help with med suggestions

Posted , 6 users are following.

I have RA for 10 years atleaast. They put me on methotrexate but my hair fell out. Also it is hard for me to take many medications because of pancreatic problems. But lately the pain is so bad I can not walk at times. or use my hands or wrists also have neck and back and knee pain.... any suggestions would be so very appreciated! TY for listening.

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi, may I ask which medications you are taking and if you have a dietary or nutritional supplement program you follow?
    • Posted

      Fro pain i am on gabapentin and Tramadol. I am on a very strict diet because I have Chronic pancreatitis. That is why I can not take many of the drugs for RA they can cause harm to the pancreas and liver.
  • Posted

    I can't write much about these now, but check out kinesiology and Nutritional Muscle Testing and Browns' theory.

    On different forums at different times many people have spoke about these alternatives for RA

    (Much of my hair also fell out with MTX. Came back though when I was able to lower the dose)

  • Posted

     Hi, I can fully smpathise with your plight as I am in a similar boat as you in that I can't take any immune suppressing meds, which worked wonders for me for 10 years, because I suffer with recurring infections, and also have terrible pain in all the joints you mention. I'm currently on tramadol, naproxen and have recently been prescibed hydroxychloroquine by my rheumatologist. She also reffered me to an occupational therapist who has supplied me with wrist splints and sugested several types of self help methods and daily living aids to help perform day to day tasks. The wrist splints don't perform miracles but they do help, so might be worth you giving them a try.

    Good luck to you

    • Posted

      I am also on Tramadol it does nothing and also Gabapitin, The RA drugs can cause harm to my already very damaged organs. I wish you the best and am sorry you are hurting.
  • Posted

    Are you able to tolerate steroids at all.Ring your RA consultant secretary n get priority appointment so you can be helped. They must know of other medications you can take that won't effect your pancreas...you can't be left like this
  • Posted

    Just in the past 4 wks I have had pain in the exact places you have..neck, back, knee, wrists, ankles...I have ulcerative coltis as a secondary condition...I take 5 mg prednisone, plaquinil, tramadol, and an anti inflammatory---mobic. The RA doctir is trying to make me take methotrexate and I am stringly resisting. If my cilon becimes further infected ir peeferated due to mtx and it lowering my immune system, I kniw thus most likely would be fatal. I am not kniwung what to do other than to watch my diet closely and ti take the nutruents and vutamins that help keep my inflammtjon rates frim going hugher.
    • Posted

      I don't blame you resisting taking mtx. I have a chronic bladder problem and get recurring urinary tract infections. One infection got into my bloodstream and resulted in sepsis, which has a one in three chance of being fatal. Had to have two bouts of surgery on my hip to clean out the infection...not much fun I can assure you!  I was on enbrel and mtx at the time and my ortopedic surgeon reckoned that they, especially enbrel, played a significant part in me getting sepsis and advised me at the very least not to take enbrel again..

      This was back in march, and despite frequent horrendous debilitating flare ups, I have not taken any immunne suppressors since. My rheumy agrees with this and is also not keen on giving me steroids either. I even have to be careful with how many anti-inflammatories I take as I also have a heart condition. The pain has become so bad that I made an urgent appointment with rheumy last week, and we decided to give hydroxy a go as I'm finding it extremely difficult to tolerate the pain any longer. Hydroxy is not a very effective drug but if it can help me a little then that will be something.

      Words can't express how much I hate this bl**dy disease.

       

    • Posted

      I am sorry to hear that. I understand the difficulties in having auto imune disorders with other serious health problems. I wish you the very best!
    • Posted

      I am sorry you have to deal with similar issues I wish I had a magic wand to make all of you better. I just try to keep possitive. but between the excrusiating pain in my pancreas to the RA that locks me up and causes so much pain it is sometimes difficult to stay upbeat!
    • Posted

      Oh my heart goes out to you! I so hope you feel better soon! It is a very hard disease to deal with. I hate that I may feel some what ok one day and not able to walk the next.
    • Posted

      Same thing here...earlier today I arranged to go out with friends for coffee tomorrow, which is a bit of a challenge even on a so called good day. Since then my feet and one ankle have flared so it doesn't look like I'll be able to make it. sad
    • Posted

      I am so sorry. I know the feeling I miss out on lots of things. I just try to enjoy the small things. I am thankful for good days! I wish you the best and hope you are feeling better tomorrow!

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