2 ms·

My dad has rheumatoid arthritis and is in constant pain. Even humeria doesn't help much. Now I have started waking up in the morning with hands so stiff I can

My dad has rheumatoid arthritis and is in constant pain. Even humeria doesn't help much. Now I have started waking up in the morning with hands so stiff I can barely make a fist. The pain doesnt bother me as much as the fear of being doped up on opioids. And the fact organ damage goes along with rheumatoid arthritis. And to top it off every nut around you says weed or some diet will cure you. It's always cure not maintain or reduce but an outright cure.

kirrent 7y ago
I'm sure you're already on top of all of this and I hope you'll forgive the tangent, but if you're starting to get RA symptoms you should be acting now. It used to be the practice of rheumatologists to wait to treat until symptomatic relief was required by patients. That's no longer the case. The earlier you act and get on DMARDs (and you might even need to try a few before getting one that works or finding the one that works best. Humira was completely ineffective for me), the less cumulative joint erosion you'll experience, the sooner you'll likely be in remission, and the more likely you'll be to experience a later sustained DMARD-free remission. Even if that's not the case and DMARDs don't completely solve the problem for you, there's a lot of options before opiods for symptomatic relief. From panadol, through NSAIDs (including the magical COX-2 selectives), and even steroidals. Don't give up hope too early. Three years ago I couldn't dress myself. Today I just got back from a rock climbing holiday.
- dghughes 7y ago
  Thanks for the advice but even if the doctor told dad all that I'm not sure he'd understand. I've heard of DMARDs but never read up on them if I did tried to explain it to dad he'd never sit still to listen. He's still quite strong sick as he is and age 76 he lifted and emptied a large bucket of rocks, then complained of shoulder pain. I think dementia and old age are a factor here too, poor judgement. People laugh at the joke "if that hurts don't do that" but it's too true. He's on a couple of strong pain meds and steroids. He's a bit better now that he started oxygen he doesn't look as pale. I'm glad to hear you're doing well it's a terrible disease not like there's a good disease. Just make sure to keep an eye on your lungs.
anm89 7y ago
Wow this really rings true for me. One of the most frustrating parts of chronic pain is the constant chorus of people explaining that yoga, or massage, or acupuncture, or crystals, or a no carbs diet will cure it. Once in a while it would be great for someone to just respond "that sucks".

kirrent 7y ago

I'm sure you're already on top of all of this and I hope you'll forgive the tangent, but if you're starting to get RA symptoms you should be acting now. It used to be the practice of rheumatologists to wait to treat until symptomatic relief was required by patients. That's no longer the case. The earlier you act and get on DMARDs (and you might even need to try a few before getting one that works or finding the one that works best. Humira was completely ineffective for me), the less cumulative joint erosion you'll experience, the sooner you'll likely be in remission, and the more likely you'll be to experience a later sustained DMARD-free remission. Even if that's not the case and DMARDs don't completely solve the problem for you, there's a lot of options before opiods for symptomatic relief. From panadol, through NSAIDs (including the magical COX-2 selectives), and even steroidals. Don't give up hope too early. Three years ago I couldn't dress myself. Today I just got back from a rock climbing holiday.

dghughes 7y ago
Thanks for the advice but even if the doctor told dad all that I'm not sure he'd understand. I've heard of DMARDs but never read up on them if I did tried to explain it to dad he'd never sit still to listen. He's still quite strong sick as he is and age 76 he lifted and emptied a large bucket of rocks, then complained of shoulder pain. I think dementia and old age are a factor here too, poor judgement. People laugh at the joke "if that hurts don't do that" but it's too true. He's on a couple of strong pain meds and steroids. He's a bit better now that he started oxygen he doesn't look as pale. I'm glad to hear you're doing well it's a terrible disease not like there's a good disease. Just make sure to keep an eye on your lungs.

anm89 7y ago

Wow this really rings true for me. One of the most frustrating parts of chronic pain is the constant chorus of people explaining that yoga, or massage, or acupuncture, or crystals, or a no carbs diet will cure it. Once in a while it would be great for someone to just respond "that sucks".