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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Do I move up my appt.?

TWGarrett
TWGarrett
I started back seeing a GP I haven't seen since I have been dx with RA and Fibro. I went 2 weeks ago and he put me on prednisone which has made a major difference. However, my hands,fingers,wrist,feet and ankles are swollen and knotted up . They feel tender and bruised to the touch. He wants me back in a month. I have an appt. for June 15th. Now the reason for my question. Last night I stood up and went to take a step and I couldn't put any weight on my right ankle. The left one was very tender and weak but the right one felt like if I tried to put weight on it it would snap into. It was really scary. All I could think about was "Will I be able to walk tomorrow?" Fortunantly, I was able to walk this morning. I know it could happen again any time and without warning.
I read about braces but know nothing about them. Plus, I have learned, for disability reasons I need the doctor to prescribe any type of assistance. Should I wait until June 15th or do I call and move up my appt.? I am eager to hear what you all recommend I do. Thanks in advance. Love and hugs, Terri
bcatz
bcatz
Will this doctor prescribe some RA medication? Prednisone can only help so much. Can this doctor prescribe methotrexate and do monthly blood work for you? I remember the dilemma you had leaving your old doctor.

If this one can get you on ANY RA med, which takes months to work, then yes, I'd get a jump start.
TWGarrett
TWGarrett
Thank you for your reply bcatz. The RA Research I am in has me on mtx and actemra. I have been on them for about 15 months. I take 4 mtx pills every Mon. and then I get an infusion once a month for the actemra. I was up to 8 pills but the side effects were so bad they cut me back to 4.
The doctors office called regarding putting me on Voltarin I explained what happened last night the best I could. She is going to see if he wants me to come in sooner. I'll keep ya'll updated. Hugs, Terri
deleted_user
deleted_user
I think I would go in anyway. I would think, from disability viewpoint that is you could wait two weeks for treatment, then was that treatment necessary? i do not know if this is how they think. So this is just opinion.
I have used braces though, and they can be a great help. One has to be very careful not to overuse them. The muscles will get weaker if you wear them too much, and then you will have to wear them, and have to exercise or have PT until you can go without them again.
Hope it doesn't happen again! It is very painful when that happens!