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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stacey92 10/03/2016

I haven't posted in quite some time but lately I've been feeling pretty down with my RA and I always turn to this support group for some advice/pick me ups and stories!

I've been on Xeljanz since January..this is my 6th medication. It was a miracle worker for 2 months and then poof! It stopped working. I have been struggling so hard the past 6 months trying to stay positive. My doc put me back on methotrexate but it's not helping. Only thing that keeps be stable is prednisone. I have not been able to enjoy my day to day life because of the crippling pain I'm constantly in. I've been dealing with this on again off again, unpredictable pain all throughout my 20s so far and here I am at 24 still feeling hopeless.

Anyone know of some new medicines that have been released lately? Or have any advice for how to tame some of this awful swelling/stiffness/sharp pain? I've tried oils/juices/changing my diet/supplements/exercise...but nothing is giving me relief. :(

CountryGal22 10/03/2016

I am sorry stacey92 that nothing is giving you relief :( Sure sounds like you have tried a lot of things. I hope you can find something to safely help you soon!! I am no good on the meds recommendations. I am too allergic to them.

Millcomp 10/03/2016

I do not have any suggestion because I am new to RA. The people like you in this forum are my inspiration. You have come a long way and you are still so young. Stay positive and keep moving forward. You need to keep a positive outlook. RA seems to feed on stress and depression.

californialynn 10/03/2016

What drugs have you tried?

poolgirl 10/03/2016

I'm sorry you are having such a rough time too. I also have failed multiple drugs and I am currently bedridden from a severe flare. My rheumy is going to start me on imuran hopefully in a few weeks. (I've been waiting for my blood counts to improve). Have you been on this yet? Maybe something to ask your doc about

WarriorGal 10/04/2016

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. Please share what drugs you've tried besides methotrexate and Zeljanz.

There's: Remicade, Humira, Simponi, Orenica, Enbrel...

stacey92 10/04/2016

Thanks everyone!

I have been on enbrel, methotrexate, humira, orencia, actemra and now
Xeljanz.

I have not heard of imuran but I've seen many people talking about it..I actually scheduled an appointment with my rheumatologist today so maybe that'll be a conversation. .

californialynn 10/04/2016

Considering you've failed the others, it is certainly worth discussing.

MarleneJ 10/04/2016

Why haven't you tried Rituxan? That might be another direction to go. It worked for about 4 1/2 months out of the 6 for me, but I had other side effects and had to stop it. It also got rid of my RA skin nodules, which was wonderful, I have some bad ones on my finger tips right now.

Xeljanz didn't work at all for me. As for the mthx, I have just gone back it and my doctor said 6-8 weeks for it to work, even though I was on it for 9 years before. It really is a good drug to use in combo, so I would keep with it.

As for feeling bad, I don't blame you. It is hard to cope with the pain, plus the frustration of wondering if you are ever going to find meds that work. I do some meditation on Bible Scriptures daily, it helps me focus on eternity. That might not work for you, but I would look into some kind of meditation. A pain med doctor gave me a book on dealing with chronic pain and that was a big part of it. I forget the name of the book, but I can look it up, if you want. It is non-religious.

stacey92 10/04/2016

Thanks! I used to journal to cope with the pain but when I write for too long I get sharp pains in my hands. Very frustrating.

My Rheumy is taking me back in time to try enbrel and methotrexate combo again. It worked wonders for me and put me into remission for about two years in the past..it stopped being effective because I quit the methotrexate. Gonna give it a go for a few months..and if no success, we are trying remicade infusions.

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