aches and burning sensation related to RA?

Hi there.

Yes I have rheumatoid.

Hi,

Yes I'm on medicine. My doctor has me on prednisone, leucovorine, methotrexate.

Last time I had blood work was last month.

Do you seem to tolerate these mess or have u had side effects? Just checking you don't think these new symptoms are from meds hope you feel better soon x

Hello,

Well when it was just two weeks ago and just my lower back was aching, it was tolerable. And last night when my whole back was aching and light burning at the top of my back and chest, that's when it was unbearable.

I had to take a stronger ibuprofen, but even that didn't help too much.

I'm not too sure if it's side affects from my medicine but from what I was reading online.. it could be a possibility?

Hi Sukes do you mind if I ask what meds you take for your RA and fibro I think I need to talk to my reaumy about new meds x

Hello,

Thanks for the reply back!

I'm planning on calling my rheumatolou tomorrow to see if I can get a earlier appointment.

Hi Emily,

?unfortunately I am one of the awkward ones who seem to be allergic to most meds.  I was extremely sick almost immediately after taking methotrexate and had to stop hydroxychloroquine within a few weeks.  

I've had injections, some of which have helped, but I don't rely on anything really.  

These were developed as chemo therapy for cancer patients...

The night before I take

acetaminophen 500 mg

benadryl 25 mg

Allegra

Then the morning of I take the same three drugs.

When I arrive at the hospital They run saline in for thirty minutes.

Next they run in solumedrol 100 mg

all of this is to avoid adverse reaction. Severe adverse reaction is not the same as allergic reaction.

Perhaps something here might help you

hugs

how frequently are the infusions, I think all are monthly but I can't say for sure   

Infusions vary.

I infuse 1000 mg of Rituximab

two weeks later a second 1000 mg of Rituximab

Rituximab is generally given like this every 4-6 months.

Another of my rheumatologist's other patients is now in her second year of complete remission from rheumatoid! Personally, I had been doing fabulously well on every four months but mt immune system suppressed a bit far so this last time I went six months. I will suggest five months this go around...final decision is up to my rheumatologist.

I also have an immunologist who is prepared to intervene if necessary.

If your rheumatologist is not following with you every three months, I would be concerned. If your rheumatologist is not checking your blood levels every three months, I would be concerned. If you have not been instructed to avoid live vaccines, be concerned. A great, conscientious rheumatologist is critical in your care. Rheumatoid is a team effort that includes you, your rheumatologist, your physicial therapist, your immunologist, and your infusion nurse.

Each medication is different. Methotrexate can be taken orally or as an injectable. Enbrel and Humira are injectables. Way back in the mid nineties we had to reconstitute the Enbrel before we could inject it! Imagine mixing the medication first!

The day is coming when joint replacements will become rare...we are each so very blessed to live now with the availability of medications to boot rheumatoid right in the rear. One day, bad days will be a distant memory.

thanks for the reminder that we are living in a much farther advanced treatment time of RA now --we are truly blessed for that.  But finding the right drug or drugs is a struggle for many    Sigh....

   Sometimes i think I have too many docs--the GI specialist/  the rheumalogist/  the pcp, the corneal specialist and the dermatologist

I have vitiligo and a corneal disease but oh well----I am lucky to have

insurance and be seen on a regular basis and currently all these diseases are treatable

    I know the hospital/ clinic that you mentioned that you go to in the Denver area.  Very well known place.  My sister lives in that area

    How wonderful that joint replacements for RA will hopefully one day be a thing of the past. : )      Gloria

I am in Colorado Springs...and I so agree, I must have 12-15 docs!

That is the next big breakthrough we need is how to know which medication to use....

  It is wonderful that you have an immunologist.  I attended a workshop on autoimmune conditions this fall and the instructor mentioned that what we need today to treat these many autoimmune conditons is a specialty doc--an immunologist.  I don't think we have one in the suburbs here but perhaps in the Boston hospitals..   My docs are not all in the same location so I always have to track down results and make sure both of the main specialists have a copy.  And then not get lost in the shuffle of too many docs not keeping an eye on the situation.   But I plan on discussing it with both next month when I see them.    I also have a special humira consultant  who checks in with me.  She has been quite helpful

I glad to hearcthat you have a Humira nurse.

I am sure that the big Boston universities and hospitals have immunologists. Many allerists are immunologists as well.