<s>[INST] Hello Doctor, I am a SLE patient and taking steroid for the past 3 years. But I was always getting pain and tiredness, So I looked alternate medicine and met an acupuncturist. He asked me to stop steroid immediately since then i am taking acupuncture treatment for twice a week for the last 4 months. but I could see the same symptoms what i was having before taking steroid (3 years ago). It looks steroid pains are better than acupuncture. Will it be any difficulties for start taking steroid? ( I took treatment in PIMS Hospital, Pondichery which is 200 km far from my home town tiruvannamalai, the doctors who treated me are all left from the hospital and No rhumotologist is there right now. Also i am from financially weaken family and not able to met SLE specialist from BIG hospital). Should i take steroid myself? Please recommand Thanks in advance, Vanitha [/INST] HI thanks for using Chat Doctor. Steroids is the best treatment of your problem SLE.it is indicated in SHE.as you have stopped taking steroids due to the alternate medicines, you should first meet the rheumatologist or at least general physician, to restart the medicines again. You have to undergo the series of blood tests especially sugar levels, renal function tests, Sr electrolytes, ultrasound abdomen, cardiac evaluation, chest x-ray. Treatment under medical supervision is better.at least you can visit once for confirming the treatment. Take care. </s>