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New symptoms and concerns
jraustin63 posted:
I was diagnosed with RA in Oct 2010, I had redness,pain and swelling of my hands, feet and ankles. I saw a rheumatologist then that was very good and she started me on prednisone and then added methotrexate. I am still taking methotrexate but a few things have changed. We moved away, I no longer have health insurance, and now I am having new symptoms that are scaring me and I don't have access to a rheumatologist or the money to see one. My current MD seems not really interested or maybe doesnt know what to do with me. My new sx's are dry eyes, tingling toes, fingers, and sometimes the whole hand and foot. My ankles are swelling more again and my joints are red, swollen and painful. I need to know what to do or where to go. Any ideas out there?? Are there any holistic things I could do to help with the pain and swelling? I also think I am seeing some joint deformity!!
6 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:New symptoms and concernsI was diagnosed with RA in Oct 2010, I had redness,pain and swelling of my hands, feet and ankles. I saw a rheumatologist then that was very good and she started me on prednisone and then added methotrexate. I am still taking methotrexate but a few things have changed. We moved away, I no longer have health insurance, and now I am having new symptoms that are scaring me and I don't have access to a rheumatologist or the money to see one. My current MD seems not really interested or maybe doesnt know what to do with me. My new sx's are dry eyes, tingling toes, fingers, and sometimes the whole hand and foot. My ankles are swelling more again and my joints are red, swollen and painful. I need to know what to do or where to go. Any ideas out there?? Are there any holistic things I could do to help with the pain and swelling? I also think I am seeing some joint deformity!!
Scott Zashin, MD responded:
Patients who don't have insurance or the funds to get proper medical care of a chronic condition can consider the following.
1, Call Rheumatologists in your area and ask if they that are doing a clinical study for RA..In addition to getting free care, you may even receive payment for your time.
2. check the county or state medical society for doctors who have clinics for patients without insurance.
3. consider a city or county hospital or teaching hospital that may have new doctors (residents) who will supervise your medical care under the direction of a more experienced clinical faculty. Often, these hospitals are associated with a medical school, but not necessarily on the premises.
4.check with your city or town governement to see if they have access to a public hospital if one is not in your community. some towns will pay for you to go to a hospital in another area if one is not available where you live.
1, Call Rheumatologists in your area and ask if they that are doing a clinical study for RA..In addition to getting free care, you may even receive payment for your time.
2. check the county or state medical society for doctors who have clinics for patients without insurance.
3. consider a city or county hospital or teaching hospital that may have new doctors (residents) who will supervise your medical care under the direction of a more experienced clinical faculty. Often, these hospitals are associated with a medical school, but not necessarily on the premises.
4.check with your city or town governement to see if they have access to a public hospital if one is not in your community. some towns will pay for you to go to a hospital in another area if one is not available where you live.
Report This| Share this:New symptoms and concernsPatients who don't have insurance or the funds to get proper medical care of a chronic condition can consider the following.<br /> <br />1, Call Rheumatologists in your area and ask if they that are doing a clinical study for RA..In addition to getting free care, you may even receive payment for your time.<br /> <br /> 2. check the county or state medical society for doctors who have clinics for patients without insurance.<br /> <br /> <br />3. consider a city or county hospital or teaching hospital that may have new doctors (residents) who will supervise your medical care under the direction of a more experienced clinical faculty. Often, these hospitals are associated with a medical school, but not necessarily on the premises.<br /> <br /> <br />4.check with your city or town governement to see if they have access to a public hospital if one is not in your community. some towns will pay for you to go to a hospital in another area if one is not available where you live.
MyVoice responded:
The MD's suggestions are excellent. Meanwhile, I suggest the following based on my experience of having RA for 25 years, most of that uninsured.
If your GP doesn't seem interested, he/she might not be the right GP. Look at other Drs in that clinic, if possible. And check around, speak with friends, associates, and listen to what they like or not about their MD. Not getting treatment is not an option, it will make things worse. So get the best possible treatment you can while you explore the other options.
My biggest recommendation is to take action. Don't let RA make your decisions and don't be satisfied with an unsympathetic Dr. They might be the best Dr on the planet but if you don't connect with them, they aren't really helping you.
- Get basic eye drops to increase moisture.
- Move whatever hurts gently when it doesn't hurt.
- Keep up your whole body range of motion.
My next recommendation is to relax. Getting knotted up about the situation will make you feel helpless which amplifies stress which - I guarantee - will make you hurt more. Do what you can and remember tomorrow is a whole new day which could be even better then your best.
If your GP doesn't seem interested, he/she might not be the right GP. Look at other Drs in that clinic, if possible. And check around, speak with friends, associates, and listen to what they like or not about their MD. Not getting treatment is not an option, it will make things worse. So get the best possible treatment you can while you explore the other options.
My biggest recommendation is to take action. Don't let RA make your decisions and don't be satisfied with an unsympathetic Dr. They might be the best Dr on the planet but if you don't connect with them, they aren't really helping you.
- Get basic eye drops to increase moisture.
- Move whatever hurts gently when it doesn't hurt.
- Keep up your whole body range of motion.
My next recommendation is to relax. Getting knotted up about the situation will make you feel helpless which amplifies stress which - I guarantee - will make you hurt more. Do what you can and remember tomorrow is a whole new day which could be even better then your best.
