In other words, doctors will use the first 2
groups of drugs to relieve your arthritis quickly
and the third group to prevent it form recurring.
NSAIDS are associated with
increased risk of gastric side effects. The
newer COX2 selective inhibitors are safer on
the stomach. However both both drugs must still
be used with caution in people with kidney problems
as they can impair renal function further.
Your Question:
I am
26, slim person that exercises every day. About
4 weeks ago I started to have severe knees pain
and left hand pain that last only 1 day (I had
problem to brush teeth). (Poping occured since
about several years.) I work at a doctor office
and he said it was an arthritis. Knees pain
was geeting worse within a week I could not
stand the pain and sleep. I went to another
doctor who confirmed oligoosteoarthritis (?).
I took Bextra a few times but my heart started
to bother me so I quit; Celebrex did not help
either. Now I do not take anything, except sometimes
aspirin. My parents (I am from Poland) told
me that I should buy mustard seeds and saw a
bags, put seeds into and fix it with bandage
to protect movement during the sleep. I have
been doing that since 3 weeks, and I feel much
better. However, my doctor said as well I should
quit exercising for a week to get the legs some
rest as I got some kind of rash on the front
of my lower legs at the same time I started
hurting so bad. Since then, I read a lot about
different types of arthritis, symptoms etc,
and I find myself as OA person. My husband and
I decided to try glucosamine/chondroityn/MSM.
It it a good decision? Presently, I feel much
less pain and I sleep all nights with no pain,
but I wear the mustard seeds bags.
Could
you advise me something?
Thank
you.
Answer:
It is most important to confirm
the diagnosis of your arthritis first. Please
consult a doctor who can provide a plausible
diagnosis. The reason for this is that different
medications are useful for different types of
arthritis. Some arthritic conditions can get
better on their own and may not need any long
term medication. On the other hand, some form
of arhtirits may actually signal a systemic
illness that may need further evaluation and
treatment. As the adage goes, “if you
know the enemy, the battle is half won”.
Your Question:
What
is the usual step for treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis if a combination of methotrexate(
7.5 mg week ) and arava 20mg day is no longer
effective? Is it okay to have a glass of wine
daily while taking these medications?
Answer:
Both methotrexate and Arava
are very effective medications for the treatment
of Rheumatoid Arthritis. However, they may take
up to one month to work. Some patients may need
higher dose of methotrexate in order to get
a good treatment effect. However, this can only
be done under the close supervision of your
doctor. Rarely, there are patients who do not
respond to even this combination of drugs and
therefore a change of medication may be necessary.
Please consult your rheumatologist for further
advice.
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