DOES IT EVER END??????

     Is it ever going to end or does it just keep getting worse and worse. I've been diagnosed with RA for 13 years now. I'm on my feet 8 hrs per day, 5 days a week. sometimes I feel like I just can't take it anymore. I hurt so bad in the evening, once I get home. I've been on Daypro 1200mg/day for the entire time I've had my RA. I strarted plaquenil 400mg/day about 5 years ago and I've been taking 5mg of prednisone since Dec. 2010 up until about 2 months ago it wasn't helping. So, I went back to the doctor and my prednisone was up to 20mg in the morning and 20mg in the evening for 5 days, then down to 10mg in the morning and 10mg in the evening for 5 days then 10mg in the morning 0 in the evening for 5 days. then to 0. When I get to the 2nd or 3rd day of only 10mg it's just becomes unbearably again and I got to start over. I'm at the end of the 3 time going through this and I'm in sooooooo much pain again. I can't hardly walk. I had 1/3 of my knee cap remove from a car accident when I was 18 in my right knee, and my cartilage has been removed from my knee cap in my left knee due to a skating accient. Usually it is my left knee that bothers me, but this time it is my right. This is the 1st time it has bothered me since the accident 23 years ago. They told me it had arthuritis settled in it way back then, but it just has never bothered me until now. I guess, it is making up for lost time. I wanted to work at least another 6 years to get my house paid off, but I just don't know if I am going to make it. RA runs in my family my Great grandma had it, my Aunt became crippled at the age of 40 with it. My dad was lucky his did hit him until he turned 62. If it keeps getting worse and worse I might just have to try to get disability. I never wanted to do that, but sometimes you put up a good fight, and you just have to do what you have to do. (I'm still going to try to hang in there.) but does anybody know.......is it hard to get disability for RA? Can anyone share their experience with me and what they did and how long it took to get their disability? I just feel like I am at the end of my ROPE!

 

OP, why no real meds? Plaq and prednisone after 13 years?
What about adding another DMARD or a biologic? You need to ask your doctor why he/she has you on prednisone instead of one of those other meds.
You may not be able to make it end but it should be much better than what you are describing.

It's tricky to get disability in the USA. It's an 18 month trial. You also have to prove that you can't work any, nada, zero....
If your able to have any income they will turn you down.
Get you a disability lawyer to get the ball rolling. They will guide you through the maze and may speed up things for you. They will get paid 25% of any backpay you will get.

I'm sorry you are suffering like this, but I can relate. Sounds to me like an adjustment to meds in in order. Does your rheumy know what kind of pain and fatigue you are having now? I also work, and I spend most of the weekend recovering. No time or energy for fun, and I need help w/grocery shopping, etc. I have only been on meds since May, so I guess I need to be more patient, but I certainly hope it gets better than this for me ad for you!

When I mentioned real meds I ment Methotrexate, Enbrel, Humera etc.  Something that will slow the progress of the disease and let you feel better.

I agree with SJ about the other DMARDS, but your doctor should also be more forth coming when it comes to pain control. I'm also prescribed the same pain med, but I have a prescription for 30 each month and before that it was the Darvon before it was taken off the market.  The one you describe really isn't addicting and I only take one per day, and don't feel the need to take more or call for additional pills and I have been taking pain meds for a good two years now on a regular basis. Sorry to hear the Tramadol gave you bad headaches! I find that it doesn't give me the medicine head feeling that regular pain pills do, so I am able to take one with my preds, and function for the day...although without them and the pred, I am a painful mess. My husband tells me, I need to slow down and rest, and that I need to get off of the prednisone merry go round.   I really should be on something more than just the MTX...so...there are good biologics out there and once they kick in work wonders! Talk to your doctor and see what can be done.  Also talk with your doctor about your work schedule and see what he says...over the winter I was working over night shifts, and not sleeping during the day and got myself in quite a bind, pain wise, flare wise. My rheumy said no more night shifts!!! The last time I went in, he asked me point blank if I was doing over nights and I said no, which I am not.  If your work does not work out with your RA, then disability may be an option for you.

I started AP treatment for my RA in Dec. It seems to work
(antibiotic protocol)