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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Donnarae 02/26/2013

Well, I upped my dosage of prednisone for 2 days to 7.5 and helped a bunch... yesterday the weather was really nice and warmer here in Virginia... so I took just 5mg... today, it is cold/damp/rainy and my hands are horrible! I only have a few pills left and will call the dr. to see if she will refill prescription. As I'm so new at this, a question or two again please. She put me on plaquenil (400mg) as felt I had a mild case affecting hands only. I have read that plaquenil can take a few months to start working. For those of you who took it, did you notice results over time? Took anything else with it? Didn't work at all? I hate to pester the dr. but my left hand is pretty much useless. I had a massage today and she worked on my fingers a bunch... didn't really help. I do think that the weather is affecting me also... does it bother you or is that more of an OA problem? Thanks so much.... I don't have anybody around here to talk to about this and some people have NO sympathy!! Thanks again, Donna

GrammyKat 02/26/2013

Donna,

I am not much of an expert on this. Still learning too. But I have been on Plaquenil for a few months, and yes, it did take time to work. I am currently taking Prednisone as well. I believe that the weather does affect us. I find with my doctor that he wants to know what is going on if it is different or a change. I send him an email and that way I don't have to try and remember everything for the time when I see him.
I am sorry that you have no one to talk to about this. I hope you will think of the people on this board as friends. We are all here to help.
Blessings,
Kathy

WarriorGal 02/26/2013

I was on Plaquinel too long to remember but many RA meds take six weeks to kick in.

I am not fond of your doctor declaring you have a mild case that is affecting only your hands. Is he/she a rheumatologist?

I would seek a second opionion. I thought the general thinking today is to treat RA aggressively to avod permanent criplling and deformities, especially of the hands.

deleted_user 02/27/2013

I was on plaquenil for almost 6 yrs...It did help and I had to go for eye exams to be sure it was not doing any harm... I opted off of it and I am now on Meloxicam...both worked well, except I had to up the amt of mtx by .02 ml,,, and so far it is working well..

Rass.. your right the first thing my rhuemmy said was ..We have to treat this agressively...

Donnarae 02/27/2013

Yes, I am seeing a rheumatologist.. my primary care recommended her when my bloodwork showed a 'mild RA factor' reading. I think because mine was coming and going and not severe... she had opted for this course, BUT she did say that if not helped, we would move on. Today, I really good! Warmer weather, sun is shining... I didn't take any prednisone since yesterday morning, so will do a wait and see. I'm hoping that the plaquenil will kick in soon. My friend has been on it for about 7 years with really good results... thanks all.

littlemac 02/27/2013

Hi Donnarae, I use to take Plaquanil along with Methotrexate and Sulfazine and could not tell which one really made the difference. I would still get flares. I left hand has been pretty much useless too. Sorry hon, I feel for you.
(((Gentle hugs))) and hope you feel better soon.

bigiblue 03/01/2013

When i was first dx i had flares in my hands that i tod my hubby to get an axe and chopp them off. Then i was put on 40mg of pred and like a miracle it went away. I was on pred the mtx and pred. The wraning off from pred is the hardest on you. You have to do it slowly and wean down. I have been on enbrel for the last 3 years and just recently took some pred againstarted with 15,for 5 days then 10 for 5 days then 5for 5days. Your dr. Should hsve put you on biologics already. Mine said the faster we treat it aggressive the better chance to halt the deformity. Also keep in mind when you have ra you also have or will eventually get oa.
Bigi

deleted_user 03/01/2013

It took about six weeks for me to see any improvement on Plaquenil. My doctor recently added sulfasalazine, too, but my inflammation levels (and pain) were still extremely high, so today she replaced the sulfasalazine with Methotrexate and folic acid. She's also had me on 5,000 units of vitamin D3 since I was diagnosed. I can attest that it has helped my immune system somewhat (though probably not the RA) since I have only had one cold since starting it two years ago! Before that I stayed sick all winter.

I think you're right about the weather playing a role in the pain. When it's cold my pain and stiffness skyrocket! I'm sorry you're having such a hard time; I understand how frustrating it can be!

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