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 had Fibromyalgia since 1998 and RA since 2009. I am mild to moderate RA. I have been taking Sulfasalazine Dr 500 mg and mobic - generic Molozicam since first dx. This past winter I have been having more stiffness in am that wears off during the day but really bad wrists
and hands that still are really giving me terrible problems. I took a quick treatment of predisone and it did not make one difference. My wrists are somewhat swollen and my hands feel all fuzzy sort of like needles and pins. They ache horrible at night and have been keeping me up during the night. My RA doctor said maybe time to change Meds. I do not want to try Methotrexate and wondering for those who have light to moderate what are you taking? Trying to weigh the risks and effectiveness of something new. Or have any of you have this type of flare up that just tends to go as easily as it comes? I have just had it with the sleeplessness nights.
and hands that still are really giving me terrible problems. I took a quick treatment of predisone and it did not make one difference. My wrists are somewhat swollen and my hands feel all fuzzy sort of like needles and pins. They ache horrible at night and have been keeping me up during the night. My RA doctor said maybe time to change Meds. I do not want to try Methotrexate and wondering for those who have light to moderate what are you taking? Trying to weigh the risks and effectiveness of something new. Or have any of you have this type of flare up that just tends to go as easily as it comes? I have just had it with the sleeplessness nights.
It has helped me a lot. My pain, stiffness, and swelling are still there' but to a much lowered degree. I feel like my doctor will add something else when I next see him, but I have definitely noticed improvement with the MTX. Don't be afraid to try it.
Methotrexate usually is about the first drug given.
a nerve conduction study helps with the shaky stuff on the wrists hands - you know in case you flunk and it shows carpal tunnel or other entrapment - ask the RA if she/he can recommend an ortho who has a hand specialty
while you are in seeing the hand specialist ask for resting splints - the hard ones to wear at night - they help
depot