In flare and oral steroids are not working! Advice please!
Hi guys,
I have been in a constant flare since June when I switched from Humira to Xeljanz. During this time and currently I am in the worst flare I have ever experienced knees swollen and ankles painful that it’s hard to walk. I have tried oral steroids and currently upped my dose to 20 mg/ day. It’s not working! It is going to be a month before they can increase my dose of Inflectra (which doesn’t seem to be working for me). My Dr wants to try and get my insurance to cover the cost for Remicade (which so far hasn’t been successful). I am in so much pain!!!! I’m desperate for relief and I don’t know how to get it! When I was on Himira for 3 weeks while waiting to switch to Inflectra I actually got a little better. I’m willing to try and get on Remicade but OMG I can’t live like I am for another month or more. Any advice appreciated. I’m miserable while trying to put on a happy face for family and friends. Thanks Guys!
Hi,
. I am so very sorry you are in a flare and dealing with so much pain right now. Would your doctor be willing to prescribe some stronger pain meds for the interim while you wait to up your Inflectra dosage or start Remicade? I know doctors are incredibly hesitant to prescribe strong pain meds, but your situation is a perfect example of when these types of treatments can be especially effective. Especially since steroids don't seem to be helping this time. It might be worth pursuing. You deserve to get some relief! Your doctor might be more willing since you would be on them for a specified period of time. That's my best suggestion for now. Obviously, your pain is pretty high and some of my usual advice (heat/ice; meditation, etc) might not do the trick in this situation.
Good luck and I sincerely hope this flare lets up and goes away VERY soon!
Gentle Hugs, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.Thanks Erin! I’m icing and slathering on diclofenac cream regularly. I try to stay away from pain meds but I think my Doc said I could use Tylenol in conjunction with Steroids for pain management. I will try that as well… I just wish my body would stop trying to destroy itself.😔. I will ask about pain meds if Tylenol doesn’t work. Thank you again for your advice. Have you heard of people not responding to oral Steroids? I’m just so discouraged with no relief in sight.
, I here you about being cautious about pain meds. I *have* heard of folks not responding as well to prednisone as time goes by. It happens with my kiddo, but that's in relation to severe allergies; not RA. Prednisone barely works on him anymore (he has severe allergies). You may have to keep upping that dosage until you start experiencing some relief. I know that's not ideal, either. But, neither is living in pain. We have had members on doses as high as 80 mg. I get that that number sounds pretty high, but, short term, you may want to discuss upping your dosage again (maybe not to 80, but in increments of 5-10 mg or something).
Hang in there, and keep slathering on that diclofenac! Hoping for relief for you, too!
Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.
Thank you Erin!
I could have written your post. For several months I have been increasing prednisone and it isn’t helping. I am scheduled to begin Remicade infusions soon. I keep after the doctor and he prescribed 200 mg Clelbrex 2x’s daily. I had relief the first day.
That's how Celebrex worked for me, was glorious for 1 day! How does the body find a work around so quickly!! , that's really frustrating. You get your hopes up having one day of relief, only to have it come crashing down the next day. 🙁
Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.
