December 12
One Chick wrote in to ask :
I am 56 years old, diagnosed 16 months ago, started on Methotrexate but toxic to liver, tried Enbrel 3 months with no luck, currently on Humira for 2 months, but not yet helping. Physical Therapy helped a little. I can only function when on Lortab, but Rheumy will only give 30 pills a month which lasts about a week. Any chicks on pain management?
Thank you in advance for your input and sharing your experiences to help answer this members question. (((pain-free internet hugs)))
What our members have said so far:
Sandy – It took me over 3 months to ever feel the Enbrel shot, was on it 2 years and I don’t care what Doctors say, it stopped working for me so I’m off of it now.
Joy – I’m on Humira for my RA, Lyrica for Fibro and pain management, along with Tramadol and Zipsor. I only have to use the Tramadol twice a day, the Zipsor and Lyrica once a day. I’m really happy with the results, and my pain levels are very low now.
Feather – Holy crap! I don’t miss those medications at all! It won’t cure but it will help: change your diet, figure out what foods make you inflammed, read a book; eating right for your blood type. It’s helped me to find out my national needs. Change your attitude and spirit on this new diagnosis. Talk to a counselor for emotional support and help keep you optimistic. Keep trying to MOVE, go get a gym membership to use their hot tub and pool if you can. Stay mobile and rest from time to time. Never give up on finding a solution for yourself. Good luck because western medicine didn’t cure or sometimes help me but it made me see my body’s health is very important too. During medication taking, before and after. I’m medication free for 3 yrs.
Joy – My Tramadol dosage is 50 mg, lyrica 75 mg, zipsor 25 mg.
Heather – I use a tens unit by empi. My PT gave it to me. It reduces my pain from about an 8 to a 5. I’m not on a daily regimen of prednisone – too many bad effects – but I do use it when the pain is more intense. I’m also on enbrel, mtx, celebrex, cymbalta and Tylenol 3 with codeine.
Mari – I’m sorry but….. LOL… 1st of all EVERYTHING is “toxic to liver” 2. 2 and 3 months is really not long enough to “decide” Enbrel/Humira is not helping as it takes time to “work” and 3. if you want JUST pain management move to a state where medical marijuana is LEGAL. I’m sorry if this sounds rude or callous but addiction to Lortab or any pain meds and the insistence of some to push for only pain meds is what makes it hard for the rest of us to get as needed pain meds! And it frustrates me so much.
Nic – I’m starting pain management in January. I find yoga, walking and meditation help too …worth a shot?!x
Feather – Ooh: and use all the hot pads and creams you can if you don’t want heavy duty pain meds. Utilizing both won’t hurt either.
Beth – Tramadol doesn’t help me.. I have been on every medication out there for RA… I am now on my 9th month of Simponi .. It is working well and keeping me stable, Still have some pain.. I am allergic to a lot of pain meds. So no pain meds for me. I was diagnosed in 1997. I was 32 years old. I struggle everyday. On top I have fibro.. I am just on simponi and nothing else.. Some days I can’t even focus.. but I can’t take nothing for pain, and what I can take they won’t give me..
Andrea – I agree with others. Not enough time is being spent with the bios to decide if they are working. Also you didn’t mention if you take the humira weekly or biweekly. I see a pain doc but I have several Dx. Narcotic pain management is a tool while trying to modify the disease. We need both sometimes but we have to focus on modification. Unfortunately patience is hard but we need to give the meds time.
Lexie – I don’t know how people w/severe RA get the Rheumy to change meds so often?? I was on Remicaide infusion 7 yrs, it took 18 months to give me some relief. I had 2 1//2 to 3 fair, but challenging years on Remicaid. Then last July 2012 my body became immune to it. I have had 4 treatments on Orencia infusion w/methotrexate and it may take a year or so to take pain and swelling from my joints. With severe pain I rest and pray, I use heat, keep warm, keep my mind busy reading and when I am not too bad I quilt or visit friends at the library. Pretty much hibernate in winter to avoid getting sick and keep my comfort level managed.
Jill – I currently am prescribed 5 percocet 10/325 per day for pain. I am 53, diagnosed 6 years ago and am seronegative. I failed humira and am on month 3 of enbrel and still no relief. My rheumy will start me on acterma after the first of the year and I pray it works! I am also on mtx injections. I cannot function without pain meds! Thank God my rheumy can and does prescribe these without pain management!!
