Hey, let it out. I don't know anything about Plaquenil (sorry) but I used to get those injections in my shoulders, and know all about the sickness, tiredness, and anger. I am sorry it has taken such a toll on your body and mind. Being a systemic disease, it will do that. Sux. Period. Vent whenever you want to - I need someone to pick up the pace from all MY whinning.

I have 4 specialists and none of them pays any attention to the other issues I have. I finally got a GOOD internist to "coordinate" all the meds. I am taking the MTX to her and asking what she thinks. I already get bronchitis easy because of my asthma and every time my granddaughter gets a cold...I get sick. Thanks for the welcome. I just want to be healthy and get on with my life. The medicine is often worse than the disease.

Ah, having a little bout with Rheumatoid Anger, I see! Let it rip, girl! And I'm with you!

BUT...um, I didn't really know there was an RA that does not destroy joints. Well, that is of course the goal of treatment, but that's because without treatment you are guaranteed to destroy your joints. Hmmmmm. Enlighten me?

I take MTX (max dose 25mg a week). As long as I eat a filling meal the night I take it, and hydrate a lot the day before, of, and after the only real problem I have is that it drains me. I feel full of lead on MTX day.

I had a severe case of Rheumatoid Anger when all the meds started coming! I was scared to take any of them alone, much less the combination I am taking! That really really really pisses me off, that the hope we have is a bunch of scary drugs. I'm with ya there for sure.

(hugs)

Oh too funny Tessie- Rheumatoid Anger! You know I was just thinking to myself as I drove to work this morning that more than anything this disease causes me to be angry. I can take most of the pain I have but it pisses me off! I can not have my martini at night and life goes on but it makes me mad that I have to deny myself...I could go on and on

Also- I agree- there is no RA that doesn't cause joint damage. Lynnedz beware this doctor who is telling you this....

Aren't we all just sick and tired of being "sick and tired"!

I'm so sorry you are dealing with so many issues and I empathize with all the decisions you have to make regarding your meds and side effects. It is truly scary. However, you are now among friends and we'll be there however we can.

I had an aunt who had RA along with many other ailments who was totally dibilitated and when her husband found a doctor to take a look a the whole picture and coordinate her treatment, her life turned around. I'm not saying that to be scary, but to encourage you that things can get better.

You go right ahead and ask lots of questions of your doctors and make sure they listen. It's your body and you have to live with it every day!

Please vent here anytime you wish! We are all with you!

She told me I don't have the "rh" factor. But my sed rate is high. I asked her what that means. And she said you have a form of Rheumatoid Arthritis that does NOT damage the joints. I have inflammation that she said is "like" rheumatoid arthritis. I don't know what it means...but she is one of the best I am told. What I really worry about is one specialist does not care about my other issues. More than once one doctor has given me something that could "kill" me with my other problems. And none of them take into consideration that I have decreased kidney function...so a dose for a "normal" person is too much for me. She tried Lyrica and I got so dizzy, tired and hyper on the stuff, I had to get off. Then I read that Lyrica has not been proven to do much of anything...it was the drug company praising themselves. I had to find one GOOD doctor who can monitor all the things the other ones give me. And I can't have a day where I am "drained". I work a job where I have a lot of overtime..and in this economy I cannot afford to lose that job. And 90% of the time, I feel great now. Losing 43 pounds in the last 6 months takes a LOT of stress off of my joints.

She told me I don't have the "rh" factor. But my sed rate is high. I asked her what that means. And she said you have a form of Rheumatoid Arthritis that does NOT damage the joints. I have inflammation that she said is "like" rheumatoid arthritis. I don't know what it means...but she is one of the best I am told. What I really worry about is one specialist does not care about my other issues. More than once one doctor has given me something that could "kill" me with my other problems. And none of them take into consideration that I have decreased kidney function...so a dose for a "normal" person is too much for me. She tried Lyrica and I got so dizzy, tired and hyper on the stuff, I had to get off. Then I read that Lyrica has not been proven to do much of anything...it was the drug company praising themselves. I had to find one GOOD doctor who can monitor all the things the other ones give me. And I can't have a day where I am "drained". I work a job where I have a lot of overtime..and in this economy I cannot afford to lose that job. And 90% of the time, I feel great now. Losing 43 pounds in the last 6 months takes a LOT of stress off of my joints.

