[So far, my hands look pretty good, but much pain in wrists, knuckles and toes... I'm praying the Enbrel will be that "miracle" for me. Thanks for your reply. It seems I'm developing cysts in wrists and on inside of thumbs... only visible on xrays... any one eles heard of this with RA?
Hi, I have RA and have developed cysts on my wrists. These are called RA nogules and mine ARE visable to the eye. I have now developed them on my elbows and shoulder. Little knots on each shoulder and painful at times. All I am taking is 2 mg prednisone down from 10 mg to start and Arava 20 mg once a day. Most of my body is in pain...depends on the day or ??.



[This message has been edited by ostiopain (edited 06-05-2002).]

I too have Rheumatoid arthritis and was taking Arava and Predisone with a occ Dcn-100 for pain. I would rate my pain 8-9 most days. My Rheumatologist acted like me requesting pain meds was terrible....so I went to see a pain specialist. He has worked with me until I am basically pain free. He Rxs Methadone with Percocet for break thru pain. My rheumatologist is not aware that I see a pain specialist. On my last visit to my Rheumatologist I told him that my pain was between 8-9 and he basically said "RA is a bad disease and no one can tell how bad it will be for an individual pt. or how crippled you might become". He did not prescribe any pain meds. I am now Prescribed Embrel, Prednisone, Arava, Fosamax. Until I started taking Embrel, I couldnt stop the Prednisone no matter how hard I tried. Embrel was prescribed over a year ago and I just started taking it 2 weeks ago and I already feel better. I think it is the magic drug for me, thank you Lord. It is pitiful how much pain arthritis sufferers are expected to tolerate by most MDs. We basically have to educate ourselves and figure out our own treatment as best we can and try to find the rare MD who cares enough to help us.I am a registered nurse so I have access to more in depth education (possibly) and here is my plan.....right for me. not suggested for others.
Embrel injs. twice a week. Low dose Methadone for pain with Percocet as needed. EffexorXL 75mg and Lorazapam 1 mg at night. I have had terrible insomnia and been very depressed with the pain and disability of RA. I use parafin baths for my hands as needed. I walk (4 blocks) daily and recently I have been able to do more and more. When the pain of RA is excruciating, you are exhausted and move as little as possible. As the meds help you pack on the lbs. you become more and more sedentary. With pain relief, you start to smile again and get up and go and do and start to get your life back. Can anyone tell me why MDs dont want to give narcotics for RA? Why is it taking so long for us to get Embrel and why is it so expensive?

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Elizabeth

I am currently on 15mgs a day of prednisone. I hate it! But, it has also allowed me to go back to work. I am also on Enbrel (since it was in testing), Arava (for about a year), and Lodine (for about 6 months), with Percocet when needed. I have been on Prednisone off and on for about 5 years. I have also gained weight with the meds. It is very annoying to say the least. Then again when i look at the fact that i can get out of bed and do things around the house it makes me think maybe it isnt so bad.

I did want to make a note though about suddenly cutting yourself of the prednisone. I did that about a year ago when i was on naproxen (spelling) instead of the Lodine and Arava and i ended up very quickly in the hospital getting a blood transfusion. Now i am not saying it was because i cut myself off, it was a combo of things. Yet, about 4 months ago again i got sick of every morning takeing so many pills so i cut myself from prednisone again (at that point i was on 25mgs). Within 2 days of not taking any i was in such shock i could not get out of bed. I took it the next day and before night i was up and about.

I dont say these to scare you or tell you it will happen to everyone as it did me. But please please be very careful when messing with prednisone and thinking to cut yourself off without tapering. I know it is very easy to just want to say, enough with these pills. Lord knows i want to toss them out the window most morning. :)

Wishing all well,
skye