Quote:
Originally Posted by Beamers Mom  I have RA
As far as I am concerned there are really no safe meds out there.
One rheumatologist had me on methotrexate and it was affecting my liver. My primary care physician wanted me off it, the rheumatologist wouldn't take me off it. I felt like I was part of a tug of war. I changed rheumatologists. The new one said he didn't like my liver count and I should have been taken off the methotrexate earlier.
He put me on Humira injections and a drug called Cellcept (think that is how it is spelled). I was doing fine, until my colon ruptured one evening and I was rushed to the ER. Surgeon wanted to know if I had had an organ transplant. My husband told him I hadn't. Surgeon said that is what Cellcept is usually used for so a transplant isn't "rejected" by the patients immune system although it has been used for RA. He said it was the most dangerous drug I could have been on. My whole immune system was "knocked out" and I couldn't fight infections.
Surgeon didn't think I was going to make it through the night.
I ended up staying a week in intensive care and a couple of weeks in a regular room, whereas normally for a colostomy a hospital stay would have only been about a week.
After that experience I refuse to take any of the RA medications.
A lot of times it is my hands that hurt a lot in the mornings and I cut Lidoderm patches up and put those on my hands. My fingers are also stiff in the mornings, I just have to let them "warm up"
I try and get by with Aleve and when it is really bad I take a Lortab.
But I really don't like taking any medications.
Any RA (or OA) medications are going to affect the immune system.
I have another rheumatologist now who knows my aversion to the medications, so he is basically just monitoring me. |
OMgoodness! The side effects of medicines can have a horrible outcome, as did yours! I am sorry this happened. I get so upset at doctors! I know a lot of meds are used as off-label meds for other conditions, but haven't been approved by the FDA for using it as off-label meds. I'm glad your current rheumatologist realizes your concerns about taking medications and is working with you.
I'm glad to know about Lidoderm patches. I'm going to ask my doc about these next week. I take Ibuprofen 800 mg but I don't make a habit of it because I know they can also harm the liver. I just live with the pain and inconvenience of not being able to grasp hold of things or make a fist. I have a feeling it's only going to get worse. The doc said my x-rays showed OA in my back. Oh, joy!! Something to look forward to in older age.
I send good thoughts and prayers your way today and pray that you have a reduced-pain day.