So I'm interested in how people consider their treatment is working. In addition to RA, I have fibromyalgia and a seriously bad back so I am on lots of pain meds to handle the pain from these issues. But if I forget to change my pain patch, I often find lots of pain in the joints in my hands. This leads me to believe that my pain meds are covering up RA pain which means I am undertreated.
I was originally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, but then after my results came back was to I was in advanced stages of RA. I'm in the process of looking for another Dr now because it seems like my Dr just doesn't care anymore. When I tell her the pain I feel and show her pics of my swelling, and tell her the medication she had me on (celebrex) is not working, she just says there is nothing more that she can do for me. I'm tired of hurting all the time and not being able to walk or do anything with my hands!
Welcome, I try not to use any pain meds I took myself off hydrocodone. I use ibuprofen and voltaren gel. Orencia and Tylenol pm at night. My reason is later on when I get worse I may need it more then. Then maybe I might need something else for pain.
Sometimes you need to try several doctors before you find the one that works best for you.
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