Side effects of medication

[Oldbat]

I suffer from very painful joints flare up due to Behcet. I have resisted going onto medication other than steroids because of their side effects and the length of time one need to take them. I mostly managed with steroid injections in the affected joint when the flare up occur but the doctor tells me that I had too many. As any of you been on successfull medication for a similar condition?

[Jaxxi]

Hi! I'm in a similar position to you. I can only have one more steroid injection then I have to switch.

My rheumatologist says that hydroxychloroquine can be helpful for those of us who suffer a lot of joint problems. In terms of side effects it is much less of a risk than azathioprine, which is the other drug being considered for me.

But hydroxychloroquine can take a very long time to work - months and months. I think I am going to go for it nevertheless. My kids are grown so I have a fairly relaxed existence and no massively urgent reason to be 'up and running' quickly.

[sam0511 in reply to Jaxxi]

I don't have joint problems that much thank goodness, but I do have eye inflammation, so I am taking 150mg azathioprine daily. Am curious about the risks of taking azathioprine that you mentioned? I have had no major problems so far, just wondered if you could enlighten me. Thanks in advance.

[AusBehcets]

My joints especially elbows & knees improved a lot on Doxycycline + Nilstat regime... longterm treatment for chronic Mycoplasma infection.

Eventually though I got too nauseous on this treatment. Now taking a break & evaluating what to do next.

Most joint pain now in shoulder joints & cervical & upper thoracic spine including facet joints. Got torn labrum & Supraspinatus. Plus bursitis.

Can't tolerate Plaquenil get flushing, red rash on arms & legs, bone pain in face.

Can't take Colchicine because it makes my myopathy worse.

I take fish oil & flaxseed oil to help with inflammation in general & dry eyes.

I avoid white potato & eggplant because I'm allergic to them. Sometimes too much tomato can flare arthritis in my foot. I don't totally avoid all the nightshades just careful with how much I consume.

Pred & NSAIDs I can't take as they ulcerate my gut. So for pain I just use Paracetamol as needed. Even that is hard on the gut.

[AusBehcets]

I've also done my dash on facet block injections to lumbar & cervical spine areas!