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Joanna8

Posted Wednesday, March 28, 2007 6:57 AM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:13 PM
Posts: 4, Visits: 0

Hello everyone, as you can see, I'm new here, but not new to RA. I was diagnosed 3 years ago, but have had symptoms about 7-8 years. My Rheumotologist says I have had RA at least that long, but have been misdiagnosed by other doctors. I was even told once that I was a hypochondriac(sp?). Now, my problem. I do not get along with my RA doctor AT ALL, and in this area, you don't have alot of choice of doctors. He started me on Plaquinil when I first started seeing him. Eventually took off that, and switched to 2 other kinds, plus an anti-inflammitory med. Nothing he has given so far has helped. He tells me I am in the "mid stage" of RA, in my hands, feet, knees, and elbows and that he won't give anything "strong" for pain as I will need it later in life. I am married, 37, a mom of 3 (ages 19, 16, 10) and raising a 17 year old foster daughter. I work as a substitute teacher, and attend college full-time. I will graduate this fall with a Social Work Bachelor's degree. I have house work, home work, yard work, plus the regular "running" to do, with flare after flare. I'm very upset that this doctor won't recognize that I need pain relief NOW while my kids are still at home. He says he has never prescribed a narcotic pain reliever, even to advanced RA patients. He tells me to take 3 Advil, 3 times a day for pain. Is it time to find a new RA physician, or is this typical doctor practise? Am I wrong thinking that I need help NOW instead of later in life? I do NOT want to be "hooked" on pain meds, but I'm getting to the point that pain is ruling my life. I sleep about 4-5 hours per night, takes about 20 minutes for me to get up in the morning, and have had to cut WAY back on the physical stuff. I have even had some thoughts of doing something desperate, just to stop the pain. Any advise would help, as I'm to the end of my rope!

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Michelle81

Posted Wednesday, March 28, 2007 9:35 AM

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Last Login: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 2:02 PM
Posts: 79, Visits: 1

Wow you are really doing a lot. I had to slow way down and implore help from my husband and other family members. Rest is important in helping to treat this. You really should consider slowing down. Once I took time out to rest and not worry about the house, work, yard and etc... my body started to heal. My Rheumy has me on "low" medicine too and it has taken about 4 months for it to work. Hang in there and take time out to rest. If you are in a fog from medicine how can you enjoy your kids and life. I was in so much pain in the beginning that I thought surely he would give me pain medicine. The sheets touching my feet felt like knives. But he didn't and now I'm glad. When you are flared you're not supposed to put stress on those joints b/c it causes damage and if you are on pain medicine it can disguise your pain. Most of us here can relate to extreme pain so you are not alone.

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Rene15

Posted Tuesday, April 10, 2007 1:31 PM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:52 PM
Posts: 8, Visits: 0

You should have some pain meds for severe pain when needed. If you hurt it is NOT abuse and you will not be in a fog it's just "relief" to be able to do the things you want to with your children!!!!!! Hugs & Prayers

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BabaJoy

Posted Saturday, April 14, 2007 4:02 PM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:11 PM
Posts: 3, Visits: 0

Joanna8,
You have the right to have pain relief. Find a pain clinic to go to, they have the expertise to manage chronic pain. Your PCP or Rheumatologist should give you a referral if you need one. Most physicians are afraid of giving pain meds, so going to a pain clinic where they know what they are doing is the best way to go. Go get the help you need to function, you deserve it. People with chronic pain do not get addidcted to pain meds. They can help you to keep your quality of life. I know that uncontrolled pain can stop people from participating in things they enjoy doing, and the pain clinics are there to help people keep on living life the way they want to. See what you can find out about a clinic near you. Usually hospitals have them also. They are run by ansthesiologists who are trained in pain management. Let us know how you are doing, we understand.

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Barbara4

Posted Monday, April 16, 2007 12:48 PM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:11 PM
Posts: 23, Visits: 0

Wow! As another already said, sounds like you are doing way too much! While you cannot let RA take over your life, I think you need to let others help you and slow down a bit in order to feel a little better. My husband and kids have all become better at doing things and I have mastered on-line shopping for most things (forget walking malls or mega stores!).

As for pain, my PCP prescribed my pain med for me. He knows about my other meds and the meds my rheumatologist has me on. Maybe you can try that route?

I haven't responded well to meds until just recently - the Arava (did I spell that right?) seems to be working. I've been on it 8 weeks now and go for a check-up on Wednesday.

Good luck - I hope you get some relief soon!

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Robin B

Posted Tuesday, April 17, 2007 11:07 AM

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Last Login: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 6:27 PM
Posts: 116, Visits: 1

Hi Joanna - myself, I do not take narcotic pain meds. Once in a while I take tramadol, but mostly I stay on the ibuprofen. Slowing down when I need to and ask for help as well. Pain meds for me, it is just not a good course of action. I just need more and more for them to work, vicious cycle that I do not care to get into.

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Joy125

Posted Tuesday, April 17, 2007 5:51 PM

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Last Login: Today @ 4:28 PM
Posts: 2,584, Visits: 4,630

As several before me have written, you are doing too much. I don't know if pain pills would be the best thing to do. You're having pain because of the inflamation, and that has to be controlled. If that persists, thats when joint damage can occur, and the pain from that can only be fixed w/surgery. Have you discussed w/your doc other drugs, like methotrexate, enbrel, humira, remicade, orencia? But no matter what meds you take, you can't overload yourself, especially when the RA is really active, you have to slow down, manage your stress, rest. Your a mom w/a lot of responsibilities, but you're going to have to recruit other family members to pitch in and help especially when you're having a flare. You sound exhausted from the pain, and having had RA for 30 years, I know whats thats like. You sound pretty busy, but see if there's an arthritis support group in your area, it was really helpful for me in my crisis times. Good luck to you.

__________________________________________________

Lift up your hand, oh God. Do not forget the helpless. Psalm 10:12

http://www.physiciansforpeace.org/

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ShellyRA4ME

Posted Tuesday, May 01, 2007 10:16 PM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:55 PM
Posts: 1, Visits: 0

WOW-sounds like you're singing my song! I am 38 years old, have a 15 year old son and 14 year old daughter...married to my 38 year old Smile

. I too, work full time as a teacher's assistant in a special ed class, go to school and was working partime cleaning offices until I just couldn't do that anymore. Miss the income but I am not super woman, especially when flaring. I also had a similar experience with my first rheummy-said take 2 Aleve 2 times a day--I thought-if I could do that I wouldn't be here seeing him!! Now I have a wonderful doctor, she geniunely cares about me and my well-being. I currently take Methotrexate and Humira and iburofen when needed (which is more often than I care to). I also keep "old faithful" prednisone handy. I hate taking it but it is the only thing that gives me releif when I am in a bad flare. I have tried pain meds, and they just don't take my pain away like the prednisone does. Since I just started the Humira about 6 weeks ago, I am hoping it helps. I know that I should slow down and take it easy but that is easier said than done for me. My family does not understand that I am not the person I was "pre-RA"! Have always been a doer and now they still expect me to keep doing. I literally collapsed at work (fainted-due to stress and fatique) about a month ago and it seemed to be a wake-up call---but it only lasted for about a week. I feel like I am fighting this battle alone and on flare-up days, I feel like I'm losing. But I try to smile and keep going-I so relate to your subject title-Too tired 2 Care. I know it doesn't help you to feel any better but I do understand. I am a lurker here but people here always help to pull me through even if the post is not directed right at me. Hang in there...

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