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Posted 10/8/2008 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I'm from the arthritis board and have posted here a few times regarding the plaquenil.  I've been off of it a good 5 weeks or so now, and this week I have really been in a bind pain wise.  I called my doctor and they prescribed a Medrol dose pack and I just finished it and after having one day of pain relief, I'm back to square one, and feeling desperate.  While on the plaq, MTX, and Enbrel, I felt pretty good with the RA.

However, while taking the Medrol, I even tried tylenol four and five at a time, along with Celebrex and still PAIN! This is the first time Medrol didn't work for me.

I'm wondering if any of you take anything that is non prescription/herbal for pain relief that works??? My appointment isn't until the 16th, and I'm just wondering what you guys do for pain relief? Any suggestions would be so much appreciated!!

Posted 10/8/2008 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Forgive me Mom . . . I don't remember why you stopped the plaquenil. The plaquenil probably did NOT stop working right when stopped take it. It takes up to 6 months to fully build in our system and it takes a bit of time for it to disappear as well . . . so the 5 weeks really does make it sound like you are missing the plaquenil. Do you have fibro too?? Sometimes if you have fibro pain the prednisone/medrol can aggravate the fibro. But I don't think the medrol is a high enough dose to cause that. I've used the dose packs too and, for me, I just start to feel some relief and then the taper begins immediately. So, maybe thats all it is, is that the dosing just isn't long enough. I hope you will call your rheumy/doctor and tell them what you explained above. I bet they'd have you continue on the medrol or start you on prednisone. If you call the doctor now, he/she will have a chance to see how the next step might help. Sorry you are having so much trouble. Blessings!
Posted 10/8/2008 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you are in so much pain and that you had to quit some of the meds that were helping you. I'm sorry that I can't offer any good suggestion for non prescript ion pain relief. I can't take NSAIDS, so I take tramadol (generic ultram) and I also have hydrocodone for when the pain gets really bad. I would let your doc know how much pain you are in until they can find something that works for you. Hang in there and I hope you get some relief soon.
Posted 10/9/2008 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ladies,

Thank you so much for replying and no I don't have fibro, my pain is strictly in my hips and knees and my knuckles have been swelling.  Since I'm already on Enbrel, I feel I'm getting to the end of the road so to speak on medications and that the Enbrel/MTX should be more than sufficient and my doctor is probably thinking the same.

Last night, I went to the Vitamin Cottage and purchased Devil's Claw since I read it is supposed to help with arthritis pain.  We will see!!

Rosie..I agree the Medrol packs usually aren't long enough, the first two days on it all I did was sleep, and then had one great day, where I could clean my house all in one day, and it seems to have some sort of rebound pain after it is dicontinued because I seem to hurt more now. 

Hippimom..I can't take the NSAIDS either, and have so many in my cabinet, but at one point became desperate and took the Celebrex.  After a couple of days they start to bother my stomach.

Thanks again ladies :)

Posted 10/9/2008 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
momto3 said... Rosie..I agree the Medrol packs usually aren't long enough, the first two days on it all I did was sleep, and then had one great day, where I could clean my house all in one day, and it seems to have some sort of rebound pain after it is dicontinued because I seem to hurt more now. OH NO!! You may have sabotaged yourself with all that cleaning. Most of us need to be careful in a flare to guard our energy. You can really throw yourself into a worse problem if you use that pred energy and overdo. Its a delicate balance, but most of us have learned that there is a real art to pacing activity with rest. When we are flaring, the rest is really important. I was totally unaware of this before finding this forum and I've found some great improvement in my health by applying proper pacing of rest and activity. For more on flare care, see a post with information from Lynnwood in "Lupus Resources", link in my signature. Blessings!
Posted 10/9/2008 6:12 PM (GMT 0)

Rosie..I do tend to do that! The last time I had a prescription for prednisone, I was loading up on them, and ran out half way through my prescription, however I could  get things done! The one day on the Medrol I felt almost normal..I was at Sams Club with my son, and I look around at all these people shopping and for one day, I didn't hurt and I had energy..Now, I'm paying for it sad So yes, you are right!  I ended up calling my rheumy to make sure I can take the herbal that I purchased, and the nurse wasn't happy that I only had one good day on the Medrol, plus the fact that I'm buying strange herbal remedies that the rheumy doesn't normally "prescribe".  I was told he wants to see me tomorrow, so I have an appointment.

I guess we have energy like that so infrequently that you just want to be able to clean, shop etc like a normal human rolleyes

At the time I didn't think to slow down,  one of these day maybe I will learn!

Posted 10/9/2008 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mom, AND . . . you were in the florescent lights at Sams Club. A lot of us are totally wiped out by that type of lighting. In case you notice that to be a pattern too. I'm SO happy that you shared your herbal choice with your doctor. Some of these are pretty benign, but some can really clash with our meds OR our conditions. So, I always include all supplements in my list of meds that I take to the doc each visit. I'm SO glad he'll see you tomorrow!! I hope you have a good dr. visit. Blessings!
Posted 10/10/2008 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rosie..

I'm happy I called too since I was really concerned about taking something like that along with the Enbrel and MTX...you never know!  It's a relief to be going  sooner than later that is for certain :)

I have heard about the florescent lighting but never really understood why..and never gave it much thought.  I just have the RA but without my Plaquenil those lights can sure make the cheeks red.  Thanks so much wink

Posted 10/10/2008 7:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Mom, Some folks get a sun-like reaction to the fluorescent lights. But some get more of brain thing . . . there is a flicker that is imperceptible and it can cause anything from feeling a bit ill to a seizure in some of us. You are welcome! Blessings!
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