Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 , Welcome to the group. If your medications are not working enough to enable you to function, you need to communicate that to your rheumatologist. I know plaquinil takes a while to start working, but I have no experience with it personally. I started on mtx and prednisone, which worked for me right away. One option for you might be a low dose of prednisone for a few months until the plaquinil is working, and then wean off the prednisone. I've personally never used pain medications because for me, if I control the RA with RA drugs, the pain is minimal if there is any at all. The only time I get pain is when I over do it one day (I have a 4 year old and it's easy to over do it) or lately with the weather changes they have caused me to flare. Talk to your doctor and see what he/she says. And welcome again! Jennie > Hey Group, > > My name is and I have been newly dxd with RA. Ive > started Placquinil treatment in the middle of September. I have to > admit that I dont have as much pain, but i still have some. I work > full time and it seems that alot of my pain starts like at the end > of the week. Anyway I did a round of prednisone, darovcet, and then > some lortabs, that was last week. The steroids seemed to help some , > but NO relief from the pink candy they call darvocet and the low > dose...5/500 mg lortabs. Why is it that nobody seems to care that > until this Placquinil starts working....the pain is killing me. I > have to keep working on account of I need the insurance. Does any one > have any suggestions for me? Any input would be great. > Oh, one more thing I just turned 44 on October 23, and I > also have Parkinsons Disease...... > Looking forward to your responses....... > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 , Welcome to the group. If your medications are not working enough to enable you to function, you need to communicate that to your rheumatologist. I know plaquinil takes a while to start working, but I have no experience with it personally. I started on mtx and prednisone, which worked for me right away. One option for you might be a low dose of prednisone for a few months until the plaquinil is working, and then wean off the prednisone. I've personally never used pain medications because for me, if I control the RA with RA drugs, the pain is minimal if there is any at all. The only time I get pain is when I over do it one day (I have a 4 year old and it's easy to over do it) or lately with the weather changes they have caused me to flare. Talk to your doctor and see what he/she says. And welcome again! Jennie > Hey Group, > > My name is and I have been newly dxd with RA. Ive > started Placquinil treatment in the middle of September. I have to > admit that I dont have as much pain, but i still have some. I work > full time and it seems that alot of my pain starts like at the end > of the week. Anyway I did a round of prednisone, darovcet, and then > some lortabs, that was last week. The steroids seemed to help some , > but NO relief from the pink candy they call darvocet and the low > dose...5/500 mg lortabs. Why is it that nobody seems to care that > until this Placquinil starts working....the pain is killing me. I > have to keep working on account of I need the insurance. Does any one > have any suggestions for me? Any input would be great. > Oh, one more thing I just turned 44 on October 23, and I > also have Parkinsons Disease...... > Looking forward to your responses....... > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Hi . Have you told your doctor that your pain meds aren¹t working? Many members have problems with untreated or undertreated pain, so you aren¹t alone. My last rheumy wouldn¹t prescribe anything but darvocet and he didn¹t like doing that. He sent me to a pain management doctor to deal with the pain issue. I switched rheumatologists, and my new one has no problem prescribing pain medicine. I hope your doctor will treat your pain. The best pain reliever for me is water exercises. If you have access to a pool or hot tub, exercising your joints with passive exercises may help. a > > > > Hey Group, > > My name is and I have been newly dxd with RA. Ive > started Placquinil treatment in the middle of September. I have to > admit that I dont have as much pain, but i still have some. I work > full time and it seems that alot of my pain starts like at the end > of the week. Anyway I did a round of prednisone, darovcet, and then > some lortabs, that was last week. The steroids seemed to help some , > but NO relief from the pink candy they call darvocet and the low > dose...5/500 mg lortabs. Why is it that nobody seems to care that > until this Placquinil starts working....the pain is killing me. I > have to keep working on account of I need the insurance. Does any one > have any suggestions for me? Any