I have been diagnosed with RA - yet have some questions from all of you

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Sat, July 21, 2007

At Christmas Dec. 2006 I was told I have RA from a rheumatologist, I started out with the flu like symtoms and pressure points all over my body and most noticably the extreme fatigue. My right hand and index finger were severely painful by May of 2007 my right shoulder began giving me problems and I couldn't move my arm over my head and also have been continuously experiencing extreme fatigue. I changed RA doctor due to marriage and relocation. The new doctor gave steriod shots in the AC joint and around the rotary cuff also did ultra sound at the time. She recommended seeing a physical therapist for 2 months. At this time I have completed the therapy, but did not receive a certificate of graduation for the therapy. It helped the motion but have not been relieved from the pain in the AC joint. They recommended a MRI or surgery.

I have two questions one: Due to the constant pain, what pain reliever works best for all of you. I try to stay active but the pain and fatigue make it impossible some days. Currently I am taking Tramadol, Skelaxin , and a very good husband.

I haven't been working since mid April and I'm sure I could not have keep up the 8 to 5. My other question is how long does a flare last it seems I have damage to the right side of my body, or will this continue to leave pain where ever it decides to touch.

I would be encouraged to know the process the disease normally takes. I am also currently taking 12.5 mg of methotrexate. Thank you all for the info.

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Comes Wisdom

7/27/07 12:53am

hi, sorry to hear about your physical difficulties. I was diagnosed in June 2000 with RA and I think that getting a really good rheumatologist who is familiar with the newer clinical protocols for diagnosis and treatment is really important. You may have to be pretty proactive with your RA doctor by knowing about the current treatment regimens, particularly the new biogentic drugs, such as enbrel or remicade(there are several others), where they are getting better results with using one of the biogentic drugs along with methotrexate.

Flare ups generally are shorter in duration and are intermittent with longer periods where your symptoms are well managed. When that isn't happening generally that means that the current drug regiman needs to be evaluated.

Since I was diagnosed I have had to use a non-steroid anti-inflammatory, celebrex, every day in addition to the enbrel which I was using exclusively for the first six years and about six months ago I had to add in methotrexate because the enbrel wasn't working as well anymore.

Hope this helps a little bit. Good luck. I know what it's like to try to find the right drug cocktail that manages the symtoms and fatigue. It takes time and a sometimes, trial and error.

Dianne

8/ 7/07 10:19pm

I, too, am sorry for your diagnosis. I was dignosed in July 2006. I believe that flare ups differ for different people. No one's disease is the same as another's. It took about 10 months for me to begin treatment, other than symptom relief, because I have a coexisting kidney problem called interstitial nephritis and elevated creatinine, for which we can find no cause. But, finally I am taking Humira, twice monthly. It by itself, however, wasn't working as well as it should, so I've just added Prednisone for temporary and immediate pain relief, plus a drug called Sulfasalzine (which is supposed to be similar to Methotrexate, but not so rough on the kidneys). Anyway, it's been hard for me to recognize a flare pattern, because I have pain every day. I have a pretty aggressive disease. But, with this new combination, I'm hoping for the best.

Good luck on your quest for relief. Let's hope a cure is found!

marshallistic

8/14/07 7:35am

I know how it is when you can see all the energy in your self slipping away. And even when i cant turn the knob of the door or tap, it hurts the soul within.... But all i can say is BE STRONG! Have faith in yourself and everything else that you believe in... Dont let this get the better of you.... Thank God that you have another day to wake up to (though in pain)... I have been doagnoised with RA 1 month ago now... its so painful, but i try to be happy. I am working 8-5. I dont know whether it will get better or worse, but i prepared for anything that will come my way.

Take supplement vitamins, folic acid, etc... to feel energetic. Get an opinion from another doctor if you have to....

Good luck!

tata

8/14/07 10:27am

Hi Shirley....thank you for your support. I have been a diabetic for 35 yeas and have lived a very healthy life and thankful the Lord has taken such good care of me over the years. The RA is much different because it limits my mobility. I am glad to be given a new day each day. And hopefully it will be one of the GOOD days.

Bless you...tata

I have been diagnosed with RA - yet have some questions from all of you

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