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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Lynnedz56
Lynnedz56
I hear a lot about this drug. And I am leary to take it..so my question is??? What have others experienced on this drug? Good..bad???? I do not want to be incapitated one day out of every week...I treasure my 2 days off and have LOTS of doctors to go to...can't afford to miss one more day. Please, I'd like to hear. I need all the facts before I start ONE more medicine.
thinksRAstinks
thinksRAstinks
I was leary too. I was down right frightened actually. The doctor gave me a hand out on it and it scared me.
I was so ill and in so much pain I finally knew I had no other choice.
I have had pretty good success on it with no troubles. The only thing was at first my hair seemed to be falling out but I started taking Biotin and it stopped. No tummy troubles, my liver is always fine when my blood tests come back. It makes me feel fatigued for a couple of days after I take it but not enough to stop me from carrying on my normal routine.
It's the most widely used drug for RA and it's been around over 25 years...
Best of luck to you!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Lynne, I've been on it for over 2 years. I had some minor nausea from the pills and switched to shots about 6 mos into it. I take it w/Plaquenil (enhances effect) and Folic Acid (decreases any potential side effects). My liver tests have always come out fine. The one minor issue I've had is if and when I get a cold, it lasts longer than they used to. Lisa
Bistro
Bistro
I can only speak for myself (everyone, as you know reacts differently).

For me, I take 6 pills once a week. I take it at night after dinner, and don't have the stomach problems some get. I did some at first, but not now. I will be honest, I am one of those who loses the next day and 1/2 to vertigo, mild flu-like symptoms, fatigue and just plain yuckies. But then, I also have weird dreams the night I take it too - so I've got other issues that come into play.

However ... for my RA ... I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! Fear not. Watch your liver numbers and everything will be just fine.
Lynnedz56
Lynnedz56
I am very sensitive to ALL medicines. And with my kidneys only functioning and 40%, pills stay in my system. I was given one medicine that was supposed to "help" me sleep...I slept 30 hours. I was given Lyrica..I could not stand up or do anything...felt like I was drugged 24/7. And I could not work like that. I do work and I have to work..I support myself..no other options. And I do NOT have much pain at all. I have lived most of my life with knee and back pain..(long story) and the plaquenil cuts most of it out. She is only going on my sed rate. Still think I need to have a long talk with my internist. She is the one who said I can't take a LOT of things. Nobody seems to think about my kidneys and everytime I ask the rheumotologist..she just says...no side affects...she just wants to dispense the drugs. I am not nearly as bad as most of you are. My shoulder has bothered me twice in one year. I had some hip pain, but it is referred from a leg I broke in 2001. And even that pain now that I've lost 43 pounds is MUCH better.