Re: Maybe someone can help..just diagnosed, and not sure of the meds prescribed

[Guest guest]

The only thing I can add is that I think you are wrong about the

plaquenil, I believe this is tried before biologics, but then that's my

experience.

in PA

[ ] Maybe someone can help..just diagnosed, and not sure of

the meds prescribed

Hey there everyone... I appreciate any advice I can get!

I was just recently diagnosed with RA, and just saw my rheummy to

start meds, and he prescribed me Plaquenil (200mg/day) and Norvasc

(5mg).

I understand the Plaquenil to a degree, but after some research, I

saw that this was usually used after trying the biologics first, and

if they weren't tolerated, then they would try Plaquenil. I am o.k.

with the Plaquenil, because it seems that the side effects are

probably less severe than other anti-rheumatics.

My big question is the Norvasc.....this is for treating elevated

blood pressure, which I do have, only because I am on Focilar, which

is for ADHD. A side effect of this med is elevated blood pressure,

which we are monitoring. He has said that Norvasc would help with my

Raynaud's Phenomenon? Has anyone heard this before? And is it safe

for me to be on a med that will bring down my blood pressure when we

know the only reason why it is elevated is because of my meds? It

just seems a little odd to me..

I have an appointment with a different rheummy tomorrow because I

wanted a second opinion on the severity of my case and the meds. My

current doc seems to think that it is mild, but my joints are already

starting to turn, I have sjogren's, rheumatoid nodules, and am in

pain daily. He says this because the swelling is mild.....

Any thoughts on that?

Thanks in advance for any advice... I am really frustrated with this

doc, and I am hoping I have a better experience tomorrow...

[Guest guest]

hello michele, I also think that plaquanil is first meds they try

before biologics..I even think that most insurance companys want you to

try two demards before biologics such as the plaquanil, methotrexate,

arava or sulfadine(sp).. I was just diagnosed with ra this summer and

im on arava and plaquanil..failed with methtrexate..Make sure you get

your visual fields done at the eye docters(opthmolgist)..

i also have raynaulds. I was so cold and shivering..my fingers and

toes would turn pale,blue than red...My rheumy put me on norvasc 2.5mgs

at bedtime for the raynaulds..I do not have high blood pressure..Oh,

what a difference..I had some some reservations about taking it than i

talked to my family docter..she agreed that i should take it especially

having ra It would also help with my circulation...Its the best thing i

did..i feel soooooo much warmer and i have not as severe episodes...

take care diane in ohio

[Guest guest]

Hi - I am puzzled a little here. Not about the Plaquenil - my

Rheumy started me on that first also, when the anti-inflammatories

were no longer working. I have yet to try any of the biologics because

I don't have insurance. I currently take Sulfasalazine, Prednisone and

I just switched from Methotrexate pills to injections.

I am puzzled as to why a Rheumatologist would prescribe Norvasc. From

what I have read, it is for high blood pressure and chest pain. I am

not familiar with the Focilar you are taking for ADHD and nothing came

up when I Googled it. As far as the Norvasc helping with your

Raynaud's Phenomenon, it is not listed on the indications section of

their website, but it could be an off label use. I do know that

sometimes it is necessary to take a second medication to offset the

side effects of one that is working good for its intended purpose, but

I still think I would question it.

Its probably a good idea that you are getting a second opinion

tomorrow because I can certainly feel your apprehension with the

Rheumy you are currently seeing. I just know from my experience with

my Rheumy that he will only treat Rheumatology conditions. Anything

other than that (like your ADHD and HBP) he would refer me to my

primary care doctor.

I don't know about this doctor, but nodules, constant pain and turning

joints don't sound like mild RA to me. Best of luck to you tomorrow.

Let us know tomorrow what you find out. I am very

curious............Doreen

>

> Hey there everyone... I appreciate any advice I can get!

>

> I was just recently diagnosed with RA, and just saw my rheummy to

> start meds, and he prescribed me Plaquenil (200mg/day) and Norvasc

> (5mg).

>

> I understand the Plaquenil to a degree, but after some research, I

> saw that this was usually used after trying the biologics first,

> and if they weren't tolerated, then they would try Plaquenil. I am

> o.k. with the Plaquenil, because it seems that the side effects are

> probably less severe than other anti-rheumatics.

