NEED SOME HELP & INFO | Arthritis Information

First of all I am new here on the Message Board. I was here about 3 years ago when I went to my first Rheumatologist appt. Now 3 years later and after watching 4 grandbabies, I have gone back to the Rheumatologist because I was having a lot of pain in my fingers, elbows, shoulders, toes, knees, hips and pain in my muscles. Okay I hurt all over some days. The x-rays that were taken today, showed OA in my big toe of left foot. My hands showed nothing as yet. And yet I hurt so bad have swelling in my fingers. I know this is the RA Board, but I need some information.

I am currently on Plaquinel, Ultram & Darvocet...The Dr gave me a Cortisone shot in my right shoulder today. I had a lot of pain in the right shoulder while I was in the appt. He also gave me a script for Fluoxetine (Prozac). Is that a normal drug given to help pain? Anyone else on this? If so, does it help? I am to the point of calling the Dr. on Monday to find out why Prozac. He did say something about the seretonin level. However, I think I am pretty well balanced in thinking. Just have a bit of pain.

Please let me know what you think. Thanks a bunch. I'm so confused.

Pembroke, I am certainly no expert in this area, and I'm sure some of the others can address this also, but I do know that anti-depressants are used for pain relief often. Somehow by changing the seretonin level in the brain it changes the way the nervous system perceives pain. It was prescribed for my mother after a mastectomy to help her deal with the pain caused by the nerve endings which had been cut.

I hope this makes you feel a little better, that the doctor wasn't trying to say your illness was caused by depression. I think it would certainly be worth a try to see if the Prozac helps! Best wishes to you!

Karen

Karen

thank you for your reply. I guess I was concerned that the Dr. thought the pain was all in my head. I don't have all of the major amount of swelling that you all talk about. But the pain is real and I am becoming frustrated when I am unable to be productive during my day. Even typing and using the mouse causes my arm to hurt. Sitting in the wooden chair w/cushion causes my left leg and hip to be in pain. I don't want to sit in an easy chair and feel bad. I have a business to run and need to stay productive. Thanks again.

My daughter (she is 14) takes fluoxetine for horrible monthly cramps. She just has to take it only when it's that time of the month because it is found to help with pain. My doc explained that researches "accidentally" found that it is one of those weird side effects from the medication.

It changes the seritonin level (seritonin is the "happy" chemical that the brain produces) by not allowing the brain to re-uptake it so quickly. So then you have an increased seritonin level in the brain.

From what you have posted, it almost sounds like you are experiencing RA also. Are you stiff when you wake up in the morning? Your pain is very real and it is very frustrating. Maybe also try some warm baths and use a heating pad when you are sitting. If the fluoxetine doesn't help you, then it might be time to go back to the RD and discuss further treatment and testing.

Although it was not always the case, many doctors have started
to prescribe anti-depressants for chronic pain. Like Hillhoney
said, raising the seratonin levels decreases your perception of
pain. It doesn't mean it's all in your head, it's strictly a chemical
thing. I have always been on some type of anti-depressant,
although I also have fibromyalgia, so the anti-depressants also
help with sleep. I hope that you find some relief with the new
med combo!

I am on prozac and I am told it is for my fibromyalgia and depression. I was just upped to 60 mg. Prozac is one of the drugs that does make me feel better. In the beginning it gives you kind of this really high, disoriented feeling but that wears off in a couple weeks. I started out at 20 mg. I would rather take prozac than pain meds. I think it does help with the muscle pain. Don't be afraid to take it.

WELCOME BACK

I will be filling my script for the Fluoxetine (Prozac) today. You have all given me the confidence I need to try this med.

Roxy: you said that the Fluoxetine (Prozac) makes you a little disoriented. Should I wait until my husband comes home or is it just a little dizziness. I will also check with our pharmasist.

I dislike starting new meds, because I never seem to respond "normally". Four years ago when my GP Dr. put me on Prednisone for the sever swelling - caused me to loose 27 pounds in 3 weeks instead of gaining the weight. I was also given Amitriptylin 10mg to help me sleep through the night. I ended cutting the pill to 1/4 (2.5mg) so I didn't have a foggy head until noon. I had to be alert to watch 4 grandbabies (4-3-3-newborn) starting at 5:30am M-F.

I will let you know how it goes. Thank you again.