Re: Rheumy don't want to prescibe pain meds

[Guest guest]

Hi !

Yes, yes, and yes - been thru all of that and been and & back. Change doctors.

ASAP. You have to feel comfortable with your doc and if he is not listening,

then it's time for a new guy. And listen, you may go thru a few before you find

the right one but don't fret - there ARE good ones out there, you just have to

have some patience. You should not have to go thru any of that - your doc should

be listening to what you say.

 

Personally, after going thru THE VERY SAME THING 2X - I went online to

vitals.com & ratemds.com - located doctors within the range I was willing to

drive and then looked at how long they've been in practice, where they went to

school, their residency AND checked to see if patients had made comments. I

chose my current doc by that method, and at least for me, I am so happy to find

this man! He went to school at Hopkins & did his residency there in

Rheumotolgy. /

 

Good luck!!! Keep us posted!

in SC

From: Normsgrl@... <Normsgrl@...>

Subject: [ ] Rheumy don't want to prescibe pain meds

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 5:55 PM

 

Hello,

I was wondering if any of you had a problem with a doctor not wanting to

prescribe pain medication.

When I was first diagnosed by my GP, she prescribed me Darvocet and Tylenol

3's for the pain. Neither one of them helped with the pain at all.

My Rheumy is against prescribing me narcotics for pain. He first had me

try Tramadol which done nothing for me at all. Then he had me try Indocin.

That doesn't do anything for me either. Then one day I couldn't handle

the pain so I called the office and talk to the nurse. She called in a

script for me for Vicodin.

Since the beginning of my diagnosis with RA over a year ago, The pain has

been wider spread through out my body. I now get flares in my

Jaw/neck/shoulder/ elbow/wrist/ hand/fingers/ thumb/knee/ ankle/foot/ big toe.

When the flare in my jaw gets too bad to withstand I will take a Tylenol

3. That seems to help sometimes.

But a Tylenol 3 won't do anything for a flare that is anywhere else on my

body. There are times when vicodin will help me through a bad flare in one

of my wrists. But won't help anywhere else on my body.

I'm not a big drug user and will only take something for the pain if I'm

near screaming.

I've had a few whopper flares where I was to the point I just wanted to

die. None of the pain meds that I have been previously prescribed helped

at all. I called my Rheumy and asked for something stronger than vicodin.

They called back and said they won't prescribe anything stronger than

vicodin at this time. So I call back and told them how different meds work

with different parts of my body and that maybe I don't need anything stonger

maybe just something else. The nurse said that he isn't going to presrcibe

any pain meds at all.

I'm thinking about switching doctors. He doesn't listen to me. He goes

by what kind of swelling that I may have in my hands. He doesn't go by what

I say. I will tell him the meds are working because I've been feeling

better and the flares are further and far between. He will then tell me that

no I am not doing better, that I am doing worse. There has been a time

when I told him I'm worse! and he tells me no, I'm doing much better. OMG!

I'm not sure if he is taking me serious.

I'm seriously considering a change in a Rheumatologist. Have any of you

gone through anything similar to this?

Is it common for a Doctor to not want to make you feel better?

What are your thoughts on this? Please?

Thanks!!

Michigan

[Guest guest]

First let me say I am not an MD and am giving advice as to what I know works

for me, what I have been told by my MD's and what I learned as a nurse

(retired).

I personally would switch your rheumatologist, but not for what you are

looking for as I agree with him on the narcotics.

I have OA and RA in many different places. The pain is caused by swelling in

the joint(s). Reduce the swelling and you ease, or do away with, the pain.

Anything with " itis " at the end is a swelling. This is why he looks at your

hands and other joints to judge how you are doing. Tell me, does he also do

blood work each time you go? By taking a narcotic, you are not eliminating

the cause. You are just putting a mask on it. The cause of the pain is still

there.

Any good MD will start with the lower drugs and work up. When I first went

to him, he had me on Mobic. Then I became used to that so he upped me to

something else. Now I am on Voltaren 75 mg 2 times a day. He added

Methotrexate just in the last 2-3 months or so. Methotrexate seems to be a

popular drug to add for RA and my MD speaks very highly of its use. He

mentioned something about prednisone being my next step, but I SO want to

avoid that.

