Treatment for Rheumatoried Arthritis

kathy_79 · Aug 14, 2004

my father is treated on RA since 1997 when first symptoms developed. first, you need to take him to some good and helpfull specialist (rheumathologist). he need to make examination and tests so he can prescribe proper meds for your father. temporary if he has no allergy to some meds he can take pain relive:advil (300 - 800 mg 3x a day by mouth, no more than 3200 mg) or aspirine (400-800 mg 4x a day). my dad now is taking Vioxx (25 mg daily), Plaquenil (400 mg daily), Motrin (400mg q6-8 h). but you need to consult your dad MD for proper meds and dosages and to learn how to take that meds. be aware of side effects. also important are exercises that usually should be pracice at least 3-4 times a week. you can talk about it to his MD or some physical therapist. my dad was taken physical therapy at the beginning, now he is doing most of physical activity on his own. also he was given some injection into his joint at feet but i do not remember the name. i know that injection were given to stop inflamation to spread and to stop pain.

remember your dad need proper medical care first. he need to be at doc control . no meds can be given without md notice except those pain relivers. your dad and your family need to support each other and you can go thru it. your dad still can have normal life.

good luck. :)

Marnaby · Aug 14, 2004

My father-in-law has been suffering from RA for as long as I can remember. He's a postal worker and has had to miss many days because of extreme pain in his knees and hands. His doctor had him on every med he could think of (none of which worked) and didn't take my father-in-law seriously when he complained of pain and swelling. His exact words were, "I've seen people a lot worse than you." Compassionate, huh? Well finally they put him on Humira, an intramuscular injection that he takes once every two weeks. It has been a miracle drug! My father-in-law is pain free and is able to exercise and lose weight. He feels like a new man and we couldn't be happier for him. Keep your hopes up because there is something out there that WILL work.

RN92 · Aug 14, 2004

My grandfather tried all of the above mentioned meds. The only thing that helped him was "fish oil" that he bought over the counter at Wal Mart.He swore by it.

jemb · Aug 14, 2004

Many RA pts are helped by Remicade infusions. They receive doses day 1, day 15, and day 43. If the medication helps, they then receive subsequent doses every 8 weeks. The infusion takes 2-3 hours and is done outpatient.

nurseygrrl, LPN · Aug 15, 2004

What you are describing doesn't sound like rheumatoid arthritis to me. Rheumatoid arthritis presents bilaterally and you're saying it's only affecting one side? Also, RA doesn't cause a limb to swell to twice it's normal size. Usually, only the joints are swollen, painful and warm to touch. Are you African American? It sounds like sickle cell anemia or something else....to me, not RA.

agent0068 · Aug 15, 2004

Excuse me for forgetting to "s" on the end of a few words. What I meant was that his hand and arms were swollen. His knuckle area was swollen as was his wrist...but yes they were swollen 2-3 times normal size. He can hardly feed himself because of the pain he endures getting the fork/spoon to his mouth. His shoulders are stiff and painful.

dazzle256 · Aug 16, 2004

Many RA pts are helped by Remicade infusions. They receive doses day 1, day 15, and day 43. If the medication helps, they then receive subsequent doses every 8 weeks. The infusion takes 2-3 hours and is done outpatient.

Remicade has been a life saver for my husband. He's tried all the other medications out there and Remicade is the only thing that has given him any kind of relief. We are fortunate our insurance pays for most of it I think its very expensive. He's been on it for almost 4 years now. Unfortunately its not working as well as it has in the past but it still helps. He's also on a lot of steroids.

MQ Edna · Aug 16, 2004

My Mom had RA for years...the best advice is find a rheumatologist, a real one that specializes. RA will destroy joints (the inflammation) and is systemic. Depression is also a symptom of RA (not always addressed). It's a horrible disease and can move into the lungs, heart, brain. Find a rheumatologist ASAP. Pain is significant, yes, but RA is about so much more. And, it can be genetic, so watch yourself for signs and symptoms. I wish you the best.

RN92 · Aug 16, 2004

While we're on the subject...I would appreciate some advice from those of you who deal with arthritis pts. My husband had Legg-Calf Perthese disease as a child which affected his lt hip. He had to wear a brace for years. Now, he's in his 30's and he's having a lot of pain in that hip. He works for the phone company and has to climb poles and ladders almost dly. His ortho doc says that when the pain becomes debillitating/painful enough, they can do a hip replacement - but he cant promise that that will totally relieve pain and it will decrease his mobility some. There's not much they can do until he is ready for the surgery. He takes Tramadol and 1200-1500mg of Ibuprofen every day with little relief. Should I have him go to a rheumatologist or a pain management Doc?? Getting him to a Doc is like pulling teeth. And, I know that Docs are skeptical of young pts complaining of pain. He hurts so much - he hardly sleeps at night. I dont know what else to do for him.

lunakat · Aug 16, 2004

My stepmother has RA as well. Her doctor perscribed vioxx and pretty much told her there wasn't much to do and that it would get worse. back in Feb though she started experiencing severe pain in her right hand. She went to the Dr. several times and he just kept telling her it was her RA. Finally in July he sent her to have her hand x-rayed. Well the x-ray place called and asked about her cast and fracture. We were like "what cast? What fracture?" So when she called and informed them she didn't have a cast on and didn't know she had a break they were stunned. She went back to her orginal Dr and he was like "oh" Now she has to see a hand specialist to see if they can operate or not.

BaystateRN · Aug 16, 2004

I had osteo arthritis in my knees for years. I say had because the joints were replaced, at 46! The only thing that saved me was going on a tricylic antidepressant. It keeps the endorphins around a little longer and raises your pain threshold. I was the doubting one and it really worked. It takes a week or two to work and sometimes you have to play with the dosing. Good Luck to your husband.