I am 41 and was diagnosed 3 years ago. I woke up with swelling of my right knee and alot of pain. I was sent to a rheumatologist who put me on methotrexate and sulfasalazine (folic acid too) after a year with visits every 3months he then took me off everything for three months because of my bld work results.The pain did not change during the time on medication and then I got a really bad flairup and my primary put me back on the methotrexate. I RA doc did not answer my questions so I began to look for another doctor. I found another who took me off the metho. because I was still in pain. Sent me for xrays and said everytrhing looked ok. He put me on nabumetone and 2 visits later my blood pressure was high so he stopped it and gave me flexeral. 3 weeks off it and bp still high so primary md put me on bp medication. Went back to ra doc and he gave me tylenol w/codeine for the pain. That is all I am on...the pain is bad in all different joints and seems to jump around. I have no swelling no redness just pain. He said I have fibromyalgia too because I also have muscle pain, I am on Cymbalta for that. By the time i am heading home after work I am in horrible pain by bedtime I could cry. At bedtime I am taking the lotab, flexeral, sometimes benedryl to just to help me sleep..which doesnt help. Tigerbalm, patches nothing help. Any suggestions??
Hi. I have been living with Psoriatic arthritis for 10 years now. I was hit by a truck (not literally) one day and couldn't get out of bed. Turns out I had P.A. it took months to diagnose me. they thought I also had fibromyalgia but I don't. they put me on methotrexate, celabrex, ARAVA, and got knows what other anti inflammatory meds. They about did me in with side effects. The ARAVA is VERY dangerous and 6 years of being off of this I still suffer from high blood pressure, numbness in my hands and feet and foggy headedness. My arthritis is attacking my hands, lower spine and hips, and feet. They say I am at risk of being in a wheel chair, but they also said I would be in a chair in 10 to 15 years when I was diagnosed. I am FAR from that point. I think it has to do with my attitude and outlook on this condition. IT WILL NOT BEET ME! THAT IS MY ATTITUDE ABOUT IT. you have to fight!
Being a 10 year vet with P.A. I have discovered a few things over the years. THERE IS NO PAIN FREE LIFE WITH ARTHRITIS. no drug out there will cure it so you have to learn to manage it. I learned to listen to my body. I actually have been ARTHRITIS medication free for 6 years and do better with self care. I have a hot tub. I use it 1 to 2 times a day, I changed my hobbies and my work so I don't have to do physical work. I only do things around the house as I can. some days I do nothing, some days I can. I do acupuncture 2 to 3 times a month or as needed. this is very effective for arthritis pain and swelling. I see my primary doctor regularly and get Xrays yearly to monitor joint damage. I take trazadone for sleep and regular use of Darvacet for pain management. all of this together works for me. When and if I ever get to the point where I am taking a sever turn for the worse then I will consider going back on a proven med. the risks of playing with your immune system is very dangerous and the drugs out there are not well tested.
Hope some of this helps. Just don't go on meds without very thorough research.