Re: Distinguishing pain - RA or Fibromyalgia

January 23, 2007

Make sure to drink a lot of water--all the time, but especially after

taking methotrexate. Can you afford to get your upper back/neck

massaged? That might be helpful, too. Cold pack? Daily stretching of

neck to keep it limber? Just some thoughts...my best to you as you

heal; it can take time to feel better.

Sierra

>

> I am two months into methotrexate at 15 ml per week via injection.

I'm still having pain

> and swelling in my hands and wrists. Overall, I've not done well

this past month. Back

> pain, indicative of a flare of Fibromyaglia, has returned. I've

been getting these awful

> " cervical headaches " , i.e. starts in my shoulder/neck area and

pounds it way up my neck

> into my head. Methotrexate shots gives me terrible headaches the

day after, as well.

>

> I saw my rheumatologist yesterday and she was pleased at punch that

my blood work was

> good. When I described my symtpoms, she suggested that we increase

the MTX to 20 mg.

> and give it more time before starting something else. I was

disappointed because my

> father, who has RA, is on Remicade and at 73, feels great. My

doctor doesn't think that it's

> time to try a biologic. She attributes most of my aches and pains

to a FMS flare and has

> put me back on Flexeril 5 mg, Ambien CR (for better sleep) and

Tramadol 50 mg. 4 times

> per day. On bad headache days, she has prescribed Vicoprofen (as

nothing else seems to

> work).

>

> Anyone out there in a similar situation with FMS and RA where there

is confusion among

> the two?

>

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