Christina – I have been on lots of meds .. It usually takes up to 6 months for any meds to work.. Maybe you need to stay on one longer to see if it will work.. My pain pills don’t help the joint damage…
Staci – I’m on Mobic, Methotrexate & Enbrel injection once a week. It’s really been working well for me. Be very careful with depending on pain pills!!! From personal experience, it’s a very slippery slope! Exercise, prayer & meditation have made a tremendous difference for me personally!
Connie – ugh;[
Andrea – Mari I do need to take exception with your comment on drug addiction. Taking narcotics for pain may result in a physical dependency but it’s not the same as a psychological addition. We deal with others from the outside judging us and for 12 years my needs have varied from Oxycontin with dilaudid for break through to hydrocodone. I only take what I need and reduce the meds as soon as possible.
Svetlana – I am 57 and diet, staying away from dairy,meat, night shade vegetables (pepper,tomatoes, etc) and taking flax oil, tart cherry juice helps keep my inflammation down. Water exercise helps immune system.
Krys – I was on pain meds for years, the only thing that I ever got relief with was a patch because with the patch I could wake up and actually move. Once they changed the adhesive I had a severe allergic reaction. The other narcotics never did much. I gave them up last year. When I eat well and go to Curves I almost forget I have RA. When I eat bad and don’t get it light exercise I feel awful. I have nodules on my hands, calcification around my ankles. I just deal without because I’m not sure what else to do. My liver can’t handle much more I had to have a biopsy last year. I’m only 33. It could be worse is all I keep saying to myself. good luck to you all.
Tara – Mobic has been helpful for me.
Yvette – I would suggest an elimination diet to determine your trigger foods. I have been controlling my RA with diet alone since being diagnosed April 2011 – had symptoms since 2008.
Michelle – I highly suggest an elimination diet. There is likely something you’re eating that is making your RA so severe. For me, it’s gluten and dairy. As long as I don’t eat these (or least limit it to a teeny, tiny bit) my RA is fairly mild. Google “elimination diet” to get an idea how to do it. Good luck!
Cindy – I think diet is a huge factor. Peppers sets off my RA. Most RA meds take 6-12 weeks to work. I understand being frustrated though. My liver has also decided to reject the meds that aren’t working anyway. Hang in there.
Jackie – Every person is different. No RA is the same and unfortunately many auto immune diseases are misdiagnosed. Be your own doctor and research all possibilities. I was diagnosed at 15 and managed my flair up with a combination of sulfasalzine and voltaren. After building a tolerance 5 years later I lost ability to walk. I honestly felt helpless and defeated. I tried methotrexate, prednisone, minocycline, you name it. Finally I found a Pain Therapy doctor who prescribed enbrel. I felt like I was re born. I changed my life style completely. Diet, exercise, and a positive mind will only increase your success with medication. You just have to remember to fight for yourself and your not alone in the battle. Stay strong!
Cindy – Biologics need to be given 6 months to see if they are going to work for you. Hopefully your doc isn’t giving up too soon on these. If the pain is bad you may need to go to a pain management clinic. They understand pain and will often help when other docs won’t. Good luck!
Vee – Andrea, drug addiction is a major problem with our disease. It does cause a psychological dependence. Each person has a different tolerance for pain and with the pain we experience it is easy to seek relief however you get it. I agree with all of the efforts mentioned here, monitor your diet, exercise, prayer/mediation, PT, along with medication can tone down the pain. It NEVER goes away. The original poster needs a new doctor who will work n the DX of the pain. Sounds like there is more damage than they can see or possibly fibro or even Lyme disease. So many factors so little time.The marijuana does allow some relief so that should be attainable as it is allowed for the treatment of HIV/AIDS in many states in pill form. Good luck to all.
Michele – There are so many secondary illnesses to RA. I have RA, fibro, degenerative disc disease, raynauds, neuropathy, hypertension and my newest fan coni syndrome. I am 43. Mother passed at 52 from sarcoidosis which is also auto immune. My fraternal grandmother has ra. My youngest has jra and fibro with it coming to her from my side of the family and my husbands grandmother who had RA and lupus. Not everyone’s can be managed as easily as changing a diet. Daughter has only had one serious flare in the last 3 years whereas I seem to never not be in one. Unfortunately pain meds are a necessity to even face the day for myself. Takes me at least 3 hours to get my day started. Pain meds can be addictive if you are taking them for that euphoric feeling then you are taking them for the wrong reason. I want some quality of life. Read all the comments but read them carefully and don’t get offended by some. You will find what works for you it just may take time!
Rick – the pills are OK, the patch is better for me, with the pills supporting.
