To minimize the risk of prescription medication side effects, your doctor should prescribe the lowest dose of a medication that helps, and you should let your doctor know of any medical problems you have or medications you are already taking. Keep in mind that some potentially serious problems can be detected only by regular lab tests ordered by your doctor.
If you experience serious prescription medication side effects, your doctor may decide to stop a drug. In other cases, you and your doctor can try to relieve side effects as you continue to take the drug and gain its benefits by trying the following:
MEDICATION SIDE EFFECT: STOMACH UPSET and NAUSEA
CULPRITS: NSAIDs, DMARDs
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Take the medication with food.
Take a once-daily NSAID in the afternoon or evening, instead of the morning.
Take NSAIDs with a drug that reduces stomach acid. These come in two types and include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine hydrochloride (Zantac), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec).
Switch from an oral DMARD to an injected form. For severe problems, ask about anti-nausea and vomiting drugs such as granisetron (Kytril) or metoclopramide (Reglan).
MEDICATION SIDE EFFECT: STOMACH ULCERS
CULPRITS: NSAIDs
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Add misoprostal (Cytotec) to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers and promote healing of existing ulcers. Misoprostol comes in a combination product called Arthrotec, which also contains the NSAID diclofenac sodium.
Switch to celecoxib (Celebrex), a type of NSAID called a COX-2 that has less risk of stomach ulcers.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol mixed with NSAIDs can increase gastric bleeding.
Avoid taking an NSAID with another medication, such as an OTC cold remedy, which could also contain an NSAID and increase your risk of ulcers.
MEDICATION SIDE EFFECT: INSOMNIA
CULPRITS: CORTICOSTEROIDS
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Take a once-daily dose in the morning.
Avoid stimulants such as caffeine that exacerbate sleeplessness.
MEDICATION SIDE EFFECT: DRY MOUTH
CULPRITS: ANTIDEPRESSANTS, NARCOTIC ANALGESICS
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Moisten your mouth with sugar-free gum or hard candies, or by sucking on ice chips.
Try saliva substitutes, such as Salivart, Xerolube or Glandosan.
Avoid alcohol or alcohol-containing mouthwashes that can make dry mouth worse.
MEDICATION SIDE EFFECT: MOUTH ULCERS
CULPRITS: METHOTREXATE
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Avoid salty or spicy foods or excess citrus fruits that can irritate ulcers
Try topical pain relievers such as Oragel or Zilactin or ask your doctor or dentist about a prescription rinse or mouthwash to help ulcers heal.
DO NOT TAKE DO NOT TAKE DO NOT TAKE!
My question is this: must one go to a Rheumatologist for prescription MTX? I keeping getting ins statements $300+ per 5-10 min visit and she insist on 3 mo visits. It is a huge waste of money and since I may lose my health ins, I need to change my lifestyle now. I would like to have a GP manage this. Does anyone else go to a GP?
I hope that you can help me
i am 25 years old and smoking
the story start in 2009 i ve got gynécomastie homme i went to the docteur and he give me madicine witch could andractim but unfortuntly i didn't found it i start do gum and there one give me an advice to take testo grow 2
i use it i was good and i stop it for 1 years and in 2010 there rest few pill i take it but all my body is change i ve got ED Impotence mybe couse i use it with nother madicin wi..
hello there
thank you for your email
i do test of blood
Resultats
Examen Resultat Unite Norma
F T4 Hormone 0.85 ng/dl Homme 0.61_1.12
Prolactine ng/dl
Hommes 9.72 Homme 2.58_18.12
TSH Ultrasensible 2.38 uUl/mL 0.34_4.94
FSH
FSH hommes 1.08 Ul/l Adultes 0.95_11.95
LH
LH hommes 1.94 Ul/l Adultes 2a12
testosterone 17.48 nmol/l hommes 6.04_29.25
this is my resulte can you advice me
excuse me but the link you sent to me didn't work
thank you
I hope that you can help me
i am 25 years old and smoking
the story start in 2009 i ve got gynécomastie homme i went to the docteur and he give me madicine witch could andractim but unfortuntly i didn't found it i start do gum and there one give me an advice to take testo grow 2
i use it i was good and i stop it for 1 years and in 2010 there rest few pill i take it but all my body is change i ve got ED Impotence mybe couse i use it with nother madicin wi...
