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 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?
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?
Just about every night in one joint or another.
I've been diagnosed for 2 years but maybe I'm still in denial....
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.
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.
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.
Find relief soon
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?
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.
Juls