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...
I have not been able to work since diagnosis in DEC. Hips and back hurt too much. After six mths on plaque nil prednisone and methotrexate I finally had a reprieve. My hips didn't hurt. Two wks went by and I starred applying for another job. Third WK i et w rheumy and asked if I could cut back on pred. He said half it. I did and got the hip pain back. Upped the pred. Back to ten mg. Found a job and before I could start it my feet and ankles swelled. And I was/am in pain all over. Fatigue is bad....fluish feeling. I start my job Tues. And I have felt like crap. Clearly my disease is active. ?? Biologic? Or wait for meds I am on to help? Try to tough it out at work? Or AIT defeat and go for disability. I don't know......my rheumy is good but man of few.words.....any advice?
Good luck with whatever decision you make. I know it's a tough one, but we're here if you need us! :)
If you have been on 10 mg. of pred for more than a few days, dropping to 5 mg. with no intermediate cuts is a big drop, and probably did make you feel craptacular. It also showed you, though, the extent to which prednisone is masking symptoms, not relieving them. If you want to know about joint damage, see if your doctor will request high-quality imaging.
As far as applying for disability goes, my hunch is that they would laugh in your general direction if you hadn't already tried a number of biologics before applying. Save that one for later, unless you have other, contributing factors.
Work: what's the story there? Is it absolutely imperative that you work? A good thing but no one will starve if you don't? Something you enjoy and want to do? What does your job require physically: remaining upright in a chair and operating a pencil, or moving and lifting 75 lb. loads? All those things make a difference.
Thank you so much for pulling out what I was asking and answering them with specifics. My mind gets tangled up with all this and I forget what I am writing! So, sounds like 1. Biologic 2. Change work from the being on your feet and lifting people to something sitting. 3. Not time for disability yet.4. Scanning needs to be requested. 5. Prednisone is masking symptoms. You have all helped me to navigate thru this disease process. Thank you..