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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Rosemo 08/26/2009

I just wanted to thank everyone who offered suggestions and advice for my latest appointment. I really appreciated it. I found the info very helpful and took several questions with me. My husband came along, which was good.

My Dr. took me off the MTX after hearing I feel flu-like symptoms every week from it. She said I shouldn't be feeling that bad from it. She's switched me to Arava 10 mg. She's keeping me on Enbrel (I think she likes this drug) and wants to give it a full 6 months. Says she'll get another MRI in December. After hearing me describe some of my symptoms, she said "that's probably fibro". She then offered me some sample Lyrica to try. It was at the end of 40 minutes, and I was dumbstruck hearing the name of another disorder, so I really didn't get to fully question her. She did say the Lyrica may also help me sleep. She's staying with the same pain meds, but suggested that I not go off of them. She understood, that I wanted to see how much pain I felt without. How are we supposed to report our pain level when we are medicating? She had me get blood work done.

Didn't get any answers for the chronic severe migraines, but I never do. All in all it was a decent appt. unlike the horror story from sweetbrooklyn. How horrible! So........anyone dealing with fibro on top of RA? Any experience with Lyrica?

JillyT 08/26/2009

I'm glad to hear that your appointment went well. You may have to see a neurologist about your headaches, I did years ago and was put on medication to try to prevent them. I also suffer from fibro, I've had it for well over 20 years. My rheumy prescribed Lyrica for me and it seemed to be helping but I had to go up to a higher dosage and just as I was getting used to it my new insurance co didn't want to pay for it. Yes, it did help me big time.

I'm now on Neurontin and it's not helping. I have to "fail" at using this drug before my insurance co will cover the Lyrica.. so hopefully I'll be back on Lyrica soon...it's always something. I hope this helps...hugs jilly

deleted_user 08/26/2009

I too was diagnosed with Fibro on top of the RA. While he was examining me, he said I have fibro knotts. I looked up and said, What. He explained that it was from FIbromyalgia and the two often run together. I cryed, I mean really just boo-hooed. He offered treatment but I'm one of those stubborn types that only take the meds when it's absoltely necissary. As long as I can keep the RA treated and not flared, the Fibro behaves. Yet when one flares, they both do.

Good news, you now have an excuse for regular messages. It's supposed to help with the fibo ;)

Oh, and I suffer from constant headahces. Thing is, headaches can be caused by litteraly anything.

deleted_user 08/26/2009

I, too, have RA and Fibro. Some of the pain does cross over and you can't distinguish which is from which. Lyrica will truly help the pain from the Fibro. Don't worry if you have to go up to the 300 mg. The migraines are a symptom of Fibro and I hate to tell you but there really isn't a med that will end them. Excedrin Migraine can take the edge off.

I hope this has been helpful. :)

deleted_user 08/26/2009

yep count me in too. RA 1st then fibro dx about 2 years later.
I did not do well on Lyrica, made me so dizzy I litteraly could not stand,walk or turn my head without puking

been on Savella for about 3 weeks works much better for the fibro

MTX and plaquenil do my RA plus an occasional pain med here and there but rare

good luck and keep on trying

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