Should I take my emergency steroids

[jarujuda]

Hi, my right hand has got worse each day this week, last night I took paracetamol Celebrex sleeping tablet and rubbed creams in all night. My hand is red swollen and pain is unbearable, I am seeing rheumatology nurse next week. Since Covid they can take 4/5 days to reply with ring back. Is it normal to have to take steroids about every 6 months? My consultant lets me keep a course for emergencies. I take 12.5 methotrexate injections. 😢

[nomoreheels]

We can't give advice on the taking of medications I'm afraid. However, if this is the type of circumstance your Rheumy advised you'd to take your emergency steroids you have your answer, if that makes sense? I can understand the reason for rubbing cream into your hand, you're feeling desperate for some relief. Please be be careful though if it's an NSAID cream such as Voltarol (diclofenac) with you also taking Celebrex. If you're reapplying regularly, or more often than recommended in the instructions (usually 3 to 4 times daily for lower strength, twice daily for higher strength) it's still being absorbed into your bloodstream. Sorry but it's coming from concern. That is unless your Rheumy has ok'd it of course. I take a different COX-2 NSAID, etoricoxib, & due to OA issues diclofenac 2.32%, ok'd by my Rheumy.

It's fortuitous you're seeing your nurse next week. See what she says about your hand. It may be that she will recommend alternatives, an addition, or even an increase in your MTX dose. It could be you'd benefit from seeing Occupational Therapy, they can really help with hands I’ve found. I've recently bought some compression gloves, you could ask if they could benefit you maybe, or anything else readily available to buy.

Whether it's normal to have steroids every 6 months is patient-dependent. For example I’m on low dose maintenance steroids & have been for nearly 8 years. Others have need if flaring, as I did previously. What might need addressing is your pain relief. As I think I’ve mentioned previously your GP may be able to help there, mine did. Paracetamol is a good pain reliever unless taken regularly but sometimes it just doesn’t cut the pain of RD. One in my armoury of pain relief is co-codamol, or codeine can be prescribed to take with paracetamol.

Also, invest in some really warm gloves, it can make a big difference if you're not fighting against them having got cold. These thing really do try us, don’t worry, you'll get to a better place, it just might take a little time, something we've all had to accept. Sad but that's RD. Hang in there. 😊

[jarujuda in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you

[nomoreheels in reply to jarujuda]

Hope some it it helped. Good luck next week, I hope your questions are answered.

[nomoreheels in reply to jarujuda]

Something I've just remembered. Instead of whichever cream you're using another option which I have is Pernaton Gel (perna extract of green lipped mussel), or Pernaton Gel Forte (with cayenne pepper extract). They are natural so won't interact or increase amount of NSAID with your celecoxib.

[jarujuda in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you

[Gilliancheche]

Have you tried ice packs for your hands? I find they sometimes help give some relief. As someone else said you need to be careful which cream you use in case if contains anti inflammatory as well as celebrex. On other parts of the body I use Tiger balm- but probably not for hands. Perhaps an Arnica cream?

[jarujuda in reply to Gilliancheche]

Hi, yes I use ice and biofreeze

[JenHasRA]

Hi jarujuda. I have a Rx of Prednisone 10 mg that I take take on top of my regular medicines when I have flare ups. They are usually in my hands, feet or shoulders. When I have pain that keeps me awake and symptoms that prevent me from using my hands or walking, I take 5 mg. If that doesn't turn the symptoms around in 3 hours I take the other half (5 mg). With 5-10 mg I usually see a positive change. Then I take 5-10 every morning (and night if I can't sleep) until the flareup is gone, 1-3 days usually. I don't need a "course". My hands have reacted to our new cold weather - and were swollen - cherry red and shiny - and I have had to do this. I'm not telling you to do this - just trying to give you an idea of possibilities. I don't take a huge course of steroids at a time. Just some as needed. I want to do this because I believe that it stops damage to my hands and feet as soon as possible. Ask your Dr - Nurse about something like this - if it would work for you. I know we are not suppose to give medical advice, and I agree with the reasoning, I am just telling you what works for me. My GP is the one that gave me this treatment advice and my Rheumy confirmed it - but my Rheumy never suggested it. My GP has Lupus and has encouraged me to be proactive with my Rheumy and question and expect treatment options. Good luck!

[jarujuda in reply to JenHasRA]

Thank you so much , I am seeing nurse Thursday I will get her to email my consultant 😊