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 on Plaquenil for just 6 weeks, 3 of the weeks I took Prednisone with it. I have not taken the Prednisone in several weeks and am having terribel "flare ups." My Dr. gave me a RX for Methotrexate & Folic Acid. I am really scared of starting this, especially since I have not really given the Plaquenil time to kick in. I am pondering on whether to continue the Plaquenil WITH the Prednisone for the full 3 months to see if that works before starting the Methotrexate. Has anyone experienced this situation and how long did you give the Plaquenil to work?
I now take Embrel and no longer the mtx. I went on to a biologic.
I was very afraid of it, but no longer am. I'm more afraid of not taking the meds bc I do not want to cripple and be in pain. I still have flare ups when I over do it... but nothing like before I started meds.
Best of luck. I understand your fear... but I have a friend whose husband has RA and refused the drugs. He is in his 60s and belongs in a nursing home. He can't even button his own pants or comb his own hair. I do not want to do that to my family.