds and curtains can help.

I'm sorry you had to stop the Benlysta, Patricia, and I hope your doctor has good suggestions.

Greetings, dear Lupies
It’s been awhile since I have been on the site. I’m still caregiver to my husband for his Parkinson’s and now beginnings of dementia. Lots of appointments too. I did the paperwork last week to get his VA going to help with his issues.
This message about Patricia10’s comment on Benlysta caught my attention! I take it. Only mine is injections. So, the beginning was paid for by my Insurance Financial Aid. Then suddenly it stopped, because of Gross Income. Not quite low enough to get them to pay for it. So now, I have to pay one half of what my insurance will pay. 859.50. The medication is about 5000.00. And then, it just went up another 32.00! 900.00! I can’t afford it. I tried to re- do the monthly budget, and it doesn’t fit in, no matter how I work it. GSK, from my understanding, will help, but not if you have a PPO. And their idea of helping with the cost is 25.00! A comment from Reddit.
I am stunned! Saphnelo is costly also. These are the only two. My RNA number last May was 17, very active, now in September, it is down to 7!
I have felt great improvement. But the cost……….
What now? My other treatments caused my IBS to worsen. Methotrexate.
Anyway, that’s my story, and I don’t know what else to do.
Donna 🙏

My skin was breaking out on my face and legs despite 100% coverage and avoiding the sun during 10 am -4 pm. It doesn't itch a lot but sometimes it can be a bear. I can't use anything on my skin except shea butter and vasoline. I was stopped on the placauinil and the `myfortic (cellucept). Plaquinil was doing a job on my eyes and the myfortic was making me depressed, dry mouth and poor appeitite. I am praying for you. I am now on nothing for Lupus. I do diet and don't overdo the exercise, no stress as I leave it all to God. I am not in a flare and I am confident that if I do flare He can handle it (God). God bless. Take care.

Sometimes you can get a discount on medication by contacting the pharmaceutical company directly. My husband has been able to do this with one of his diabetic medicines.