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RA & Plaquenil?

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 8/26/2014 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone in this lovely community. Here's my lengthy story...

Ive had really severe hand and wrist pain for several months. Red knuckles, not quite swollen I'd say...Id had a rheum anyway but as I'm a college student (23) I live many hours away. When I finally got in to see her, she ran the battery of tests and said I probably had rheumatoid arthritis. Joy.

So I started on plaquenil and prednisone but discontinued the pred pretty quick as I hate it.
My question is: is it typical to have just hand pain and RA? Without much swelling? The plaquenil seems to not have done much so far and Ive been on it about two months, 400mg. Should it have helped more by now? The only benefit was that originally I couldnt even sleep as my hands hurt so bad and now I can at least sleep most times. My GP took pity on me and prescribed tramadol which is great, it works wonderfully to knock the pain out. Rheumy wasn't keen at all on prescribing any pain meds.

My labs were all as normal as they could be.

Ive had fibro since I was about 16 and severe chronic migraines since I was about 8. My mother has sjogrens so that was looked at as a possibility but I dont know the difference, if there is one, between RA and sjogrens related arthritis. My mother does take plaquenil as well and says its wonderful so idk.

Im pretty at wits end with this hand pain. It hurts to type, it hurts to write notes, I cant walk my dog or open anything. Should the plaquenil be working yet? The next step seems to be methotrexate which scares me...

Thanks for any help
Posted 8/29/2014 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
First of all, I'm sorry you're going through all this. It sucks.

My rheumy always wants me to stay on a new med for three months; she says it can take that long for the med to start working on your immune system. Since you're getting a little relief (and some sleep), it seems like staying on the combo for another month might be worthwhile. Also, methotrexate isn't nearly as scary as Dr. Google makes it sound. I've been on it for over a year with no side effects.

Wishing the best for you and your mom.
Posted 9/6/2014 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately you can have ra with normal labs. Completely stinks
Posted 9/6/2014 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with what Carole_D says.... you need to see the impact it has had in 3 months time, some medications 6 months!!
I would say if you are getting abit of sleep there may have been slight improvement.
im on methotrexate and again like Carole_D said its not as bad as what the internet makes out !! since the medication is used for people with some cancers I think google go off there side effects... difference is they are given it maybe x10 the dosage that arthritis people have it.
I'm on 15mg per week and the only mild side effects ive had is im more tired the day and day after ive taken it and im losing more hair than usual ... nothing to the extreme of having to stop it. you may also feel a little sick the first couple of times that you take it.

hope everything goes okay for you.
Posted 9/24/2014 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. I've stayed on the plaquenil and been doing better. My hands still hurt sometimes if I use them a lot or do anything that puts pressure on them (carrying things, opening things, etc) but its a lot better than it was.

I've started using arnica gel too and taking vitamin D, not sure if that really makes a difference at all.
Posted 9/24/2014 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
If your D is low it can cause joint pain and fatigue.

I take 100,000 units a week due to mine being at 8 when first testing. It's now 42 after two years.
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