Re: meds (is my dosage too low?)

[Guest guest]

I have reactive arthritis and it took a while to convince me to get on something

more than the NSAIDs, but I did. I was allergic to the sulfasalazine so I take

methotrexate. It sounds like you are doing better than me because I can't run at

all, my ankles hurt too much. I guess you could try whatever the doctor

recommends and see what happens. It will be a low dose to start. I also wonder

about taking antidepressants. Let me know how that goes for you.

-- Kay

[Guest guest]

it's strange mary kay. this morning i was depressed. neck was stiff and sore,

back was too. basically in pain. then by afternoon felt ok. was able to

powerwalk a mile. then walk all over superwalmart and shop. knees are alittle

sore but i'm ok.

>

> I have reactive arthritis and it took a while to convince me to get on

something more than the NSAIDs, but I did. I was allergic to the sulfasalazine

so I take methotrexate. It sounds like you are doing better than me because I

can't run at all, my ankles hurt too much. I guess you could try whatever the

doctor recommends and see what happens. It will be a low dose to start. I also

wonder about taking antidepressants. Let me know how that goes for you.

>

> -- Kay

>

[Guest guest]

If your flare is starting to subside, then if it was me, I'd wait on adding a

new medication.  I was on sulfasalizine for four years, but in my case, it

didn't help much.  Like Kay, I also am now allergic to sulfa.  I tend to

take the bare minimum of medications that I need to get by because I do have

allergies and sensitivities to some medications.  My symptoms are mild for the

most part - I have stiffness mostly, occasional swelling and pain, but nothing

too painful.  I don't think I've ever power walked a mile though!  That is

awesome!  :-)  If I have a bad flare, the doctor will sometimes put me on

steroids for a short time to get the flare under control, then take me off. 

Once it is under control, I am usually ok after that.  But everyone is

different.  Hope you find the right balance of medications that best works for

you. 

From: phuzaxeman777 <phuzaxeman777@...>

Subject: meds (is my dosage too low?)

Date: Monday, July 18, 2011, 2:47 AM

 

my current flare (my 3rd) started in the end of feb. i've been managing

with voltaren nsaid 75 mg 2x a day.

i feel better than march and april, i can power walk over a mile (even do slight

jogging), but i'm still stiff and sore. when things get worse i take tylenol

arthritis (1 or 2 caps a day).

my blood work is all normal. i have times where i feel back to normal

(85-95)and times when i don't feel good at all. i'm seeing a pscyhologist and

getting p.t. (i'm blessed my wife is one).

i feel that this flare is starting to subside (it has twice already usually

lasting 4-6 mos).

my dr suggested i may want to try sulfasalizine (or another dmard) with my

voltaren (i said no i'm getting better).

in all honesty i'm scared to adding another drug (i have hypertension too and

take meds for that too) and i've done ok managing just with the nsaid. i've

bumped up my workouts but have been more achey and sore lately.

i completely understand that there are people much worse than my case and are on

heavy drugs (biologics+dmards+nsaid etc). but in my case i've been debating

adding sulfasalizine or an anti-depressent.

on another site (not a ReA site), people have mentioned that i should add the

dmard or steroids because my dosage could be low. any suggesstions?

[Guest guest]

thank you for sharing. your symptoms and idea about minimal meds sound like me.

i too have allergies but i've never been allergic to any meds (knocking on hard

wood). My symptoms are mild-moderate for the most part and have stiffness

mostly, occasional swelling and pain, but nothing too painful as well.

even mild to moderate pain, it's bothering me mentally. i don't know how others

are, but deep down i am having a problem with this condition in my mind. i'm

seeking a lot of counseling and have a wonderful family with lots of friends but

there's a mental part of this that i'm fighting as well. i have a history of

depression and anxiety. don't get me wrong, i do all the positive stuff like

meditation, exercise, diet, supplements, reading books, etc, and it works 85% of

the time. but the other 15% i am consumed with thoughts of the future and what

if's (all which i shouldn't worry).

i'm already on meds for hypertension, and i really don't want to add anymore.

but sometimes the thought of an anti deprresant to help me sounds good. but

even an anti depressant doesn't take away the real pain i may be growing

through. i'm sorry to vent, but the risg people are the only group of people

that can truly understand.

btw, what meds are you on?