ello there
thank you for your email
i do test of blood
Resultats
Examen Resultat Unite Norma
F T4 Hormone 0.85 ng/dl Homme 0.61_1.12
Prolactine ng/dl
Hommes 9.72 Homme 2.58_18.12
TSH Ultrasensible 2.38 uUl/mL 0.34_4.94
FSH
FSH hommes 1.08 Ul/l Adultes 0.95_11.95
LH
LH hommes 1.94 Ul/l Adultes 2a12
testosterone 17.48 nmol/l hommes 6.04_29.25
this is my resulte can you advice me
excuse me but the link you sent to me didn't work
thank you
You need to tell your rheumatologist about your allergic reaction to the last humira injection. If you have a camera on a cell phone, take a couple of photos to show. Read the information insert in the humira package. I had similar reactions to enbrel, kineret, and humira. With kineret the reaction developed all of a sudden at all injection sites, previous ones included. I can't use any of the biologics anymore.
I've been on and reacted in one way or another to almost every drug, from ringing in my ears, bruising, tremors, hair loss, kidney aches, to stomach problems and diarrhea. My rheumatologist put me on the enteric coated version of sulfasalazine.
Eating as healthy a diet as one can is most important along with taking vitamin D (some doctors don't even check it) and calcium. Good luck.
I have the exact same symptoms.. I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago and I have tried prednisone, ibuprofen sulfasalizine and methotrexate. I am now on Humira with a weekly dose of Methotrexate.. I have the same symptoms of the anxiety, the headaches on the front part of my brain and I have swelling in my armpits and sometimes behind my ears. (That has been going on for years though)
I am 21 and my righ pointer and ring finger are swollen over a ring size 10. They have been like that since I was 18. I cannot wear closed toed shoes for long periods of time and every now and then my hip will be in pain or my ankle will swell up.
I was searching for an answer on my Humira that I recently began taking.. My most recent injection was 10-28-11 and I have noticed on my leg it is very swollen and looks like a HUGE mosquito bite. As this has not yet happened I was a little scared.. Has anyone come across this before?
I was diagnosed with RA about 16 years ago (age 17). The last 14 years I have been able to manage my RA and flare ups with over the counter meds. This past year things have gotten terribly worse for me to which I have been prescribed methotrexate. My question is, has anyone who takes this med sometimes get anxiety? I think my problem is, I have read all the possible side affects (lymphoma) which scares me to death. I think my mind is playing tricks on me because Im convinced that I have lymphoma as I found a lump in my right armpit (that is not visible and takes several minutes for me to actually feel.) Can you actually feel unswollen lymp nodes? I also have experienced some sensations in the top right side of my head (which I have seen is a side affect too)but, my mind tends to lean towards the worst, brain tumor. Lastly, I sometimes feel that I just dont feel right. Its hard to explain, but its a weird feeling that can also be anxiety.
I see me RA doctor on Friday, so Im hoping for some reassurance and perhaps some meds that can help me relax. I have also done some research on other meds I can take instead of methotrexate, but it seems most have all the same possible side affects. HELP!!! does anyone else suffer from the sypmtoms Im having?
I turned 63 in Aug., the day before my birthday I was diagnosed with RA. I was told I had the highest numbers two doctors have ever seen. I let the RX for Methotrexate get filled and it sat on my nightstand until this past week. I was told to take 6 by the diagnosing doctor, but because I am small (petite) my regular doctor suggested I begin with 3 and work up slowly. I started it because I had so much pain two weekends ago I figured I had to if I wanted any chance at getting some of my life back. Did I mention
So far no problems, but it has been only 4 days. Oddly enough I woke up the day I planned to start with absolutely no pain, for the first time in nearly a year and a half. I still started taking it.
Will come back and report in.
I have a long medical history somewhat similar to yours. I've seen M.D.s since I was 3 mos. old (1st. of 27 surgeries). Growing up in the late 40's-50's, my family & I didn't discuss my birth defect. As an adults, I've freely discussed my medical issues with colleagues & friends but not to a degree where it might be boring. You need to confide in someone or many such as friends but they can't be a therapist. I found I was depressed with more recent surgeries, medical needs and sought counseling. It can take a load off your shoulders and be very freeing. This was my 4th attempt to resolve life-long issues. You peel them back in layers & deal with what you are able to deal with at that time. Please consider therapy. It really helps. If the 1st. therapist isn't a match for you, try again. My 4th has been the best. Good luck.
Horrible side effects), and the same complaints.
