Dear Shirley,

It sounds as if you need something more hardcore like mtx to kick the rheumatoid into some form of control. The Hydro is usually accompanied with mtx or slz, unless one is unable to tolerate it etc.

The Amit. are most likely making you feel so sleepy...I couldn't even manage 10mg a day..they just made me feel half alive..

There are a few excellent herbs for sleeplessness, like valerian, verbena, here are some more and a helpful article (not with the Amit though etc);

http://www.christopherho...herbs_for_insomnia.html

Of course always check with Doc/rheumy re herbs..some of them are more cautious than others.

Love,
Amanda

Thank you for this, Minnie, I am feeling much more assured. I only take one but am considering two.

Do you take Hydro alone or with other 'friends'?

Love,

Amanda

Amanda - yes I take Hydroxy on it's own but don't feel I'm totally controlled anymore.
I also have Osteoporosis and don't know if thats the cause of my back pain or RA. Have appointment with Rheumatologist next week.
300mgs is maximum daily dose for my weight.

love,
Min

Thanks Amanda
I think my consultant worked it out at 6.5 mg per kg of body weight per day. Mine worked out to be 351mg maximum which was under the 400mg average dosage. To get 300mg I have to cut tablet in half.
Hope the Imuran & Hydroxy keep you well.
Love,
Min

Imuran
ohh right
i know quiet few lupus patients who are now taking imuran,says very effevtice.

inky07

I think with our combined knowledge of drugs we have the potential to be pharmacists!

Dear Shirley,

I am so pleased to hear you had a good appointment with your Dr today. I am so sorry to hear of your other troubles though and I hope and pray you'll be able to begin MTX with excellent results. They monitor you so carefully. Please let me know when you start your mtx..

My memory of morphine is very relaxing indeed, I needed SO much after the traumatic birth of my last baby son! There was this buzzer you held in your hand!

I have Oramorph (for the hip pain) but never had the courage to take it. (I know!)

Much love,
Amanda

My arthritis originally went into remission 21yrs ago thanks to a combination of methotrexate and deflazacort (steroid) but came out of remission in September this year.

It took a while to get me started on meds because I wasn't very well. I finally started hydroxychloroquine on 12th November. I take 400mg alongside 600mg Etodolac. For me I've had headaches (a couple of bad ones) and nausea, which I can usually settle with lemonade and ginger biscuits.

I went for eye test last week and my prescription has improved (I've worn glasses for 15yrs).... the retina and macular are looking healthy. I do have a blob that appears every now and then.. like I have something in my eye. The optician thinks it could be a 'static' floater with my anemia but is referring me to the eye hospital to have it checked out further.

I haven't noticed a huge difference yet but doc did say it can take up to 6mths before I see any results. Keeping fingers crossed.

I've had the same thing Amanda... It didn't affect the back of my eyes like it did with other children who needed to have drops but I remember seeing an opthamologist in the rheumatology clinic. I started wearing glasses when I was 12 for reading but on top of wearing calipers, splints I kinda stopped reading...

It was only when I was 20 that the optician said my eyes had got so bad I couldn't even read number plates (and shouldn't have been driving!) so started wearing glasses

As time has gone on they diagnosed sjogrens which means I also get dry eyes but recently managed to start wearing occasional disposable lenses.

You never know how much of it is down to the rheumatoid, or other factors. My mum recently had a hole in her macular plus there is a history of cataracts/glaucoma in my family so I guess its good I'm having regular checks.

Hi

When I stopped taking 400mg of hydroxy because of side effects I asked if the fact that I am only 5ft and weighed about 8st 7lbs at the time could be the cause. I reasoned that a 6ft+ man who weighed 13st could be given the same dose. Nobody took any notice but I have been fine on 300mg for about 2 years now. I had to work this out for myself!

Brenda