symptoms changing

[101518]

I have osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. I have tried Celebrex,antibiotic therapy, methotrexate and now have been on Enbrel injections for 8 months. I now have tingling and numbness in my left hand and am constantly sore and stiff. My rheumatologist seems puzzled as to what to do next. I also have weight gain from the antiinflammatory meds I take.I am a nurse and work 10-12 hours a day, so I get plenty of walking done. I am a vegetarian and  do not eat more than 1500 cal. a day I am frustrated about the seeming endless pain and stiffness I endure. I feel like a walking pharmacy. Are there any suggestions to losing this weight and finding a way to manage this disease on a daily basis?

[feedup13]

I too have extreme stiffness and pain in my joints. (past 15 years).  I have been on tramadol since 1997 with very little increase in dosage as is usually the case with narcotics.  Tramadol (Ultram) is not a narcotic but works like one.  It does not take the pain completely away, but it seems to warm my joints so that I can move them better.  Stay away from prednisone if you can because it has so many side effects.  My doctor will not give me prednisone because he has seen so many adverse side effects such as pancreaitis?.   I also take Excedrin Migrane several times a day along with the tramadol.  Over the years the combination has had little adverse effects on my kidneys and liver.  If you take tramadol, MAKE SURE YOU TAKE  IT WITH FOOD.  Many people will stop taking it because it upsets their stomach.  I usually take mine after I have had a meal or something that will coat my stomach.   Of course, your doctor knows best, but this has been my experience.  Good luck.  Stretching and heat help alot.  Being active is also very important.  Since you walk alot this helps somewhat to control the pain.  Also, have your thyroid and adrenal glands checked.  These two glands can cause alot of different problems in your body.  I have borderline Graves but do not have to take anything for it yet.  Do you have sleep problems.  Many times when your body does not go into REM sleep, it will cause alot of stiffness in your joints because they do not replenish with the fluid they need to stay flexible.  I also take trazadone when I go to sleep so that I can go into REM (at least somewhat).   Also, check to see if your have Anklosing Spondylitis.  This can cause extreme pain and stiffness.  There is a specific blood test for this disease.  You may want to see a physical medicine doctor.  Good Luck. Be carful with the tramadol because it can make you lose weight.