I have both RA, Fibromyalgia and a condition called
DYSAUTONOMIA. That is when one's autonomic
Nervous system gets screwed up. Mine started after surgery to remove a tumor on my lumbar spinal cord. I ended up back in the hospital with blood clots in my lungs, 2 weeks later.
My blood pressure started tanking in the AM, when I woke up. It would average 65/70. I would pass out often, without warning, hitting my head, and ending back In the ER for another MRI
That was 8 years ago, and now, my problems are all RA dominated. I have been on every med. Nothing works. I end up taking Codine, which just puts me to sleep so I:don't feel. my husband, my kids, my grandkids all sympathize, but don't u derstand I have had both thumb joints replaced, bit the RA has distorted
My fingers so much that my hands are almost useless.
Anyone have any suggestions?
I am feeling better now than I have in years! I have had several of the symptoms people have mentioned in earlier comments. The pain is still there too. BUT I have control over the monster w/in me (what I call my RA) & determine what my day will be like. A friend recently said that I'm a walking "miracle". I do walk regularly, set goals & am planning on entering a race soon. The adage "motion is lotion" is so true. My motion brings about pain; muscle pain. Great! I look to be in better shape than people younger & healthier than I am. That has helped me feel better more than all the meds combined.
Everyone needs to do what it takes to get in control of their bodies & stay in control. Live your life the way you dictate; don't give up & let the disease run your life. I use the mantra "May I be happy. May I be peaceful. May I be calm. May I be healed." Good luck!
Thank you
I'm 45 and have had Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was 8 years old. Of course it was called Juvenile Reumatoid Arthritis back then. The purpose of Methotrexate is not just to relieve the pain but to stop any further joint damage. I've had some hair loss, but not much. I don't have any bald spots. My worst side effect is mouth ulcers, particurlarly blisters on my tongue. They are no different then the regular blisters I have gotten when I burn my tongue. They just happen more frequently now. My doctor has prescribed 3mg of Folic Acid and this has helped a lot. If Methotrexate doesn't help then the doctor can prescribe Arava which is in the same drug class as Methotrexate. So give the medication a chance, you can always stop using it if your side effects are worse.
Saw your post and I know how you feel.
I too am 38 and was just diagnosed in march with RA.
I also have a daughter and husband and I know how hard it is sometimes just to get thru the day when you are in so much pain. I am taking methotrexate and have been taking hi Ira since march, but sol switch to en re this week. My biggest side effect with methotrexate was nausea but we cut back one pill and it is better. I do have some hair loss, but it is not bad I have not had many side effects from humira. Itisjust not doing enough and my dr thinks that since enbrel is weekly injection it may work better for me.
I understand your hesitation with not wanting to take the Meds, but you will not know until you try them how they will affect you, and I have seen that I am definitely better on these Meds than before I started them, and it is great not only for me, but for my family as well.
Give them a try, you can always stop if they don't make you feel right, and you might feel better
But, for now, I Couldn't Exit the site without telling everyone about 2 VERY IMPORTANT THINGS EVERYONE MUST KNOW!
First, 'NO MATTER WHAT, DO NOT EVER TAKE THE ANTIBIOTIC LEVEQUIN!!!! 911!!! PLEASE LOOK IT UP ONLINE!!! CIPRO AMONG OTHERS ARE IN THIS SAME FAMILY!! WARNING WARMING WARNING!!!
YOU CAN GO TO HFME.ORG AND READ ABOUT THIS TOXIC N DEADLY FAMILY OF ANTIBIOTICS!!
ON THAT SITE YOU NEED TO READ AS MUCH ON THAT SITE THAT YOU CAN!!! ITS HFME.ORG!!
Second) THIS IS A GREAT THING! FOR LIVER PROBLEMS AS IN HIGH ENZIMES, 'THE ONLY THING YOU NEED IS A SUPPLEMENT CALLED
MILK THISTLE!!! Choose the DOSE NO LESS THAN 500mg 3 TIMES A DAY! THATS IT!! IT WILL HEAL YOUR LIVER!!! AND IT'S THE ONLY THING KNOWN AND PROVEN TO HEAL LIVER PROBLEMS/HIGH ENZIMES!!! GOD BLESS EVERYONE!!
I PRAY THEY POST ALL OF THIS !!!
Thanks for the help, its great to hear stories and relate!
I HAVE WRITTEN BEFORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL AND MIGUN INFRA RED BED.