For me, narcotics are a " last resort " as until they find a cure for RA, OA

we will be on these meds for a very long time.

The reason I would switch to another MD is his not mentioning addition of

methotrexate or anything else at this point other than pain meds.

Dottie

-- [ ] Rheumy don't want to prescibe pain meds

Hello,

I was wondering if any of you had a problem with a doctor not wanting to

prescribe pain medication.

When I was first diagnosed by my GP, she prescribed me Darvocet and Tylenol

3's for the pain. Neither one of them helped with the pain at all.

My Rheumy is against prescribing me narcotics for pain. He first had me

try Tramadol which done nothing for me at all. Then he had me try Indocin.

That doesn't do anything for me either. Then one day I couldn't handle

the pain so I called the office and talk to the nurse. She called in a

script for me for Vicodin.

Since the beginning of my diagnosis with RA over a year ago, The pain has

been wider spread through out my body. I now get flares in my

Jaw/neck/shoulder/elbow/wrist/hand/fingers/thumb/knee/ankle/foot/big toe.

When the flare in my jaw gets too bad to withstand I will take a Tylenol

3. That seems to help sometimes.

But a Tylenol 3 won't do anything for a flare that is anywhere else on my

body. There are times when vicodin will help me through a bad flare in one

of my wrists. But won't help anywhere else on my body.

I'm not a big drug user and will only take something for the pain if I'm

near screaming.

I've had a few whopper flares where I was to the point I just wanted to

die. None of the pain meds that I have been previously prescribed helped

at all. I called my Rheumy and asked for something stronger than vicodin

They called back and said they won't prescribe anything stronger than

vicodin at this time. So I call back and told them how different meds work

with different parts of my body and that maybe I don't need anything

stonger

maybe just something else. The nurse said that he isn't going to presrcibe

any pain meds at all.

I'm thinking about switching doctors. He doesn't listen to me. He goes

by what kind of swelling that I may have in my hands. He doesn't go by

what

I say. I will tell him the meds are working because I've been feeling

better and the flares are further and far between. He will then tell me

that

no I am not doing better, that I am doing worse. There has been a time

when I told him I'm worse! and he tells me no, I'm doing much better. OMG!

I'm not sure if he is taking me serious.

I'm seriously considering a change in a Rheumatologist. Have any of you

gone through anything similar to this?

Is it common for a Doctor to not want to make you feel better?

What are your thoughts on this? Please?

Thanks!!

Michigan

[Guest guest]

,

Even if your rheumatologist is unwilling to prescribe opioids, he

should not allow you to suffer.

Have you failed many DMARDs?

I would find someone new. In the meanwhile, you could ask for a

referral to a pain management specialist.

Not an MD

On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 4:55 PM, <Normsgrl@...> wrote:

> Hello,

>

> I was wondering if any of you had a problem with a doctor not wanting to

> prescribe pain medication.

>

> When I was first diagnosed by my GP, she prescribed me Darvocet and Tylenol

>  3's for the pain.  Neither one of them helped with the pain at all.

>

>

>

> My Rheumy is against prescribing me narcotics for pain.  He  first had me

> try Tramadol which done nothing for me at all.  Then he had me  try Indocin.

> That doesn't do anything for me either.  Then one day I  couldn't handle

> the pain so I called the office and talk to the nurse.  She  called in a

> script for me for Vicodin.

>

> Since the beginning of my diagnosis with RA over a year ago, The pain has

> been wider spread through out my body.  I now get flares in my

> Jaw/neck/shoulder/elbow/wrist/hand/fingers/thumb/knee/ankle/foot/big toe.

>

> When the flare in my jaw gets too bad to withstand I will take a Tylenol

> 3.  That seems to help sometimes.

> But a Tylenol 3 won't do anything for a flare that is anywhere else on my

> body.  There are times when vicodin will help me through a bad flare in one

> of my wrists.  But won't help anywhere else on my body.

