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 just had visit with my RA Doc & he stated that my liver tests came up slightly elevated but not to a point where he's overly concerned. I guess you're supposed to be between 20-60 & I'm at 77? I remember my number but can't remember the target area's I could be wrong about the 20-60.
Anyway, I feel fine, I don't take the prednisone any longer & I have zero pain, inflammation or stiffness in all major joints, shoulders, knee's, ankles, wrists, elbows, ect. And I have very slight stiffness in my left index finger & right middle finger. I guess so far I'm lucky.
I take 6 2.5mg MTX tablets every Sunday but he wants to get me on Plaquenil to get rid of ALL SYMPTOMS. I'm glad he's aggressive but honestly if I went the rest of my life in my current state the only thing I'd complain about is the slight nausea & elevated sebhorric Dermatitis. Other then that I can deal with the mild finger stiffness compared to the pain & stiffness I had before.
Does anyone think this is too aggressive or just right?
Anyway, I feel fine, I don't take the prednisone any longer & I have zero pain, inflammation or stiffness in all major joints, shoulders, knee's, ankles, wrists, elbows, ect. And I have very slight stiffness in my left index finger & right middle finger. I guess so far I'm lucky.
I take 6 2.5mg MTX tablets every Sunday but he wants to get me on Plaquenil to get rid of ALL SYMPTOMS. I'm glad he's aggressive but honestly if I went the rest of my life in my current state the only thing I'd complain about is the slight nausea & elevated sebhorric Dermatitis. Other then that I can deal with the mild finger stiffness compared to the pain & stiffness I had before.
Does anyone think this is too aggressive or just right?
Cheryl
Thanks I appreciate your input.
I was able to go back to work bc of this drug (part time) and start working out again at the gym. It's wonderful. I am now starting to add MTX, but it is an energy zapper and gives me bad brain fog. I don't think I'm going to continue on the mtx. I would rather try something else.
Good luck to you.
That's great to hear! I haven't heard too many major side effects except for nausea which concerns me because the MTX already gives me slight nausea from Sunday to about late Tuesday. It's manageable though. I just don't want it to be a multiplier though.
I'll definitely keep my "eyes" open for that! LOL
I would say you have found your Rheumy for life (or until his/her retirement). I'm kind of jealous as it took me so many different docs to find a good match.
As far as the Plaquenil, find a good optometrist, get a baseline eye exam, then if you start the Plaquenil the eye doc will easily be able to tell if the Plaquenil is causing eye problems as you will need an eye exam every six months.
Personally, I had zero side effects from Plaquenil. And, if you develop any problems on this medication, it isn't one that needs to be weaned down. You can simply stop taking it immediately according to my Rheumy.
Your situation sounds like a win/win proposition. If it were me, I'd definitely follow the Rheumy's recommendation.
Congrats on finding this Rheumatologist!!!!
TheWino
Hopefully you wont have any problems and it will make you feel that much better!