Kim – I took me a long time to realize that a lot of my pain had gradually come from Fibromyalgia in addition to my RA. Check into that. I had tried Methotrexate and Enbrel only to find that I felt worse. Now that I am taking Cymbalta, it takes the edge off of the Fibro pain. Worth checking out just in case.
Rick – Arthritis does suck!
Lora – Have you tried any NSAIDS or prednisone? I cannot take narcotics at all as they make me deathly ill. Unfortunately, Humira is one of the longest biologics to kick in. It can take 6 months foray to get any improvement. You can also get a systemic steroid shot, called a Depo Medrol shot, in the hip, which will stay in your system 4-8 weeks. This may bridge the gap until the Humira starts working. If I have to be off MTX and Enbrel for any length of time, I usually have a bad flare. My doc then gives me the Depo Medrol shot and really makes me feel better.
Rick – They’re wanting to replace knees and hips, but I’m not liking that idea, yet.
Rick – Now, my hands are starting to be affected too, but I’m a computer engineer – makes me nervous.
Helen – Great discussion. I’m really curious if any or all of you are able to work with the level of pain you’re describing??? Just curious. My pain and stiffness is horrendous and I’ve just been prescribed Fentanyl 50 mcg/h. I’ve used hydrocodone in the past and declafenac cream. I don’t know if and when I’ll be able to work again. My symptoms are not managed well right now. I was diagnosed March 2012. I take MTX injections, plaquenil and will be starting Sulfasalazine. Humira failed and I can’t take another biologic because I’m prone to infections that don’t clear easily. When I get an infection, I have to hold all RA meds. What a horrible disease! A Path To Healing Massage/Hot Epsom salts baths/paraffin wax wraps for hands
Elaine – Just read that only 4% of people who are legitimately in pain actually get addicted to narcotics. It is a shame that those of us who need these drugs to maintain some quality of life cannot get them due to the many who abuse them. I also try to eat right, meditate and pray, exercise when I can. All about balance.
Patricia – I’ve had RA for 36 years, diagnosed at the age of 15. I’ve had a shoulder replacement at the age of 27 and hip replacement when I was 36. As others have mentioned, it is common to have several auto-immune disorders, which can compound the pain issues as well as treatment. Life is a roller coaster of flare-ups and remissions. There are going to be days where you can do nothing but rest and there will be days that you feel great. It also is not uncommon for people dealing with chronic illnesses to also require anti-depressants. For me personally, my medication includes methotrexate injections, Enbrel, naprosyn, Tylenol #3, codeine contin, massage therapy, chiropractic and occasionally, psychological therapy. Oh yes, my heating pad is my companion. My Rheumatologist feels that any alternative treatment that helps cope with the pain should be used. Everyone responds differently to medications and for the most part, there is a lot of trial and error until an effective treatment plan is found.
Jessica – Can you switch doctors? I would start there!
Michelle – I am on remicade. I recently took actemra for a few months and loved, loved it!! I felt like I didn’t have RA however, I got an allergic reaction and can not take it anymore. I’ve had RA for 22 years now, I’m 43 and back on remicade, it helps a ton.
Jen – I take Mobic and they work great. I now only take pain pills about 4-6 times a month.
Mary – I have RA. It is a very frustrating disease. I now take MTX and folic acid. NSAID drugs are out as I am on Coumadin therapy. I take a pain med 3-4 times a day for severe pain. It is not a perfect solution but my insurance won’t pay the drug I need.
Ruth – Have you tried a pain clinic (hoping you are not in FL or TX). They helped me tremendously with all kinds of pain …
Helen – pssstttt??? for those posting – please do include in your post if you are able to work full time, part time, seasonally etc…. if you don’t mind.
Venus – I’m on the one that just got approved called Xeljanz and it has been working.
Jen – I’m 38. November 2011 I woke up with my shoulder hurting – 3 days later my husband was having to dress me. After a lot of tests and several doctors they told me in February I had lupus, RA and sjogrens. I take Mobic, vitamin D3 and plaquenil. Most days are good but I have some where I can not walk only crawl. 2 mobics 1 pain pill later I can at least walk. I work 2 part time jobs. Do 90% of the household duties have a 17 yr old and a 2 yr old Oh. And I take happy pills. It helps me sleep. Rest and being as stress free as you can will do the body a lot of good.