>

> I'm not a big drug user and will only take something for the pain if I'm

> near screaming.

>

> I've had a few  whopper flares  where I was to the  point I just wanted to

> die.  None of the pain meds that I have been  previously prescribed helped

> at all.   I  called my Rheumy  and asked for something stronger than vicodin.

>  They called back and said  they won't prescribe anything stronger than

> vicodin at this time.  So I  call back and told them how different meds work

> with different parts of my  body and that maybe I don't need anything stonger

> maybe just something  else.  The nurse said that he isn't going to presrcibe

> any pain meds  at all.

>

> I'm thinking about switching doctors.  He doesn't listen to  me.  He goes

> by what kind of swelling that I may have in my  hands.  He doesn't go by what

> I say.  I will tell him the meds are  working because I've been feeling

> better and the flares are further and  far between.  He will then tell me that

> no I am not doing better, that  I am doing worse.  There has been a time

> when I told him I'm worse!  and he tells me no, I'm doing much better.  OMG!

> I'm not sure if he  is taking me serious.

>

> I'm seriously considering a change in a Rheumatologist.  Have any  of you

> gone through anything similar to this?

>

> Is it common for a Doctor to not want to make you feel better?

>

> What are your thoughts on this?  Please?

>

> Thanks!!

>

>

> Michigan

[Guest guest]

Dottie,

There are many reasons for the pain experienced by people with RA, and

DMARDs alone often aren't enough for many patients. It's very common

for RA patients to require analgesics of some kind.

Also, when the diagnosis of RA is made, DMARDs should be instituted immediately.

Not an MD

On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 5:26 PM, Dottie <dottie.h@...> wrote:

> First let me say I am not an MD and am giving advice as to what I know works

> for me, what I have been told by my MD's and what I learned as a nurse

> (retired).

>

> I personally would switch your rheumatologist, but not for what you are

> looking for as I agree with him on the narcotics.

>

> I have OA and RA in many different places. The pain is caused by swelling in

> the joint(s).  Reduce the swelling and you ease, or do away with, the pain.

> Anything with " itis " at the end is a swelling. This is why he looks at your

> hands and other joints to judge how you are doing. Tell me, does he also do

> blood work each time you go?  By taking a narcotic, you are not eliminating

> the cause. You are just putting a mask on it. The cause of the pain is still

> there.

>

> Any good MD will start with the lower drugs and work up. When I first went

> to him, he had me on Mobic. Then I became used to that so he upped me to

> something else. Now I am on Voltaren 75 mg 2 times a day. He added

> Methotrexate just in the last 2-3 months or so. Methotrexate seems to be a

> popular drug to add for RA and my MD speaks very highly of its use. He

> mentioned something about prednisone being my next step, but I SO want to

> avoid that.

>

> For me, narcotics are a " last resort " as until they find a cure for RA, OA

> we will be on these meds for a very long time.

>

> The reason I would switch to another MD is his not mentioning addition of

> methotrexate or anything else at this point other than pain meds.

>

> Dottie

[Guest guest]

, I agree with the other I have gone through it over and over.

There must be something in the air I went to one doc that wouldn't give

me anything but Tamadrol. But where I live, I had no choice but to see him.

Then I got fed up & ask my PCP to soversee the RA until I could find a good

rheumy. That took about 2 years. I now drive the same distance to see my

good rheumy. I'd follow D.'s advice & go searching the net. We don't

have to put up with doctors like that. Hang in there! Nae

Re: [ ] Rheumy don't want to prescibe pain meds

Hi !

Yes, yes, and yes - been thru all of that and been and & back. Change

doctors. ASAP. You have to feel comfortable with your doc and if he is not

listening, then it's time for a new guy. And listen, you may go thru a few

before you find the right one but don't fret - there ARE good ones out

there, you just have to have some patience. You should not have to go thru

any of that - your doc should be listening to what you say.

