When is it time to change your meds? | Arthritis Information

Hi,

I'm on Enbrel and plaquenil. I am experiencing more pain and stiffness and my fingers and feet are looking 'different'.

I have been under severe stress lately. I live by myself and recently moved. I did so much packing and unpacking by myself. and moving furniture and buying things for the apartment.

So lifestyle/stress is significant. I would like to stay with my treatment if possible.

No desire for steroids or methotrexate (hair fell out).

Nori

how long since your DX?

and how long have you been on enbrel?

I find that when I work too hard.. using hands in cutting and cooking.. standing.. I have some major pain.. Not sure it's my disease but could have been caused by the disease and is residual destruction.

I'm considering the possibility that with the stress and the physical, you may be averting an actual flare with the meds.

good luck

I would give it some time to see if things settle down for you once the stress is managed It can play a huge part in how well you are feeling. Maybe you need to bump the pain meds up for awhile until you can catch your breath??

I am sorry that you are not doing well. I also think that you need to talk to your doctor about the changes you are seeing in your fingers and toes.

I wish you all the best. It is a frustrating disease to figure out and I was in your shoes not too long ago. My experience was that I debated for awhile and then things got so bad that I didn't even question it anymore. I felt then that I really had no choice so switching meds was the only option for me.

Thank you all.

I had called my doctor and he said "it's the nature of the disease" and "there are no secrets I haven't told you"

That shut me up. But I have no one to help me. I am alone w/ no support system. If I'm having a bad day, there is no one to carry my groceries or do my laundry or cook.

I'm really tired of this.

[QUOTE=nori king]Thank you all. Sorry you are in such a bad way... do what you can... and do it in little increments so as not to wear yourself down..

this damn disease is all about moderation and adaption.. you can't carry groceries? Get a basket to roll them! Can't cook? eat cold.. cold cuts, salad, etc.... Laundry? There are laundromats that will do your wash for you......

All I did in 2007 after my flare from hell, was modify how I did things.... Can't carry the laundry basket down the stairs... so I tossed the laundry over the banister .. kicked it into the laundry room and only had to bend once...... saving my hips from pain..bought choppers and grinders and mixers because my hands cannot do those tasks without a lot of pain.. on good days I would prepare extra of a meal and freeze for bad days..

Ha! People say to try to forget your disease.. but we can't.. we have to plan on the good days for these bad days! Everything pretty much revolves around it when you're not doing well.. Hope you feel better soon!

take care!

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