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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deanma
deanma
Hello... I am so thankful to have this site to go to when i am feeling over the top with everything. I have been on prednisone for 1 mth and plaquenil for 3 wks. I have joint pain 2/10 and i have lower back muscle spasms when i work, lifting patients. i have major fatigue as well. i have applied for an intermittant LOA and i have gone part time. My boss is upset because she instituted mandatory ON CALL and i explained i wouldnt be able to do on call nights. because of my health. I have been having some depression and i am not sure what to do. I want to get off the prednisone because of gaining wgt and other issues assoc. with prednisone. but not sure if he will recommend it just yet. i have my 3rd Rheumy appt tuesday. He is a man of few words, so i dont ask questions. i like him but i need to start asking him questions. i do not know why i am rambling on to you all. i just feel so frustrated, with feeling like crap and getting pressure from work to work more... anyway...i am thankful that it was caught early and i dont already have joint damage. thanks for listening. M
bcatz
bcatz
It's very possible that you will respond to treatment well. You are on an extremely mild DMARD with the plaquenil. You may find, like many (but not all) going to a biologic puts you back at full time and on call with no problem. Maybe even with another or a different regular DMARD.
annettearizona
annettearizona
Even if need be write your dr a note/letter and send it to him before you visit!
deanma
deanma
Thank u so much for the advice. I am laying here w back spasms and hip pain from work. I wonder if i should do LOA instead of intermittant LOA. Its hell getting thru a shift.
sammyo1
sammyo1
Oh boy lifting will do you in. The start of all my problems came from lifting. Spinal that is. RA followed & can't express how worried I am of how much the RA will impact my existing problems.
If I'd had RA first I would have been very fearful of lifting.
Don't get me wrong I get work is work & we don't always have a choice.
As far as your doctor goes yes write a list of questions down.
I've made a list copied it & gave one to the doctor.
I've found most this works great. As never fails I always walk out realizing I forgot to ask a question. I use to take an index card & between appointments & write anything down I think of.
I'm going to start using that method again.
Have to remember your paying this doctor to take the time to answer any questions you have.
Blessings, sammy
dd24
dd24
It can take up to 6 months for you to get the full benefit of plaquenil.
The combination of prednisone and plaquenil can help reduce your inflammation which in turn will help reduce the fatigue.....or that's what is has done for me.

I'm not 100% but I'm getting better.

Fax a list of concerns to your rheumy so he can read them and have answers before your appt....can't hurt. When I was thinking I needed to see a dr, I faxed a 5 page letter. The dr read it and had the nurse call me to set an appt.