Personally, after going thru THE VERY SAME THING 2X - I went online to

vitals.com & ratemds.com - located doctors within the range I was willing to

drive and then looked at how long they've been in practice, where they went

to school, their residency AND checked to see if patients had made comments.

I chose my current doc by that method, and at least for me, I am so happy to

find this man! He went to school at Hopkins & did his residency there

in Rheumotolgy. /

Good luck!!! Keep us posted!

in SC

[Guest guest]

I agree with you Dottie

I am surprised that after the Indocid did not work (it's an

anti-inflammatory) he did not try another drug of the same type. I went

through about 6 different anti-inflammatories before I found a good one and

coincidently it's the same one as Dottie's - Voltaren. It's a slow release

tablet and I take 2 per day, as well as methotrexate.

I do have pain meds but have been able to use them mainly for headaches and

surgery. You need to get the RA under control and it does not sound like

this rheumy is managing to do that. There are so many more options than

there used to be

Another trouble with pain meds is that when you mask the pain you can overdo

it and perhaps end up with more joint damage. Hopefully you will get in

with a dr who has a strategy that will work and then the pain meds will be

more of a stopgap measure, rather than a permanent treatment

Annette

On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 6:26 PM, Dottie <dottie.h@...> wrote:

> First let me say I am not an MD and am giving advice as to what I know

> works

> for me, what I have been told by my MD's and what I learned as a nurse

> (retired).

>

> I personally would switch your rheumatologist, but not for what you are

> looking for as I agree with him on the narcotics.

>

> I have OA and RA in many different places. The pain is caused by swelling

> in

> the joint(s). Reduce the swelling and you ease, or do away with, the pain.

> Anything with " itis " at the end is a swelling. This is why he looks at your

> hands and other joints to judge how you are doing. Tell me, does he also do

> blood work each time you go? By taking a narcotic, you are not eliminating

> the cause. You are just putting a mask on it. The cause of the pain is

> still

> there.

>

> Any good MD will start with the lower drugs and work up. When I first went

> to him, he had me on Mobic. Then I became used to that so he upped me to

> something else. Now I am on Voltaren 75 mg 2 times a day. He added

> Methotrexate just in the last 2-3 months or so. Methotrexate seems to be a

> popular drug to add for RA and my MD speaks very highly of its use. He

> mentioned something about prednisone being my next step, but I SO want to

> avoid that.

>

> For me, narcotics are a " last resort " as until they find a cure for RA, OA

> we will be on these meds for a very long time.

>

> The reason I would switch to another MD is his not mentioning addition of

> methotrexate or anything else at this point other than pain meds.

>

> Dottie

>

>

>

> -------O

> ht < /join>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi - My Rheumy won't prescribe pain meds either. He recommends a pain

management clinic, which IMHO would be the better place for managing chronic

pain. The role of the Rheumatologist is to keep our disease activity to a

minimum, so if you are having break-through pain, it could mean you need a

change in your RA meds. What RA meds do you take? What is he treating your FMS

with?

It could be that he is going by your physical symptoms (swelling) to determine

how active your RA is. So, when you are swollen, your RA could be active, but

when you are not swollen and are in pain, it could be your FMS that is kicking

in. I had to learn how to tell the difference between an RA flare and a FMS

flare. It wasn't easy.

Have you tried asking him how he can determine which is which? He should be more

than willing to back up his diagnosis with more concrete answers to you so that

you are feeling more comfortable with what he is saying. If he won't take the

time to explain himself, then maybe it is time to find a new Rheumy.

See if he'll give you a referral to a pain management clinic. Having the two

doctors working together to control your pain may be a blessing in disguise. OR

will your primary care help you with pain meds? It just seems to me that you

need two doctors coordinating your care so you get the proper relief from pain.

Keep us posted. You know we care..... Doreen

>

> Hello,

>

> I was wondering if any of you had a problem with a doctor not

> wanting to prescribe pain medication.

>

> When I was first diagnosed by my GP, she prescribed me Darvocet and

> Tylenol 3's for the pain. Neither one of them helped with the pain

> at all.

