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 know it seems like I have a ton of questions and probably will for some time. Things are starting to make sense and thanks to all the wonderful posts here I can maybe figure this puzzle out. I have had so many symptoms for years and never even thought RA, I just thought they were normal everyday things someone aging with OA had to deal with so I never said anything.
I do have some questions on prednisone. It is one drug I have an allergy to and it seems like a lot of people use it for their flares. Is there anything else for people that can't take prednisone. I can take other classes of steroids just not prednisone. I took it a for poison ivy a few years ago and had hives after 2 pills. I am also allergic to any thing with sulfa or sulfa derivatives (celebrex one pill and I was a mess) I have also been on some meds that cause my BP to go sky high when it is normally low one of the worst was cymbalta.
These are the things I have been dealing with that I had no clue were RA symptoms
Low grade fevers
Flu like symptoms for no reason then poof they are gone the next day
extreme exhaustion that comes on suddenly. (my description is I feel like someone sucked all my blood out and I just want to lay down and rest) I am a very active person so these episodes drive me nuts.
stabbing pains in my hands feet and just about any joint for no apparent reason. Waking up at night and having to manually bend my legs they are so stiff.
Never sleeping more than 4 hours even with sleeping meds because I wake up in pain.
joints constantly making popping noises
the list goes on and on.
I am actually relieved to have a diagnosis I thought I was going crazy or just a big whinny baby.
Thanks to all who have given me encouragement, hope and shared their knowledge.
I do have some questions on prednisone. It is one drug I have an allergy to and it seems like a lot of people use it for their flares. Is there anything else for people that can't take prednisone. I can take other classes of steroids just not prednisone. I took it a for poison ivy a few years ago and had hives after 2 pills. I am also allergic to any thing with sulfa or sulfa derivatives (celebrex one pill and I was a mess) I have also been on some meds that cause my BP to go sky high when it is normally low one of the worst was cymbalta.
These are the things I have been dealing with that I had no clue were RA symptoms
Low grade fevers
Flu like symptoms for no reason then poof they are gone the next day
extreme exhaustion that comes on suddenly. (my description is I feel like someone sucked all my blood out and I just want to lay down and rest) I am a very active person so these episodes drive me nuts.
stabbing pains in my hands feet and just about any joint for no apparent reason. Waking up at night and having to manually bend my legs they are so stiff.
Never sleeping more than 4 hours even with sleeping meds because I wake up in pain.
joints constantly making popping noises
the list goes on and on.
I am actually relieved to have a diagnosis I thought I was going crazy or just a big whinny baby.
Thanks to all who have given me encouragement, hope and shared their knowledge.
I have avoided prednisone as much as possible. I was diagnosed in June, 2012. I took it this past May, for one 2 week time, 5 mg, until the Rituxan started working again. I waited to long between infusions. Rheum told me next time not to wait so long.
Because of biologics, my RA is under control. I feel pretty good, for the most part. I will use Celebrex for those times - however, it was not enough for me this past May, so I reluctantly did give in, and use Prednisone. But, I see for you,Celebrex is not the best choice.
Helpfully, you will be helped soon.
I also felt relieved after they diagnosed me with RA. I had spent many years trying to convince doctors that something was wrong. Clarity regarding diagnosis at least lets you head down the correct path for help.
Glad you are putting things together and have found this site - great people here. Don't know about the prednisone issue for you. Sally has a good suggestion in talking to a pharmacist about options.
Linda