Dear God...What Next? | Arthritis Information

Hi Guys!!

Well as you know it's been one hell of a week. Flares in both knees and in my left shoulder. Today I wake up and you're not gonna believe it...it's in my left jaw. Oh yes!! My jaw. I had to leave work and come home because I just couldn't deal with it and was in tears from the pain. Called my Rheumy, he won't give me anything more for pain right now and is calling in a script for 5 days of prednisone. He won't script any stronger pain killers until I try the pred. He also made an appointment for Tuesday afternoon to see me which is 4 weeks earlier than scheduled. I could kick him right now I'm in so much pain but I'll do as he asks. I've decided to take Roxy's advice and start the process for disability...don't see any other option at this point. I'd rather go back to work later if able than be fired and unemployable. Anyone else have RA in their jaw? Oh, what a mother!! I've never experienced this one. Also, anyone out ther on pred that knows if I can take darvocet or vicodin while on pred? Thanks much guys...gonna go take some pain meds and try to rest.

Peace & Love...Neasy

Neasy38583.4335416667 [QUOTE=Neasy]

Also, anyone out ther on pred that knows if I can take darvocet or vicodin while on pred? Thanks much guys...gonna go take some pain meds and try to rest.

Peace & Love...Neasy

[/QUOTE]

I'm no doctor, but my personal experience is that *I* could take prednisone with darvocet, vicodin or demoral. While waiting for a hand surgery and after the surgery during recovery I was prescribed darvocet, demoral and vicodin (not to take at the same time mind you).
BTW, I hate when RA goes to my jaw! It's very uncomfortable. Hope you feel better.

Oh Neasy I feel for you. I have had several episodes of RA in my jaw - right side for me. First time I thought I had a severe ear infection which came up suddenly or a mastoid problem. The emergency room said I had tmj but the rheumy confirmed it was RA. Unusual in the ear but definitely not unheard of. The pain is incredible as it radiates into your ear too. Also you can't open your mouth or bite anything so its back to pablum for you for a while. Mine usually lasts 3-5 days and then gets better. I take vicodin for the pain and use a combination of ice and heat alternating. Oh, it also made my teeth on that side feel like they were all abcessed. What joy! I'm sure you hate this RA as much as I do. I have pain in my jaw right now but not severe. I used to take prednisone and vicodin at same time so guess it is ok since rheumy told me to do that. Hope you get better soon. I feel for you

Marilyn

Sorry You are so miserable.

I do take darvocet and pred together. Pred should get rid of the source of the pain - I usually feel better about 4 hours after the first dose. It is not a pain pill. It is a steroid and fights inflamation big time. Usually will stop a flare in its tracks for me.

HI Neasy,

Sorry you're having such a rough time right now. I've had the ra in the jaw as well and it hurts like heck. Hard to even get a toothbrush in my mouth to brush my teeth.

Hope you feel better soon

Kelly

I'm on Predisone now and I take Tramodal (I think that's how you spell it) and muscle relaxers too. I don't think it will hurt you.

Hope you're feeling better soon!!

I'm so sorry you're not feeling well.
Hugs to you

Mina

Morning all!!

Thanks for all the feedback. Nice to know I can take both. It's also nice to know that pred can stop the flare in it's tracks. That's something I didn't know. By the way, I did the ice pack thing on my jaw and it helped a great deal. First time the ice pack has ever given me that much relief. Feeling pretty good this morning too. Minor aches and pains...a little tender but I'm not complaining. Guess we'll see what the Rheumy has to say on Tuesday.

Peace & Love...Neasy

So sorry you are in pain.Are you able to eat?I have had jaw pain too.Comes and goes.

I tried for disability due to my depressiona few years ago.Of course was turned down.I think everyone gets turned down the first time.If I get a dx's of Ra I will try for disability again.May have to get a lawyer this time.

I hope the predisone helps.I just started taking it yesterday and I am taking darvocet.So far I haven't killed over.I think we will be ok taking them both.

