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Evening pain

Posted , 6 users are following.

WendYs53
WendYs53

Hi

Wonder if anyone can help. I was diagnosed with RA last November. I have been taking Steroids since. Started on 15 mg reduced now to 4 1/2 mg. Started Hydroxicloroquina 200 mg morning and evening. 

My symptoms went into remission for about 8 weeks which was wonderful. 

I now getting more frequent symptoms and long flares. I find now as well as stiffness and pain on a morning, my pain can be worse on an evening. Do anyone else have this. Sorry it's long. Thanks

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Rowbirdie
    Rowbirdie WendYs53

    Posted

    Hi

     sorry to hear you are going through a bad patch. Are you able to contact your rheumy nurse? It sounds like you may need more than the hydroxychloroquine to hold back the disease.( ie another DMARD)

     The steroids are usually used to help while a disease modifying drug has time to work. But as you taper right down on the steroid it reveals how well or not the hydrox is working.

    i do get stiff and achey in the evening sometimes, especially if I have been sitting for a while and end up just going to bed early. At the moment though it s under good control, but I am taking 3 different DMARDS including hydrox and a biologic, Rituximab. Didn't really want all those tablets but it has made a huge difference to me in controlling this disease.

    • WendYs53
      WendYs53 Rowbirdie

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your reply. I live in Spain so no nurse I can contact. I am going to the hospital in the morning to see if I can get an earlier appointment. Consultant said to do that. If I can't Get an earlier appointment I will go back to my GP. The care I have had so far has been excellent. I was seen the first time less than a week after blood tests by my GP. Consultant did say he may need to add another tablet, but didn't because I was doing so well. I've also been going to bed early. Thank you again 
    • Rowbirdie
      Rowbirdie WendYs53

      Posted

      Sounds like you ve got good medical care. I hope they sort out soon just what s right for you- sometimes that takes a bit of time. It s encouraging that you you were very good for 8 weeks.
  • frances85589
    frances85589 WendYs53

    Posted

    Yes like you I am at worst in morning and anything I try to do I am in pain. I have had RA and Fibromyalgia for four years and take 10ng prednisolone along with pregabalin and sulfasalazine.I have had spells when my discomfort has been less.I see my consultant Wednesday so hope he can help.

    I hope you have luck with getting an earlier appointment.Maybe your steroid could be increased to help.

    • WendYs53
      WendYs53 frances85589

      Posted

      I have increased my steroids for a while, but still struggling. Fingers crossed I get an earlier appointment. Thanks
  • tony38011
    tony38011 WendYs53

    Posted

    I have active RA, and like you have frequent long flares. Pain is pretty bad both morning and evening. Can't take any immune suppressing meds because of complications caused by another chronic condition, so am on tramadol and naproxen. I started taking 200mg of hydroxy daily couple of weeks ago...no noticeable improvement so far but keeping my fingers crossed.................

    Hope things improve for you soon.

    • WendYs53
      WendYs53 tony38011

      Posted

      I did not get any improvement for about 4/5 months after starting Hydrox, I am also on Tramadol. Hope things improve for you soon.
    • tony38011
      tony38011 WendYs53

      Posted

      That's even longer than methotrexate took to work when I started taking it many years ago, and explains why my rheumy wants to see me in 4 months time. Oh what fun!

      Thanks  Wendy

  • gail32047
    gail32047 WendYs53

    Posted

    HI wendy - you say you have dropped your steroid to 4 1/2mg. Perhaps some of your problem is withdrawal from the steroids. The longer you are on prednisone, the longer (and more dificult) it is to wean off it. Plus, the lower the dose you get to, the worse the withdrawal symptoms are. For me, going from 10 to 7 was easy - droped 1mg a month. 7 to 4 was tougher, that took 8 months. Its taken me another 6 months to get down to 2mg every second day. Mind you, I've been taking prednisone since Feb 2009. However, I suggest you google prednisone withdrawal and see if any of your symptoms match. Joint pain and brain fog are common problems with this.
    • WendYs53
      WendYs53 gail32047

      Posted

      Hi Gail

      I reduced my steroids in July and had a problem for just over a week, then things settled. Things have gone up and down since. Consultant said he may add another tablet if need be. Just going to see if I can get an earlier appointment. Thank you for your comments. Wendy 

  • WendYs53
    WendYs53

    Posted

    Thought I would update you. Went to the hospital this morning and I now have an appointment with the rheumatologist for the 5 th of November. Have to have lots of blood tests before. Feel relieved. 

    Thanks to all who answered my post. Wendy 

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