I am not feeling any better after 6 weeks of Mtx and burst and taper pack of prednisone and 1000 mg of naproxyn every day. Life is becoming really miserable. My left toe is swollen and has prickly kind of pain. My right elbow (inside) looks like a tennis ball. Plantar faccitis and achille tendonitis pain are driving me nuts too. I have not able to put my foot in the shoe yet. I am still wearing clogs with Dr. scholls gel foot inserts in it.
My right knee is acting up and I have pain behind and above the knee. 6 weeks of PT including ultrasound exercises are not showing good enough results. Rheumy appointment is coming up. I will really appreciate if u guys/gals tell me what should me my next step. Should I ask my rheumy to add another DMARD? what can bring relief swiftly? I still have one and half month of school teaching to worry about and I am getting very tired because I can not walk.
Has your RD seen this swelling? Call him and let him know at least.It took MTX and 40 mgs of prednisone a day to get me right. Everyone is different. The doctor should definitely be asked about a medicine change or addition. Best of luck!
I would call my doc's office, explain my dilemma and then they just might give you an earlier appointment. Or even prescribe something over the phone to get you thru this. It must be terrible trying to teach when you are so miserable. I feel so sorry for you.
Let us know how you make out with this.
Huggin ya.....
Veenu..have you been on a Plaquenil/Sulfasalazine combo? It sure helped me! I havent read all of your posts but is MTX the only med you are on? I know that the combo I mentioned has been used by many on MTX with great results.
Hope you get to feeling better soon.
Lyn how much MTX? I started at 10........... and at the 8 week visit.. He popped me up to 20....... that started me feeling a little better...and over time did help alot...
JMHO, but I wouldn't increase the pred... I feel it isnt helping fix it... it's just helping you not feel it.... *shrug* My opinion as I said.Hi V, it sounds like you're not doing well and your RD needs to know. Call the office and try and get an earlier appt. or have him call you. It can take MXT 3 months or more to start working. They might increase MXT and add another dmard to the mix. If you have a camera take pictures of the worst of the joints and take with you to your appt. If PT isn't helping after 6 weeks then your RD needs to know. Keep us posted. LindyYou might also need to switch to another NSAID. Naproxen works wonders for some (me included!) but not for others. Everyone reacts differently to NSAIDs. The good news is - there are so many to choose from! You will find something that works... but you have to communicate with your doc's office. Talk to your pharmacist too. He/she is an invaluable member of your medical team. Most of us don't take advantage of all the knowledge our pharmacists have.
I was on MTX for 8 weeks with no improvement. My rheumatologist added a Humira at that time. Check with your doctor and if you are comfortable with going on a DMARD, see if your doc is agreeable to it. I hope you get some relief.V, unfortunately it takes a while for the MTX to kick in. I definitely agree that you should contact your doc asap and explain your situation. It may be possible to increase the naproxen. I'm currently on 1500mgs a day, but I'm not taking MTX. You'd have to discuss with your doc. Jas had a great idea about trying a different NSAID, too. I'm so sorry you're so miserable and I hope you find relief quickly. Wishing you a superfantastic and as comfortable as possible evening.
My suggestion only echoes others: discuss this with your doctors! A couple of weeks ago, Veenus, you posted that you were experiencing a dry, irritating cough. Did you ever get that evaluated by a doctor?
Again merely echoing...it took between 8-9 months before I had a consistent response to MTX and Plaquinel (added to enhance the MTX).
I understand being impatient and wanting an immediate response to RA meds, but has already been eloquently stated, that is not how it usually happens.
Best wishes, Shug
Veenu, I can not really add to what others have so correctly advised. I will only suggest to do your research so you can really discuss your options with your RD when you speak to him.
If you have read any of my post, you know I struggle as well, so you are not alone in your search for answers with this disease. I realize knowing this does not necessarily help, but for me, knowing others are out there searching for and finding answers gives me a measure of hope along with a modicum of courage to continue my own quest.
All the good to you, Veenu, and keep putting one foot in front of the other!
V I CAN ONLY ECHO WOT THE OTHERS HAVE SAID,AND I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY WOT UR GOING THROUGH AS IM HAVING A BAD TIME MYSELF.ITS NICE TO COME HERE AS EVERYONE IS SO NICE AND U DONT FEEL ALONE.I HOPE UR MEDS WORK FOR U REAL SOON.
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