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...
So my wife has been taking Plaquenil for a month now and she finished a 2 week Prednisone prescription. She's also been taking Vitamin D3 and Fish Oil. Her symptoms can be daily and sometimes every other day. Mostly in her hands(Feet haven't flared up in 2 weeks and morning stiffness is gone).
We went to a new Rheumy for a third opinion. The Rheumy recommended my wife clear any liver issues so she can start to take MTX. The doctor believes Plaquenil never works. He also feels that RA has already affected my wife's joints in 1 hand(swan fingers he called it). We weren't too sure about it since my wife has had fingers this way for most of her life(symtoms started in April).
However my question today is, my wife ESR rate keeps increasing. Her 4 bloodworks(ESR - 54 - 28 - 61 - 80 in order) show its increasing. She had her most recent 4 days after she was done with the Prednisone. Is this normal? Will it decrease when the Plaquenil kicks in(in a few months)? Can you guys share your levels of ESR to compare?
Thanks!
We went to a new Rheumy for a third opinion. The Rheumy recommended my wife clear any liver issues so she can start to take MTX. The doctor believes Plaquenil never works. He also feels that RA has already affected my wife's joints in 1 hand(swan fingers he called it). We weren't too sure about it since my wife has had fingers this way for most of her life(symtoms started in April).
However my question today is, my wife ESR rate keeps increasing. Her 4 bloodworks(ESR - 54 - 28 - 61 - 80 in order) show its increasing. She had her most recent 4 days after she was done with the Prednisone. Is this normal? Will it decrease when the Plaquenil kicks in(in a few months)? Can you guys share your levels of ESR to compare?
Thanks!
Thanks for the continued update on your wife. We appreciate that!!
Five years ago, I was started on Plaquenil and then soon after methotrexate since the Plaquenil was not doing the job. My rheumy believes that the Plaquenil just hums away in the background with RA. Usually, other drugs have to be added - not uncommon.
I personally have been on several Prednisone tapers for flares over the years. I have never really seen a significant drop in my ESR. Five years ago, I presented with an ESR of 54. Two months ago, I had an ESR of 58. My doctor treats symptoms and not labs. So, I believe that she is not so concerned with exactly what my sed rate is.
Some people probably have a different story to tell - they may have seen a drop in SED rate after medications. Not me. So, in answer to your last question, the meds may kick in and drop the ESR or they may not.
Hang in there. Tell your wife that we are thinking of her and hoping for the best.
Linda
It really declined with Enbrel and methotrexate.
Did your wife get a liver biopsy? Recently?
And also, what does the prednisone make her feel like? Better???
Her Anti-CCP came back negative 2 months ago if I remember correctly.
I had a liver biopsy and there is a lot of piece of mind with it. For me, it ruled out autoimmune hepatitis since my enzymes were not interested in retreating. They finally did.
Thank goodness you've continued with a rheumatologist! Although the sed rate is going up, is she feeling better overall?
I am currently on it, along with Xeljanz, which was working the first three weeks and now is failing. I just failed Simponi, another drug that was working well and then stop.
If your wife is getting deformities, that is what you need to focus on. The sed rate is irrelevant. I was sero-negative the first 5 years I had this disease and I had severe RA.
So find a doctor that will give her the drugs she needs to put her in remission. And how nice to have a husband worrying about his wife! Awesome stuff!
She will be getting a liver biopsy done soon, it looks like liver blood work doesn't point to AIH, but the biopsy should give us a better idea. She has had elevated enzymes since her gallbladder removal 3 years ago. Nothing but Fatty liver has been found with ultrasounds.
Also, my wife tested positive for latent TB which she will begin treatment soon. She was told RA meds could activate the TB if not treated.
MarleneJ, that's the question. My wife remembers being with "different" fingers for a good part of her life with zero symptoms. So flare ups began and now the fingers look like they have been through RA. However, I'm not sure how fast RA can really change fingers.