So sorry you are having a hard time, anyway you can stop working so those days you cannot walk you can just stay at home? I know sometimes that is not an option but could it? I take morphine and love my heating pad when I can get the cat off of it, take care, I hope you day goes better. What kind of dog do you have, I have a 12 year old bordercollies/lab mix, and even at her age she still has crazy energy, but she still gets me out, and I try to focus on her when the pain is too much.

Anyway you can call your Dr and ask for a prescription for a Predisone burst? If not I would definitely ask him/her about about putting a running script out there for you so that when it is really really bad you can do a burst! I rarely do the narcotic pain meds sometimes the anti inflammatory like Ibuprofen and Aleve work better.... When I was really bad I was doing 800mg Ibuprofen every 4 hrs that was helping give it a try. I am on a daily predisone and MTX 1x per week it was keeping me mobile but not %100 so I am now on Humira every 14 days.Just did my second injection and it already appears to be working. The worst of my pain was also in my hips and knees... Worth looking into at your next appt. I am hoping to get off the predisone at my next appt but it certainly does a good job of holding you over while you are looking for the right kind of tx. I hope it gets better for you....

I agree...I would call and let them know how bad you are and ask for some prednisone to help...God bless you and I hope you find some relief soon:)

How long have you been on the MTX?
If it's been 4months, you might want to get a biologic going with pain like that!

I go through the same issue of mobility being an issue, ankles, feet knees and at times even my hips. My GP always orders a burst immediately of prednisone when this type of flare hits. Within a couple of days I am getting better. Prednisone is the best for immediate relief, it has side effects you should be aware of if you haven't taken it before. The help exists and you shouldn't need to be immobilized and in pain without relief.
Best of luck!!!

Im so sorry Sharon. I've been like that before. I usually will start prednisone orally or get into the nurse for a shot.
Xoxo MLC.

Prednisone/Enbrel, that's all that has helped me.
Sue

Another tick for prednisone. Given you are on mtx surprised it not in there with other medications.

Have posted this before but one of my two rheumys (the private one) attended a conference a couple of years back where it thought there is something about mtx and prednisone - can be quite low dose - together which is effective in a way greater than the adding up would suggest.

Given I have just replied on a pain post however perhaps he was working on my mind to make me believe this! (Believing in our drugs seems to make them more effective?)

Your New Rheumy is unlikely to help until he has seen you, so you can try to talk to his nurse and see if she can work you in sooner, or call your GP and telling him you are switching drs and ask for some extra prednisone. I think he will be more likely to give it to you

my savings grace was a new RD upping my predinose to 40 mgs a day along with 17.5 mgs. of mtx per week- I went from a total invalid to standing & walking alone over night. It was a long wean off that dosage of prednisone but I made it. I improved so much on MTX alone my dr. did a trial of me being off MTX due to elevated liver enzymes and when I continued to be the same deemed I could stay off of it. It's been over a year off meds and I'm still pretty much as good off the meds as on. No- I don't feel 100% but I don't feel bad enough to be on toxic meds.

Pain meds never did a thing for my RA.. only prednisone.. I do take MTX.. Im not trying Humira.. I agree prednisone is the way to go and I am always prescribed a extra to take when I flare.. I dont take it daily

Today my feet hurt really bad. I'm afraid to take so much prednisone due to weight gain and other side effects. I will be starting orencia soon, I hope it helps. Enbrel and humira did nothing for me. I still was in pain and very swollen. I already take pain meds for my back(degenerative disc disease) I have had several surgery for that. But as they say we must trek on to find something that works.

Sharon,
I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I understand your situation, I can't just shut down my business either. I was in the same boat as you last year, couldn't hardly walk, move dress myself---all that stuff.
Call the new Dr. and see if you can get on a cancellation list, so you can get in sooner. Call you regular doc and see if he can't help with something!
Keep this in mind=You will be getting help soon, you will not be like this forever. Do the best you can one day at a time, things will improve.

One you have a fridge and micro in your office? Get. Gel packs in the freezer and a heating pack for the micro! Stay off your feet as much as possible. If you work at a counter, can you get I high stool to sit on? Get some good supportive shoes too.

I work at a huge united and some days had to walk half a mile to a meeting.... ooooo, not good memories, but I just walked slowly.

I'm at 22.5 mg mtx and take prednisone as needed. Usually every two weeks. Weaning off prednisone is hard as heck, but might out you at work.

Thank you everyone. I will ask my doc about predisone and like the ideas of ice and heat at work. I just bought a paraffin bath for my hands. I'll let everyone know if it helps. Hugs to All. You are angels.