The continuing story of Quasimodem and his rheumatoid arthritic middle finger…
I have now been on Celebrex (100 mg twice a day). Celebrex with Prednisone, and now my doctor has prescribed Bextra (10 mg once a day). So far the only thing that has worked has been the Prednisone/Celebrex combination, but I can’t keep taking the Pred, because it’s a steroid, so I can’t get a scrip for that right now, and it’s only as long as the cycle of taking it that it helps me. When I run out of it, tha pain and the swelling come back.
So what has worked for y’all? Last night at work, I had to do almost everything left handed because that damn finger hurt so bad. I really need to find something that works and kills the inflammation and the pain. I am soaking my right hand in Epsom Salts and apple cider vinegar, but that only helps as long as the hand is submerged.
I really could use your advice. Last night I showed the swollen digit to one of the nurses I work with, and she got a twinkle in her eye, and made a suggestive comment. Guess she’s not getting anything any bigger at home or something!
I’m taking Bextra for my back pain at the same dosage. I’m not all that impressed with it. (Of course, the nature of my pain is different than arthritis.) My doc also gave me Ultracet and Skelaxin, which, for me, are more effective.
I understand, dinahmoe. I think you have to have a liver profile done before you can even take the methotrexate. My search continues. There has to be something out there to take out the pain and inflammation other than cortisone injections every three months which is what my doc is now recommending…
God, I hurt so bad. I can’t use my right (dominant) hand to chart with, because I can’t write with it. I am wrapping my finger with ICY-HOT patches to get what little sleep I can. I soak it in Epsom salts just to get some temporary relief. This really is like a toothache in my middle right finger!
Sorry to sound so whiny, but all I want is something to kill the pain that is non-narcotic!
Sorry, y’all! I’m sorry to burden y’all with this, but this is a real bear to deal with!
One of the preachers that come to our little hospital asked me if I had been “washed in the blood of the Lamb” to get over this. I told him I had not, but at this point I am willing to try anything!
My mom has had arthritis since she was 5 or 6, So I can chime in with some of the stuff she does.
She is in constant pain even on meds, there is never a day that she feels too good, She take more than 14 meds a day( You should see her pill bottles :eek:)
She is always on again off again on prednisone, and Darvocet, she used to take arava, but not anymore. Her darvocet, tylenol, prednisone combo seems to work the best. Its too bad she can’t stay on the prednisone, She always ends back on it.
Guess she’s not getting anything any bigger at home or something!