Re: inflammatory arthritis

[Guest guest]

For most people Methotrexate does offer significant improvement in RA symptoms but it takes from a few weeks to a few months to become effective. Dose usually starts at or below 10 mg and may increase to as much as 25 mg if lower doses are not effective and side effects are tolerable. Some people find a marked decrease in side effects (particularly in mouth and stomach) by using injections rather than pills. Your 30 mg Prednisone is a heavy dose and I hope you get refief from a DMARD such as Methotrexate soon so that you can reduce Prednisone, at least to below 10 mg per week.

I can't help with the changes in barometric pressure. Apparently a lot of people who are well controlled still flare when barometric pressure changes. I know of no remedy for that. With proper medications the extent of flaring may be less.

It will take finding the proper medicine combination and dose to get optimum use of your hands. Unfortunately, this is a trial and error thing that can take quite a while. It is likely that there will be some loss of function of the hands but for most people this is only slight.

Some people get more relief from a combination of DMARDs than they do from either single DMARD alone. It sounds like your rheumatologist is trying the right things to begin with, but you should get more aggressive treatment if things don't improve within a few weeks. Good luck and God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: quinlan42

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 9:36 AM

Subject: inflammatory arthritis

Well, this is an update, my rheumy has diagnosed me with an inflammatory arthritis, but we cannot pinpoint which one as of yet, since I have a negative RF, He still thinks that it may be RA but since all inflammatory arthritis is treated the same I guess it does not matter, but for my own peace of mind , I would like to put a name to it. From everything I have read, RA is the only thing that really fits. Anyway, I started treatment with Methotraxate last week. Today will be my second dose. So far the only side affect that I have noticed is a sore mouth. I am also taking 30mg of Prednisone which seems to help. The problem is that everytime the barometric pressure changes within 200 miles of me, i get pain and swelling even worse. My hands are really affected, and since my job entails using my hands,(i am an ultrasound tech)it is a real problem. Any thoughts? Will this improve? Thanks.

[Guest guest]

I too have significant problems with my hands, I'm a nurse working with medical records. My joints joining my thumbs to hands and to wrists are very painful - esp with the work I do. I did find something about a month ago......they are small splints that are not as hot at the neoprene splints, that support only those joints. There is a website www.3pointproducts.com that offers a wide range. You might discuss with your doctor. I found that the ThumSaver MP (one for each hand) has enabled me to continue working with minimal pain now. I hope you might find a similar device. Good luck to you! Sandy F.

MSN 8 helps ELIMINATE E-MAIL VIRUSES. Get 2 months FREE*.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the great site Sandy, I have been looking for a good splint and

you have found it from the looks of it.

Becky

----- Original Message ----- <Snipped>

There is a website www.3pointproducts.com that offers a wide range. You

might discuss with your doctor. I found that the ThumSaver MP (one for

each hand) has enabled me to continue working with minimal pain now. I

hope you might find a similar device. Good luck to you! Sandy F.

[Guest guest]

I was reading your post on prednisone and you said that 30mg is a heavy dose. You said that under 10 mg a week would be good. I was prescribed 4 pills at 5mg each day for 2days That's 20 mg in one day. After 2 days I take 3 pills for 2 days and finally I go to 1 pill 5mg each day after that. That would be around 73 mgs a week. Does this dose seem high? Did you mean 30 a week was high or 30 per day? Could you tell me some of the side effects of prednisone? thanks Jan from MI

-------Original Message-------

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 9:17:00 PM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: Re: inflammatory arthritis

For most people Methotrexate does offer significant improvement in RA symptoms but it takes from a few weeks to a few months to become effective. Dose usually starts at or below 10 mg and may increase to as much as 25 mg if lower doses are not effective and side effects are tolerable. Some people find a marked decrease in side effects (particularly in mouth and stomach) by using injections rather than pills. Your 30 mg Prednisone is a heavy dose and I hope you get refief from a DMARD such as Methotrexate soon so that you can reduce Prednisone, at least to below 10 mg per week.

I can't help with the changes in barometric pressure. Apparently a lot of people who are well controlled still flare when barometric pressure changes. I know of no remedy for that. With proper medications the extent of flaring may be less.

It will take finding the proper medicine combination and dose to get optimum use of your hands. Unfortunately, this is a trial and error thing that can take quite a while. It is likely that there will be some loss of function of the hands but for most people this is only slight.