I DID THE RESEARCH ON COCONUT OIL, IT'S A NATURAL FOOD, SO IT WILL NOT CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS WITH WHATEVER MEDICINES YOU ARE TAKING, AND YES IT DOES A LOT OF GOOD. IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE ME, TRY IT FOR A WHILE AND SEE FOR YOURSELF. I KNOW THAT SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT ONLY DRUGS WILL HELP THEM, BUT DRUGS CAN ALSO KILL (LOOK AT ALL OF THEIR SIDE EFFECTS).
REMEMBER, THAT ALL THE STUDIES THAT WERE MADE, THE STUDIES WERE MADE ONLY FOR THAT ONE MEDICINE, BUT MOST OF YOU TAKE MANY DRUGS/MEDICINES. SO HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT ALL THOSE MEDICINES TOGETHER DO TO YOU????
THE MIGUN BED HAS VARIOUS SETTINGS THAT CAN RELIEVE YOUR PAIN AND STIFFNESS, INCLUDING ACUPRESSURE & OXYGENATION. YES, ITS AN INVESTMENT, BUT ALL YOUR DRUGS COST YOU MUCH MORE OVER ALL THOSE YEARS YOU TAKE IT.
SURE THERE IS NO ONE CURE FOR ALL, BUT YOU HAVE TO START WITH SOMETHING AND DRUGS ARE NOT THE ANSWER FOR ALL YOUR PROBLEMS EITHER.
GOOD LUCK
I'm 47 years old women. I have been suffered RA for 10 years.
Now I get Actemra every four weeks. My shoulder, color bone, fingers and elbows were cured. But my legs
are swollen when RA flare up.
My new symptoms are some of fingers feel numbles.
Does anyone has same symptom?
And your English looks good to me!
Just left Kaiser had to get a new doctor.
Now I find out if you have been exposed to Hep b your liver is at risk. Also allergic to Sulphur which cancels alot of drugs.
Now going thru a series of tests to check every thing. I stopped the Methotrexate immediately. Not even interested in taking it again. Was hopeing to find something else but looks like we are all in the same boat.
Dont feel alone.
Que consolo e saber que vai, sim, e muito em breve! A Palavra de Deus, a Biblia, declara: "O iniquo nao mais existira...mas os proprios mansos possuirao a terra e deveras se deleitarao na abundancia de paz," Por quanto tempo? "Os proprios justos possuirao a terra e residirao sobre ela para todo o sempre".---Salmo 37:10,11,29.
Depois que Deus acabar com a maldade e o sofrimento, a Terra sera transformada num paraiso. Entao, as pessoas vao poder viver para sempre com saude perfeita e plena felecidade. A Palavra de Deus prediz:" [Deus] enxugara dos seus olhos toda lagrima, e nao havera mais morte, nem havera mais pranto, nem clamor,nem dor. As coisas anteriores ( o sofrimento que estamos a passar hoje) ja passaram."---Rev.21:4
MEDICATION SIDE EFFECT: STOMACH UPSET and NAUSEA
is absunately wrong and not acceptable, as Medication helps only for the good health and is natural workout and can not create any side effects.
Thank you for the advice. The nurse said the same thing. I wish she would of said to leave it out when she did my first injection. I hope the next one is less painful.
I have had c-spine surgeries, shoulder surgery, and because of the damage I was not able to return to the work force anymore as of 2/2004, I was 50 then and in 2006 my reg Dr found I had RA and OA masked behind the nerve pain I live with. I was told I had the RA for at least a year and damage had already started in hands and joints.
I had an Rheumy that was great but my ins changed and I had to go to a different Rheumy. After 9 months of never taking xrays and being on Methotrexate and Plaqunil, I became worse and I had my reg Dr to complete joint xrays and found dislocations and start of bone fusions in my hands and feet and less damage in my knees and spine. Every time I saw this Rheumy, he would barley answer my questions and when I got an approval from my reg Dr for Humira, he had a fit. I never went back and found a new Rheumy who is the best. Tried Humira with Metho and it did not work, she also took me off the Plaqunil as she said it could cause eye damage and/or blindness. I have been on Enbrel for 6 weeks with injectable Metho 25mg, folic acid and labs every 4 weeks. Things are calming down. She said the OA damage is not repairable unless surgery with titanium inplants so I am passing for now. She also said no prednisone at all. After reading most of everyones comments, we all share the same thing, a hopeful answer to getting rid of arthritis without use of dangerous side-effect drugs and pain. I can only say I feel for all of you since I know what this disease is, does, and creates.
