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...
My quadriceps continue to be weak and I think it's related to the RA, even though my RA is not causing me much of the "typical" problems.
Never have had erosions (hands/feet by mri and xray).
I'm really not stiff these days either. **I do hurt at night and get stiff in bed, tossing and turning often (which looks funny as lifting up to turn over is such a chore)
But overall, I'm tired, I ache "here and there" enough to put off workouts or pay the price for three days after one. I have to take NSaids and Tylenol most days now.
The thing that has me most concerned is the weakness.It's symmetrical, so I'm not concerned of ALS or something random. It is the same thing I've had for years. I've read about Rheumatoid Vaculities and inflammatory myopathies...I think my muscles have really suffered from being sedentary and hurting.
So, now I'm trying to talk myself into starting up the Enbrel. I took it in 2011 with amazing results. Why do we stall on these things? AHHHH. It's stupid of me.
Thanks for letting me gripe. I was thinking that by writing it down here I'd get the nerve to call the doctor. They said to just give them 24hr notice to be sure they have some sure-click pens in stock and the prescription would arrive by the next does. Time waits for no one.
Never have had erosions (hands/feet by mri and xray).
I'm really not stiff these days either. **I do hurt at night and get stiff in bed, tossing and turning often (which looks funny as lifting up to turn over is such a chore)
But overall, I'm tired, I ache "here and there" enough to put off workouts or pay the price for three days after one. I have to take NSaids and Tylenol most days now.
The thing that has me most concerned is the weakness.It's symmetrical, so I'm not concerned of ALS or something random. It is the same thing I've had for years. I've read about Rheumatoid Vaculities and inflammatory myopathies...I think my muscles have really suffered from being sedentary and hurting.
So, now I'm trying to talk myself into starting up the Enbrel. I took it in 2011 with amazing results. Why do we stall on these things? AHHHH. It's stupid of me.
Thanks for letting me gripe. I was thinking that by writing it down here I'd get the nerve to call the doctor. They said to just give them 24hr notice to be sure they have some sure-click pens in stock and the prescription would arrive by the next does. Time waits for no one.
I too am just taking OC NSAIDS but I have taken pictures of my slight swells to show my non-believing RD at my Dec. visit.
I wish you all the best- keep us posted
I keep reminding myself that having a "common" disease like RA with odd symptoms is actually much more likely than some odd variant disease.
My bloodwork always shows anti ccp off the charts predicting moderate-severe RA. I guess it's going to be atypical though.
That's crazy that you ended up with a symmetrical ankle flare. I guess one ankle had sympathetic pain. :) Of course, it's the invisible RA at work. I hope you feel better.
According to your profile pic, you have a Weisenheimer to keep up with. Those dogs are a full-time job! (My husband had a Weimaraner when we first met.
Ayvah - I followed typical protocol and when the methotrexate wasn't doing the job, we added Enbrel. Methotrexate and Cymbalta caused my liver enzymes to skyrocket. Basically the methotrexate caused it and the Cymbalta helped by increasing how long it stayed in my liver. I had to stop all drugs in Dec 2011. When my enzymes retreated, I was not hurting at all so the doctor let me wait until I needed to restart Enbrel. We both thought it would be by summer 2012. I've anticipated needing to go back on it but have felt ok until this summer. Even as of my last bloodwork, I'm not having too much inflammation, but the pain is starting to rotate around and I ache from time to time.
I called the doctor's office. They are calling in the Enbrel to a pharmacy and once it's clearly covered, I'll go in for my first shot this round. UGH.
past!
I appreciate all the replies.
Doctor thinks my aches/pains are mostly bursitis related, especially hip and leg pain. That seems to be the primary way my RA presents. I was relieved to hear that many RA folks have it.
First I've heard of bursitis problems with RA.
My dr doesn't say much.
Also take pictures on bad days. Only way to get the docs attention.
Learn something new here al the time. Thank goodness for that.
Here's to success for those of you starting Enbrel.
Sammy