Some people get more relief from a combination of DMARDs than they do from either single DMARD alone. It sounds like your rheumatologist is trying the right things to begin with, but you should get more aggressive treatment if things don't improve within a few weeks. Good luck and God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: quinlan42

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 9:36 AM

Subject: inflammatory arthritis

Well, this is an update, my rheumy has diagnosed me with an inflammatory arthritis, but we cannot pinpoint which one as of yet, since I have a negative RF, He still thinks that it may be RA but since all inflammatory arthritis is treated the same I guess it does not matter, but for my own peace of mind , I would like to put a name to it. From everything I have read, RA is the only thing that really fits. Anyway, I started treatment with Methotraxate last week. Today will be my second dose. So far the only side affect that I have noticed is a sore mouth. I am also taking 30mg of Prednisone which seems to help. The problem is that everytime the barometric pressure changes within 200 miles of me, i get pain and swelling even worse. My hands are really affected, and since my job entails using my hands,(i am an ultrasound tech)it is a real problem. Any thoughts? Will this improve? Thanks.

[Guest guest]

I really blew my post on Prednisone. I should have said 10 mg per day and some people try to keep it below 5 mg per day. Some people say it would be easier to list what is NOT an adverse side effect of Prednisone (just kidding). Symptoms vary greatly with the individual but I think the main ones are weight gain, moon face, insomnia, and mood swings. A site I like lists the following for Prednisone:"Possible side effects:"These side effects are not considered serious but are certainly annoying for those experiencing them. The most frequently reported side effects include diarrhea or constipation, headache, increased or decreased appetite, nervousness, restlessness, or difficulty sleeping, upset stomach, unusual increased growth of hair on the face or body, menstrual problems, thin skin, easy bruising, "moon" face, and weight gain."More serious side effects that you should report right away include bloody or black, tarry stools, eye pain, decreased or blurred vision, or bulging eyes, fever, sore throat, sneezing, cough, or other signs of infection, wounds that will not heal, increased thirst, irregular heartbeat, mental depression, mood swings, mistaken feelings of self-importance or of being mistreated, and swelling of feet or lower legs. "Signs of a possible allergic reaction are rash, swelling and difficulty breathing. These symptoms should be reported immediately. "Prednisone can cause glaucoma and cataracts, please let your eye doctor know you are taking it. "Prednisone can increase blood sugar levels." http://www.arthritisinsight.com/medical/meds/

I'm sorry if my error in posting caused you any anxiety and I appreciate your giving me a chance to correct my error. Good luck and God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: JJHamilton

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 10:54 PM

Subject: Re: inflammatory arthritis

I was reading your post on prednisone and you said that 30mg is a heavy dose. You said that under 10 mg a week would be good. I was prescribed 4 pills at 5mg each day for 2days That's 20 mg in one day. After 2 days I take 3 pills for 2 days and finally I go to 1 pill 5mg each day after that. That would be around 73 mgs a week. Does this dose seem high? Did you mean 30 a week was high or 30 per day? Could you tell me some of the side effects of prednisone? thanks Jan from MI

-------Original Message-------

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 9:17:00 PM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: Re: inflammatory arthritis

For most people Methotrexate does offer significant improvement in RA symptoms but it takes from a few weeks to a few months to become effective. Dose usually starts at or below 10 mg and may increase to as much as 25 mg if lower doses are not effective and side effects are tolerable. Some people find a marked decrease in side effects (particularly in mouth and stomach) by using injections rather than pills. Your 30 mg Prednisone is a heavy dose and I hope you get refief from a DMARD such as Methotrexate soon so that you can reduce Prednisone, at least to below 10 mg per week.

I can't help with the changes in barometric pressure. Apparently a lot of people who are well controlled still flare when barometric pressure changes. I know of no remedy for that. With proper medications the extent of flaring may be less.

It will take finding the proper medicine combination and dose to get optimum use of your hands. Unfortunately, this is a trial and error thing that can take quite a while. It is likely that there will be some loss of function of the hands but for most people this is only slight.