I encourage you to get clarification about what the doc said. It just doesn't add up. Maybe you could take notes next time, in case you misunderstood or misheard something?? I have never heard about inflammation that is "like RA"...or about inflammation that is not damaging to joints.

Either way, EVERY doc who treats you should be taking into account your decreased kidney function. Glad you found an internist to head up your treatment. Have you spoken to him/her about what the rhuematologist said?

She said I do not have the "factor" that they find in the blood with RA. And I said..then what is the diagnosis. And she said..."rheumatoid arthritis..but your joints are not deteriorating". Those were her exact words. So, I wonder why she wants to put me on such a strong drug. I see the internist in 2 weeks. And I am not going to start the new medicine until I see her. Also the pulmonary doctor is not happy with me taking that along with blood thinners. I am already having bleeding problems and my levels are almost too high...I don't need more problems.

You can have a negative RF and still have RA.
Your Sed Rate tells it to you, but there are other tests also such as CCP, CRP. I think when she told you that your joints are not damaged, because you maybe in the very early stages of it. The whole point of the meds are to prevent the joints from deteriorating. I'm not saying whether you have RA or not,but I would make sure my DR. knows what the heck she is talking about. WHY DON'T YOU go to the Arthritis Foundation WEbsite and check it out OR WWW.WBMD.COM and go to the Rheumatoid Arthritis link. Good Luck.

oh, sweetie, definitely vent! we all do our share around here. my ra tests all came back in the normal range, but my hands have already started twisting...after the xrays, my doc said it definitely is ra. so they started a very agressive treatment program, and after 1 1/2 years we finally found the right "cocktail" of meds to help slow things down. i still have pain, but have regained some of the use of my right hand. so keep pluggin away at the docs, and make them answer your questions. it's your body, you have the right to know what's happening to it! good luck, and lots of hugs!
brat

I am so glad you are seeing a new internist. My main doc is a DO with a general practice. She is very knowledgable and keeps in firm control of my medical issues. Any doc I see reports to her after each of my visits - I know this makes me feel a lot safer.

I have no understanding why one of your docs would tell you that you have RA but not the kind that damages your joints - that just dosen't make sense. I'll admit I'm not a doctor but I have never heard of this. There are many kinds of arthritis but only one Rheumatoid Arthritis. It's wonderful that you don't have any deformities and her starting you on more aggressive treatment is most likely because she wants to keep it that way.

In the beginning I always had so many questions that I brought a list with me so I wouldn't forget anything. When you have multiple illnesses there is always so much to cover. I hope your visit with your new doc goes well, good luck

hugs jilly

Hey Lynne, I take both MTX and Plaquenil. My doc told me Plaquenil is best used to enhance the effects of MTX. I take MTX as a shot, because it did make me queasy. I will say that I am more prone to sinus infections w/the MTX. I typically skip a dose if I do get the symptoms.

Your lack of RH factor means you have sero-negative RA. As far as I knew, that just means the you dont have the factor appearing in your blood. About 20% of people w/RA are the same as you. I didnt think that meant you wont have damage to your joints...definitely worth getting clarification.

Thanks. I am on heavy duty blood thinners and they make me sick enough. So..I have decided to take the MTX to my internist when I see her and most likely will not start it until I am off the blood thinners, which could be a couple more weeks. That is exactly what she said..."however, she did say it won't damage the joints." I will clarify. I have arthritis in hips, shoulders and knees...but most of my family does. But there is no twisting or deformity. I just got scared when I read ALL the side-affects. She first gave me Lyrica which had HORRIBLE side affects and then I read that Lyrica is NOT proven to do anything...it was the drug manufacturer HYPE....sometimes is the "cure" worse than the disease??

It's good you are holding your ground Lynne, like docsbrat says - it's your body and you have the right to determine how it is treated and what goes into it.
I was interested in what you said about blood thinners and MTX, because many of us are on anti-inflammatories that thin our blood also. Have a look at the link below, it has a good "interaction checker" for those of us on multiple meds.
http://www.drugs.com/cdi/methotrexate-tablets.html
Please note though, this is not official medical advice and I only have a Doctorate of Oragami and Washing-up!!!!! Your doc's will tell you the real-deal. All the best