Went back for 3rd visit on Friday. I'm "lucky" that my hands were black/purple so rhuemy could see. I've been taking 30 mg. of Nifedipin for the Raynaud's, along with the 10 mg Prednisone and 15mg of MTX.
Well, Rheumy's eyes bulged when he saw that every finger almost down to the knuckles was this lovely color, even on the meds. So, he's doubled the Nifedipin to 60 mg.
I've had zero effect from the MTX, just feeling the big difference from the Prednisone (which he made me drop to 10 mg) I've been on the meds since December. You guessed it, now he's upped the MTX to 20mg and wants me to call in a week and a half afer he gets my labs back. If they look good, He's increasing the MTX more over the phone.
Anyway, (sorry I'm rambling) he had said he was going to add in Plequinil this visit, but after bumping up the other two he said that he's not comfortable adding this in because he's positive I have MCTD, meaning that I have Lupus, RA, Raynaud's and now he tells me...Srogren's (sp?) So, having this mixed ball of diseases, although connected, it's long-term, no cure and he's afraid if he adds that in I may be screwing myself for the future. Wah, wah wah....
But the good news, he's said it is okay for me to have a cocktail now and again. Silly, but that made me happy. When i asked him, he smiled and said "of course you can have one now and again, you still need to live". Guess what I did last night? Went out with friends and had a margarita. It was delicious! I sipped it throughout the dinner and didn't really suck it dry but it was nice to enjoy the evening like everyone else.
I'm still trying to digest this crap; why must I have more than one? LOL.....guess I like a challenge.
I hate this disease/these diseases...wished there was a cure so we did not have to suffer like this.
Well try to enjoy your day regardless..........sounds like your RD is attentive and trying all measures.
jode
Dear Debrakay, I have had the mtx increased also and I think it is helping me (something is) I wnt from 2 (2.5)to 6!!, I haven't had any ill effects. I love the prednisone too, but the doc keeps saying 'you need to reduce, eliminate it'. OKAY, if my joints don't hurt when I do. I hve gotten down from 3 prednisone a day to 2-1/2 , this is a good amount and we need to get off of it over a long period of time (I don't know how long), the internet wikipedia is very informative about prednisone. Really strange 'stuff'. It has really helped me though.
I'm so happy you enjoyed your coctail out with friends, I did miss the social part of a 'glass of wine' , but now I can't even stand the SMELL of it, I don't know how I drank beer, etc. It has been 15 years since I stopped drinking wine/beer. I don't miss it!!
DebraKay, it is hard to get these multiple diagnosis. I have that problem myself, just not the same mix that you do. Fortunately, once your doctor gets the meds adjusted for one, it will help all of them. It sounds like he is being very attentive to what you have. That's good. He's going to take care of you.It's too bad we all have to go through this...but at least we have eachother.