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...
Among my other medical conditions, I have Rheumatoid arthritis, but the doctor said it is not the type the destroys the joints. I just have pain, sometimes. Some days worse than others. Six months ago she put me on Plaquenil and I've been doing pretty good with that. I've had some flare-ups of shoulder and hip arthritis and she gives me a cortisone shot and I'm good for quite some time. My sed rate is still elevated and yesterday she gave me methtrexate to start. I read the side affects and literature and I'm scared to death to take this. I have blood clots in my lungs, asthma, congestive heart failure and kidney problems. I'm already on blood thinners which make me sick to my stomach most of the time. And have diarhea every other day. What do any of you think of this drug? I am just sick nd tired of taking one medicine after another. I work and I'm tired of running in and out of the bathroom day after day. I just need to vent and find some answers. I am SO angry today.
I love this site for looking up some of the medications and what they mean. I'm sure you have a place, too. I take Plaquenil also. But think I need something with it, now. It isn't enough on it's own. Don't want to take MTX either. Thinking about Remicade, but will see what my new doctor says in April. Best to you.