Take care,

Sheila

Neasy, I am so glad you are feeling better. That damn prednisone, as much as I hate it, you gotta love it. I take darvocett every day and prednisone. I don't feel like I have much choice. I cannot function without it. I have also resolved myself to stay on these meds until Humira starts to work. I have even told myself that if I became dependent on Darvocett, it would be better to deal with addiction then the constant pain.

I am glad you are going to pursue SDI. I think I would have lost my job if I would not have been put on SDI. Now when I go back, at least they will be more understanding.

Have a better day Neasy.

xoxoxoxoxo meme

[QUOTE=marian]

I do take darvocet. It is not a pain pill. It is a steroid and fights inflamation big time. [/QUOTE]

Marian--you threw me off with this, saying Darvocet is a steroid and not a pain pill. I always thought it was a narcotic pain med. So I went digging on the net, and found the following quotes. Did I misunderstand you maybe?

From 3 different sites:

Darvocet is a medication for treating pain. It is an opioid analgesic (related to opium) chemically similar to methadone.

Structurally, it's a relative of the synthetic narcotic, methadone.

Darvocet is a combination of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and propoxyphene designed to relieve mild to moderate pain. Propoxyphene binds to the pain receptors in the brain so that the sensation of pain is reduced. Acetaminophen halts the production of prostaglandins which otherwise cause pain. It is formulated as a tablet taken every 4 hours by mouth. Since propoxyphene can be habit forming, care must be taken to follow the doctor's instructions when taking Darvocet.

I did have a lot of pain in the left side of my jaw a few nights ago. Thank goodness it was late at night. I went to bed and the next morning it was better. My Mom took Darvocet and Predisone together for years without a problem. In her later years they were trying to take her down on her dosage of Predisone but everytime they did it would cause her unbearable pain. I am wondering though, if the years of Predisone caused her immune system to be weaker in the end. Has anyone heard of this?

Sooo sorry Neasy. Jaw pain is new to me. Is this RA or a side effect of Prednesone? I never had this problem til I started with the Pred. Hmmmmmm? So new to all of this, I just read and read and read all I can. So glad so many people are sharing their stories and their ups and downs. I do find contrast baths work for isolated pain, like in the hands. But for my lower back and knees, I've been getting in the shower to do the contrast baths. They work. Or, if your lucky enough to have a spa and a swimming pool, VIOLA! Contrast bath on a super scale. Feel better.

Peace

Monk--Yes, jaw pain is one of those lovely things we with RA get. Jaw pain is the RA--not the pred. RA attacks all the joints for some unknown reason. The hands are the most common target, but jeez--I think I've had all joints but the hip affected at one point or another. (knock on wood)

Shelli--I don't think prednisone lowers the immune system. Methotrexate does, though, as do the biologics. Prednisone causes such things diabetes and osteoporosis, though.

[QUOTE=Sara G][QUOTE=marian]

I do take darvocet and pred. It is not a pain pill. It is a steroid and fights inflamation big time. [/QUOTE]

I should have said I take darvocet and pred together - and then when on an on about prednisone .Should have said predisone is not a pain pill blah blah blah.

Got brain fog today - can't type or proof read.

marian38586.5121875

Sad but true - I never seem to know what's next either - but like RoseAnn O'danAdana said 'It's always something"

and my dad said "If it's not one thing, it is two others".

Just gotta laugh

Just hang on, this too shall pass.

Hi Neasy!! Glad to see ya posting, but sorry that it has to be because you are in pain.

I have jaw pain & STIFFNESS everyday!! I can barely open my mouth to eat half the time. I have a hard time eating anything that means to open your mouth wider like an apple, hamburger, anything like that.

I hope to get to the doc again soon. Money has been tight for us.

I hope you get some relief from your jaw pain and hope you get something good..!!

Marian--

Thanks for clearing that up--jeez--I was digging around on the internet so fast, my head swam. Thought I'd lost my mind for a minute there, thinking I'd missed something on Darvocet.
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