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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ncgranny62 09/01/2011

I am in a serious flare. Tonight the swelling in legs, ankles, feet and hands is so bad I feel like I am going to explode. Even my eyelids are swollen. I took my MTX on Saturday night and I'm not due for my next Remicade infusion until Sep 8. Hate to complain, but since about 8 PM, I feel like I have been hit by an Army tank. I had been actually feeling somewhat better since starting Remicade recently and then here I go again. I've got some prednisone and I'm tempted to take it (maybe I'll wait and call the rheumy tomorrow).

Also, my endocrinologist (I'm insulin dependent over 30 years) recently doubled one of my blood pressure meds and now I have had insomnia for the last week. Between the diabetes injections and testing, the hypertension, the OA, and let's not forget the dear old RA, it's sometimes hard to keep my sense of humor.

I'm rambling I know. I'm just trying to take my mind off the pain. Thank goodness I found Daily Strength so that I can vent a little. I'm just feeling sorry for myself right now. "You've got to keep moving to keep improving." I'll be my old self tomorrow. Thanks to all for letting me vent.

pearl240 09/01/2011

I'm so sorry that you're feeling so bad. Has your swelling gone down at all since last night? I hope so. I was in a horrible flare on Monday and Tuesday and yesterday started to feel better. I know how you feel and we're here to listen and understand. I don't have a problem with swelling, but the pain, stiffness and fatigue is non-stop for me. But I hope that you do call your doctor before and get his ok for the pred.

Take care.

deleted_user 09/01/2011

Oh, my. I'm sorry you are in such a flare. I am concerned about your eyelids swelling, along w/everything else. Plese call your doctor tomorrow. You may be having a bad reaction to one of your meds in addition to the flare. I hope you can get some rest and relief soon. Please let us know how you are doing...and call your doctor, okay?

deleted_user 09/01/2011

I can understand how you feel. I have diabetes and wear an insulin pump and have RA. I can't take MTX because of the damage Amaryl, Avandia, and Actos did to my liver while I was on these for my diabetes. I can't take prednisone because it raises my blood glucose level higher than my glucometer measures which is >425mg/dl. The RA inflammatory process keeps my glucose up so it takes more insulin which makes me more tired. We have two very incompatible diseases! I hope you are feeling better soon. I'm due to see my doc on Fri and we are going to discuss my tx plan as the Enbrel hasn't worked. I'm stuck at a trainning program 200 miles from home in a flare .. not fun.

ncgranny62 09/01/2011

Thanks to all. I really appreciate your caring. I'm not feeling much better this morning. Finally got to sleep around 5 AM. I'm still swollen. As far as prednisone and blood sugars, my endo gave me a different formula to use to compute my insulin dose when I am on steroids and it helps to keep the numbers from getting so far out of hand. They still go up -- just not as bad. For a couple of weeks after I have a Remicade infusion, my blood sugars are on the lower side. Another reason, I want the Remicade to work!

It's still early days on the Remicade results. I still think it is going to help me because I get a couple of weeks after the doses when I feel so much better.

deleted_user 09/02/2011

Please make sure you call your Dr. extreme swelling can be a reaction to the Meds. and you don't want to mess around with a drug reaction. I spent 7 days in ICU because I thought the swelling was just a flare.
Hugs, feel better!
Jan

camba 09/02/2011

This doesnt sound very nice at all. Think most of the others have said what I would but firstly sympathy and certainly hope you have good access to medical help. Feel concerned you might have issue with drug interactions.

Welcome to the site .Hope you find it a support. Is first place I visit when I go online - interesting and helpful because there is a chance for interaction and feedback.

Dreamchaser-Linda 09/02/2011

I feel for you! I just came from Doc. Had cortisone shots. Both hands, and both feet. Hopefully my flare will calm down now.
I notice quite a few members here talk about the hard to sleep thing. I take ambien, knocks me right out, course I still wake up every hour to adjust from side to side ( hips and knees hurt) but it sure makes me fall asleep.
Lin

deleted_user 09/02/2011

Lots of hugs and prayers. . .I'm also in a huge flare right now and it's really yucky. I hope you're feeling better ASAP!
Kellie

deservingpeace 09/03/2011

My friend takes Remicade for psoriatic arthritis, so it might be given on a different schedule and dose, but when she began, she took it every 8 weeks. She is now settled on every 6 weeks for it to not wear off too much before the next infusion.

Maybe you just need a little change in frequency or dosage, and that is something your rheumy should help with.

Feeling sorry for yourself is fine once in awhile. I try to remember, tomorrow is another day and it could be a lot better!

ncgranny62 09/08/2011

Hey all,
I appreciate all the support and kind thoughts. This was not a drug interaction/reaction/allergy. It was the RA. I went on prednisone and the swelling is gone and I am feeling better. I had my final loading dose of Remicade today and from now on, we are starting at an infusion every six weeks (since I only got two weeks relief from the last one). Also another prescription for prednisone to "have on hand in case I need it." My rheumy says we are just going to have to keep on mixing things up until we get the right mix/dose of drugs for me. We don't have many to choose from since I am allergic to so many drugs.

Thanks a bunch. This group is wonderful. Kindred hearts, etc.

deleted_user 09/09/2011

OMG, your on some hard core R.A. meds. So dangerous. But what can we do? Kinda in a corner.

lynnedavidson3 09/09/2011

Oh my! I am sorry you are having such a terrible time! I hope you can get some more rest and feel better soon.

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