Wendy – I’ve taken all of the biologics and pain meds over the years. Have had RA and SS for more than 20 years. But four years ago I found the Amethyst Bio Mat and it has changed my life. I haven’t taken biologics and reduced my pain meds by 75% since then. Read my story for more information at my FB page: Amethyst Bio-Mat by Academy of Spirit. If you live in the Northwest USA, I’d be happy to loan you a mat to try.
Evelyn – I’m on a combination of meds- Nortriptyline and morphine. The morphine is a result of a stay in the hospital (check my other post) and I have been told it is temporary. After morphine, I will have to work with my Rheumy to develop a new plan. I used to be on a combination of hydrocodone and Tramadol. Now that I am no longer on Remicade, my pain is escalating daily. A good day used to be a pain level of 2-4 (out of 10). Now a good day is a 6. I’ve got a new Rheumy who seems to really understand the disease and is willing to try almost anything to reduce my pain and swelling. I go back in January, at which point it will be time to try something new for pain. I’ll let you know if he comes up with anything that works. (Fingers metaphorically crossed.)
Aron – I would give the humira a little more time, too. When I first took enbrel, my doctor told me to take it for at least 6 months before deciding! I’m actually heading up to my doc tomorrow to get back on a biologic med!
Helen – Jen thanks for adding if you work or not with all you’re facing. It helps to see how people FUNCTION with all the challenges and meds !!
Liz- Diet is a factor in the sick or in the healthy. Speak with your rheumatologist about making an appointment with a licensed dietitian. Many rheumy’s already work with one. It is very important you do this so you are not boosting your immune system with what you are going to eat or boosting it by what you don’t eat.
With that being said, anyone with chronic pain has the right to be made as comfortable as possible. There are alternatives if someone has maxed out on oral pain meds. One of the alternatives is to have a pain pump implanted. I made the choice to have one implanted and it was the best thing i could have done for myself. Pain management doctors are usually the ones that implant the pump. It’s a day surgery they twilight you for. I went in at 7am and was out by 2pm.
http://www.medtronic.com/patients/chronic-pain/living-with/drug-pumps/after-surgery/index.htm
After Surgery – Medtronic Drug Pumps for Chronic Pain
www.medtronic.com
Learn what to expect after your surgery to implant a Medtronic drug pump (intrathecal drug delivery) to manage chronic pain.
Jennifer – Tara, are you sure you are taking mobic? My husband was on that and they took it off the market years ago. Well the military hospitals did anyway; caused scarring in my husbands kidneys. I am on norco, Lyrica and meet to Dr. Next month to start RA meds. The best thing that worked for my pain was the phentynal (sp?) patch, but the VA hosp won’t give it.
Sarah – I have tried a million combo of meds and refused to give up. I refused to submit to being exhausted by narcotic pain meds and muscle relaxers so I tried tons of combos. I had to quit working because I was in ridiculous pain which left me sleepless with chronic stomach issues and couldn’t sit, stand or walk for more than 5 minutes at a time. This is my combo that got me back to work as a full time teacher and full time student. I take meds for both fibromyalgia and RA. Celebrex, Tramadol extended release, Humira injection which started at once bi-weekly and is now once a week, plaquenil and leflunomide. The leflunomide replaced methotrexate which I got good pain management from but felt wiped out all of the time, had runny noses and sore throats a lot. I take it daily and don’t feel like I get the hangover like I did from metho. Love the results I get from it. Also feel like the Tramadol helps with the overall heavy feeling and pain I get . Diet definitely has helped and I heard but didn’t believe when you are in pain moving helps but it is actually true. Light activity, stretching slow walking etc.helps.
Liz – Mobic is very common. I take every day. It’s wonderful! I am in a huge flare at the moment but on normal days it takes my pain down to about a 5.
Deseree – Find a pain management clinic and they will put you on Lortab 4 times a day…a pain in the butt but worth the hassle. You have to go in every 30 days, take a urine test to prove you are taking your meds and not selling them and you have to account for every single pill each and every month, but with RA pain management is much better to control the pain than trying to get the Rheumy to control the pain when you only see the rheumy every 3 months. If humira is not working, ask about starting Actemra infusions.
Joanna – I’m only on metho, lortabs, soma, difluc something for anti inflammatory … can’t take biologics cause they don’t work first of all & I also had skin cancer nothing serious …I don’t think the biological work long enough … I’ve tried them all I feel good for about 1 year then go down hill …. some days are really bad when your on nothing. But better than all the side affects I got & sometimes more pain…good luck everyone ((pain free hugs))
Lori – I’ve done mobic, diclonefac, Tramadol, Vicodin, soma, and I just think all this crap is worthless for any length of time. Mobic and diclonefac, worthless, Vicodin not bad but made my entire body itch. Tramadol worked for a little while, but if I take I more than once a day, it gives me extreme vertigo. Oh and Vicodin made me barf. I’m on MTX and a clinical trial biologic Tabalumab through Eli Lilly and very pleased with things now. It’s winter and hands are worse, but they still work!
