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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GrammyKat
GrammyKat
On Monday I will be seeing my Rheumy again. He will have a plan set out for me at that time of how to proceed. I am curious. What medications do they usually start out with? I would like to read up on them and be a little informed when I am talking with him. There is so much to try an understand that it gets a bit difficult with my brain fogs. Do most DR use the same things to begin with?
You have been so helpful in answering my questions. I truly appreciate it.
Thank you and God Bless
Kathy
sammyo1
sammyo1
According to my RA Methotrexate is frequently tried. Ive noticed Plaquenil is mentioned a lot also a long with folic acid. .
I would think how he would proceed would depend on your blood work & exam.

I pulled up a discussion guide under Rheumatoid Arthritis.com
& circled all the questions I wanted to ask.

It gives you a list of questions & suggestions on how to prepare for your appointment.
It did come in handy. There is also an area for additional questions & notes. I would highly recommend writing anything down you may want to ask & don't hesitate to take notes during your appointment. The first couple I did & wish I would have brought done the same with my third.

Not sure if this helps you out. I hope your appointment goes well.
God bless, Sammy
tinaunger50
tinaunger50
when they were thinking that for sure I had an autoimmune disease but not sure what kind yet. lupus, or R.A.. they put me on Plaquenel and tramadol. then after getting my mri tests done on my hands...they knew for sure I had R.A.. within a 3 month period they added methotrexate pills and folic acid. dident do well on the pills so later went back on mtx except by shots this time.I hope this helps some. I think everybody is different how Rheumys treat different people and I think shuffeling around to see what works and what doesnt. hope everything goes good Monday ! the second time I went in, I had wrote many things and questions down in a folder to ask...otherwise I would have forgotten..I still write everything down at each visit to keep track. good luck !! Tina
deleted_user
deleted_user
I would also suggest keeping journal, writing it all down so when you go to rheumy your symptoms are all there. This way you can see how you do on medications and any side effects they may cause. I also type up page with questions and info for rheumy. During the time in between when I see rheumy I write my main concerns on sticky notes and keep them in the back of my journal. That way when it is time for my appointment, all my questions are right there to type up.

First dose of medication for me after gave me prednisone , was methotrexate-enbrel after three months. They usually want you to be on methotrexate for three months before adding biologic if you need it. I think it is an insurance thing really.

Good luck!