Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

NC Granny, I was on enbrel for 1-1/2 years and then began to have lots of trouble with sinuses. Tried it again 7 months later and had extreme sinusitis/sinus infection. Some from upper respiratory virus and lots from enbrel. I did, however, do very well with pain with enbrel.That is why my rheumy decided I should try simponi which is also a tnf.

Trying to get better so can try soon before RA rears it's ugly head again. So far no pain-I'm like looking around the corner for it to come.

Went to gp yesterday, she put me on a sulfur anti-biotic for UTI and any possible left over from upper respiratory sinus infection. Also increased lisinopril to 20mg twice a day.

Really need to get off this prednisone so much blood sugar will go back to normal. Just hope simponi will hold off RA long enough to do some good.

If the tnf's are the problem, have you considered orencia. Lots of people on board including 51 percent seem to really like it.

51 percent, How are you? When is your surgery? And I am sending very happy thoughts to you for recovering.

Thanks Wendy...surgery is Monday.

Can't wait to get it over with so I can go back on my meds! I too take 20mgs of lisinopril twice a day...has done a good job for me with almost no side effects.

good luck with the BP drugs.................Jenny

Used to take Benicar, but don't need it any more. Diet and exercise. You hear how good it is for just about everything, and I think it's true. Cured my bloopd rpessure problems, cured my cholesterol problems, vured my blood sugar problems. Eat a good diet and try to exercise, and throw those pills away. Wait, better check with your doctor first. But seriously. I used to have all those problems and I quit eating sugar and bread and white starches, and started exercising a lot, and it also keeps my weight good. I know it's tough for some people, me included sometimes, to do a lot of it, but think about it and give it a whirl when you get a chance.

Pain causes your blood pressure to rise, so it makes sense that chronic pain would contribute to chronic high blood pressure.

I have a friend who has dealt with Chronic hip arthritis for over 9 years, getting multiple cortisone injections until finally she found a doctor who realized she desperately needed a hip replacement. The day after her surgery even though she had pain from the surgery itself, the chronic hip pain was gone and her chronic high blood pressure went away too. She now no longer need bp meds that she took for years. So maybe getting an answer to the pain may help you not require the change in bp meds or dosage. Something else for thought anyway.