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 am seeing my Rheumatologist on Thursday. My pdoc prescribed me with Tramadol on my Rhematologist's recommendation. They don't do anything for me other than upset my stomach. I have lived in almost constant pain for the last three months, which I blame on myself because I have not asked about other possible medications that could help.
I take Prednisone when I am flaring per my Rheumatologist. That helps bring the irritation down (and adds to it in other ways, as I am sure you can all understand), but I can't stay on that forever.
My primary pain is in my wrists, fingers, elbows, but now especially in my toes, feet and ankles.
What other medications are out there that can be used? I am ready to go to a pain clinic. I am just so sick of being in pain all the time.
Help?
Warm baths don't really do much for me. I will take hot showers if I feel that I am getting tensed up or have pain coming on.
So far all those scoring at home, I was prescribed Humira once every other week, and now just have to wait for the insurance game to be played. It is on my formulary so I don't think it will be an issue. I will be given pre-filled syringes that are 29 gauge. We'll see how they work.
Also found out I have burtsitis in both hips and will be getting steroid injections for both soon - just need to find a time with my PCP can do it. Also found to have plantar fasciitis and that i also likely caused by the RA. Seems it has moved into my tendons now...so orthotics, PT, and stretching are in order. I will go back in three months for another check up. Labs were all great though CRP was climbing again - not out of normal range but at the very top of normal.
At the end of the day I was tired, sort from all the walking, and had to get a final blood test to make sure I don't have TB, so two needle sticks today.
So...we'll see how that works out once the insurance pans out.
Did you see the rheumatologist today?
Yes, saw the Nurse Practitioner who has taken over my case. She was grwat. This is who we got to where we are. She consults with a Rheumatologist should she have questions or need assistance.
Mike
I am having issues with Tramadol - that is to say, it keeps me up at night!
When I was first diagnosed with Fibro, my PCP decided to put me on muscle relaxers. We started with Flexeril since it is most common. But that has an effect on serotonin, and when I take anything that messes serotonin or norepinephrine, I am "activated" - meaning, my insomnia gets worse.
We jumped off the NSAID bandwagon because I was concerned about heart and gut health. So we tried Tramadol, but because it also impacts serotonin and norepinephrin, it also keeps me up at night. It's a catch-22:
I have pain so I take a med and I cannot sleep.
I don't take a med and I wake up in pain and cannot sleep.
And I am on sleep aids already, and the breakthrough pain is enough to wake me up.
So in between your getting on a biologic or DMARD and a reduction in pain, what did you take? Were you prescribed anything else to help besides NSAIDs? Trying to figure out if I should go back to my Rheumatologist and say, "Thanks for getting me on Humira. But what do I do about pain in the meantime?"
I assume you have tried melatonin to sleep. Pain.... I didn't find an answer. I take Aleve, an NSAID with a probiotic. Solve one problem, but create another.... then add another med.
I gave up on sleeping on a regular schedule, but I no longer work, so I have that luxury.
If you find an answer, please post it.
I actually take Zolpidem, melatonin, clonazepam, and Trazodone for sleep. As my doctor says, "You are highly resistant to sedation". No kidding.
So...my PCP has basically said, "Talk to Mayo and let them figure it out." Great. I guess I'll do that...
And I have to go to work every day...I am a software consultant (contractor) and when I don't work, I don't get paid.