RA after RNY X-post

Thanks for your post.  The Dr. gave me pain pills, but they only make me dopey and constipated.  I see him again this week and hopefully we can get this under control.  I'm stiff all day now, whereas before it was only in the AM when I woke up.  Very frustrated at this point.
I've ask him about a mixture of meds so maybe that will work! Take care!

Hi! I just found this forum. I just wanted to let you know that you are not the only one suffering with side effects of steroids.

I have MS (multiple sclerosis) and when I get a flare up I can use start with 5 and every three days I decrease by 1 pill. 

Good Luck and please keep posting and let us know if you have any side effects.

First I want to congratulate you on your loss of 150lbs, that is truly awesome.

Secondly, I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis.  I have had severe RA for 33 years (I'm 34).  what I can suggest is researching the different meds and discussing them with your rheumatologist (RA Dr.).  A good place to do this are the Arthritis Foundation, www.arthritisfoundation.org

Is it possible for you to have steroid injections at the worst joints?  Sometimes that can immediately relieve the stiffness/pain while you find a drug ****tail that works.

I have been on methotrexate and Enbrel for some time now.  It helps but it doesn't 100% prevent the symptoms of arthritis.  There are going to be really good days, ok days, and down right crappy days with this disease.

What you can do that is not medicine related are paraffin wax dips, the heat will help with lessening the stiffness you feel. Sometimes topical creams like Biofreeze, BenGay, etc can also help.  I've heard more people have success with Biofreeze but it can sometimes be hard to find in stores, but you can purchase it online.

Good luck and always remember to talk to your dr. and make sure that they HEAR your problems and how it is affecting your life. 

Welcome  to the losers Club!  I see you recently had your surgery and your on the way to better health!
Thanks so much for your info.  I didn't even think about looking at the arthritis foundation's web site! My RA Doc wants to speak directly with my Infectious disease Dr before we go forward.  I have a suppressed immune system..(very long story) I really would like to try a topical on my hands, and the paraffin dip sounds like it might help also.  I just so tired of feeling stiff and grumpy.  At first, the stiffness was only first thing in the morning now it goes on all day.  Silly me, I thought it was the result of 30 years of working on a computer!
Take care, and I'll post again when I know what's happening!
Amy

Hi guys!  I don't have RA but I have been diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis.  I have suffered with psoriasis since the age of 4.  Last April 2009 I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis.  I started using Enbrel with no success and then went on to Humira + methylprednisolone + Naproxen for the PA.  My medication totaled over 6,000.00 a month.  My other medical conditions included psoriasis, sleep apnea, sciatica, cppd,  osteoarthritis, gastritis along with a few others.  The meds were getting to me and I decided to have gastric bypass in hopes of getting off my medications.  When I went to visit my nutritionist in April for the 1st time she told me diet was impeccable but with liquids we're killing me.  My culprit was sweet tea and orange juice.  I vowed to discontinue any and all sugars, added milk back into my diet and viola I lost 30 pounds in 5 weeks on my own prior to my surgery.  My friends could not understand why I would continue with such a surgery after having those types of results.  My decision was based on getting rid of my medications.  Prior to my surgery I weighed 330 pounds and stood 6 ft tall.  Deducting the 30 pounds prior I basically started on my surgery date at approx 300 pounds.   As of today I'm down to 255 pounds - eating what I'm supposed to, walking 4 miles a day and totally free of meds with the exception of my throid meds and the usual vitamins, calcium and iron after surgery.  I'm inflammation free and currently pain free.   The only drawback I experienced after sugery is that I'm totally allergic to aspertame products - which I consider a blessing!

I have compassion for everyone that experiences RA or any form of arthritis.  I also understand that my inflammation and pain may return over a period of time.  I have opted to combat it proactively and join a gym with a heated pool and save up money to hire a personal trainer. 

The journey I went on prior to me finding my perfect surgeon was a grueling experience and an emotional roller coaster.  I was scheduled for my surgery last Sept and my doctor moved away two days prior to it taking place.  The I got enough nerve up to go through everything again and a local surgeon told me it would be done in June.  To my surprise they wanted me to wait until August 2010 for the surgery.  I was blessed finding my doctor in Ocala, FL...Dr. Kevin Hoddinot.  His staff is awesome and his sense of humor is greatly welcomed!

I hope we all gain support and strength from each other!!!

Take care,

Laura
Florida

Have any of you tried Volaren Gel???  I original started it for my foot & ankle, then moved to both feet, both knees, and my hands.  I should be using it 4x's a day, but usually only rub it on twice daily -- but, I do get some relief.

