Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 Welcome to the group, ! I'm glad your current eye doctor didn't dismiss your chronic eye inflammation either. It's amazing how many stories like yours are told here. It's not always easy to get the correct diagnosis immediately, but it sounds like your rheumatologist is considering RA. Your RF doesn't have to be positive in order to receive a diagnosis of RA. Unfortunately, none of the lab tests can rule in or rule out RA on their own. An RA diagnosis is largely a clinical one; this is also true of the great number of other rheumatic diseases. Lab results can help establish a diagnosis, but they are only a part of the picture. Sed rate can be elevated for many, many reasons, but, generally speaking, ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is a measure of inflammation. So, you've most likely got some sort of inflammatory response going on, but there is no telling just from an elevated sed rate what is causing it. Here's my favorite sed rate article: http://www.aafp.org/afp/991001ap/1443.html I'm happy to hear that the meds are helping, but the side-effects sound very annoying. No doubt that prednisone can cause all three that you've mentioned - night sweats, difficulty sleeping, and upset stomach. I would call your physician about it and see what she thinks is the problem. If it is the prednisone, maybe a reduction in the dose will help. As a mentioned, it's good to hear that you will eventually wean off of the prednisone, since, although it can be quite effective as an anti-inflammatory, it's long-term side-effects can be quite serious. [ ] Also a new member > Hi! I'm also new to the group. This is the first time I've ever joined a support group but it seemed like a really good idea. I started on Placquenil, Prednisone and Celebrex about 2 months ago. I was actually referred by my eye doctor to a family practice doctor who then referred me to a Rheumatologist (Rheumy, I think I've seen in some postings ). I have had chronic eye inflammation for some time and after 3 eye doctors who treated it like an infection, only to have it return in a few weeks, this doctor started asking some questions, such as, was I frequently tired, did my joints hurt, etc. I'm really grateful to her for not brushing me off. > > I had been having pain in my hands, wrists and ankles but really started having trouble with my hips and could barely walk if I sat too long at work. My RH factor was negative but sed rate was 50. I'm not really sure what all that means. The rheumy office ran the tests and the doctor just called me back with the results and called in the meds so I haven't gotten too much information. She never said for sure it was RA, really didn't say much of anything. From what I've been able to read, the drugs she's prescribed are for RA but I wasn't sure since the RH factor was neg. I go back to her in another month. > > The meds have made a HUGE difference already. My biggest problems with them are the difficulty sleeping, night sweats and upset stomach. Nothing I can't deal with but since I went on all 3 at once, I'm not sure which is causing what. Any ideas? Is anyone else on Placquenil? I'm hoping the Prednisone is the culprit because from what the dr said, I'm just going to be on it short term. > > I'm still trying to get used to all of this and sometimes it's a little overwhelming and a bit scary. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2002 Report Share Posted May 10, 2002 Welcome : I am a newbie also ...I take plaquenil and celebrex also neither one has made me sick to my stomach or had the other effects you talked about... is right it probably is the prednisone...this is a great group and once again Welcome....Kathi in OK --- <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote: > Welcome to the group, ! > > I'm glad your current eye doctor didn't dismiss your > chronic eye > inflammation either. It's amazing how many stories > like yours are told > here. > > It's not always easy to get the correct diagnosis > immediately, but it > sounds like your rheumatologist is considering RA. > Your RF doesn't have > to be positive in order to receive a diagnosis of > RA. Unfortunately, > none of the lab tests can rule in or rule out RA on > their own. An RA > diagnosis is largely a clinical one; this is also > true of the great > number of other rheumatic diseases. Lab results can > help establish a > diagnosis, but they are only a part of the picture. > > Sed rate can be elevated for many, many reasons, > but, generally > speaking, ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is a > measure of > inflammation. So, you've most likely got some sort > of inflammatory > response going on, but there is no telling just from > an elevated sed > rate what is causing it. > > Here's my favorite sed rate article: > > http://www.aafp.org/afp/991001ap/1443.html > > I'm happy to hear that the meds are helping, but the > side-effects sound > very annoying. No doubt that prednisone can cause > all three that you've > mentioned - night sweats, difficulty sleeping, and > upset stomach. I > would call your physician about it and see what she > thinks is the > problem. If it is the prednisone, maybe a reduction > in the dose will > help. As a mentioned, it's good to hear that you > will eventually > wean off of the prednisone, since, although it can > be quite effective as > an anti-inflammatory, it's long-term side-effects > can be quite serious. > > > > > > [ ] Also a new member > > > > Hi! I'm also new to the group. This is the first > time I've ever > joined a support group but it seemed like a really > good idea. I started > on Placquenil, Prednisone and Celebrex about 2 > months ago > > > > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2002 Report Share Posted May 25, 2002 thank you for the welcome, <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote: Welcome to the group, ! I admire your spirit. I think your positive attitude will help you a great deal. We'll try to support you the best we can. Re: [ ] new to group thank you for the warm welcome- I actually started on a drug called Bextra today so we shall see- Im going to start a good exercies program- water type and treadmill- Ive been going through the acceptance stage even after all these years- I guess I just now realize that this is not going away and that I need to control it rather then IT control me I am going to do everything I can to keep doing the things I love- looking forward to the support of this group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.