Joint damage, pain, disfiguerment, depression, etc.. As others have said, their families and spouses seem to not understand how bad we suffer and seem to make us feel alone. We do have comment boards here and on WebMd.com that we can share are pain and hopes. I found looking up everything about the disease and drugs used for it helps me make decisions when it comes to taking a chance one of these meds can relieve pain and put RA into remission, but also can eat away at your liver and other vital organs. Even all the bioligics have a side effect warning "can also cause death and/or trigger cancer cells". I am sorry to write such a long letter, but if it helps just one person, I feel better. Everyone that has RA, OA, Fibro have different cases of which doctor or drug will work or not. Use your inside feeling and ask lots of questions to you Dr's or others who can help, and like in LaDonna and my case, know when to give up a rude Dr. they may be a good Dr, but bedside manors and patient/doctor relationship better be there or else dump them for another. I hope all of you somehow get better and live a healthy life. Steve
Something to think about !!!.
Change of diet, lots of fish (cold water), veggies, fruit. reduction of sugars and salt intake, no tomatoes, no potatoes, no eggplant.
Lots of water without chemicals. No pop of any kind.
It keeps me going and the inflammation to a minimum. Hope it helps.
Also I take supplements, Vitamin D3, fish oil (krill oil), vitamin B-12 and glucosamine (trigosamine).
I also read that tumeric may help to reduce inflammation. I also started taking coconut oil- good for your immune system.
If anyone has other ideas let me know.
I have RA for 7 years. I do not take any medicines for the fear of side effects. But like everybody else I suffer from fatique, pain, stiffnes etc. For fatique I eat well, more often but small portions. Vitamin B-12 seems to give me a big energy boost . I go to Curves 5X a week and I also go for massages on the infra red bed made by MIGUN, the bed has other benefits as well. If I buy 20 visits it costs me $7.50 per visit, and if you find the staff friendly they'll let you try other settings that might be more beneficial to you.
The cost of the massages is not paid for by insurance, but if you need to go to see a chiropractor or other physical therapist, perhaps they could write you a script for the massages, than it would be covered by insurance.
I am on 7.5 mg of Methotrexate once a week and folic acid everyday. The pain is under control and I try to walk for exercise. The one thing that I can't get under control is the fatigue. I get at least 8 hours of sleep at night, but by the time I get home from work (a desk job), I'm so tired, I often go to bed right after dinner. I can easily sleep until the next morning. I also get mouth sores occasionaly, but changing toothpaste or rinsing with Literine sometimes helps. I have tried accupunture and it really helped, but the cost was outrageous and it's not covered by health insurance. Any idea's for the fatugue?
and now the Afib. I'm taking Arava and the RA doc has just finished having me take a mammeogram and colonoscopy before starting me on a biologic, Ebrel, to see if the wrist pain can be helped. I'm skeptical about this drug, and nervous to see the comments on it.
I, too, have had curly hair from a lifetime of straight hair - now, I see, brought on by the drug usage!
I've had a left knee replacement, and have some days where everything hurts so bad. But hey - we are dealt the hand we are given, & none of us are getting out of this alive, so I just try to live each day as best I can. I can't stress enough how important it is to keep the weight off, and help those joints.
The Atkins (modifies to add more fruits and
vegies) enabled me to lose 65 lbs. and has made moving about much easier.
Good luck to all of you who are suffering through the first stages of crushing fatique and joint pain. There truly is "better living through chemistry" despite the side effects, and we can always hold out hope for new and better RA fighting meds.
Oh- I was one of those people for whom acupuncture helped relieve the initial carpal tunnel swelling and inflammation. It doesn't work for everyone, but it sure did for me. It's helping now with my painful wrists, too. My local JCC warm water pool is an great help in exercising when I'm having a flare-up. I recommend it, even though it's a whole quarter of a day lost in getting there and back.
I'm also being treated by a gastro and he keeps the reflux in check. Friday will be my third endoscopy to continue to monitor my three (healed) stomach ulcers.
I also have severe asthma and have been on very high doses of prednisone (80 mgs. plus when I'm in the hospital) and it takes a very long time to titrate down to a low level. I suffered a side effect from the pred., a level of brain damage that stole my career from me. My recommendation: READ THE SIDE EFFECTS OF PREDNISONE CAREFULLY! You will find somewhere in the small print that steroids can cause changes in personality. If you think you may have these symptoms, I urge you to google "steroid psychosis." It's bad, really bad.