input would be great. > Oh, one more thing I just turned 44 on October 23, and I > also have Parkinsons Disease...... > Looking forward to your responses....... > Thanks > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Hi . Have you told your doctor that your pain meds aren¹t working? Many members have problems with untreated or undertreated pain, so you aren¹t alone. My last rheumy wouldn¹t prescribe anything but darvocet and he didn¹t like doing that. He sent me to a pain management doctor to deal with the pain issue. I switched rheumatologists, and my new one has no problem prescribing pain medicine. I hope your doctor will treat your pain. The best pain reliever for me is water exercises. If you have access to a pool or hot tub, exercising your joints with passive exercises may help. a > > > > Hey Group, > > My name is and I have been newly dxd with RA. Ive > started Placquinil treatment in the middle of September. I have to > admit that I dont have as much pain, but i still have some. I work > full time and it seems that alot of my pain starts like at the end > of the week. Anyway I did a round of prednisone, darovcet, and then > some lortabs, that was last week. The steroids seemed to help some , > but NO relief from the pink candy they call darvocet and the low > dose...5/500 mg lortabs. Why is it that nobody seems to care that > until this Placquinil starts working....the pain is killing me. I > have to keep working on account of I need the insurance. Does any one > have any suggestions for me? Any input would be great. > Oh, one more thing I just turned 44 on October 23, and I > also have Parkinsons Disease...... > Looking forward to your responses....... > Thanks > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Hi , I'm sure your doctor probably told you that Plaquenil can take a long time to become effective. My doctor told me it normally takes four to six months for it to reach its maximum efficiency. I started taking Plaquenil back in March, and after two months the only thing that happened to the pain was that it got worse. My doctor also gave me a small dose of Prednisone to " take the edge off. " By May, he decided we were getting behind the curve because my stiffness was getting a lot worse, and I started on methotrexate. The mtx helped me immediately...within a week after my first dose, about 75% of the pain and stiffness went away. Anyway, I'm still taking both Plaquenil and MTX, but my doctor wants to start lowering my mtx dosage to see if the Plaquenil can handle my symptoms alone or with a very small mtx dose. (I'm currently pretty much pain-free, just a bit when the weather changes. I no longer take the pred.) I'm a little nervous about doing this since it's the med that finally made a real difference for me. Anyway, I would keep talking to your doctor and reminding him/her that you're still having a lot of pain. If you have to take more prednisone or start mtx or another drug until the pain's more under control, it doesn't mean you'll have to take those meds forever. Compared to other RA drugs, Plaquenil is fairly mild, and my understanding is that it's better at maintaining your condition once the pain is under control than it is at stopping a flare. > > > > Hey Group, > > My name is and I have been newly dxd with RA. Ive > started Placquinil treatment in the middle of September. I have to > admit that I dont have as much pain, but i still have some. I work > full time and it seems that alot of my pain starts like at the end > of the week. Anyway I did a round of prednisone, darovcet, and then > some lortabs, that was last week. The steroids seemed to help some , > but NO relief from the pink candy they call darvocet and the low > dose...5/500 mg lortabs. Why is it that nobody seems to care that > until this Placquinil starts working....the pain is killing me. I > have to keep working on account of I need the insurance. Does any one > have any suggestions for me? Any input would be great. > Oh, one more thing I just turned 44 on October 23, and I > also have Parkinsons Disease...... > Looking forward to your responses....... > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Hi , I'm sure your doctor probably told you that Plaquenil can take a long time to become effective. My doctor told me it normally takes four to six months for it to reach its maximum efficiency. I started taking Plaquenil back in March, and after two months the only thing that happened to the pain was that it got worse. My doctor also gave me a small dose of Prednisone to " take the edge off. " By May, he decided we were getting behind the curve because my stiffness was getting a lot worse, and I started on methotrexate. The mtx helped me immediately...within a week after my first dose, about 75% of the pain and stiffness went away. Anyway, I'm still taking both Plaquenil and MTX, but