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Hi All,

 
I am fairly new to this RA and was responding well after four months on plaquenil.  However, the last two weeks or so I have noticed that my morning stiffness is creeping back and lately, I have incredible pain in my fingers, wrists and I cannot grasp anything in the morning.  I have been dropping dishes, cups, bowls, etc.  I am concerned that I'm slipping backwards again.  I don't see my RD for another 6 weeks.  I have two questions.  First, did any of you experience a positive result from your meds, then a setback?  It's almost like my body is fighting the meds.  Secondly, do you think I should call my RD?  She is really nice and I never call but the pain is pretty bad.  I take plaquenil, fentanyl patch and percocet or tramadol for breakthrough pain.  I can't take NSAIDS because of a very bad stomach; nor can I take prednisone safely due to Type 1 diabetes.  Man, I'm a wreck LOL!  Thanks for any help you can lend...Hiking_gal
Hi hiking gal. It sounds like you need to call your RD and voice your concerns. Sounds like you may need something stronger than plaq as it is for people with mild to mod disease. I went off my plaq two months ago as I felt it was not helping and I also felt that I have been misdiagnosed. My RF is now positive again so I'm having to reconsider if I need to be on the plaq. This is a great drug for those of us with mild disease like myself, but for people that are having difficulty with their ADL's, another drug should be considered.Thanks for the help.  I actually called her and she called me back.  She is adding Relafen.  We both know it's an NSAID but we will monitor my stomach closely.  It's hard when you can't take an anti-infammatory because instinctively you know it should work.  I will just watch for side effects closely.  We also mentioned discussing MTX if this combo doesn't work at my next appointment.  I like my RD as she is very careful and is concerned about my gastric issues.  I'll try this drug and see what it does.  Good Luck Snow Owl with your discussion with your RD as well.  This site is fantastic.  It's nice to have others to "talk" to when things aren't going real well with this disease.  Hiking_galI take Aciphex at the same time as my NSAID every day, to protect my stomach.  Maybe ask the RD about that too?  Hi Katie G,
 
Thanks for the help.  I take Nexium 40mgs two times a day so we are thinking that should protect my stomach.  I think the two drugs are very similar.  If I have problems, I will look into changing the drug.  Thanks, Hiking_gal
Hi - hope you feel better soon...I have always had flares on all of my meds so yes you can have it happen, but if it feels like you are regressing I'm glad you called your Dr. - sometimes a med can do that (I've taken a few) but keep going.  Just a note that if you add MTX to the mix make sure you get the injectable, not the pills for your stomach.  Since you have the diabetes   sending you hugs! hi hiking gal i never knew a person can not take pred whith diabetes

i am being tested diabetes and have been on pred 13yrs it is my only
med now .. if i have diabetes i wonder what happens about my pred   You can probably take it....my doctor just doesn't want to run the risk.  I guess it comes down to risks vs. benefits.  Sometimes pred causes hyperglycemia in people.  My RD just doesn't want to get my blood glucose out of whack when we can find other treatment options.  Good luck with your testing.  Hiking_galhi hiking gal thanks for the explain.. this illness gets more complex
all the time..
wishing you well Boney
I had the same result with plaquenil! Worked like a dream for about five months and then no longer worked, but my doc warned me that this happens in people who have a more aggressive progression of the disease. I leveled about for a while after going on mtx before the disease progressed in the same way again. Goodluck!
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