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...
hi everybody,
I'm in the midst of a pretty nasty flare, that has been going on for about a month now. I had cortisone injections in both shoulders this week, which has definitely helped them some, but my hands/wrists/elbows/knees/hips are still having trouble, with heat and swelling. My rheumatologist just raised my Remicade dose and scheduled the next dose early, so when I have it next week it will only be four weeks since the last one (I usually go six weeks betweeen infusions). Anyway, to get to my question- she told me to call if I was still doing poorly, and she would add Solu-Medrol, a steroid, into my infusion. I am usually very reluctant to take prednisone, for all the usual reasons. I would be willing to take the steroid this time, though, in hopes of having a more pleasant holiday. However, my in-laws will be in town, and I need to be on my best behavior and not having "roid rages"!
Have any of you had steroids added to an infusion? Did you notice any difference in the side effects, given that it's one big burst of medicine versus the daily dose with prednisone in pill form?
Thanks for any advice,
Caren
I'm in the midst of a pretty nasty flare, that has been going on for about a month now. I had cortisone injections in both shoulders this week, which has definitely helped them some, but my hands/wrists/elbows/knees/hips are still having trouble, with heat and swelling. My rheumatologist just raised my Remicade dose and scheduled the next dose early, so when I have it next week it will only be four weeks since the last one (I usually go six weeks betweeen infusions). Anyway, to get to my question- she told me to call if I was still doing poorly, and she would add Solu-Medrol, a steroid, into my infusion. I am usually very reluctant to take prednisone, for all the usual reasons. I would be willing to take the steroid this time, though, in hopes of having a more pleasant holiday. However, my in-laws will be in town, and I need to be on my best behavior and not having "roid rages"!
Have any of you had steroids added to an infusion? Did you notice any difference in the side effects, given that it's one big burst of medicine versus the daily dose with prednisone in pill form?
Thanks for any advice,
Caren
I think it is important for you to kick this flare-up right now sweetie. Especially with the holidays so near, stress can contribute even more to an already existing flare-up. & it sounds like the flare-up you are currently experiencing is very severe indeed. There is no reason to make yourself suffer, but of course I understand your reluctantcy to be on that particular medication. For me the only thing I noticed when I'm on it is I do seem slightly hyper sometimes, like suddenly I am super woman & can accomplish 500 things in a single day.
You might want to ask you Dr. if you could be put on it for just a couple of weeks or even only a week. You would be tapered anyways & then you could see how your body reacts while also helping to kick the flare. Just a suggestion. I personally believe when you're having a flare-up for a long time (different for everyone, you know your body) & the flare-up is severe... you really should try to do everything to be rid of it.... it could cause more damage if not dealt with.
Hope this helps:)
HUGS
XXX