Amanda
If anyone has any advise PLEASE, AND I BEG YOU TO PLEASE E-MAIL ME as I am at a stand still now and cannot do much of anything and I live alone which also makes it even more differcult. Again I BEG ANYONE for any information and I thank you very much.
After a solid year of illness/pain/swollen hands/profound fatigue, I have now been referred onto rheumatologists....with probable RA.
I am 53...and I feel about 90. A little over a year ago, I was hiking (running down trails), snowshoeing, swimming (my former sport) and walking.
All that came to an abrupt halt when I came down with a weird illness (seemed like a strange flu) that lasted a full month...I slept for 10 - 12 hours a day. Now, after plenty of research, I know that a percentage of RA patients have triggers and this type of flu like onset.
I have been shocked at how my muscle mass just melted of me, and I gain a middle roll on my waist, that I've never had before. I am on a ton of pain killers and an anti-inflammatory, which help some. I feel well enough certain days to do light exercise....even though I am in a state of constant flares.
I am very worried about everything....and, I don't have a job or insurance....so....God be with me.
Thanks for you comments, I think having patient forums are so very important, because some Doctors and Drug companies will often minimize (UNDERSTATEMENT!!!!) adverse reactions, etc.
I have been been fortunate to have very understanding doctors, who've helped get me through the early diagnosis stage....and, I have felt like they have really listened to me.
I ask myself and God everyday why this? Where do I go from here????? Thanks for reading.
I've had side effects as pretty much described. I had the hair loss as well. Prior to my trial and error course of treatment, my hair was straight as an arrow. Now, my hair is wavy almost to the point of being curly.
I'm about to start the new infusion therapy and am hoping for some relief. I'm just curious if I'm the only one that has experienced a change in their hair.
Best results have been obtained with Glucosamine, Chondroitin & MSN. Now & then taking NSAIDS.
Regular warm water exercises are beneficial.
Daily prayers for healing & strength are
the very best advice I can give to each & everyone. God Bless!!
Extremely itchy skin with remicaide could be a sign of a dangerous allergic reaction. I nearly died of anaphylactic shock after only three Remicaide infusions, and I blame my rheumatologist for not heeding the warning signs that I was becoming allergic.
I was diagnosed with Still's Disease, and was put on Remicaid and felt much better after the first infusion. Eleven days later I had itching, and a rash that didn't look like the Still's rash I had every evening. The itching was unbearable- intense, stinging, and prickly, but my Rheumatologist decided it was just dry skin, and prescribed lotion, and an Atarax (anti anxiety medication). During my second Remicaide infusion, I began shivering, and developed a fever of 102. Fever goes along with a Still's flare, but it had never been this high. My rehematologist seemed unconcerned. Eight days later, my hand suddenly developed a swollen place that developed in less than an hour. It was was so painful I was crying even with diclofenac. On my third Remicaide infusion, my Rheumatologist upped the dose to 400. about 10 minutes into the infusion,I went into anaphylactic shock. I suddenly felt like my clothes were too tight, and called the nurse and told her I was having trouble breathing. I was flushed, and my arm was bright red. The doctor stopped the infusion, and gave me a steroid injection. I needed to lie down, but when I stood up, my back ached painfully, and after a few steps I fell down to the floor. but my blood pressure dropped to 75/50, and I began vomiting. Luckily we were next door to a hospital, and the EMT's gave me oxygen, and took me to the emergency room, where I was given a medrol dose pack of 4 mg tablets to counteract the infusion reaction.
I am a single female 46 years old that was diagnosed with severe RA and Osteoarthritis in 2000. It is wonderful to read other peoples concerns about pain, side effects, etc. Even though I experience tremendous pain and side effects of the meds, Metho injection, Remicade, Sulfasalazine, etc., I always remember that unfortunately, there is someone that is worse off than me. This site gives us a great 'sounding board' also. I live by myself with my two black Labradors. I am currently trying to sell my home to move back by my family and sisters who are also wonderful support systems. (yup, you know the story, after 20 years of marriage, my ex hit the age of 45 and decided he wanted a younger woman, after we moved 250 miles away from my family.) However, I am much better off emotionally because my labbies don't care if I don't get dressed right away, put on the make-up, etc. They can tell when I am in pain and having difficulty and they both come and lay their heads on my lap. They just know...
