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...
I was 66 when diagnosed with RA. That was 13 years ago. I haunted this board back then, searching for every scrap of information I could find.
Before RA, I had never been sick in my life and didn't much believe in doctors. I may have had RA symptoms for a few years before admitting to myself I was sick.
After I suffered four long months with what I believed to be the worst case of flu ever known to civilized man, my adult children forced me to go to the hospital. Hauled me in against my will. (smile) Doctors took one look at the swollen distorted knuckles on my right hand and told my kids they were sure I had RA. So, began lots of tests. LOTS of tests. I was so sick by that time I didn't care what anybody did to me. I truly believed I would die. And I didn't care. Tests proved what they already knew. I had RA.
The first drug I was given was Plaquenil. Rheumatologist said it could take several weeks or even months to become effective. I felt better in four days. Plaquenil snatched me back from the grave. I loved those pills
The pain came back (nowhere near as bad) a few months later, and the doctor added methotrexate to my daily dose. I took methotrexate eight months. I should have quit in eight days. It made me so sick I spent all my time in the bathroom, throwing up ... or worse. So, I quit methotrexate and the doctor was ready for me to go on to Enbrel, but, no, I didn't want to go that route. I read everything I could get my hands on about biologics. I weighed the risks against the possible benefits for someone my age, and I opted out. At that point I began seeing a general practioner instead of an RA specialist. And that's where I am today.
I take no medicine except 400mgs Plaquenil a day plus I take one/half of a regular strength aspirin three times a day. (The aspirin is against doctor's advice, of course, but I do it anyway) I go to my general practitioner kind of doctor once a year for bloodwork and to get my one year prescription of Plaquenil. My lab work is perfect. If I didn't have RA I'd be the heathiest 79 year old lady in Tennessee.
My fingers and toes are warped, fingers splayed, but I can still type up a storm.
I suffer more from fatigue than I do from pain. My balance isn't all that good, but I'm not sure if it's RA or old age. I use a walker when I go outside.
I'd like to hear from anyone who has taken Plaquenil for an extended period of time and done well on it. Or NOT done well on it.
And I'd really like to hear from anyone who takes a daily dose of aspirin. I've been getting by with this particular "sin" for ten years now. But, will I always? I wish I had a guarantee that aspirin won't cause me to have a stroke or something. (long sigh here) There are no guarantees in this life. I know that.
We are all so different. No two of us respond exactly the same to the disease or the available "cures." What's right for one of us may be entirely wrong for another.
Meanwhile, I live a full and busy life. I am the sole caregiver of my beloved elderly (like me) husband who has MS, is paralyzed and confined to a hospital bed.
Please let me hear from you.
Before RA, I had never been sick in my life and didn't much believe in doctors. I may have had RA symptoms for a few years before admitting to myself I was sick.
After I suffered four long months with what I believed to be the worst case of flu ever known to civilized man, my adult children forced me to go to the hospital. Hauled me in against my will. (smile) Doctors took one look at the swollen distorted knuckles on my right hand and told my kids they were sure I had RA. So, began lots of tests. LOTS of tests. I was so sick by that time I didn't care what anybody did to me. I truly believed I would die. And I didn't care. Tests proved what they already knew. I had RA.
The first drug I was given was Plaquenil. Rheumatologist said it could take several weeks or even months to become effective. I felt better in four days. Plaquenil snatched me back from the grave. I loved those pills
The pain came back (nowhere near as bad) a few months later, and the doctor added methotrexate to my daily dose. I took methotrexate eight months. I should have quit in eight days. It made me so sick I spent all my time in the bathroom, throwing up ... or worse. So, I quit methotrexate and the doctor was ready for me to go on to Enbrel, but, no, I didn't want to go that route. I read everything I could get my hands on about biologics. I weighed the risks against the possible benefits for someone my age, and I opted out. At that point I began seeing a general practioner instead of an RA specialist. And that's where I am today.
I take no medicine except 400mgs Plaquenil a day plus I take one/half of a regular strength aspirin three times a day. (The aspirin is against doctor's advice, of course, but I do it anyway) I go to my general practitioner kind of doctor once a year for bloodwork and to get my one year prescription of Plaquenil. My lab work is perfect. If I didn't have RA I'd be the heathiest 79 year old lady in Tennessee.
My fingers and toes are warped, fingers splayed, but I can still type up a storm.
I suffer more from fatigue than I do from pain. My balance isn't all that good, but I'm not sure if it's RA or old age. I use a walker when I go outside.
I'd like to hear from anyone who has taken Plaquenil for an extended period of time and done well on it. Or NOT done well on it.
And I'd really like to hear from anyone who takes a daily dose of aspirin. I've been getting by with this particular "sin" for ten years now. But, will I always? I wish I had a guarantee that aspirin won't cause me to have a stroke or something. (long sigh here) There are no guarantees in this life. I know that.
We are all so different. No two of us respond exactly the same to the disease or the available "cures." What's right for one of us may be entirely wrong for another.
Meanwhile, I live a full and busy life. I am the sole caregiver of my beloved elderly (like me) husband who has MS, is paralyzed and confined to a hospital bed.
Please let me hear from you.
Sounds like you are healthier than most folks I know;) Keep doing what you're doing!
Hugs!
Debbie
As far as the half aspirin goes, I don't see what the harm is. Many doctors have their patients take a baby aspirin everyday as prevention.
I wish you well....it sounds like you've found your magic potion. Oh, I'm with you on the fatigue over pain, too....ugh!
Your story is very much like my nieces mother. Woke up feeling so sick she could not get out of bed. It was just her kids & her. Kids called for help & much like your situation took her in.
Much like the treatments it can hit us all in so many different ways.
You just never know what this disease will respond to.
So glad Plaquenil was the one for you. Your story gives others that glimmer of hope. It's not always complicated to find what will work to control the beast.
With MTX used so often as first drug of choice I'm curious as to why they chose Plaquenil for you. Thanks be to God.
Could not tolerate MTX either. Now there's that fear of new medications after the nasty relationship with MTX.
The walker is smart. Perhaps it he balance is a little of both, age & disease. Either way it's not worth taking chances.
I'm sorry don't have the experiance of aspirin or long term Plaq. Use to share with you.
I'm so sorry your husbands health. God bless you for your care.
It's obvious why the next step in treatment is so important to you.
Hope you get some feedback & the help you need to keep caring for yourself & your husband.
By the way love TN. Have family there & both my husband & I hope to retire there in the future.
Blessings, Sammy
Glad you're back and wishing you both "be well and hug often"
Peace
Bluedogs2