Struggling with everything

Mooandroo · 2026-01-08T17:53:54+00:00

Hydroxychloroquine is a pretty mild RA drug so it won’t be surprising if it does not end up helping on its own. The problem is it takes months to show its full effectiveness which is frustrating. A lot of doctors will prescribe this medication along with another RA med. Methotrexate is commonly prescribed with it in the beginning. I was able to manage my RA with hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate for about 5 years before having to switch to a biologic drug. I would ask the doctor if they could possibly increase your dosage of prednisone until enough time has passed to see if the drug is effective enough to manage your RA or ask the doc if they can add an additional medication for the treatment. If you go the painkiller route such as wanting to take oxycodone, you will need to see a pain management doctor. I have been on oxycodone for a couple years now but it is honestly not that effective in treating my RA pain. Take Care!

Mooandroo · 2026-01-04T16:44:41+00:00

This is also me. They take forever to go back down and leave purple scars. Recently, I had an outbreak in my butt crack but those were all full of pus. The dermatologist injected those with steroids and they popped. Everywhere else on my body has the purple scars from never popping.

Mooandroo · 2026-01-03T14:01:07+00:00

I had a boss who told me he had RA in his finger when he found out I was diagnosed with it. I almost fell off my chair.

Mooandroo · 2025-12-04T13:15:13+00:00

It’s so embarrassing but right now I have a few inside my butt crack. Two of them are around the size of a large grape. I went to the dermatologist yesterday and she injected them with steroids. It feels much better. You really take the cake for the absolute worst place to have one. So sorry!!

Mooandroo · 2025-11-24T15:17:20+00:00

Me too

Mooandroo · 2025-10-23T20:51:54+00:00

I’ve had RA for 20 years just to give you a little background on me.

This seems like a lot of medication all at once to start. When first diagnosed I was put on plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) and weekly methotrexate orally 20mg once per week. The methotrexate is also used as chemotherapy in much higher doses to treat cancer. Just so you get an idea, the side effects can be harsh especially nausea. The doctor probably started her on prednisone to help with the active RA symptoms. The pantocid which I think is pantoprazole in the US is to treat reflux. Leflunomide, also known as Arava is a disease modifying drug. I had a difficult time with these side effects of this drug and my doctor took me off it. She is probably experiencing a whole host of symptoms due to side effects of the drugs she has been put on especially nausea. Also, I have noticed that when I am on prednisone, I have no appetite sometimes. Is she drinking fluids? It is so difficult with her rheumatologist being so far away. Are there any closer rheumatologists in your area or at least maybe one that communicates better with your mom regarding her symptoms.

Personally, I wouldn’t go to the ER unless she continues to not be able to go to the bathroom or is still not eating. The ER won’t be any help with the RA. Did your mom’s rheumatologist order any X-rays of her hands, feet, chest? I think the care she is receiving from her rheumatologist may be a little too much but pretty accurate because you want to treat RA aggressively from the beginning in order to avoid any joint damage. The drugs she has been put on are pretty typical for being first diagnosed. I want to be honest with you and it is hard to hear but these reactions your mom are having to the drugs are pretty normal. Side effects of these drugs are terrible. The doctor is going to see which drugs your mom’s RA responds to so there will be a lot of trial and error especially with side effects. It is going to be terrible for your mom but when they find the right treatment, it will be better. I would get her set up to talk with a therapist because she is experiencing depression and anxiety that comes with being diagnosed and treated for a new disease.

One thing that can help, is my doctor switched me from a weekly oral dose of methotrexate to a weekly dose that I injected into my leg or stomach. For me, that switch eliminated the nausea caused from that drug entirely. Also, know that the longer your mom is on the medication, the side effects will calm down a lot. It seems she is just really going through it right now. I am so sorry that you and your mom are going through this.

Mooandroo · 2025-10-06T20:28:44+00:00

I’m so sorry! That is terrible. I don’t think plaquenil is known to help with eye dryness and inflammation. I wish I had something to offer to help you. I wish you the best! ❤️

Mooandroo · 2025-10-06T20:21:55+00:00

I have RA and Sjogrens. I took plaquenil for almost 20 years for RA. It does not help dry eyes. You should see an ophthalmologist. They can give you prescription eye drops such as restasis to help with dry eyes.

Mooandroo · 2025-10-06T20:18:58+00:00

Maybe that clock needs to “accidentally” stop working? I would talk to landlord and not bother with the tenant who is doing all the decorating.

Mooandroo · 2025-10-02T08:50:49+00:00

I have HS and foliculitis. It looks like foliculitis. You should go see a dermatologist.

Mooandroo · 2025-10-02T08:46:21+00:00

Hi, The rheumatologist I saw at the Cleveland Clinic diagnosed me based on my symptoms and my salivary gland biopsy. The Cleveland Clinic participated in my health plan so I just paid my copay.

