It's back......

[nellysgran]

Hi everyone hope you are all pain free, I have had a wonderful 2 months of feeling like my old self again with no pain or swelling, but today I have had my last Prednisolone tablet after coming off them slowly, my GP;s advice, as I have a Rheumy appointment next week and my GP wanted me to come off them before I saw my Consultant,.....but already I have got pain in my shoulders and hip and am dreading getting all the pain that I had before going on the steroids.

I have been on MXT injections and Sulfa since I was diagnosed with RA in 2012, I am now wondering if maybe my RA is not being controlled properly and if I should ask for another DMARD to be added, or is it normal to be in pain most of the time, any advice would be helpful.

Wendy xx

[Hidden]

I'm sure I responded to your blog Wendy? But it's not here so must not have loaded up. Basically it's not normal to be in pain still and I really hope your consultant addresses this by bringing in new drugs or changing doses - not by more steroids as they should be a stop gap only. Good luck and stand firm saying you want better control for your RA - whether that's by a new DMARD such as Leflunomide or a Biologic.Tilda xx

[cathie]

Ask about biologics, they do help many people! Good luck, cathie

[helixhelix]

I think you need to question the consultant hard about whether the treatment is right for you, and what else can be done. Even if your bloods are showing improvement it's not right to put up with pain unless they've exhausted all other treatment options. But I think you have OA and RA? As OA causes a lot of pain as well and is difficult to deal with, so you also need them to be clear what joints are affected by OA. For me the drugs have done wonders for my RA, which is pretty well controlled now, but I still have pain from OA in my knees and degenerated discs in my back. Good luck. Polly

[nellysgran]

Thank you all for your replies, I will ask my consultant about a change or an add on. xx

[minka]

nelly whats sulfa like i got me rumi appointment first on in july 31st they may put me on this

[allanah in reply to minka]

It was fine for me Minka, turns your wee yellow though!!

[nellysgran in reply to minka]

Sulfa is fine but as allanah says it does turn your wee very yellow !!!!

[minka in reply to nellysgran]

not bothered about wee yellow it is now

so long as it dosnt make me sick or give me gut ache

does it work for some people? on its own

[allanah]

Hi, sorry you are still in pain, I don't think I can add any more and agree with Polly, hope your Rheumy can get you sorted. Soon! Xxx

[Hidden]

I understand where you're coming from Wendy. I have been on Prednisolone for a few weeks now and the relief was marvellous but now I am reducing by 2.5mg every week (down to 5 this week, 2.5 next week) the aches and pains are already returning. Hope they sort something out for you. Gentle hugs

JoJo xx