new to the site and really need some input on RA

My background is that I am 49 and got diagnosed a year ago. I broke my femur on Easter and then the RA really kicked in. I was on pred and mextrotracte? (spelling) and took that for 3 weeks but it only made me sick. I was off work for almost 4 months since when I broke the femur, I tore all of the muscles and the fatigue and pain kicked in. I then was started on Enbril injections. I was on it for 3 weeks and was feeling great and then came down with a cold and had to go off it. I was off it for 1 month and got the ok to start the injections again. Well, it is not working and the RA hasn't gotten worse. I also now have a classic lupus butterfly rash on my face. I was diagnosed with lupus in 1996 and have been remission most of the time. I am having headaches almost daily and feel like a dope since I can't remember things which is unreal since I am usually pretty sharp. I did call the doctors office yesterday but have not had a callback yet. Has anyone experienced this kind of stuff. I missed work yesterday since I have so much pain and motrin doesn't take care of so I have been taking vicidon. I am sorry to ramble on, it is just frustrating since it is hard to get any answers. Thank you for letting me vent and for reading this post.
Marianne

Welcome to the board.

As Sydney pointed out, the meds to take time to kick in and I have to say when I first started out on the Methotrexate, it made me horribly sick.  For the first month or so, I felt as if I had the flu with body aches etc and I could not stay awake after taking my dose.  However, I did stick it out and have been taking it now for close to 4 years.  As for the pred, I've never taken it in large quanities, but in low doses it usually works wonders for the pain and inflammation when nothing else will.  It is just a matter of working with your rheumy to find the right cocktail of med.  Actually the one med that really works is Plaquenil and I don't know if it is one that you have tried? It does take a while to work (about 2-3 months) but when I was on the MTX, Ebrel and Plaquenil, I felt great.

Although you mentioned in your post that you have previously been diagnosed with Lupus? It will be important to get that sorted out to see if it is really RA symptoms or Lupus symptoms (or both).  I'm not sure if Enbrel is used for Lupus patients, but I could be completely wrong too.

I hope you hear from your doctors office as soon as possible. Keep us posted.

Hi there,

I'm sorry to hear that none of the meds worked for you, not even pred? Prednisone is pretty much the gold standard for joint inflammation/pain.  Your symptoms sound more like Lupus, but then I have those and I don't have Lupus so it is really hard to say! I stopped my Methotrexate for a month and ended up with the most horrid face rash, and finally had to go back on it because I was so stiff, and discovered that it is also great for my skin of all things.  Mabe your rheumy can prescribe something for pain control.  I know what it is like to hurt as does everyone else on here, it can be really miserable

Maybe this will help:
Couple years ago, my RA pain was so severe and effectively untreatable, I was contemplating suicide. Now for two years I have been relatively pain-free. Here's the magic combination of medications:

* Every 8 weeks I get an an infusion of Remicade. Medicare/Kaiser covers the entire bill, co-pays included. Otherwise my cost would be many thousands

* Relafen (Nabumetone) 2 X 500mg, twice a day.

* Methadone (Dolophine) 10 mg, twice a day

* Norco (1000 Mg. Hydrocodone /325 Acetaminophen) as needed for severe pain which may be 2 - 3 times a month

Notice NO Methotrexate

Ask your rheumatologist. This regimen really works!