Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia

[Leila006]

Is there anypne here who has been diagnosed with both RA and Fibromyalgia?  What treatments have been successful for you.  Was started on Methotrexate in the SPring and it didn't do a thing except make my hair fall out and irritate my stomach, so I stopped taking it.  Other pain relievers make me more tired than I already am and almost unable to function.  I'm a 51 yo Assistant Principal of a NYC elementary school.  Right now, retiremement is not an option and I'm trying not to go on a leave.  My job won't wait for me, besides which I don't want to bail out on the children or the staff right now.  Any suggestions would be deeply appreciated.

Thank you.

Leila

[karajo]

Have they tried Plaquinel?

[Leila006]

Thank you for responding Karajo.

No, I have not tried Plaquinel, however, a doctor did offer me a sample pack but I wouldn't accept it because I was afraid of the side effects.  the package said it's used in the treatment of malaria, I think.  I tend to be so sensitive to medications but I'm realizing that I'm even more sensitive to relentless pain and extreme fatigue.

Have you tried Plaquinel? If so, does it help you?  Is it prescribed for RA or Fibro? Is it any different from Lyrica?

Leila

[kalie1979]

Have you tryed remacade?  My aunt take predisone two. She has both of those, and she will out work me...lol

Kalie

[dustybrown]

Hello Leila006,
It is not uncommon to have overlapping conditions such as RA and Fibromyalgia. I have Osteoarthritis of the spine, nerve damage and Fibromyalgia, which is different than what you are suffering from, but I have known a lot of people who have had both problems together.

I am just guessing from what you have written, that the Lyrica has made you very drowsy...right? There are other options to treat the Fibromyalgia side of your pain that might not make you so sleepy- and I am sure there are other RA medication options that can help you that might not be so debilitating as well.

Unfortunately,  when it comes to Fibro and RA and finding the right medication to help you- sometimes it's a little bit like dating. It takes a few tries before you find the right guy/girl and sometimes breaking up is hard to do.

Everybody's bodies are different. When I first was diagnosed, after my first couple of appointments, my Rheumatologist sent me off with a bag of drug samples and a long list of instructions. The first six months of my illness was rough- I was working full time as an executive, and weaning off and on different medications. I felt pretty miserable, but at the end of that six months I found a pretty good mix of meds that kept me functioning. I was glad I worked through it because I was facing the fear of medical leave myself as well. I hope this helps you. I would check in with your doctor and also the arthritis forum too. Take care.

[karajo]

Hi Leila,
I'm sorry it has taken me so long to respond.  I am on Plaquinel for lupus.  But I know it is also used for RA.  Initially the only side affect was some diarrhea.  It took about a month before I saw imporvment.  Each week I felt beter than the week before.  I think it took about 4 months to see the full positive affect.  There is a very slight risk of retina detachment.  And yes, that thought was scarry.  But I was so sick and so desperate, I decided I wasn't going to live very long unless I did something.  But the risk of that happening is only 1%.  And they keep a really close check on my vision.  I go every 6 months and have a thorough exam.  

The one thing that has helped w/ the fibromyalgia is sleep.  I take a benadryll and a melatonin.  I sleep really deep.  I was not able to take the lyrica.  It made me too zoned out.  Too sleepy.  My dr. also sent me to a physical therapist.  He showed me some exercises that I do with a big band.  Those help with the muscle tension across my shoulders.

Praying for you sweetie
God bless,
Kara