What is Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is traditionally considered a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. It is a disabling and painful ...
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I Am At A Total Loss!!
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My RA is getting worse. I have been on Enbrel sureclick for about a year now. This last month I have started having hand flares, knees, back, ankles, etc. etc. I went to my RA doctor again. I really dread going to her, she is a great doctor but has no people skills at all. She won't let me ask questions, she asks me a question and if I go "outside" of this questions, she just interupts me. I am looking for a another RA doc. I had a question about the probiotics I am on and that they may be causing my RA to flare, but before I could ask, she told me "not to bring that discussion to her office, that she didn't believe in that crap!!"
Anyway, my last visit to her was November 5. I wanted to talk to her about all my pain and swelling. She did this exam, like she always does, and said that my joints in my hands were inflammed and swollen....well duh I knew that. I am so stiff and in pain in the mornings now I can hardly get out of bed. I don't want to go on and on, but in the end, she said my Enbrel was not working. She is going to put me on Humira. Then she gave me prescriptions for: Methotrexate, 2.5mg, 6 tabs once a week, all at once, prednisone, 5 mg, once a day, Etodolac ER (Lodine XL 400 mg) once a day. The thing is, she didn't say how or when to take all these meds. Do I take them in the morning, in the evening? Should I take the methotrexate one day and then all the others on a different day? And I had always heard that prednisone should be taken in a slow manner, working your way up to whatever mg you are prescribed?? This is just one 5mg per day. Oh, and Vicodan for pain!! I am so sorry this has been so long, but I am so confused at this point and in so much pain, I don't know what to do anymore. Any advice, help, tips would be very much appreciated. Posted on 11/09/09, 12:11 am |
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Hi Rusty, sounds like your RA doctor needs to be your ex doctor and she sounds very rude to say the least. The prednisone is a low dose and it is usually tapered like 5 mg then when you should be coming off some doctors will have you take it once every other day athen maybe go down to 2.5 mg then stop. The MTX can be taken with other meds, but just be mindful that it may cause some hair thinning or falling out. The Humira and Enbrel can be and is better absorbed if injected in the abdomen. It also is less painful there. Good luck with finding a new Rheumatologist and hope you feel better soon. 
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Rusty, what a frustration! Does your RA doc have a staff nurse? I'd recommend talking to him/her if she does. They're often the easiest to get ahold of, and for question like yours, should have straightforward answers. When I'm sick w/a cold, or feel off, I typically speak w/my RA docs nurse, first. Just a stop-gap measure while you find a new doc, but hopefully it will help. Lisa
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Thank you Christine and Lisa. Thanks for the advice. I am looking for a new RA doc and did talk to the person who works with my now RA doc, she is the one who calls insurance companies for approval of injectables, etc. and also does the infusions. She called me back today and I got alot of my questions answered. Very helpful and I am starting to feel a bit better today. My pain is about 50% less than it was. Things are looking up. Thank you both for taking the time to respond to my questions! :0) Oh, and just what I need, hair loss and weight gain!! LOL
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I am sorry that Enbrel did not work for you, me either. As far as the rest of the medications, you really need to clarify with the doc how you should be taking the meds. The Prednisone should not need to be titrated from that dose, since you are not going any higher. Wish you good luck,
Heather
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Thanks, Heather. I did talk to the nurse about the prednisone and the way to take it. She said it is such a low dose that it is fine they way it was prescribed. Was the Enbrel replace for you? If so, what are you on now?
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What kind of doctor is that? It's a wonder anyone goes to her at all. First of all I think you need to find another doctor ...quick one that will be able to help you adjust your medicine. I have never taken Humira so I don't know anything about it. I do take MTX. I take 6mg a week. 4 mg in the morning right after breakfast and 2 mgs at night after dinner. The dr. told me it would be better to take my mtx on a different day from my enbrel shots. I wish you well. Take care.
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Hi
My dr. told me to split the dose of mtx, 3 tabs in the AM, 3tabs in the pm, to lessen side effects. Also, take it with food, so it won't upset the stomach. Good luck finding a dr. that is more sympathetic. I'm on pred, mtx, plaquanil, and starting enbrel myself and hope to get off prednisone soon if enbrel works.
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PS, I forgot to add that you need to be on folic acid if you are on mtx to lessen side effects. Did your doctor tell you that?
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Rusty: I am so sorry to hear ahout all of your pain. I am on MTX. I agree with Bizzycat taking the folic acid helps with the side effects from MTX. I take 5 - 2.5mg of MTX once a week. My RA doctor has recommended I take 6mg Folic acid the day before, the day of and the day after I take MTX. Increasing the folic acid has helped me alot. I agree with everyone, you need another RA doctor. I wish you the best.
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Thanks everyone for your ideas and encouragement. Caspiana, this "doctor" is supposedly one of the best RA doctors in my area. But before I went to her, my GP told me she had a lousy "bedside manner". Well, I had no idea. Amazing though, she has alot of patients. I do take folic acid, 800mcg. She didn't tell me how or when to take it. Same with the mtx. I take 6 mtx Mondays, morning after breakfast. She did not tell me how or when to take those either. I am actively searching for a new doctor. I will try your scedule, bizzycat, for taking the mtx. Wish me luck!! :0)
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