Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Muscles & Bones
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What can I do ???

TWGarrett
TWGarrett
I am having a major flare up of what I suspect a combination of both RA and Fibro. I have no ins. so the soonest I can see a pain doctor I can afford is Oct. 26th . I thought that would be no problem but my feet feel shattard and I don't know what to do.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Are u already on any meds or seen another doc? If so, you might check for samples at the docs office.
TWGarrett
TWGarrett
I'm on 5 mg of prednisone once a day. I've been on them for maybe 6 days. I take Soma at night and can take 1 during the day if having muscle spasms. Cymbalta for the Fibro but I get them thru the mail and their late so I haven't had one since Sun.. The Free Clinic I go to is wonderful but cannot prescribe nothing more. They want me to see a Rhuemy but the clinic I see Oct. 26th will be the ones to refer me.
deleted_user
deleted_user
You may want to increase the Prednisone but call the Dr. that prescribed it first. Five mg is a pretty low dose. It may take more to relieve your pain/flare. I started with 20 mg daily a few years ago and now two years later am down to 2 mg daily....trying to get off it completely. Best wishes to you. I am sorry you are experiencing such pain with a long wait to see someone. Hugs.
LynnRivers
LynnRivers
Try 15 - 20 mg of the prednisone so you can take it several times through out the day. 5mg wears of very quickly (within hours) leaving you in pain. As long as you only do this for a short period of time it won't likely hurt you (less than three months). You may want to try a little Ibuprofen with lunch too, to get you through the afternoon.

Until you see a Rhuemy and get a diagnosis there is very little any other doctor can do for you. Not really sure why the doctors at the free clinic can't reffer you... I would ask again.

Understand though that masking your symptoms with prednisone may make your condition harder to diagnose. I would consider weaning off the prednisone at least three days before any doctors exam or blood work. Weaning by taking 5mg less each week until nothing. Do not stop it cold from a 15mg or 20mg dose you could experience dangerous side effects. Talk to your precribing doctor first.