Just want to check in with you. I have learned I have rheumatoid arthritis....
Currently on prednisione. Had a shot directly in my left knee yesterday. Feel better today. My feet, hands, knees, and shoulders are involved.
Tanis
it was so right of you to check in with your doctor on this tanis. it's not normal to have old age pain unless a disease is present or you've injured yourself. pain is a response of the body when something is amuck. this is how you know when something is wrong, you have pain.
most of my family had osteo not r.a., a much worse state of affairs. as for the prednisone (a steroidal drug), your doctor may be using this as a temporary measure (because so many joints are involved) to get your r.a. under control. however, it does have it's share of side effects, namely bloating and weight gain when high doses of the drug are used.
i would suggest you join the
arthritis foundation. they have support groups, hot water exercise classes called "twinges in the hinges," and patient information booklets as well as possibly some books and/or exercise tapes. you can also get a monthly magazine with an annual drug issue. (ask your doctor before you start exercising.)
as for meds generally, i find i tolerate vioxx and bextra very well. these are some of the newer drugs out there that are in the class of NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). also, you don't have to remember to take a bunch of pills as they are only once or twice daily. there is also the tried and true motrin at higher dose then over the counter but i find i get stomach upset and then have to take another drug on top of the motrin just to tolerate it.
if you decide to try vitamins or supplements, let your doctor know since some of these can inter-react with medication you might be taking. some have also tried acupuncture. do your homework and make sure there is scientific research (double blind studies) done on the particular treatment to be sure you don't waste money.
how do i know about all this stuff you may be asking yourself at the ripe age of 41? well, i've had fibromyalgia since 1993 and was recently diagnosed with a mild case of lupus. (thankfully, no predinsone for me.) also, have had a chronic hip bursitis problem since 1998. the injections can be a bit painful and it's best to plan a quite day on the day you get them so you can rest and not make it worse.
hope this all helps. if you ever want to chat, my messenger services are on my member profile. sometimes, a friend who listens is the best medicine in the world.
be well.
p.s. find a doctor that listens to you. there is nothing worse then not being listened to and being told that only one thing is your problem when it isn't. all diseases that you have should be fully treated and not ignored or it will make your arthritis worse.