My RA was pretty well controlled up until about 2 years ago. I had a ruptured appendix and was transferred from a Level 3 hospital to a Level 2 trauma hospital by ambulance. However, at the hospital that I was transferred to, I was left to lay in the ER of for 10 1/2 hours after being admitted and before I got into surgery. The hospital was well aware of the immunosuppressing properties of all the RA meds I was on also. I then developed Peritonitis and had to have an abdominal washout which was left to heal from the inside out. This also resulted in me coming off all my arthritis meds while the huge 12" stomach incision closed up. My WBC was in the 40's so I am really thankful to be alive. I am a fighter when I need to be. Ever since this appendix fiasco, my RA has NOT been controlled at all. My body is not responding to anything new like Humira, Abicept, etc. I guess I am thankful that I can still halfway try to maintain my own home as it is so difficult and painful most of the time. I just give my labbies lots of hugs and hope tomorrow will be a better day and do what I can when I can. I surely miss my family and hope that my house sells soon so I can also be closer to them for their support. Have a great day everyone.
the tablets are nexium,prednisolone,diclofenac and a strong pain killer that contains codiene and paracetamol
Roamer™ Dog Leash Item #A10020W Price: $26.75
so that you can walk your dog hands free. I have OA in my hip so walking my dog is difficult but it sounds like your problem is with your hands. If your legs are ok, this leash would allow you to once again enjoy walking your dog. I wish you luck.
The best advise is to make sure you are with a Rheumatologist, it is their specialty, and they can without a doubt give you the best care and know the best meds for you to try.
Good luck to all!
"Good afternoon, I read all of those emails that people send,
but my question is: who answers their questions? I see many people
suffering with their medicines and nobody in this Arthritis Foundation
answers. What is your purpose? Could you please answer to those emails?
Thank you, NS"
Dear N.Sambra,
I also read this page and want to cry over all of you, all of us...
I have arthritis in my hands and have my share of ordeals with my meds.
There is no answer! Nobody can fix these peoples' problems.
The pharmaceutical industry is trying but the side effects are so severe
that these medications should have never been approved and I do not
understand why they are for sale... other than for a profit purpose.
I am not an enemy of the pharmaceutical industry that made a number of
medication for acute illnesses that work. However with chronic conditions,
it must be THE WRONG DIRECTION*... Chemical nature of our bodies is
too complex and that is why the chemical treatments are so extremely dangerous.
The illnesses that are chemical in nature and also chronic seem to be
impossible to fix with the current state of our knowledge.
Look at the mechanic intervention to our body. There is a blockage of the
artery and a surgery can fix it, just like that! Here is the difference....
Part of the problem is that doctors PUSH these medications onto unaware
patients, but ultimately, it is the patients' roll to be skeptical
rather than submit to the "doctor's orders." I understand when someone
suffers he/she is not able to do research each RX, therefore we are
at the square one.
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*Perfect example: I am looking at the pamphlet on Celebrex published by its
maker Pfizer, printed in USA/June 2007.
In the section "What you need to remember" in item 7, it says
"All NSAIDs, including Celebrex, should be taken AT THE LOWEST DOSE POSSIBLE
FOR THE SHORTEST TIME." Yes, this is the case when we have a flu or a
headache, an acute condition that will pass in a few days, but not the
arthritis! Arthritis (which Celebrex is for) will never go away and to help
with the pain and inflammation, one has to take a pill every day, therefore
Celebrex is no applicable for arthritis that is prescribed for.
I started the treatment with methotrexate and cortisone, then moved on to Humira. I felt great with Humira for about a year, then started having very bad side-effects and had to stop. I haven't taken any medication since May (so that's about 4 months) and am feeling quite ok (amazingly!). I did try Arava for 2 weeks in July, but started itching all over and stopped it right away. Now I really don't feel like taking anything anymore because of all the side effects. I know my doctor wants me to try another type of biological medication, but I'm afraid of the side effects.
I think doctors sometimes don't take into consideration that people are not just a bunch of joints, but human beings with a life, jobs, families. I agree with one comment above saying that we're being treated like guinea pigs.
Not easy.....!
It would be nice if this web side wrote an article about anti-TNFs and the balance between benefits and side-effects. I'd like to hear what other people in the same kinds of situations have done.
Thanks and good luck to all of you!