>

> My Rheumy is against prescribing me narcotics for pain. He first

> had me try Tramadol which done nothing for me at all. Then he had

> me try Indocin. That doesn't do anything for me either. Then one

> day I couldn't handle the pain so I called the office and talk to

> the nurse. She called in a script for me for Vicodin.

>

> Since the beginning of my diagnosis with RA over a year ago, The

> pain has been wider spread through out my body. I now get flares

> in my Jaw/neck/shoulder/elbow/wrist/hand/fingers/thumb/knee/ankle

> /foot/big toe. When the flare in my jaw gets too bad to withstand I

> will take a Tylenol 3. That seems to help sometimes.

>

> But a Tylenol 3 won't do anything for a flare that is anywhere else

> on my body. There are times when vicodin will help me through a

> bad flare in one of my wrists. But won't help anywhere else on my

> body.

>

> I'm not a big drug user and will only take something for the pain

> if I'm near screaming.

>

> I've had a few whopper flares where I was to the point I just

> wanted to die. None of the pain meds that I have been previously

> prescribed helped at all. I called my Rheumy and asked for

> something stronger than vicodin. They called back and said they

> won't prescribe anything stronger than vicodin at this time. So I

> call back and told them how different meds work with different

> parts of my body and that maybe I don't need anything stonger

> maybe just something else. The nurse said that he isn't going to

> presrcibe any pain meds at all.

>

> I'm thinking about switching doctors. He doesn't listen to me.

> He goes by what kind of swelling that I may have in my hands. He

> doesn't go by what I say. I will tell him the meds are working

> because I've been feeling better and the flares are further and

> far between. He will then tell me that no I am not doing better,

> that I am doing worse. There has been a time when I told him I'm

> worse! and he tells me no, I'm doing much better. OMG! I'm not

> sure if he is taking me serious.

>

> I'm seriously considering a change in a Rheumatologist. Have any

> of you gone through anything similar to this? Is it common for a

> Doctor to not want to make you feel better? What are your thoughts

> on this? Please?

>

> Thanks!!

>

>

> Michigan

[Guest guest]

Hi, Annette.

Don't NSAIDs like Voltaren also " mask " the pain since they aren't

disease-modifying?

Not an MD

On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 6:25 PM, Annette <anetto@...> wrote:

>  I agree with you Dottie

>

> I am surprised that after the Indocid did not work (it's an

> anti-inflammatory) he did not try another drug of the same type.  I went

> through about 6 different anti-inflammatories before I found a good one and

> coincidently it's the same one as Dottie's - Voltaren.  It's a slow release

> tablet and I take 2 per day, as well as methotrexate.

>

> I do have pain meds but have been able to use them mainly for headaches and

> surgery.  You need to get the RA under control and it does not sound like

> this rheumy is managing to do that.  There are so many more options than

> there used to be

>

> Another trouble with pain meds is that when you mask the pain you can overdo

> it and perhaps end up with more joint damage.  Hopefully you will get in

> with a dr who has a strategy that will work and then the pain meds will be

> more of a stopgap measure, rather than a permanent treatment

>

> Annette

[Guest guest]

I'm thinking that at least the anti-inflammatories do work on the

inflammation despite the fact that they also help with the pain. So in that

respect they are better than a pain killer like Tylenol or an opiod which

does nothing at all except deal with pain.

I am living proof of the damage that can occur while using only

anti-inflammatories raher than Dmards.

Annette

On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 7:53 AM, <

Rheumatoid.Arthritis.Support@...> wrote:

> Hi, Annette.

>

> Don't NSAIDs like Voltaren also " mask " the pain since they aren't

> disease-modifying?

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Annette,

I'm not advocating that anyone take either opioids, acetaminophen, or

NSAIDs in lieu of DMARDs. DMARDs are the cornerstone of RA therapy.

For flares or breakthrough pain, for some patients, for example, those

who have experienced a bleeding ulcer due to NSAID use, acetaminophen

or opioids may be a better choice.

