How far should I go with medications?

6 Sep 2010

I dont understand why your dr. would tell you that. Is your dr. a rheumatologist, but you should go ahead and start with that prednisone. Rheumatoid Arthritis is not anything to play with. It is a autoimmune disease. I have RA. I have had it since 1997.. try getting yourself a rheumatologist, they specialize in RA & other certain types of diseases. The sooner that you get on your medicine the better things will be. I dont like the idea of being in any type of meds, but if it helps to make you better than that is what it takes. Rheumatoid Arthritis is known to travel all over your body. Do some research on RA then you will understand more about it. My RA started out in my right hand! Take heed & do the right thing so that you wont have no regrets in the future. Good Luck.

17 Jan 2011

Hopefully by now you are started on a med for your RA. There are many out there that may work for you. It's better to be on one of them rather than let the disease progress in your body.

18 Aug 2011

You Dr. is not wanting you to be on long term prednisone. Prednisone will not help with the joint damage associated with RA, only the pain/inflammation. You need a DMARD (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug) that will help with the joint damage.(Plaquenil is what I was started on when I was first diagnosed with RA, at age 30). You should start treatment as soon as possible. This will help avoid future joint damage and pain. Good Luck and God Bless

3 Mar 2012

My RA began in my hands too. I was initially on 20mg prednisolone which was then tapered down to 5mg. Each time I had a flare-up, esp in the hands, the rheumatologist increased the pred. to about 15mg and tapered down again. I also took methotrexate and naprosyn, but like you, found that the cortisone was the only med that reduced the inflammation and pain. I find that I can't go lower than 5mg without a flare-up. Now I'm on Enbrel, I find 5mg OK but am trying to do without it..but not having too much success. I also found my chiropractor (who uses an 'activator') gave me short term relief from the swelling. Hope this helps you. Hang in there.