>

> My big question is the Norvasc.....this is for treating elevated

> blood pressure, which I do have, only because I am on Focilar,

> which is for ADHD. A side effect of this med is elevated blood

> pressure, which we are monitoring. He has said that Norvasc would

> help with my Raynaud's Phenomenon? Has anyone heard this before?

> And is it safe for me to be on a med that will bring down my blood

> pressure when we know the only reason why it is elevated is because

> of my meds? It just seems a little odd to me..

>

> I have an appointment with a different rheummy tomorrow because I

> wanted a second opinion on the severity of my case and the meds. My

> current doc seems to think that it is mild, but my joints are

> already starting to turn, I have sjogren's, rheumatoid nodules, and

> am in pain daily. He says this because the swelling is mild.....

>

> Any thoughts on that?

>

> Thanks in advance for any advice... I am really frustrated with

> this doc, and I am hoping I have a better experience tomorrow...

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group, .

Traditional DMARDs like Plaquenil are usually tried before biologics.

Norvasc (amlodipine besylate) is a calcium channel blocker. Calcium

channel blockers are sometimes used to treat Raynaud's.

Even though you know the cause of your high blood pressure, it's not

good to let high blood pressure go untreated. Physicians often

prescribe medications to counteract the side effects of other

medications.

Good luck tomorrow.

Not an MD

On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 12:46 PM, <grabski17@...> wrote:

> Hey there everyone... I appreciate any advice I can get!

>

> I was just recently diagnosed with RA, and just saw my rheummy to

> start meds, and he prescribed me Plaquenil (200mg/day) and Norvasc

> (5mg).

>

> I understand the Plaquenil to a degree, but after some research, I

> saw that this was usually used after trying the biologics first, and

> if they weren't tolerated, then they would try Plaquenil. I am o.k.

> with the Plaquenil, because it seems that the side effects are

> probably less severe than other anti-rheumatics.

>

> My big question is the Norvasc.....this is for treating elevated

> blood pressure, which I do have, only because I am on Focilar, which

> is for ADHD. A side effect of this med is elevated blood pressure,

> which we are monitoring. He has said that Norvasc would help with my

> Raynaud's Phenomenon? Has anyone heard this before? And is it safe

> for me to be on a med that will bring down my blood pressure when we

> know the only reason why it is elevated is because of my meds? It

> just seems a little odd to me..

>

> I have an appointment with a different rheummy tomorrow because I

> wanted a second opinion on the severity of my case and the meds. My

> current doc seems to think that it is mild, but my joints are already

> starting to turn, I have sjogren's, rheumatoid nodules, and am in

> pain daily. He says this because the swelling is mild.....

>

> Any thoughts on that?

>

> Thanks in advance for any advice... I am really frustrated with this

> doc, and I am hoping I have a better experience tomorrow...

>

>

[Guest guest]

and group;

I am so glad you can get a second opinion, I have no idea what this

med is for. I do take plaquenil. It is ok. Just thought I would

throw my 2 cents in lol

gentle hugs

Clora

************************************************************

> Hey there everyone... I appreciate any advice I can get!

>

> I was just recently diagnosed with RA, and just saw my rheummy to

> start meds, and he prescribed me Plaquenil (200mg/day) and Norvasc

> (5mg).

>

> I understand the Plaquenil to a degree, but after some research, I

> saw that this was usually used after trying the biologics first,

and

> if they weren't tolerated, then they would try Plaquenil. I am o.k.

> with the Plaquenil, because it seems that the side effects are

> probably less severe than other anti-rheumatics.

>

> My big question is the Norvasc.....this is for treating elevated

> blood pressure, which I do have, only because I am on Focilar,

which

> is for ADHD. A side effect of this med is elevated blood pressure,

> which we are monitoring. He has said that Norvasc would help with

my

> Raynaud's Phenomenon? Has anyone heard this before? And is it safe

> for me to be on a med that will bring down my blood pressure when

we

> know the only reason why it is elevated is because of my meds? It

> just seems a little odd to me..

>

> I have an appointment with a different rheummy tomorrow because I

> wanted a second opinion on the severity of my case and the meds. My

> current doc seems to think that it is mild, but my joints are

already

> starting to turn, I have sjogren's, rheumatoid nodules, and am in

> pain daily. He says this because the swelling is mild.....

>

> Any thoughts on that?

>

> Thanks in advance for any advice... I am really frustrated with

this

> doc, and I am hoping I have a better experience tomorrow...

>

>

>