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ben52877
ben52877

hello im a 26 year old male, i was diagnosed with RA which is my specialist thinks is psoriatic arthirtis which i gather the treatment is very similar, i began on sulfasazaline on its own, then added methotrexate injection after this made no differance i changed to metoject with lefluolimde been on this for 3 month with no change.

i have been getting a lot of kenolog injection ito my knee as this is my worst part of body this actually give me a help around my body with my hands not feeling stiff when i have it, trouble is he happy to do it for now with the steroid injection but its only a quick fix, i feel so much better when i have the injection of kenolog i had one last week and it was the most i hare had into the knee which was 80mg in one go which he said is a big dosage.

i am just fed up when it wears off  and the pain,fluid and stiffness comes back. im really thinking off coming of the medication.  the only painkillers that work are the strong co-codamol which is becoming some i rely on to much the trouble is they make me sleepy so i have uped my caffine intake to perk me up so sleep is all over the place at the moment. which is making work hard which could beome a problem as i am the manager where i work so i have alot to sort out. 

has anyone one else found nothing seems to work? i know the next step for me is bioglics which i hear is better for some people if they dont respond to the basics. 

thanks for your time in reading. 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • mary76396
    mary76396 ben52877

    Posted

    Hi Ben, I have RA but not psoriatic. I've been on Methotrexate for over a year, they also tried me on Plaquinil which made no difference so I stopped it. I am now on my second Biologic, I've been on Cimzia fort nightly injections for nearly a year but my rheumatologist has suggested  Actemra weekly injections to see if they work better. The problem with RA is that it could be different parts of the immune system that attacks different people and these biologics all centre on different parts of the immune system so it becomes a battle to find the right biologic for each of us. I have no side effects from biologics or the Methotrexate luckily. I keep  Predisnolone on hand if I have a flare but it has to be pretty bad for me to take it. I also have Palexia (Tapentadol) tablets which I keep getting told to use daily but they make me feel too drugged to function properly.

    they will find the right med for you but it will take time. Don't be afraid of biologics either as they really make a difference.

    good luck. Mary

  • debbie_39876
    debbie_39876 ben52877

    Posted

    Hi Ben

    I was diagnosed at 26 too..now 48 and I've tried every drug there is ..nothing worked for me either. 2 years ago I started biologics. Simponi to start. Worked great but started to affect my organs...so last year changed to inflectra infusion..its ok just don't last long enough for me between infusion. They do come with scary side effects but don't let that put you off .anything is worth a try if it makes you feel better.fingers crossed you find something that works for you x

  • tony35673
    tony35673 ben52877

    Posted

    I was diagnosed with RA about two years ago but none of the DMARDS nor the biologics worked.   A few months ago the Rheumatologist changed his diagnosid to Psoriatic Arthritis Mutilans.   It's a gueing game for the medical fraternity, guessing what type/sub type RA you have and guess which med might work!   The only thing that works for me is Ibuprofen or Celebrex, of course the pain never leaves, it's just a little less obvious.   All medications have side effects, even Paracetamol, it's simply a mater of deciding what's worse the pain from the disease or the side effects from the meds used to treat the disease.   For me, the RA pain is worse, simply because if the side effects cause problems I can always stop the meds, I can't stop the disease!   So far I've had no problems from side effects and I've tried MTX, Hydroxychloroquine, Sulphasalazine, Leflunomide, Cimzia, Actemra and Cosentyx.   None have worked.

  • Rowbirdie
    Rowbirdie ben52877

    Posted

    Hi

    it s time to ask to try a biologic 

    it made a huge difference to me. I have rituximab alongside the regular DMARDS and I am fortunate not to have significant side effects. Most biologics are given alongside methotrexate.

    i know you ve had some responses from folk who haven't been helped by them but there are vey many who are.

    the knee joints being affected is extremely painful and debilitating. Are you on your feet a lot at work. Can you make any adjustments ?clearly the inflammation is not under control yet so go back to your rheumy. 

    also, at my worst, I had prednisolone tablets( steroid) it took 18 months to taper off them but they helped at my worst time.

    hope you get some further help

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