Karen – 30 pain pills a week scares me. Please do not continue that. You said something about your liver…the pain pills are going there also..PLEASE, I urge you, I don’t have an answer but, please do not continue to take that many pain pills.
Lynna – Have they tried you on Orencia & Ultram? Helped me!
Stacie – I too did not do well on methotrexate or Enbrel. Humira takes time. I would not give up for at least 6 months. Narcotics are not the answer; they ultimately cause more pain. Try Mobic; great drug with little side effects and not as toxic on the liver. Please be careful with the pain meds bad avenue!!
Kelly – My Rheumatologist prescribes Vicodin for me in addition to the Methotrexate. I haven’t had a great deal of luck with biologics and we both agreed that my adverse reactions made it too dangerous to try any more. I really appreciate the fact that she knows I need it in order to function and to stay asleep at night.
Debi – I have been on Humira for 10 yrs, I initially took Enbrel and it didn’t work. I also take MTX and Neurontin. It takes more time for the Humira to work.
Marie – Rituximabs been the best for me!
Pamela – I give myself a shot of Orencia once a week and take Vicodin for pain.
Theresa – I have been living with RA for 5 yrs, tried enbrel, Tramadol, not much luck on those two..I am currently prescribed lorcet, Celebrex, humira, mtx, they keep the pain down to an extent..I have blood work done every 3 months to monitor liver/kidney function, as I know these are hard on both! I have a 5 yr old, and a 10 yr old to keep me moving…I was approved for disability in July. I had been in restaurant management, which requires 10 hr days on my feet, since I have trouble with a knee that kind of work is no longer possible for me…I have to go through a pain clinic as well, they don’t do blood work but my family doctor does..blood work is a must!! Good luck! I have just come to wrap my head around having pain EVERY day of my life, I just take it one day at a time!
Hollis- I agree with everyone here, Humira takes at least 4 to 6 months to really kick in. Once I hit that mark with Humira and the MXT and Plaq I didn’t have to take my Tramadol or use the Voltaren gel very much. Which is great because the Tramadol makes me a bit dizzy & nauseous and I would have to take something for that. I work full time in an IT dept at a hospital and I know from experience, if you are stressed out, you RA is going to flare badly. Big props to those who meditate!
Bill – Medical marijuana!!!
Joanne – Read about half of responses and realized that EVERYONE is different and in different stages of RA progression. Some also have fibromyalgia and/or Sjogrens like me. I see a pain management doctor that my rheumatologist recommended. He tested me for street drugs before he prescribed anything for pain and also made me sign a contract that I would not get pain meds from any other doctor. Until I saw him, I just wanted to jump off the nearest bridge as the pain was so horrific! I am on a pain patch and Lyrica to control fibromyalgia and Sjogrens. I have tried 3 biologics (two of them for a year) with no response and the last one caused a severe reaction. Until I find an RA drug that works (on Methotrexate and Arava), I will continue to use the pain patches and Lyrica. I do eat healthy for the most part and do aquatic exercises but I couldn’t even get out of bed to do aquatic exercise without the pain patch. I am intolerant to Vicodin, Percocet, Darvocet. I just throw up and get major headaches from those drugs. Bottom line for me is that NOBODY should have to suffer excruciating pain in this day and age. I don’t judge anyone’s method of dealing with this awful disease.
Donia – Bless your hearts…all of you. Yes RA and all it’s variations are a journey of frustration, poor treatment offerings, good doctors and pathetic doctors. It would seem that everyone’s treatment and experience is different and we must remember that we are not crazy. We have a disease or diseases that are poorly understood. RA runs in my family and I’ve seen it all.
Christy – I just want to let people know that I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was 13, over 20 yrs. ago and 5 yrs. ago I tested positive for Lyme’s disease. My doctor felt that I probably had Lyme disease all those yrs. After taking antibiotics for almost 3 months, I have been better. Lyme’s disease can cause RA and so many other problems. My doctors for years wanted me to take all sorts of drugs for RA, meanwhile I had Lyme’s disease all those yrs. Don’t hesitate to get a second or 3rd opinion. Make sure your doctor knows how to read a Lyme disease blood test, because most of them don’t…. Lyme disease can have all kinds of symptoms. I can’t believe I suffered that long without a proper diagnosis. Please make sure you get tested for Lyme disease!!