I used to get Ketoprofen rub compounded for me years ago (my pharmacist was RUDE when he had to make this compound - he required a minimum TWO WEEK notice for refill!!!).  I had been gobbling NASID's, but I have to go after surgery, and I do not want narcotics for the pain.  I am open to hear what others have tried.

Ask your Docs about Voltaren!
Brenda  : )~

HI my OH family!
Just wanted to thank everyone for thier support and well wishes!  My Dr. now has me on Plaquenil 2x dly.  He also insisted on me having my eyes checked (within 3 weeks) and more blood tests.  I don't know if the "cure" is worse than the side effects of the drug!  I'm confused about the diagnosis. At one point, he's calling it RA and in the next breath, he says regular arthritis.  He has talked to my immune Dr, RNY surgeon, and GP.  At least I've got them all talking together. will post again when I know something further!
Amy

Hi LadyBug!

Congrats on the weight loss. Regarding your RA journey. Did you get copies of your actual lab work?? Almost 6 years ago I was in tremendous joint pain but it was sporadic and it would affect me in really odd ways. The pain would show up in one knee and stop and 2 mins later it would move the other knee. I thought I was losing my mind as this seemed insane that the pain would jump from one joint to another (no pain left behind in the original joint).

Saw a RA doctor who ran the "usual" tests. I asked for a copy (everyone should get their labs and learn what is normal for themselves).  The inital response from my doc was that I had just typical osteoarthritis. So I get my lab results and start researching each line item. One line item was not normal. I called and asked the nurse what this line item meant cos from my research it looked like a rare form of RA...she pulled my chart and said something was not right, she would get with the doc and call me back.  Within 10 mins she called and set me up to see him. They had overlooked that one item.  Doc apologized profusely and I absolutely adore him as he has taken good care of me for 6 years now. I have RA and another rare form or it called Palendromic RA.

Before my surgery in May I was taking methotrexate, plaquenil and Embrel.

I am not taking anything right now except the occasional vicodin for pain at night.

My immune system is non existent right now after the surgery and so my doc told me last week to hold off on any of them until I just can't take it anymore. So far so good.

My doc has told me that out of all 3 meds it would be good if I just used Enbrel. Methotrexate apparently has long term side effects but when you can't function then you have to choose which evil you can live with so you may have to take all three.

 Get your labs and start researching all of it.   Btw, as long as you are on Plaquenil the doc will request an eye test every 6 months. There is a rare outside chance of losing your eyesight due to Plaquenil. My eye doc said it's extremely rare but nonetheless they have to test you.

 I also have a compromised immune system with pernicious anemia and no thyroid so I have a lot going on...PM me if you want sometime.

Best wishes that you can get control of the pain and get some relief.

Cheers, Tee

ladybug:

Are you positive for RF or anti-CCP antibody?  Or are you negative for the blood tests for RA?  

Regarding Plaquenil... it is by far the safest medicine there is for autoimmune disorders such as RA (but also the weakest and least likely to work).  Don't worry about the "eye problem".  Back in the old days, higher doses of Plaquenil were used and sometimes it would deposit in the retina causing a condition called retinopathy and causing blurred vision and blind spots.  It was usually reversible by stopping the Plaquenil.  These days we use much lower doses and it is rare for patients to get this any more.  Most rheumatologists and ophthalmologists have never even seen a case of it.  We just ask our patients to get an eye exam yearly just to make 100% sure... and the eye doctor would see something before you would ever notice a problem.  To give yourself extra assurance, use an "Amsler grid" monthly.  Just google search "Amsler Grid" and you can download one off the internet and print it out and follow the directions that come with it.  That is even a more sensitive test for any retina problems than the eye doctor's exam.

August 16th, 2010 I woke up and could not walk, close my hnads, and every joint in my body has frozen up. My husband helped me to dress and got a walker and helped me into the car. We went to the ER and the doctors did lab work and told me my RA had all my joints frozen. I was given a shot of steroids and a pain med in the ER and sent home.

The steroids helped me to get better over the course ov a few days. I called my family doctor and he has put me on 10mg of prednisone every other day. YES it is helping me to stay mobile and not ache or have problems at this point. I do not have a rhumatologist close to me.  If you find out of another type of management let me know. I have been on almost all the anti inflamatory pills made and I need something that works full time.

Darvacet works for mild pain but other than that you may need something like Hydrocodone or another med. Best of luck.