I am 36yrs old dx 3 yrs ago. I have tried methotrexate and I also experienced hair loss,dental problems, and swollen abdomen. Then planquenil with no results. My last attempt was Arava. I had horrible side effects broke out in a rash all over. The itching was so painful. The sores became scabs and would bleed. Horrible. Prednisone of course has been giving on/off although I try to limit that intake due to the horrible side-effects and damage it can cause the body. I also try to take fish oils, and a multi-vit daily. I dont know the answers. Trial & error I suppose. My next step is injections which scares the hell out me! Ive put if off as long as possible. I recently started taking Tylenol 3 which has helped some with my pain. I know many of us have a hard time taking the pain-meds for fear of addiction...but it sure is nice to have some pain relief. We have a chronic illness that has no cure. It would be nice if occasionally we could have some relief without fearing potential side-effects. Best of luck to you all.
I have RA and Sjogrens Syndrome and my Rheumatologist put me on Plaquenil 200 mg. twice a day. I started it about 8 months ago and recently noticed slight hair loss. The Dr. said he does not think this is due to the Plaquenil, however, I am not certain about that as I have never had hair loss prior to taking this medication. Dr. told me to reduce Plaquenil to once a day until I return for next app't. which is in two weeks. He said we will discuss it at that time. Other than this, I have had no other symptoms. If you read the insert that comes with medication, it says hair loss is one of the possibilities, however, as I said my Dr. said he has never seen it in patients before.
I was also on methotrexate for years and experienced some of the same side effects that I have been reading here. Right now I am on Arava and at first had some pretty bad side effects, but found some supplements/vitamins that help!
For the stomach upset, I always take my medication with food... preferably a meal. I also take Protonix with it and that has significantly helped with the nausea. I had some irregularity as well (I am also a vegetarian so this may be due to my diet), so I take a probiotic pill daily, and an iron pill for fiber every 2 days. I also try to eat yogurt daily. For the mouth ulcers, I take folic acid everyday. If I miss one of these, I definitely notice because I will have a mouth ulcer the next day! For the hair loss/thinning, I take one Biotin daily. This pill also contains calcium. For my liver I take Milk Thistle. I also take Fish Oil which has greatly improved the condition of my skin and hair.
I hope this helps anyone who experienced side effects from medications. I would strongly suggest talking to your doctor before taking any supplements, as they may interact with some of the medications you are on. There is also a wonderful section of the Arthritis Today website that gives and overview of each supplements. I hope you all find something that works for your pain.
I read all of those emails that people send, but my question is: who answers their questions? I see many people suffering with their medicines and nobody in this Arthritis Foundation answers. What is your purpose? Could you please answer to those emails?
Thank you,
NS
Let me here from you ??
I've stopped several drugs because I felt the side effects were worse than the RA. I stopped Methotrexate (in pill form) because it made me nauseous for 3 days and that was just too long in my opinion. I stopped Celebrex because it gave me angina, while I'd never had heart problems before. I stopped Enbrel because it didn't work at all. I stopped Humira because it gave me pericarditis and I stopped Orencia because it gave me extreme 24/7 muscle spasms in my upper back.
Orencia was the last drug I was on that I stopped and I told my rheumy that I didn't want to go on any more biologics because I didn't think it was worth it.
Right now, I'm doing mainly okay with just a little bit of stiffness/swelling in my hands in the morning and some knee pain that is manageable.
The only drug that I wonder about trying again is methotrexate because I've heard good things about getting it injected or taking in liquid form as opposed to the pills. Any info about this would be extremely helpful.
i wonder if these symptoms are just as aggressive in chiidren as in adults?
When is the cost of medicine going to come down? Advertising is contributing to the cost, yet Arthritis Today carries advertising for some of these drugs. So do many other magazines and there are many ads on TV. The costs have gone up since advertising was started. Let's get some sense about what we are doing.
I started with methotrexate and sulfasalazin both in pill form. After about 5 years of that I had extremely bad stomach upset and decided to quit taking all pills for abor 3 months. Of corse all my symptoms returned but then discoverd methotrexate in liquid form and have had absolutly no stomach pain. I recomend all first timers of mexotrexate to take the liquid form, it will save a lot of you from stomach problems. Although now it seems as though my body is not respnding to it as well.I had a trial shot of Humira yesterday and I feel alot better.I'll have to wait and see how my body responds. Sadly there is no magic pill,and for some it's just trial and error. No matter what medication you and your Dr. decide, do the reserch, eat well and get plenty of rest, also listen to your body.
I just had my second treatment of Rituxan. So far, so good.
that a medicine was about to come to the market and according to him it helps arthritis 90%, I am keeping my fingers crossed, and hope it does come to the market soon, if someone know about this let us know.
Sarah
While taking methotrexate my doctor prescribed 1mg of Folic Acid to prevent mouth sores.
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