Hello,everyone, I have a fairly simple question. I have read a lot of things posted by lots of people on this site, but one thing I have consistently noticed is that not many people are using any kind of pain meds. I have read about alot of drugs on this site that i have never even heard of.I have used many different types of narcotic pain meds, but nothing that I have heard different people mention(for arthritis) Any info anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated.Thanks
Lori:wave:

Lori,

I have RA and take two medications for the inflammation and one for pain. I take plaquenil which is actually a treatment for malaria but has shown good results for people with chronic inflammation due to RA and Lupus. I also take celebrex 200 mg a day when things get bad. I only take that during periods when the RA is flared up because it is a NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti infammatory drug). I am careful with these as they have been linked to an increas risk of heart attack because they tend to increase your blood pressure by making you retain fluids which increases your fluid load. I take a minor dose hydrocodone 5/500 at night when the pain keeps me from sleeping.

My guess is that many of the drugs you reading about are anti inflammatory drugs, not pain killers although many of us need those from time to time as well, especially as the arthritis progresses.

Hope this helps.

Tony

Hi there, Thanks for the info. I was just really puzzled as I was reading other peoples questions and answers and was repeatedly seeing numerous names of meds I have never even heard of. I am using other meds as well for some other things that I have going on. I use a lot of pain pills regularly and I am unable to use anti-inflammatory meds as I am severely allergic to aspirin. I am also using metropolol to slow down the speed and force of my heart, because, prior to my going on these pills, my "at rest" heart rate was consistently between 102 and 114 beats per minute and I was also experiencing palpitations. It has helped to slow my heart rate down and has already decreased my blood pressure as well. I was recently prescribed the transdermal fentanyl patch to go with the percocet but i had a very bad reaction to the fentanyl---I DO NOT like that stuff at all.:dizzy: Anyway, thanks for your answer. I guess you can see I am new to this site and I have never been on a website like this before but I am finding it quite helpful and enjoyable as well.
Lori:wave:



Lori,
I have RA and take two medications for the inflammation and one for pain. I take plaquenil which is actually a treatment for malaria but has shown good results for people with chronic inflammation due to RA and Lupus. I also take celebrex 200 mg a day when things get bad. I only take that during periods when the RA is flared up because it is a NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti infammatory drug). I am careful with these as they have been linked to an increas risk of heart attack because they tend to increase your blood pressure by making you retain fluids which increases your fluid load. I take a minor dose hydrocodone 5/500 at night when the pain keeps me from sleeping.

My guess is that many of the drugs you reading about are anti inflammatory drugs, not pain killers although many of us need those from time to time as well, especially as the arthritis progresses.

Hope this helps.

Tony

Naproxen sodium, 500 mg. tablets, 1 a day or up to two is what my doctor gives me.

Hello everyone. I'm new to these forums.

Anyway, I read that Terras1mom is taking Naproxin 500 mg. I was taking Naproxin for my Psoriatic Arthiritis for 3 plus years until very recently when it was discovered that the Naproxyn was wreaking havoc with my kidneys. Suffice it to say, I was on the verge of kidney failure and had to be hospitalized for a few days.

My rhumetologist proscribed to me Humira and let me tell you, I am greatful that I got over my fear of needles and started using Humira. What 15 plus years of ointments, pills, etc. for both my psorasis and psoriatic arthiritis didn't do, Humira took care of in 4 weeks!!

To me, Humira is a miracle drug and I feel great. My skin has cleared and my joints don't hurt.

A big thanks to the people who invented Humira and another big thanks to my rhumatologist for prescribing it to me.

Btw, I've had no bad side effects (other than the itching all over which I read on another section is a Humira side effect) so I'm very happy.