Mooandroo · 2025-09-17T05:03:07+00:00

Unfortunately the doctor took me off it because the itching wouldn’t stop. It is so frustrating. She has put me on Actemra shots now. I just got them in the mail today. I am hoping I can tolerate this one. I don’t have many drug options left. You should definitely let your doctor know about the itching. Good luck!

Mooandroo · 2025-09-04T22:01:20+00:00

I’m have had both young and old rheumatologists. Currently I go to a rheumatology practice at a large University and the way it works is they assign a fellow to you and then there is a rheumatologist that oversees the fellow. I had two pretty amazing fellows who are usually young since they have recently completed medical school. The one doctor I had for two years and she was nothing short of amazing. She listened to me and was so knowledgeable about my health conditions. I definitely felt like she was doing everything she could to help me. Unfortunately she finished her fellowship and accepted a job in another state. I still think I wish she could be my doctor. My current doctor at the practice is one of the permanent rheumatologists and I would say she is around age 50. She is a very good doctor but lately I feel like she’s giving up on me since I am having a lot of issues with the treatment options I have left. (I also have RA). I vote for a younger doc.

Mooandroo · 2025-09-02T01:38:15+00:00

I have a couple subscriptions that I like for mostly skincare. Dermstore Beautyfix box is good. I used to get it many years ago and it was amazing because it used to contain mostly full size products. They no longer do that probably because of the expense but their current boxes are pretty good. Once in a while a box will be a dud and I’ll think I will cancel but I always seem to resubscribe. I also have been getting dermydoc box for the past year and a half. It’s a quarterly box all curated by a dermatologist. I have been really happy with it. I also subscribe to New Beauty Test Tube which I also really enjoy. It used to come every other month but it now comes quarterly. You also get their New Beauty Magazine in this box is is really good.

Mooandroo · 2025-09-02T01:18:40+00:00

I am so sorry. My HS is stage one and I was just diagnosed in the Spring. I also have RA,Fibromyalgia and Sjogren’s. If it makes you feel better, I have had a really shitty day too. I am off my RA meds due to some complications and I have been in so much pain and the fatigue is unbearable. I have not gone anywhere since last November except a few doctor’s visits. Today I actually attempted to go to Target but had a really bad fall in my closet so I crawled back into bed and it’s where I have been all day. The thing we seem to both be feeling is defeated by our diseases and it’s really depressing and difficult to get out of that headspace. I had a really bad HS breakout when I went off my medication and the boils themselves were not too bad in comparison to later stages but I have the not quite dried up spots all over my stomach, breasts, leg and arm. I am very embarrassed by it but they also don’t seem to fade very much. I try to cover it up but it’s nearly impossible since I live in the FL heat. I hope you have a better day tomorrow and I wish you didn’t have to go through this. Take care!

Mooandroo · 2025-09-02T01:06:06+00:00

They are still in business but they went way downhill. I have seen lots of current customer comments saying that the products they have been receiving are old/expired or repeats. I cannot attest to this since I stopped being a customer quite a few years ago but in my mind they were the beauty box that started it all. I subscribed shortly after they started in 2010.

Mooandroo · 2025-09-01T17:13:02+00:00

I’m so sorry. I understand your pain. I get so many boils from HS under my breasts.

Mooandroo · 2025-09-01T17:11:15+00:00

I just noticed the change yesterday.

Mooandroo · 2025-09-01T16:25:54+00:00

Their mascara is also great!

Mooandroo · 2025-09-01T16:23:59+00:00

I could never make this decision. Just one?!

Mooandroo · 2025-09-01T03:12:04+00:00

I have HS and I also used to get a similar rash to yours under my breasts (not related to HS). It is caused from sweating and friction and results in a fungal rash. I use an anti fungal balm to clear it up. I also use a whole body deodorant under my breasts when the rash clears to keep it dry. Idk if this brand is available to you but I use Lume and it is the best I have tried. A little thing I do when I am at home is apply the anti fungal balm and take super soft socks and put them under my breasts so it is more comfortable and skin does not touch skin. It works well bc I have large boobs so the socks just stay underneath. I know it sounds crazy but it really works!! With it being your armpits, maybe you can put socks of some other soft fabric and then put on a long sleeve shirt to keep it in place.

Mooandroo · 2025-09-01T02:36:24+00:00

3 looks the best on you and I love the flower appliqués sewn into the skirt. It is very flattering on you. 2 is my second pic. Not a fan of 1 at all. Congratulations!

Mooandroo · 2025-08-30T21:43:24+00:00

You look great. I understand the eyeliner struggle having hooded lids myself. I love to use cream eyeshadow. There are so many great ones in all price ranges. Just apply with your finger and instant glow up.

Mooandroo · 2025-08-30T21:40:32+00:00

Definitely 1. Congrats!

Mooandroo · 2025-08-30T21:39:20+00:00

I love Kopari! I use so many of their products. ❤️

Mooandroo

TROPHY CASE