Hi, I just got my diagnosis last friday. I am 25 years old. About two months ago I started to wake up with stiffness and pain in my hands in the morning. It went away after a little while so I thought nothing of it. It started during a very stressfull time in my life (right in the midst of my interviews for medical school that I start next fall) and also right about when my springtime allergies were starting to go haywire. After about a month my hands swelled up and were painful all day so I took myself to a doc. All of my bloodwork is negative as are my x-rays, so they think its either non-seral RA or PA (I have had very mild psoriasis since I was young). I started on 20mg of prednisone for 1 week, then down to 15mg for a week and am now at 10mg which I am to stay at for a few months. I also just started taking plaquenil today. So far my only side-effects are a very upset stomach so I feel lucky. I am so afraid of the other meds as they can cause lymphoma which is what my father died of so I am really hoping that the plaquenil works for me. I have also made an appoinment with a non-western doc who specializes in food allergies and has an accupuncturist in his office to try some other treatment ideas to try along with the meds. I would appreciate any advice on alternative treatments people have used with success, advice on dealing with the drugs and the disease itself, and peoples experiences with plaquenil. Thanks so much, it feels good to have people to talk to who are on the same path, just a little bit ahead of me on the journey. Welcome psipsina! I to am knewly diagnosed, last Thursday, although I knew I had it way before that. I've been doing very well the past six weeks, then bam, today, my feet and hands swelled up and starting hurting. ouchie!! You've found the right place to be... the ppl here are wonderful and very compassionate! :)
Welcome. I have been on MTX for 3 1/2 months and have not had any improvment. I was on Plaquenil for about 2 weeks and my RD took me off of it becuase for the entire 2 weeks I had diarrhea. As soon as I stopped taking it, the symptoms went away. I am supposed to start on the Enbrel as soon as it gets delivered to me. I have had to cut back my hours dramatically at work but I am hoping that the Enbrel is going to turn all of this around. I usually dont get my hopes up about this, but something just tells me that this is going to work wonders. I was just diagnosed in February. I hope you get relief soon. It takes the Plaqunil a long time to start working...6 months. The prednisone is great if you can take it. I had to get off of it pretty quick because I also have osteopenia. The prednisone gave me moderate relief though. I was suprised that I got that big round face so quickly on the Prednisone, thank goodness that went away. The extra 10 lbs are still here though. Good luck and glad to have you here. I hope you will be able to get through school with out too much trouble from this. I know what it is like to fight to get through college. I am still trying to get the rest of my education behind me.
Hi and welcome -Fiona, how long has it been that you were diagnosed and been on MTX? I know I read it before, but can't remember. I've only been back on the MTX for three weeks now. Boy, I sure hope it works for me.
Trisha
Welcome!!!! I was dx 2yrs ago with all neg.blood test, now thats changed. My first med was Plaq. and it did work alittle for about 8 months then the RX ran out, now Im w/ a new RD and he put me on MTX, no change yet, but Im optomistic! Good luck, and if you have any questions just post, the expanse of knowledge here is spectacular!
DC