my doctor wants to start lowering my mtx dosage to see if the Plaquenil can handle my symptoms alone or with a very small mtx dose. (I'm currently pretty much pain-free, just a bit when the weather changes. I no longer take the pred.) I'm a little nervous about doing this since it's the med that finally made a real difference for me. Anyway, I would keep talking to your doctor and reminding him/her that you're still having a lot of pain. If you have to take more prednisone or start mtx or another drug until the pain's more under control, it doesn't mean you'll have to take those meds forever. Compared to other RA drugs, Plaquenil is fairly mild, and my understanding is that it's better at maintaining your condition once the pain is under control than it is at stopping a flare. > > > > Hey Group, > > My name is and I have been newly dxd with RA. Ive > started Placquinil treatment in the middle of September. I have to > admit that I dont have as much pain, but i still have some. I work > full time and it seems that alot of my pain starts like at the end > of the week. Anyway I did a round of prednisone, darovcet, and then > some lortabs, that was last week. The steroids seemed to help some , > but NO relief from the pink candy they call darvocet and the low > dose...5/500 mg lortabs. Why is it that nobody seems to care that > until this Placquinil starts working....the pain is killing me. I > have to keep working on account of I need the insurance. Does any one > have any suggestions for me? Any input would be great. > Oh, one more thing I just turned 44 on October 23, and I > also have Parkinsons Disease...... > Looking forward to your responses....... > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 , so sorry to hear that you are experiencing so much pain. Your healthcare providers should indeed care that you are suffering. Have you told them the nature and extent of your pain? Be very descriptive and let them know it's " killing " you and whether your pain is interfering with your work or sleep. Tell them what works and what doesn't. There are many drugs and methods for treating pain available. Be persistent in your quest for relief. How was your diagnosis of Parkinson's made? Was Lyme disease ruled out? I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Advice.... > > > > > Hey Group, > > My name is and I have been newly dxd with RA. Ive > started Placquinil treatment in the middle of September. I have to > admit that I dont have as much pain, but i still have some. I work > full time and it seems that alot of my pain starts like at the end > of the week. Anyway I did a round of prednisone, darovcet, and then > some lortabs, that was last week. The steroids seemed to help some , > but NO relief from the pink candy they call darvocet and the low > dose...5/500 mg lortabs. Why is it that nobody seems to care that > until this Placquinil starts working....the pain is killing me. I > have to keep working on account of I need the insurance. Does any one > have any suggestions for me? Any input would be great. > Oh, one more thing I just turned 44 on October 23, and I > also have Parkinsons Disease...... > Looking forward to your responses....... > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 , so sorry to hear that you are experiencing so much pain. Your healthcare providers should indeed care that you are suffering. Have you told them the nature and extent of your pain? Be very descriptive and let them know it's " killing " you and whether your pain is interfering with your work or sleep. Tell them what works and what doesn't. There are many drugs and methods for treating pain available. Be persistent in your quest for relief. How was your diagnosis of Parkinson's made? Was Lyme disease ruled out? I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Advice.... > > > > > Hey Group, > > My name is and I have been newly dxd with RA. Ive > started Placquinil treatment in the middle of September. I have to > admit that I dont have as much pain, but i still have some. I work > full time and it seems that alot of my pain starts like at the end > of the week. Anyway I did a round of prednisone, darovcet, and then > some lortabs, that was last week. The steroids seemed to help some , > but NO relief from the pink candy they call darvocet and the low > dose...5/500 mg lortabs. Why is it that nobody seems to care that > until this Placquinil starts working....the pain is killing me. I > have to keep working on account of I need the insurance. Does any one > have any suggestions for me? Any input would be great. > Oh, one more thing I just turned 44 on October 23, and I > also have Parkinsons Disease...... > Looking forward to your responses....... > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Hi ,....Sorry to hear the dx, but glad that we can be here for you. So, your off the Prednisone