Q: what meds are you on to make you pain free and able to function easier
Hi, Lenni,
I don't know anyone who is pain free, but I do know most of us are able to function if/when we find the right med combo. For instance, I take MTX, Celebrex, Lexapro and Tramadol for pain, as well as a low dose of prednisone. These meds allow me to function at work, but by the weekend, I am totally exhaused, and I sleep my weekend away. So, I am starting Humira next week. The Tramadol helps a lot with my pain, but I am hoping I can cut down on this pain med if/when the Humira starts to work. What pain meds do you take? Do you feel your RA is controlled?
Blessings,
V
I agree with Miss V. I have learned years ago, That although I may have days here and there when I feel like Superwoman, completely pain free for me is not an option. Depending on the severity of your RA or whichever Autoimmune Disease you have, you may be able to come very close to something some of us only wish for. Many of us take a large cocktail of meds while others are okay with just a couple. My cocktail is Arava, Prednisone, Simponi Inj., Cymbalta, rx grade Vit.D., Norco, neurontin and zanaflex. Plus BP meds and tummy meds. The list is actually a lot longer than that but those are my for my RA, OA, Fibro, Nerve Damage and DDD. The others are for depression and anxiety.
At any rate, if you are a Veteran like some of us are, you can get by with maybe 2 or 3 meds.
I am a true believer in Mind over Matter as well. I get up and leave my house when I wake up on those days when the pain is bad. I will push past it all and enjoy my life. Basically the key is to keep the pain, in the background as a low hum. When it starts screaming and cannot be ignored, do not ignore it. Take your meds and rest.
Hope this helps.
Hey Miss V!! I have missed ya.
Humira did not work for me, but I hear it works for a lot of people including Lene. It messed my bloodcounts up, remember? Simponi works for me, so did Enbrel (for about 6 yrs). However Simponi only lasts about 3 weeks. let's just say I don't have to mark the day on the calendar, my body tells me when the shot is due.
All things are the same here. I have been officially dx'd with a damaged femoral nerve and may pretty much never get the feeling in my left leg back. The peripheral nerve in that leg was also damaged however it is slowly healing. Thank god for small miracles cuz otherwise I would have no control over the leg at all. I am learning to deal with the limited control I have now.
As far as the back, I just had and ESI (epidural steroid injection) done Wednesday. Helped a lot for the lower back pain and made me feel like superwoman for about 3 days. Things are slowly going back to their normal status, but I enjoys a few days of nicey nice. (Oh and it did nothing for the SI joint pain, so poo). I have another injection in 2 weeks and a 3rd 2 weeks after that. If that doesn't help then we discuss drastic measures. Oh and I have to go get an MRI of the cervical spine as well. My right arm has been asleep since July 3rd and I am about to chop it off myself with a butter knife.
I have a new shrink.. And I am beginning to come out of my hole as you can tell. Maybe you will see me around a bit more.
How are you doing lately? Ya know you can email me if you are thinking about me.
See ya,
Ronie
I always think about you, Ronnie! I'm glad you have one nerve that is sort of working in your leg and that the shots are helping your back a bit. I'm sorry to hear that Humira is the drug that messed up your blood counts for so long. Are they okay now? How long did you take Humira, Ronie? I took my first shot yesterday. I hope it works for me with no bad side effects! How is the gimp squad?
V
3 months on Humira. 6 years on Enbrel. So far almost a year on Simponi.
Humira is working great for Lene and many others. How it works great for you.
Gimp squad is great. We are on the go, and won't let each other waller in the pity pool.
The Gimp Squad should get T-Shirts! How many members to you have now?
Have a good weekend, my friend,
V
I use Humira. I give myself a shot under the skin every 2 weeks. I have found Humira to be more convenient to me. I was on Remicade and got tired of wasting the better part of a day waiting for the IV drip to complete not to mention being slammed by the Benodryl they make you take with it. I stopped Methotrexate and Prednisone after about a year. I still have some pain and stiffness in the morning, but I have found that exercise helps out a lot. Brisk walks especially help my feet. Lifting weights helps my hands. Additionally, playing a musical instrument that uses your hands (e.g. Guitar, Piano, etc.) seems to help as well.
Celebrex supported with Prednisone during occasional flare ups.
I take Plaquenil, methotrexate, and fish oil (6 grams) daily. My RA is well controlled with this regimen. On the rare occasions that I have pain, I usually take a low dose naproxen.
Well, Enbrel for 12 years, methotrexate for a couple of years, Tramadol, Plaquenel, and LOTS of big ibuprofen. Still not pain free and managing for the most part. As a teacher, with school starting again, I am not as pain free as I was when my schedule was my own. Tonight my hips will barely let me move! What do you all do about your feet? When I wake in the a.m. it is like walking on knives!!! I have really good shoes for the cement floors that I stand on all day, but my feet haven't ever been this bad. Any ideas or advice would be great. I am thinking that the Enbrel may not be working as well as I think.
I am sorry about your feet, but I have found that no matter what, I have to have socks on my feet due to the pain I feel in the bottoms when walking. The only time I take off the socks is in bed, but I sleep with an electric blanket to help soothe the joint pain to sleep. (It kicks off after 3 hours and I can generally tell right away. lol ) Even in the middle of summer I have the blanket on and because I can't sleep when hot, I have my air set at 70, and it will cause me to ache after a while if I don't get up and move, but I can't handle being hot during the day, but I have to be toastie in bed. lol
I hope this helps you...
My meds cocktail used to consist of methotrexate, plaquenil, savella (for Fibro as Lyrics started reacting after about 9 months, as well as Cymbalta and Neurontin) 2 narcotics and 2 muscle relaxers (for different times of day), and melatonin to help me sleep.
I stopped the methotrxate and plaquenil as they weren't working and found a Rheumie who prescribed Humira. It did help, however I haven't been on it for 5 months and my body is definitely getting even...I just moved to a different state so I haven't been able to get a Rheumie appointment until January 30th. But I plan to get back on the Humira. I was also taking steroids for about 4 months last year, only to gain 40 pounds in 4 1/2 months, so I stopped those and just used the Humira and it did help.
Hope this helps....
I am on MTX and Humira which keeps me fairly pain free. Also take Mobic when aching. I am more concerned about joint problems as toes are slowly spreading out and one is on top of the other. I thought about looking into prozolone theray but would like some feedback on this. Has anyone used this as it is supposed to stop joint destrruction.
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Hi, Ronie!
I am starting my Humira Tuesday. I take my MTX on Fridays, so I thought Tuesday would be a good day for my first shot. It is in the fridge awaiting me. So...how are you doing? Keep your fingers crossed Humira works for me. I had a choice between Humira or Simponi. I chose Humira. Does Simponi work well for you? How is your hip/back?
V