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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nickiraeleen 03/25/2017

So I am happily on MTX when I encounter a massive flair (prob due to a very sudden change in weather) when I realized I don’t have any way of counter acting it. I can’t take prednisone, and because of past experiences I have opted out of topical steroidal creams.

I can’t take blood thinners witch is everything else in the world and I can’t take analgesic because it will make the medication not work as well….. is my only option a warm blanket and a cup of tea?

I am feeling very hopeless about this whole thing….

doodlebug25 03/26/2017

Flares can be very difficult to deal with, especially when they so impact your daily activities or are associated with severe pain.
I didn't see any responses yet to your post, and that may be due to people refraining from giving medication advice (appropriately).
I would definitely contact your rheum to have medication and a plan in place for flares. There are a lot of medications available, so it is a matter of what you can take with other medical issues or medications you are taking.
I hope you are feeling better soon.

nickiraeleen 03/27/2017

But that's the problem, my rheum basically told me those are your only options, that there is nothing else they can do for me.

I'm having to turn to eastern medicine ( that doesn't affect the MTX) because my doctor was like tough shit I cant help you.

Hi-def 03/27/2017

Eastern medicine doesn't relief the pain as fast as we wanted to. I'm taking eastern medicine right now along with MTX (15mg/wk) and prednisone (5mg/day just reduced today from 10mg). So far I can sleep very well. I still have little pain and numbness on my hands and left foot in the morning but faded away around 10AM. Eastern MD put me on a strict diet. I believe this helps tremendously with the pain. If you want to discuss more about this, let me know. I'm still at work so I can't write a long post.

nixe 03/30/2017

Hot tubs and Lidocane (4% topical available OTC) are big stars in my lineup. I urge you to try them if you can.

nickiraeleen 03/31/2017

I actually have celiac, so I am already 100% gluten free. I eat mostly fresh foods, with the occasional GF cookies. I also don't drink soda or coffee.... only tea I brew. I don't know how much more I can take out of my diet without just eating carrots! lol

I want to start looking at hemp oils. I don't know if anyone have tried those yet. I hear they work really well for chronic pain.

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