Questions for Rheumatoligist | Arthritis Information

Hi,

I have had 4 RF tests in the past 8 months all test numbers came back between 160 - 190. 46/M. Are those numbers considered high ? My Knees and now wrists and hands have been really bothering me. I have an appointment 10/11 with the Rheumatoligist, my 4th visit to him, I am in the I.T. field wondering if I should ask him about wearing hand/wrist supports while working, anyone have any suggestions. Meds: Plaquinel, Mobic, Gabitril, Tramadol. BTW whats this Gabitril stuff??

Your input is welcome !!

Wrist splits help some people. (Not me.) I have to make sure I'm 'ergonomically correct' at the computer.

My husband wears wrist splints at night. When his carpel tunnel syndrome, flares he wears them 24 by 7.

ps I hate splints, casts, ace bandages - most any appliance. Could be why they don't work.

Have you considered MTX? I'm not fimiluar with this Gabitril...but I have taken the others in the early years. I started taking MTX three years ago and thought "Where have you been hiding this stuff?" I wasn't a member at any of these websites and knew little more than the old books in the library told me. MTX's probable what the turing point for me where I started to actually get some energy back and get moving more easily again. Now I use Humira & MTX...but I'm even happier with those results.

I'd say talk to your RD about adjusting your meds. How long have you been on your current treatment?

I wondered about the RF numbers as well. Mine range from 128 to 278. Not much about this disease makes alot of sense. Sometimes the higher titers will correlate with greater disease, but sometimes no and of course there are those with aggressive RA who are seronegative. My impression is it is kind of like being pregnant....you are or are not, no slightly pregnant. Has your doc ran the anti CCP test as it is a more specific marker of RA than the traditional RF test?

As far as the wrist splints, during flares, I find them wonderful. I have worn out a half dozen sets as any movement seems to aggrivate the pain and the splints allow everything to rest. If you can get used to it, I think sleeping with them really helps to make the next day better. However, for more minor pain, I go without the splints because my wrists seem to like to go thru range of motion or they get stiff. I find the same true about ice and heat. Ice for major flares (red, swollen, acute pain) and heat for loosening up my joints and minor pains. I second Lovie's comment re MTX. Even prednisone did not do much for me but the MTX kicked in around 3-4 weeks and I have much less pain from flares.

Gabitril is usually used to control seizures and epilepsy, but I'm guessing it
could have other applications as some anti-epileptics also help to stabilise
mood and stuff.

As for the numbers... anything over 15 is positive in Australia

Mine was that high and still is...

I think this drug is used for convulsion and anxiety. Often they use certain drugs for other reasons than first indicated for...

I put a link here so you can go there to read a litte bit about it.

I have thought about using splints but when I think about how hard it is to wear anything on my hands, I keep putting it off. More stress than I need to worry about.

http://panicdisorder.about.com/b/a/080256.htm

Toni

gabitril is the generic name fior neurontin. It is an anti-seizure med that was also approved for use with peripherial neropathy. It works wonders to also help stabilize mood and augment antidepressant medications. It helps that restless leg syndrome tooo.

hope this helps

hugs

cher

Gabitril and Neurontin aren't the same thing, Gabitril is Tiagibine and
Neurontin is gabapentin. They are both anti-convulsants and they do have
other uses (mood stabliser, can help with anxiety, peripheral neuropathy etc)
but they're slightly different. At least in Australia, maybe the trade names
are different in the US.