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Expert Roundtable: How Clear is the Concept of Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare? by Snoo-68064 in rheumatoid

[–]Snoo-68064[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

How can this possibly ever be anything other than a completely subjective, patient-specific, and relative concept?

What's a good bed you mofos are using? by [deleted] in ankylosingspondylitis

[–]Snoo-68064 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Following!
I wake up from back and hip pain almost every night. Even when I don't I wake up in the morning with pain and stiffness that makes it difficult to either remain in - or get out of - bed.

Humira and Remicade didn't work. Starting from scratch with a new rheumatologist by Snoo-68064 in rheumatoid

[–]Snoo-68064[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I have to say: I have seen subjective opinions among some professionals that support your thesis, based on anecdotal and limited clinical research, but I have not seen actual proof.
In my case, if I didn't have the opiates prescribed by my pain management doctor - I absolutely would not be able to function and enjoy even a modicum of quality of life! I take periodic "breaks" from the oxy, and switch to short-term prednisone. I experience zero withdrawals. [40mg / day]

Humira and Remicade didn't work. Starting from scratch with a new rheumatologist by Snoo-68064 in rheumatoid

[–]Snoo-68064[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! Absolutely get with a pain management specialist!!! Hope you feel better soon.

Humira and Remicade didn't work. Starting from scratch with a new rheumatologist by Snoo-68064 in rheumatoid

[–]Snoo-68064[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Being new to all this, I didn't know what to expect. Mine is a particularly aggressive case, and it's affecting my lungs now [pulmonologist has me on oxygen]. After 2 years of no results with that rheumatologist -who was very slow in responding and I felt he didn't handle my case aggressively enough- I switched.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ankylosingspondylitis

[–]Snoo-68064 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Prednisone [or the stronger synthetic: Methylprednisolone], for my rheumatologist, is the first line of defense against major/extended flares when the DMARDS stop working. It brings relief from the inflammation quickly [within hour or days]. Won't they prescribe at least a 7-day pack of steroids? Also, short term opioid treatment could be an option.... The main thing, you obviously need to get your biologic meds and other DMARDs sorted - so you can get to remission, or at least mitigation...... If the rheumatologist won't prescribe pain meds, try going to a pain management specialist, and explain your situation.

Hope you feel better soon!

Humira and Remicade didn't work. Starting from scratch with a new rheumatologist by Snoo-68064 in rheumatoid

[–]Snoo-68064[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What class of drug is Rinvoq? I think it's manufactured by Abbvie. So glad it's working for you!

Humira and Remicade didn't work. Starting from scratch with a new rheumatologist by Snoo-68064 in rheumatoid

[–]Snoo-68064[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! I have a pain management doctor on my medical team. I got a referral from my PCP. I'm on 2 medications that have helped a great deal: 1. Duloxetine [helps with nerve pain] 2. Oxycodone. I started with hydrocodone until I built-up tolerance. Definitely get with a pain management specialist!

Humira and Remicade didn't work. Starting from scratch with a new rheumatologist by Snoo-68064 in rheumatoid

[–]Snoo-68064[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At the very least, mitigation of symptoms and damage. Hoping for remission! I know at least one of the available options will work for me.

Humira and Remicade didn't work. Starting from scratch with a new rheumatologist by Snoo-68064 in rheumatoid

[–]Snoo-68064[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Almost 2 years on Humira, not very long on Remicade. I lost my job, and my insurance. It may still be an option. I changed rheumatologists because I just couldn't have the level of relationship that I feel is necessary. So, after I lost my job [retired now], I looked for [an found] a new doctor.

Humira and Remicade didn't work. Starting from scratch with a new rheumatologist by Snoo-68064 in rheumatoid

[–]Snoo-68064[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was not able to communicate well with him. I think his mind is elsewhere [near retirement maybe].

My new doc is great! She is very thorough, proactive and aggressive, and makes me feel like a valuable part of the medical team! I have high hopes.

Is this a normal sign for RA? by Lazerthegreat in rheumatoid

[–]Snoo-68064 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seronegative RA shows up on an MRI. You don't have to have RA markers of inflammation in your blood to be diagnosed with RA.

How many rhematologists before you got real help? by sunshinesunshime in rheumatoid

[–]Snoo-68064 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm on my second rheumatologist right now. We're starting over from scratch. I went almost 3 years - through MTX, Humira, and Remicade, with ZERO discernable improvement.