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I'm starting enbrel now. I'm already on plaq and 25mg of mtx. I have been having more pain in my wrists, hands, shoulders, knees and hips. My stiffness has also increased, lasting most of the day. But when my RD examined me, he said my swelling was down. That is so confusing. How could I be feeling worse if my swelling is better?

But even with less swelling he still wanted me to go on enbrel. Since I'm seroneg., I sometimes feel crazy. I don't have any 'proof' that I have RA. And I really don't want to add any new meds to my current cocktail. All the way home from the doctor's office I kept thinking that I should just go off all the meds.... which of course is ridiculous since I could barely hold my coffee cup yesterday.

He also told me that he doesn't think my osteo guy is handling my case well. He says I've had way too much cortisone. He's probably right but I'm so reluctant to stop going to my orthopod because the cortisone really helps. Oh well...

Anyone ever had increase pain and stiffness but decreased swelling at an appointment? Did it make you feel like a nut job? Also, any advice on the enbrel. Do you guys take it the same day as the mtx?

I really just wish I could go back to being like 'normal' people my age. People who have tendonitis that acts up every now and then.Oh and also... I'm on this stupid "healthy eating" plan. I'm doing it with my daughter as part of her science project. Its basically just cutting out all the junk. Bottom line.. I can't even console myself with easter candy. Or the amazing sugar cookies my sil made. Thanks to the mtx, there's no way to snuggle up to a frosty beer either. If a girl can't turn to chocolate or alcohol, what's she supposed to do?

HI.. Sero=Neg Crazy person here too!!!

and YES!! I have MORE pain when my inflammation is reduced!!  but.... that is temporary... it eventually gets better!!!!   usually only a day or so.
 
I hope the enbrel works for you!!  I hope it's the kicker that makes you feel like a million, leila!!
 
 
Lelia, having this disease seems to make us all feel a little nutty at one time or another!  I will worry about that when I start caching pecans in odd places!  I think you should listen to your RD.  Before I started Enbrel, I was only on MTX, NSAIDS and low dose pred.  Same deal, few hot, red and swollen joints but still lots of pain and stiffness.  I was really suprized at how much better I felt once I started the Enbrel and it kicked in!  It was a good combo for a good, long while.

Resist the urge to go off your meds, you may get way more than you bargin for!  Remember, RA effects things other than joints.  I have taken Enbrel on the same day as MTX and on days other than... I really could tell no difference.  I know trying to make the best choices on which medications to take can be scary, but not doing anything can be worse!

Take care, (((((Lelia))))), and I hope you feel better soon.  I'm pulling for you! 
Leila,
 
Except for the "seronegative" comment, I could have been reading about myself!  I was on Plaquenil and MTX when I added Enbrel.  I did so well on Enbrel, that I was able to stop my MTX.  I hope it works as well for you too.
 
The more swelling I have, the less the pain is for me.  I know it's weird.  You'd think it would be the other way around. 

Leila - I've noticed more pain and stiffness lately, yet when I went for my appt, I only had trace swelling.   Do you have more fatigue as well?  That's always a clue for me when I'm not being controlled.   On enbrel for 1 yr 9 months and felt much better on that  - or at least up until the last few weeks.  Still on mtx though, not lucky enough to be able to drop that.   I take enbrel on a different day than mtx.    Hope you find relief from the med change.

Cathy

I have that same feeling- I could have been reading about myself and I am sero-negative too!

Crazy is right. I am trying to make the decision to start a biologic at the end of the month so I have been analyzing everything too. One day I feel good all day and think- no you really don't want to add another drug right now- well by suppertime I have aches all over the place. You wonder why people don't believe you are sick? I can't even figure out if I should call myself sick or not!
It is confusing to try and equate what counts most when it comes to swelling, inflammation, pain, etc..
I was in a flare for 8 weeks before my last RD appt. Just like you for some reason the swelling decreased and my joints were less painful when I was there. You feel like you were exaggerating on the phone to get meds.
Best of luck to you with the Enbrel- keep me posted I'll be interested.
SEX!!!
 
[QUOTE=leila]Oh and also... I'm on this stupid "healthy eating" plan. I'm doing it with my daughter as part of her science project. Its basically just cutting out all the junk. Bottom line.. I can't even console myself with easter candy. Or the amazing sugar cookies my sil made. Thanks to the mtx, there's no way to snuggle up to a frosty beer either. If a girl can't turn to chocolate or alcohol, what's she supposed to do?

{{{{{{{Babs, waddie, kweenb, Cathy, wtbraf}}}}}

Thank you ladies. I feel better about my mental health now! I know what you mean about analyzing everything, wtbraf. I've had a couple half days where I've felt great and am convinced I was imagining everything. Then by dinner I feel like I've been flattened and I try to remember if I ever felt any better. " Was it always hard for me to open jars and lace up the kids rollerblades? Doesn't seem like it...." Its a wonder I can hold a conversation with anybody since I'm always busy talking to myself   

Cathy, yes I do feel more fatigued. I was actually quite swollen a few days ago. My wrists were throbbing. Today they just hurt but didn't swell. Figures.

thanks again! [QUOTE=Phatgirl2]

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Okay..How much is my husband paying you to say that?!! [QUOTE=SnowOwl]

Leila, please don't be too discouraged.  I understand how you feel, truly.  My joints aren't hugely swollen but they sting, ache, on cold rainy days I'm just miserable.  But, my labs are holding fairly steady,  I wonder at the RD suggesting adding a biologic, I don't feel like I can justify that, despite the pain.  I'm starting to avoid the tv show "House" because whenever anyone says anything about anyone's liver I want to screech and hurl an onion at the tv set. 


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Ok, I gotta ask. What do you have against onions?
Snow, how's your mouth feeling? I'm anxious for you to get well so we can take our pill swallowing act on the road!I'm so sorry about your pain Snow. That really sucks.
It also reminds me of the worlds' dumbest joke
You ask " does your face hurt?"
Your friend says "no,why?"
You say " 'cause looking at it hurts me!" and laugh uncontrollably.
Yes, that is what passes for sophisticated humor in my house..

Fine, I'll wear the tutu.... But you can forget about the python. I have my dignity you know.
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