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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Muscles & Bones
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Joint Pain

dd24
dd24
I have been taking 5 mg Prednisone and 600 mg Plaquenil for two years. I've actually had a good two years. But, the last 3 months have been a little different. I have days the fatigue is creeping back in...not extreme, but very noticeable. Muscle and bone pain are saying Hello again.

In the last two weeks, I've had two episodes during the night that have been excruciating. Once in a finger and once in my knee. The pain is soooo bad, it wakes me up. Any little movement sends me to tears. I absolutely can not move the joint until it "releases" - for lack of a better word. This only lasts a short time - maybe up to an hour - and so far only happens during the night. The joint gets "puffy" but not swollen...feels like it's on fire but not red.


Has anyone else had this happen?
coaltrain
coaltrain
"Has anyone else had this happen?"

Just about every night in one joint or another.
dd24
dd24
Does it make you scared to move because the pain is excruciating?

I've been diagnosed for 2 years but maybe I'm still in denial....
MarleneJ
MarleneJ
It sounds like your meds are not strong enough. I had this happen a lot to me this past year, when my meds were in complete faliure.

Since the Arava has started working, and maybe the Orencia a bit, it has stopped happening.

I think you need to see your rheumatologist. Tell him the meds you are on are not enough, and you cannot live with the pain you are in. Insist on adding a new med, probably mthx.
dd24
dd24
Thank you.
I have an appt in Dec. My rheumy talked about adding mtx at my last visit but I was hesitant...I didn't think I needed it....In my mind, I don't need any meds...but my body just won't cooperate.
2leftfeet
2leftfeet
dd24 - I was diagnosed when I was almost 60. This may be one reason why I figure if the Dr thinks it will give me a better quality of life, I will do it. And, these drugs have done that, I have a much better quality of life.Not perfect, but I am getting old, that is OK. Mtx alone did not help me, biologics needed to be added.

Prednisone has so many problems of it own, that I have done my best to avoid it if at all possible. It can cause thinning of bones - I already have that. I have been diagnosed as Osteopenia. However, for 2 weeks last year, I did need to go on pred, until my biologic kicked back in. Hope you find some relief soon.
dd24
dd24
Yeah, he said I couldn't stay on Prednisone forever. I only take 5 mg daily. I'm scared to ditch the pred. Without it my mucles become so tight and spastic AND I get sick with respiratory problems including pneumonia AND my feet hurt so badly somedays I can barely walk...I know it's the devil, but right now it helps to keep me semi well and on my feet.
2leftfeet
2leftfeet
dd24, my feet were the biggest problem with me, walking really hurt. Rheum suggested prednisone, until the methotrexate kicked in. I refused, thought I was dong OK on Celebrex. A few months later, when mtx was not helping at all, a biologic was added. The difference that made, in a short time, was amazing!

Find relief soon
oceans11
oceans11
dd24

I've been experiencing a mild flare the last couple of weeks & I've noticed minor pain but no swelling. Tends to "move around" this time around as well. AND it's not unilateral either as typical for RA suffers. I'm feeling more issues on my left side rather than my right. I'm not getting the fire feeling but sometimes my knuckles "itch"? Are you getting that?

Maybe it has a little to do with the colder weather maybe?
aggie83
aggie83
Definitely discuss new meds. I was scared to take mtx, but looking back I see I was over cautious. Being. Able to wean off pred ANS be able to walk and work and enjoy life makes taking more meds worth it.
dd24
dd24
I seldom get pain on both sides at the same time. I don't think I'm the typical RA patient. I've had to double the pred over the last 3 days just to be able to stand on my feet....
And, I get inflammation in my throat area so the extra pred knocked that out.....it's never an infection, just inflammation. But if I don't knock it out quickly, it will turn to pneumonia very fast.
I'm thankful for having the last few years at feeling decent...just bummed it' sailing by me.
Thanks for the replies.
nonightshades
nonightshades
I think Marlene is correct about stepping up the meds. Sounds like it's about time from your description dd.
jteach
jteach
I completely understand that feeling of a joint having to be "released". That is a perfect description. It always happens to me at night with my elbows. No advice for you, just acknowledgement!

Juls
Christine26
Christine26
Hi dd24 so sorry to hear you are having a tough way to go. I can just imagine how you are feeling. I woke up this morning stiff, achy and in pain with my hand looking like it belonged to Popeye and my fingers like fat sausages. I think you need something else med wise thrown in the mix. I agree with Marlene. Please feel better. Good luck with your appt.
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