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

[Guest guest]

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...