Hello everyone,
HELP!!! Is there anyone who has SS that also has RA? I have both. I am having a big flare with my RA now. I want to know what you take that helps with your pain.
Looking forward to advice.....blessings
Judy
I know there are a number of people with multiple diagnoses. I have Psoriatic arthritis and sjogren’s. I do not use pain killers, but do take NSAIDs to deal with a flare. But if I’m having a big uptick, it means that my overall disease is not under good control. I don’t know what you are taking for the RA, but that would be my question - is your disease under good control?
Hi Judy,
I have Psoriatic Arthritis and Sjogren's. PsA and RA are close cousins, with only a few differences.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/544089_4
Hopefully you are seeing a Rheumatologist, no matter how good a GP can be, I feel this is the Doctor best equipped to take care of autoimmune diseases.
I took Enbrel for 2 years, and it helped me greatly, but had recurrent infections that took biologic meds off the table for me, but there are many who can take it all their lives with no such problems. I am to start Plaquinil as soon as I get it filled through the mail, but that will take a few months to see if it's beneficial.
My GP prescribes morphine, and my Rheum prescribed Ethyl Chloride spray, which is an anesthetic spray that I use to numb my SI joints and lumbar central canal stenosis, especially when I need to ride in a car. He has warned me to use it sparingly, so I do.
http://www.gebauer.com/Products/Gebauer-s-Ethyl-Chloride-1/
Hope this helps!
Wishing you well,
SK
BTW, Stoney's right, it's about slowing down the progression of the disease as much as possible!
Thanks Stoney and SK.....
I have been diagonised since 2009. For the last few years my SS seems to be better, or I have just learned to adjust. I also take Plaquenil. It has just been in the past month that my RA has flared. This was a new sypmtom to me. Talked to my Rheumatologist (BTW- she is awesome).....and she perscribed Mobic for my pain. I will start it today and see what happens.
I wish you both a wonderful day! It is very HOT in Dallas today. I hope your weather is better where you live.
Judy
I have RA, SS, Lupus, Raynauds,Fibro and a heart condition, and severe IBS-D...so I have to be really careful with what meds I take. I use Evoxac for the SS, Benlysta for the Lupus and a varied amount of OTC's...good luck
Judy- That's great that your rheumatologist is able to work with you like this. I just started my first biologic in the last 6 months, and all is well, and it's working. It's a multi-tiered approach. I started off with NSAIDs, added in plaquenil. After a few years, I added in a DMARD on top of that (leflunomide after MTX didn't work). And then I just added in Enbrel. We're starting to drop things now, first the NSAID, then plaquenil. My point is, both the disease and the symptoms are being treated.
For short term stuff, I'll also use Salonpas or another topical. It doesn't work on all joints for me, but it can be helpful. Again, this is on top of the meds. If you don't get things under control, you may need to change your medication routine. It's pretty typical to have to adjust over time.
Hi bak, good to hear from you! So sorry you have so many things to deal with, you must have to really take care of yourself. How is the Benlysta working for you? I've heard some good things about this med! Hope you are well enough to join us more often, always good to see you on the boards!
Wishing you well,
SK
bak said:
I have RA, SS, Lupus, Raynauds,Fibro and a heart condition, and severe IBS-D...so I have to be really careful with what meds I take. I use Evoxac for the SS, Benlysta for the Lupus and a varied amount of OTC's...good luck
SK: the Benlysta is working very well for me. It doesn't 'fix' everything....but I do feel somewhat better.
Hi bak,
Any change for the better is good news! Glad it's helping a bit, would be better if it would help a lot though! :)
I have a lot of SLE symptoms, but hopefully it will stay at bay!
I have SS and RA.....I am on methotrexate... so far it's all I need.
Hi Agape's Mom,
Glad to hear that MX works so well for you! I'm always happy to hear a success story!
Good to see you on the boards!
Wishing you well,
SK