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Need help for my dad

Posted , 7 users are following.

frank71179
frank71179

Hello all

Im new to the group and I'm looking for some help for my 72 year old father who is suffering from RA. He is constantly in pain and seems to be getting worse. He recently took a round of prednisone which really helped, but his Dr refused to prescribe him more because of potential long term side effects.  At this point he's not concerned about side effects. It's more of a quality of life issue

Can anyone provide any advise?  Should he find a new Dr?  Is there a safe alternative to prednisone?  Any other suggestions?

thank you for your time

 

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • ama38049
    ama38049 frank71179

    Posted

    Hi Frank, prednisone is a standard beginning for treating RA. There are many alternatives except for prednisone, each with potential side effects. I guess that overall medical condition of your father and his age are to be taken into account when considering alternatives, but I can assure you that there are different types of medications available on the market (but i know none which is 100% "safe" - it's a tradeoff not magic, unfortunately). Is his dr a rheumy? If not, maybe it's a good time to talk to a specialist. Would not consider switching a dr, merely seeing another one for a second opinion.

    Good luck.

  • Rowbirdie
    Rowbirdie frank71179

    Posted

    So much depends on where he s up to with RA diagnosis and treatment. Does he have a rheumy consultant? If so he should be under supervision by the hospital that confirmed the RA diagnosis.

    Has it just recently got worse ? Has it been managed just by the gp?What other med is he taking?

    The usual treatment is methotrexate weekly at first ( prescribed by consultant) The steroid is used short term while methotrexate ( or another similar drug ) works or to tied over a flare. He needs the management of his ra looked at by a consultant again if he is in so much pain so the medication designed to Control the disease can be adjusted as it's clearly not enough at the moment. So ask his GP to refer him to the hospital again. Sometimes gp s don't seem to appreciate just how painful and debilitating this disease is. 

    And there are meds that do help many. It sometimes takes a while to find the right ones. While waiting to see what helps they may prescribe prednisolone again which tackles the inflammation and so reduces pain ( either in the form of an injection in the backside or course of tablets)

    i personally have found the nhs helpful , but you do have to spell out the amount if pain you are in, or difficulty of movement and quality of life, amount of stiffness in the morning etc don't let him grin and bear it or put it down to age.

    so get him to the gp again for a referral to a rheumy 

    i do hope you manage to find some help for him.

  • Light
    Light frank71179

    Posted

    Essential that he's referred to a rheumatologist if he doesn't have one.

     Who daignosed him?

    I've not heard of a rheumy stopping preds on account of long term effects. What about the long-term effects of untreated RA?

    His job is to find a protocol for him that works.

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