Not an MD

On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 7:01 AM, Annette <anetto@...> wrote:

> I'm thinking that at least the anti-inflammatories do work on the

> inflammation despite the fact that they also help with the pain.  So in that

> respect they are better than a pain killer like Tylenol or an opiod which

> does nothing at all except deal with pain.

>

> I am living proof of the damage that can occur while using only

> anti-inflammatories raher than Dmards.

>

> Annette

[Guest guest]

Thank you all for responding to my post. Your opinions and advice was

greatly appreciated.

Hi ,

I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. But I'm glad it all worked

out for you! I'm glad to see I'm really not alone in this situation.

Thank you for the web sites. I checked them out and I think they are

awesome! There are doctors mentioned that aren't on other lists of doctors

that I have access too. There was one that popped up that supposedly is only

1 mile away! Wow! Before...the only closest doctor I could find was my

current one. He is about 48 miles away while all the others were 1 1/2 miles

to 3 miles away. But I have reached the point where I will drive at least

the 1 1/2 miles to see another doctor.

I've never heard of this doctor that I found on the web site you sent. I

have a friend that is a nurse there at that office he is supposedly at. I

emailed her and asked if she has heard of him or knows him. I was talking

to her about this situation that I'm in last night and she didn't mention a

Rheumy here in town. Soooo... I'm checking it out. Thanks so much for

the info!

Hi Dottie,

Thank you also for your response.

Yes, everything you said is the same as what he says.

I'm sorry, I was only referring to medication for the pain. I didn't

mention the other anti inflammatory drugs that I've tried and am taking. He

started me on MTX and Predisone. The MTX didn't work out so he put me on

Sulfasalazine and the Predisone. Still wasn't enough to ease the pain so he

added Leflunomide. He now says there isn't anything more to do except go

on Humira or Enbrel.

I do understand that he is trying to lower the inflammation by using these

anti inflamatories. But I don't understand why I can't take something

only when the pain is unbearable. I'm only asking for something to take only

as needed basis. Not something to take all of the time, so it wouldn't be

masking the pain. If the anti inflamatories start working I don't see any

reason to take anything for pain. Just something to help me through a

night of a bad flare. So I'm not crying and squirming and pacing the floor

because I can't lay down and holding in my screams as not to wake up the

family and praying to God and thinking of drastic ways to end the pain through

out the whole night.

I'd rather put poison in my body once in awhile rather than on a regular

basis. Instead of letting me take something on a as needed basis for the

pain which would be once in a while, He us upping my Predisone that I will be

taking on a regular bases. I'm not real comfortable with that.

Hi ,

So far only been on MTX that made me sick. Sulfasalazine doesn't seem to

be doing anything. I've been on that for about a year now. And the

Leflunomide is causing my hair to fall out.

The doc says that all there is now left to do is go on Humira or Enbrel.

I've been reading posts and doing some research and I see there is plenty

other DMARDs I could be trying out first.

I'm going to go ahead and search for another Rheumy. Maybe they will try

other DMARDs. And also see about pain management specialist.

Thanks you!

Hi Nae,

Thank you too for letting me know I'm not alone in this situation. It

gives me some hope that everything will work out.

I've asked my GP if she could over see my RA condition and she said no.

But I did check out that website posted and found a Rhuemy right here

in town!! OMG! Well anyway.. I'm still checking him out and see if he is

still here or if my insurance covers him. But either way... I'm going to

find me a good Rheumy or else! And I won't stop until I'm satisfied!

Thank you so much!

Hi Annette,

Voltaren... there is one I can suggest. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hi Judith,

I'm with you! Totally relate to you. I hope you find the doctor you are

looking for.

Michigan

2f.