Some people get more relief from a combination of DMARDs than they do from either single DMARD alone. It sounds like your rheumatologist is trying the right things to begin with, but you should get more aggressive treatment if things don't improve within a few weeks. Good luck and God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: quinlan42

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 9:36 AM

Subject: inflammatory arthritis

Well, this is an update, my rheumy has diagnosed me with an inflammatory arthritis, but we cannot pinpoint which one as of yet, since I have a negative RF, He still thinks that it may be RA but since all inflammatory arthritis is treated the same I guess it does not matter, but for my own peace of mind , I would like to put a name to it. From everything I have read, RA is the only thing that really fits. Anyway, I started treatment with Methotraxate last week. Today will be my second dose. So far the only side affect that I have noticed is a sore mouth. I am also taking 30mg of Prednisone which seems to help. The problem is that everytime the barometric pressure changes within 200 miles of me, i get pain and swelling even worse. My hands are really affected, and since my job entails using my hands,(i am an ultrasound tech)it is a real problem. Any thoughts? Will this improve? Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Jan,

I recently had a severe flare and couldn't get it under control until

I hit it with Prednisone.

I started taking 60 mg per day, day 2 & 3 50 mg, day 4 40 mg day 5

30 mg day 6 20 mg and today 15 mg tomorrow 10 mg.

The flare is now totally under control and I have had no side effects

from the Prednisone. Massive doses like this for a short time are OK

for most people.

Hopefully when I get to see a Rheumy in Aug. I will get put on

Remicade or one of the new anti-rheumatic drugs.

In 10 Years Methotrexate will be obsolete.

Good luck and God Bless,

Jay

>

> I was reading your post on prednisone and you said that 30mg is a

heavy

> dose. You said that under 10 mg a week would be good. I was

prescribed 4

> pills at 5mg each day for 2days That's 20 mg in one day. After 2

days I

> take 3 pills for 2 days and finally I go to 1 pill 5mg each day

after that.

> That would be around 73 mgs a week. Does this dose seem high?

Did you

> mean 30 a week was high or 30 per day? Could you tell me some of

the side

> effects of prednisone? thanks Jan from MI

> -------Original Message-------

>

> From: Rheumatoid Arthritis

> Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 9:17:00 PM

> Rheumatoid Arthritis

> Subject: Re: inflammatory arthritis

>

> For most people Methotrexate does offer significant improvement in

RA

> symptoms but it takes from a few weeks to a few months to become

effective.

> Dose usually starts at or below 10 mg and may increase to as much

as 25 mg

> if lower doses are not effective and side effects are tolerable.

Some

> people find a marked decrease in side effects (particularly in

mouth and

> stomach) by using injections rather than pills. Your 30 mg

Prednisone is a

> heavy dose and I hope you get refief from a DMARD such as

Methotrexate soon

> so that you can reduce Prednisone, at least to below 10 mg per

week.

>

> I can't help with the changes in barometric pressure. Apparently a

lot of

> people who are well controlled still flare when barometric pressure

changes.

> I know of no remedy for that. With proper medications the extent

of

> flaring may be less.

>

> It will take finding the proper medicine combination and dose to

get optimum

> use of your hands. Unfortunately, this is a trial and error thing

that can

> take quite a while. It is likely that there will be some loss of

function

> of the hands but for most people this is only slight.

>

> Some people get more relief from a combination of DMARDs than they

do from

> either single DMARD alone. It sounds like your rheumatologist is

trying the

> right things to begin with, but you should get more aggressive

treatment if

> things don't improve within a few weeks. Good luck and God bless.

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: quinlan42

> Rheumatoid Arthritis

> Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 9:36 AM

> Subject: inflammatory arthritis

>

>

> Well, this is an update, my rheumy has diagnosed me with an

> inflammatory arthritis, but we cannot pinpoint which one as of yet,

> since I have a negative RF, He still thinks that it may be RA but

> since all inflammatory arthritis is treated the same I guess it

does

> not matter, but for my own peace of mind , I would like to put a

name

> to it. From everything I have read, RA is the only thing that

really

> fits. Anyway, I started treatment with Methotraxate last week.

Today

> will be my second dose. So far the only side affect that I have

> noticed is a sore mouth. I am also taking 30mg of Prednisone which

> seems to help. The problem is that everytime the barometric

pressure

> changes within 200 miles of me, i get pain and swelling even worse.

> My hands are really affected, and since my job entails using my

hands,

> (i am an ultrasound tech)it is a real problem. Any thoughts? Will

> this improve? Thanks.

>

>

>

>