Numbers OK but Still in Much Pain
I have RA mostly in my hands, wrists, and elbows. I take only Rinvoq 15 mg once a dayfor my RA. But I almost always still have a lot of pain; especially in my hands--particularly my thumbs. I had blood tests that said the RA was not active at this time; in other words; my "numbers" are fine.
Then I got bad sciatica in my left leg. I was given 40mg of prednisone once a day until my lumbar steroid injection. But the steroid also helped the RA in my
hands greatly! They do not hurt anymore!
If the steroid worked, does that mean. there is active RA or just some other kind of immflamation? My sed rate was 30.Is that high or normal for my age of 53? Is the Rinvoq working fully anymore? I need to talk to my rheumatologist who says my pain is just "old damage from OA" and that Rinvoq is one of the strongest meds there is. The Xrays and ultrasound even says OK. But why does only the steroid work and no anti-inflammatory work? I'm also afraid to take steroids for long-term because I heard it wreaks havoc on the body eventually. What should I discuss with my rheumatologist?
There are no universal RA medications. It could be that Rinvoq was working and has stopped. Or it might be that the damage is OA related and steroids are often used for OA. Regardless it is possible that some combination of arthritis is being treated by the steroid causing you to feel better.
As you imply there is a good deal going on and you have every reason to be curious. I know it must be very difficult. I do think that talking to your rheumatologist is the best option. I am not able to use steroids long term because of diabetes.
This is what I would discuss with her:
1. Is it time to change your biologic medication?
2. When and how should I ween off of the steroid?
3. What is her assessment of your current inflammation.
That seems like a good place to start.
Are you sure you don’t have fibromyalgia or peripheral neuropathy? I have both and they can mimic some symptoms of RA.I have long had peripheral neuropathy, as result of T1 diabetes for 48 years. But there is no question that I have RA. I wish it were not so, but it unfortunately is.
Unfortunately RA is such a unique and individual disease, a 30 for one person could be high and a 30 for another person could be almost normal. It's impossible to tell, unfortunately. The best gauge is how you actually feel - if things aren't feeling good then it's probably time to think about other options to help control your illness. As for steroids, yes, they can wreak havoc long term for sure. I was on high dosages for a year and it basically destroyed my body so that it took almost 10 years to get it back to some semblance of a normal body and I am still dealing with the joint and bone issues it caused. It is such a dichotomy - it makes you feel great but it is also damaging. Just like almost everything with RA - it's a trade off. Trading off feeling good today for potentially worse days later on. Only you can decide what's right for you but we will always be here to help and listen. You are not alone. Keep on keepin' on, DPM