Jessica – You should not have to be in pain. If your rheumy won’t prescribe appropriate medicine talk to your general doctor and/or go to a pain mgmt doctor. I’m sorry this is happening to you. The pain is real and you are important. Don’t suffer every day. If you had a broken leg, the doctors would make sure you were not in pain. You have a medical condition and its OK to not hurt every day. Unfortunately many of us have had to go through this issue. You know your body and how you felt before. Pain to some extent we all deal with but one pill a day is not adequate. There is an app called Pain Diary that you can use to track your symptoms and triggers. It allows you to print out a report and add pictures of your joints. You can share this with your doctor and its valuable if you apply for disability. Track what daily activities like cooking, shopping, personal care are impacted by your RA. There is a free version and a paid version. Let us know how you are doing.
Rebecca – Diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago. Finally feeling somewhat better. I still work 50 hours a week on my feet. My combo is: plaquinel, humira, prednisone, Tramadol, and Vicodin for bad days. The metho fried my liver so my Rheumy put me on leflunomide and have no side effects so far. It is a constant trial and error to find a combo that works. Someone mentioned the Tramadol helps with the heaviness we feel in our bodies. I agree. We do become slaves to these drugs, but this is our only chance at a decent life. Hang in there!
Selena – Hugs right back. I’m so feeling your pain right now.
Doreen – Ha – I’ve tried a lot. My current pain management doc, gave me voltaren gel (anti-inflammatory) that works brilliantly. He also prescribed lidocaine cream for a topical pain reliever, but the best I’ve experienced so far is a Butrans patch. One patch stays on for a week and releases continuous pain relief. It’s much better (for me) than the short-term meds like Vicodin, or others like morphine. No side effects, no damage to the liver, and I can sleep again. Hope that helps. And good luck to you. Pain stinks.
Ruth – I’ve been diagnosed with lupus and the pain was unbearable. The prednisone and plaquenil are keeping the pain to almost zero. I feel like a new human being. blessings to you all. I so relate and hope for you to also find rest from it.
Wendy – I was diagnosed with it 19 yrs ago when I was 29 not long after having my 3rd son, I don’t use any thing because am allergic to some thing in anti-inflammatories!
Terry – I was diagnosed 9 yrs ago and they just started me on Morphine which actually takes the pain away and gives me a energy boost so it helps with my depression as well.
Becca – I have had RA for 35 years, since I was 2. I have literally reform every bio, and med there is, was even a test subject for Enbrel way back… I took MTX for 27 years, and endured all the horrible side effects that went with it. I have had both hips replaced when I was 19 and a revision on my right in 2009. I also have deep tissue massage and aquatic therapy. I too have been on several pain meds, including the Fentanyl (Duragesic) patch… I am a busy Mom and an RN got the last 15 years I also was a tap dance teacher during nursing school to gel with the bills… I have been categorized in the moderate to severe category for at least a decade, but I have to keep going. If I don’t I’m afraid I’ll never be able to do anything. I believe that a big part of our disease is what mindset we choose to have. We have to stay positive. My current medicine regimen consists of Prednisone, Actemra, Vicodin 10/325 (approx 30 a week), flexeril and ambien to sleep. I’m not on the pain patch after I have my last hip surgery. I’ve been very blessed with good kidney and liver function tests all along. The truth is different things work for different people, everybody is different. The best advice I can give it make sure you have a really good doctor that listens to you. Listening is very important on both ends of the deal feel free to friend me and we can chat/pm each other…I would love to reach out and chat with anyone of the RA Chicks! Maybe my experiences can help someone… ((pain free hugs))
Melody – I feel your frustration. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in 1996. I got the run around until I saw a Rheumatologist who prescribed Oxycontin for me. It helps me cope along with other meds.
Amy – Don’t get me started. Went to a PM clinic and it was a disastrous experience. Hope it is better for you.
Becky – I see PM starting in January because most doctors are scared now to even treat pain. Isn’t that sad?
Kim – Hang in there it takes a while to get right medication. I couldn’t tolerate methotrexate. I have been on remicade, humira, orencia, now cimzia, still not there yet!
Nilsa – It takes more time to see any results when on any biologic give it time. I know it’s hard to say that but it’s the only option.
Nilsa – mtx is toxic, my daughter is on it and when her liver enzymes go higher they take her off and then back on again. But doc is waiting to see if it can be changed to something else.
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