>

> From: phuzaxeman777 <phuzaxeman777@...>

> Subject: meds (is my dosage too low?)

>

> Date: Monday, July 18, 2011, 2:47 AM

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> my current flare (my 3rd) started in the end of feb. i've been managing

with voltaren nsaid 75 mg 2x a day.

>

>

>

> i feel better than march and april, i can power walk over a mile (even do

slight jogging), but i'm still stiff and sore. when things get worse i take

tylenol arthritis (1 or 2 caps a day).

>

>

>

> my blood work is all normal. i have times where i feel back to normal

(85-95)and times when i don't feel good at all. i'm seeing a pscyhologist and

getting p.t. (i'm blessed my wife is one).

>

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> i feel that this flare is starting to subside (it has twice already usually

lasting 4-6 mos).

>

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>

> my dr suggested i may want to try sulfasalizine (or another dmard) with my

voltaren (i said no i'm getting better).

>

>

>

> in all honesty i'm scared to adding another drug (i have hypertension too and

take meds for that too) and i've done ok managing just with the nsaid. i've

bumped up my workouts but have been more achey and sore lately.

>

>

>

> i completely understand that there are people much worse than my case and are

on heavy drugs (biologics+dmards+nsaid etc). but in my case i've been debating

adding sulfasalizine or an anti-depressent.

>

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> on another site (not a ReA site), people have mentioned that i should add the

dmard or steroids because my dosage could be low. any suggesstions?

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[Guest guest]

The reason I take the medicine is to prevent the flares and any joint damage.

The bad flare I had made it hard to do anything -- button my shirt, bend, you

name it.

I hope I am on the right track; I really wish it were easier to get a second

opinion (from a doctor). That's what I plan to do next year.

-- Kay

[Guest guest]

thanks for sharing. it really is comforting. what kind of symptoms do you have?

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> > From: phuzaxeman777 <phuzaxeman777@>

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> > Subject: meds (is my dosage too low?)

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> > my current flare (my 3rd) started in the end of feb. i've been

managing with voltaren nsaid 75 mg 2x a day.

>

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>

> > i feel better than march and april, i can power walk over a mile (even do

slight jogging), but i'm still stiff and sore. when things get worse i take

tylenol arthritis (1 or 2 caps a day).

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > my blood work is all normal. i have times where i feel back to normal

(85-95)and times when i don't feel good at all. i'm seeing a pscyhologist and

getting p.t. (i'm blessed my wife is one).

>

> >

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> > i feel that this flare is starting to subside (it has twice already usually

lasting 4-6 mos).

>

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> >

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> > my dr suggested i may want to try sulfasalizine (or another dmard) with my

voltaren (i said no i'm getting better).

>

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> >

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>

> > in all honesty i'm scared to adding another drug (i have hypertension too

and take meds for that too) and i've done ok managing just with the nsaid. i've

bumped up my workouts but have been more achey and sore lately.

>

> >

>

> >

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>

> > i completely understand that there are people much worse than my case and

are on heavy drugs (biologics+dmards+nsaid etc). but in my case i've been

debating adding sulfasalizine or an anti-depressent.

>

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> > on another site (not a ReA site), people have mentioned that i should add

the dmard or steroids because my dosage could be low. any suggesstions?

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[Guest guest]

I never did answer the question about depression. I sometimes do feel really

down about things and what my future might be. I also have a lot of difficult

things going on with family and job. I probably " should " be taking

anti-depressants (I used to), but I don't know. It's a big decision.

I know the medicine (methotrexate and relafen) is really harsh and might have

some severe long-term effects. I decided I'd rather have a high-functioning

today and next 20 years if possible, and not worry about the long term. I still

don't feel 100 percent or even 80 percent OK, and I know when I skip the meds I

feel even worse. I don't want to feel worse!

--MK