Guest guest Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 Welcome to the board. You need to be on some DMARD (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug) to slow or stop the permanent joint damage that can come from untreated RA. Methotrexate is the one most commonly used but if that does not work for you then there are others. Plaquenil and Sulfasalazine are older ones than Methotrexate and usually less effective but if you can't take Methotrexate they are likely to be better than nothing. Arava is newer than Methotrexate and might not have the same problems as Methotrexate. Of course, it would be good to be on a biologic if you can. Many people have troubles getting their loved ones to take RA seriously. The best teaching tool I have found is Spoon Theory http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/spoons.htm and perhaps this will help your husband to understand. Please post often to let us know how you are doing. God bless. ----- Original Message ----- From: spotted_nssh Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2005 12:07 PM Subject: New member in SoCal I'm a new member and was diagnosed with RA in April 2004. I had a horrible reaction to the Prednisone/Methotrexate and am now taking Prednisone/Ibuprofen. This combo works ok but I still have a hard time getting started in the morning. It takes about 4 hours for me to use my hands/fingers and walk without a limp. I work full time and have to get up at 3:00 am so I can make it to the office on time - LOL. I switched medical insurance providers due to a job change and am going to ask for either Remicade or Humira <keeping fingers crossed>. I'm hoping one of these will give me the relief I need as this schedule is wearing me down quickly. My question to the group is.... has anyone had a hard time on the home front dealing with their spouse? Mine just doesn't seem to get it and I've tried showing him the RA brochures, inviting him to attend my rheumy appointments, etc. He just doesn't understand that I can't do things I used to do (like make breakfast on the weekends or bring him a cup of coffee) because I can't use my hands or move around much for the first part of the day. Any advice would be greatly appreciated =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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