Guest guest Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 I'm still trying to figure this RA of mine out. I've read other postings referring to " flare ups " . For the last 3-4 weeks I've been experiencing the same problems as I did when I was initially diagnosed with RA(not quite a year ago). I'm having lots of pain (really bad pain) and stiffness in my hands, wrists, hips, ankles, etc. I haven't had these kind of problems since I started taking methotrexate(perscribed with initial diagnosis). Finally last Tuesday I couldn't take the pain any more so, with direction from my rheumy, my GP gave me a " steroid shot " that was suppose to help. It hasn't. Am I experiencing a flare up?? I have an appt. with my rheumy tomorrow and didn't know whether to expect a change in medication or to be told " this is normal " . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 Sorry I'm late with this reply, . What did your rheumatologist say today? A " flare " just means when your symptoms become measurably worse. I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Flare ups? > I'm still trying to figure this RA of mine out. I've read other > postings referring to " flare ups " . For the last 3-4 weeks I've been > experiencing the same problems as I did when I was initially > diagnosed with RA(not quite a year ago). I'm having lots of pain > (really bad pain) and stiffness in my hands, wrists, hips, ankles, > etc. I haven't had these kind of problems since I started taking > methotrexate(perscribed with initial diagnosis). Finally last > Tuesday I couldn't take the pain any more so, with direction from my > rheumy, my GP gave me a " steroid shot " that was suppose to help. It > hasn't. Am I experiencing a flare up?? I have an appt. with my > rheumy tomorrow and didn't know whether to expect a change in > medication or to be told " this is normal " . > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2004 Report Share Posted May 30, 2004 , I know it's not easy to be positive, especially when you aren't feeling good. Don't lose hope. The meds can help quite a bit, and your life can be more normal. Of course, the decision about which DMARDs to try is entirely up to you and your doctor, but, between the two choices you listed, I would go with MTX + Plaquenil + sulfasalazine. I have a bias against Arava because of safety issues, so I have a hard time recommending it either alone or in combination with other DMARDs; however, I can think of at least one study where the MTX + Arava combination was investigated and found to be effective and safe. We also have members who have used or are currently using Arava (alone) with success. I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] Flare ups? > > My rheumy said I wasn't doing so good. He upped my > methotrexate and put me on a twice daily anti > inflammatory. I can't remember what it's called. He > said we were going to try this and if it doesn't work > were going to switch to something else. He suggested > two options that I should do some research on 1. > Arava + mtx or Plaquenil, Sulfasalazine + mtx. Any > input on either of those? > > I have to say, I'm really looking for the light at the > end of the tunnel with this RA....and I just don't see > one. I'm normally a very positive person..I always > look for the positive in any situation, but I just > don't see one with this. Are there any? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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