now? They should keep you on it a little while, it doesn't help to just stop it. I also take Darvocet or Loratab for pain, and I don't get relief either, so I know how you feel. I'm sorry that you have to work full time, I know that must be terribly hard on you. I will keep you in my prayers, T > > > > Hey Group, > > My name is and I have been newly dxd with RA. Ive > started Placquinil treatment in the middle of September. I have to > admit that I dont have as much pain, but i still have some. I work > full time and it seems that alot of my pain starts like at the end > of the week. Anyway I did a round of prednisone, darovcet, and then > some lortabs, that was last week. The steroids seemed to help some , > but NO relief from the pink candy they call darvocet and the low > dose...5/500 mg lortabs. Why is it that nobody seems to care that > until this Placquinil starts working....the pain is killing me. I > have to keep working on account of I need the insurance. Does any one > have any suggestions for me? Any input would be great. > Oh, one more thing I just turned 44 on October 23, and I > also have Parkinsons Disease...... > Looking forward to your responses....... > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Hi ,....Sorry to hear the dx, but glad that we can be here for you. So, your off the Prednisone now? They should keep you on it a little while, it doesn't help to just stop it. I also take Darvocet or Loratab for pain, and I don't get relief either, so I know how you feel. I'm sorry that you have to work full time, I know that must be terribly hard on you. I will keep you in my prayers, T > > > > Hey Group, > > My name is and I have been newly dxd with RA. Ive > started Placquinil treatment in the middle of September. I have to > admit that I dont have as much pain, but i still have some. I work > full time and it seems that alot of my pain starts like at the end > of the week. Anyway I did a round of prednisone, darovcet, and then > some lortabs, that was last week. The steroids seemed to help some , > but NO relief from the pink candy they call darvocet and the low > dose...5/500 mg lortabs. Why is it that nobody seems to care that > until this Placquinil starts working....the pain is killing me. I > have to keep working on account of I need the insurance. Does any one > have any suggestions for me? Any input would be great. > Oh, one more thing I just turned 44 on October 23, and I > also have Parkinsons Disease...... > Looking forward to your responses....... > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 3, 2004 Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 Plaquinel, sulfasalazine or naproxen didn't work for me at all, but methotrexate did right away. --- In , " " <ncgreeneyes60@a...> wrote: > > > > Hey Group, > > My name is and I have been newly dxd with RA. Ive > started Placquinil treatment in the middle of September. I have to > admit that I dont have as much pain, but i still have some. I work > full time and it seems that alot of my pain starts like at the end > of the week. Anyway I did a round of prednisone, darovcet, and then > some lortabs, that was last week. The steroids seemed to help some , > but NO relief from the pink candy they call darvocet and the low > dose...5/500 mg lortabs. Why is it that nobody seems to care that > until this Placquinil starts working....the pain is killing me. I > have to keep working on account of I need the insurance. Does any one > have any suggestions for me? Any input would be great. > Oh, one more thing I just turned 44 on October 23, and I > also have Parkinsons Disease...... > Looking forward to your responses....... > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 3, 2004 Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 Plaquinel, sulfasalazine or naproxen didn't work for me at all, but methotrexate did right away. > > > > Hey Group, > > My name is and I have been newly dxd with RA. Ive > started Placquinil treatment in the middle of September. I have to > admit that I dont have as much pain, but i still have some. I work > full time and it seems that alot of my pain starts like at the end > of the week. Anyway I did a round of prednisone, darovcet, and then > some lortabs, that was last week. The steroids seemed to help some , > but NO relief from the pink candy they call darvocet and the low > dose...5/500 mg lortabs. Why is it that nobody seems to care that > until this Placquinil starts working....the pain is killing me. I > have to keep working on account of I need the insurance. Does any one > have any suggestions for me? Any input would be great. > Oh, one more thing I just turned 44 on October 23, and I > also have Parkinsons Disease...... > Looking forward to your responses....... > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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