_Re: Rheumy don't want to prescibe pain meds _

( /message/133326;_ylc=X3oDMTJyOXZkcnR1BF\

9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzE

wMTQ3OARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjE2MTAEbXNnSWQDMTMzMzI2BHNlYwNkbXNnBHNsawN2bXNnBHN

0aW1lAzEyNTYyNDA4ODY-)

Posted by: " Judith Beedie " _judithbeedie@... _

(mailto:judithbeedie@...?Subject=

Re:%20Rheumy%20don't%20want%20to%20prescibe%20pain%20meds)

_judithbeedie _ (judithbeedie)

Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:48 pm (PDT)

,

I empathize with and feel the same. I'm not a person with dependency

issure. I've had 3 children natural childbirth and I have a high tolerance to

pain. However, this pain is driving me insane. I can't sleep and walk the

floor. I cry at the drop of the hat and fear of losing my job because I can't

do it anymore.

I plan to find an empathic doctor that will give me something for pain on

those days I can't stand it.

Judith

[Guest guest]

Yes, I'm one of those who has to stay away from NSAIDs because of a

bleeding ulcer from Aleve.

I take arthritis-strength Tylenol.

Sue

On Oct 22, 2009, at 8:11 AM, wrote:

> For flares or breakthrough pain, for some patients, for example, those

> who have experienced a bleeding ulcer due to NSAID use, acetaminophen

> or opioids may be a better choice.

[Guest guest]

My Rheumatologist does not like prescribing pain meds to his patients

either. But he will prescribe me darvocet. It does not get rid of the pain for

me, but will put the pain at a point that I can deal with it. Lortab and

vicodine (msp) makes me too loopy and so I just use the darvocet. I also will

add tylenol along with it to help make the pain lesser so i can sleep.

Every joint in my body hurts and swells with or without the RA meds. I tell my

Rheumatologist this and he says that as long as I continue to over do

things and not pace myself my joints will react. I have had 3 rounds of the

Retuxin and they work for about 2 months and the flares seem to get worse each

time showing up in different places each time. I too thought about changing

RA doctor, but there is not but 2 in the city where I live and not having

a car or any type transportation right now is a problem if I made an

appointment with a doctor that I saw years ago 80 miles away. I hurt so bad

some

times that I want to pull what little hair I have out of my head. I have

worn down cringing my teeth from the pain in my hips joints when I walk. I

started upping my walking routine evenings to help tire me out so I can sleep

at least 4 hours a night with P.M. sleep meds without getting up and

having to watch TV all night and not be in pain.

Irish

[Guest guest]

Irish,

I too just finished my 2nd treatment of RETUXZIN on 9/11/09. I see that it stop

my pain for a few weeks but now I am back to my pain in my elbows, arms & feet

especially at night. I thought this treatmeant was to help stop the pain for

longer periods? I have notice that at night time besides the pain my body is

very hot all night does this happen to you? I am off work tempoarily & don't

know if I will be able to return to work since I am very fatigue all day & the

stiffness and my inflamation is still very hight level, I am at 130 sed rate

right now. Does anyone know what the normal rate should be at? I have my

Rhuemy's appt on 10/26 & I will have alot of questions for him. Hope you feel

better soon & I hope we get some answers soon.

Mousie in Calif.

>

> My Rheumatologist does not like prescribing pain meds to his patients

> either. But he will prescribe me darvocet. It does not get rid of the pain for

> me, but will put the pain at a point that I can deal with it. Lortab and

> vicodine (msp) makes me too loopy and so I just use the darvocet. I also will

> add tylenol along with it to help make the pain lesser so i can sleep.

> Every joint in my body hurts and swells with or without the RA meds. I tell

my

> Rheumatologist this and he says that as long as I continue to over do

> things and not pace myself my joints will react. I have had 3 rounds of the

> Retuxin and they work for about 2 months and the flares seem to get worse

each

> time showing up in different places each time. I too thought about changing

> RA doctor, but there is not but 2 in the city where I live and not having

> a car or any type transportation right now is a problem if I made an

> appointment with a doctor that I saw years ago 80 miles away. I hurt so bad

some

> times that I want to pull what little hair I have out of my head. I have

> worn down cringing my teeth from the pain in my hips joints when I walk. I

> started upping my walking routine evenings to help tire me out so I can sleep

> at least 4 hours a night with P.M. sleep meds without getting up and

> having to watch TV all night and not be in pain.

>

> Irish

>

>

>

>