Report This| Share this:New symptoms and concernsThe MD's suggestions are excellent. Meanwhile, I suggest the following based on my experience of having RA for 25 years, most of that uninsured. <br /> <br />If your GP doesn't seem interested, he/she might not be the right GP. Look at other Drs in that clinic, if possible. And check around, speak with friends, associates, and listen to what they like or not about their MD. Not getting treatment is not an option, it will make things worse. So get the best possible treatment you can while you explore the other options. <br /> <br />My biggest recommendation is to take action. Don't let RA make your decisions and don't be satisfied with an unsympathetic Dr. They might be the best Dr on the planet but if you don't connect with them, they aren't really helping you. <br /> <br />- Get basic eye drops to increase moisture.<br />- Move whatever hurts gently when it doesn't hurt. <br />- Keep up your whole body range of motion. <br /> <br />My next recommendation is to relax. Getting knotted up about the situation will make you feel helpless which amplifies stress which - I guarantee - will make you hurt more. Do what you can and remember tomorrow is a whole new day which could be even better then your best.
Minnie3189 responded:
I have had RA for 15 years, most of which were without insurance. All ideas listed sound like good ones. My regular doctor can't help me either with questions or problems. As she puts it, she's experienced in general health problems, not specialized diseases, and she's not familiar with the meds I'm on. You really need to find an RA specialist, even if its out of town. I drive an hour to see mine, but I only need to go once every four months, unless I have complications. Also, I've been on my meds for so long that they weren't helping much anymore so I started taking Enbrel. I couldn't afford it, but if you search for the Encourage Foundation on the internet you can get your injections for free if you qualify. It was a great help to me! Good luck!
Report This| Share this:New symptoms and concernsI have had RA for 15 years, most of which were without insurance. All ideas listed sound like good ones. My regular doctor can't help me either with questions or problems. As she puts it, she's experienced in general health problems, not specialized diseases, and she's not familiar with the meds I'm on. You really need to find an RA specialist, even if its out of town. I drive an hour to see mine, but I only need to go once every four months, unless I have complications. Also, I've been on my meds for so long that they weren't helping much anymore so I started taking Enbrel. I couldn't afford it, but if you search for the Encourage Foundation on the internet you can get your injections for free if you qualify. It was a great help to me! Good luck!
DIYSTER responded:
The dry eyes could be attributed to secondary Sjogren's Syndrome which is commonly seen in patient's with moderate to severe RA. Left to continue, it can cause permanent damage to lacrimal glands as it has with me. For Sjogren's symptoms, I take Evoxac (I am dry all over without it). It is pretty costly, however, without Rx insurance.
To the main point, it sounds like your RA isn't entirely under control. Maybe your Rheumatologist needs to re-evaluate either your metho dosage or consider prescribing a biologic. I have taken Humira with great success. In my case, however, my RA was caused by an underlying issue that I eventually figured out - Celiac disease. I have been on a gluten-free diet for a year now and I no longer take any RA drugs, nor have I had any further symptoms. Something to ask your Rheumatologist about.
To the main point, it sounds like your RA isn't entirely under control. Maybe your Rheumatologist needs to re-evaluate either your metho dosage or consider prescribing a biologic. I have taken Humira with great success. In my case, however, my RA was caused by an underlying issue that I eventually figured out - Celiac disease. I have been on a gluten-free diet for a year now and I no longer take any RA drugs, nor have I had any further symptoms. Something to ask your Rheumatologist about.
Report This| Share this:New symptoms and concernsThe dry eyes could be attributed to secondary Sjogren's Syndrome which is commonly seen in patient's with moderate to severe RA. Left to continue, it can cause permanent damage to lacrimal glands as it has with me. For Sjogren's symptoms, I take Evoxac (I am dry all over without it). It is pretty costly, however, without Rx insurance.<br /> <br />To the main point, it sounds like your RA isn't entirely under control. Maybe your Rheumatologist needs to re-evaluate either your metho dosage or consider prescribing a biologic. I have taken Humira with great success. In my case, however, my RA was caused by an underlying issue that I eventually figured out - Celiac disease. I have been on a gluten-free diet for a year now and I no longer take any RA drugs, nor have I had any further symptoms. Something to ask your Rheumatologist about.
I am starting to have dry eyes. I have RA and on Plaquenil and seem to be in remission. No swelling or pain. I read on this site
about RA and dry eyes. NO one ever put a name to it and my
Romey has never talked to me about it. I will be seeing her late
in Oct. and I plan to bring this up. I may be coming out of remission because last night I woke several times and felt ache
and stiff today. I dread going on new med's because I have such
bad reactions to many medicines. But trial and error is better than being in RA pain.I'm 76 now and just had a big back surgery
came through that just great. God has sure been there for me and so has this site. I learn something here everyday.
about RA and dry eyes. NO one ever put a name to it and my
Romey has never talked to me about it. I will be seeing her late
in Oct. and I plan to bring this up. I may be coming out of remission because last night I woke several times and felt ache
and stiff today. I dread going on new med's because I have such
bad reactions to many medicines. But trial and error is better than being in RA pain.I'm 76 now and just had a big back surgery
came through that just great. God has sure been there for me and so has this site. I learn something here everyday.
Report This| Share this:New symptoms and concernsI am starting to have dry eyes. I have RA and on Plaquenil and seem to be in remission. No swelling or pain. I read on this site<br />about RA and dry eyes. NO one ever put a name to it and my<br />Romey has never talked to me about it. I will be seeing her late<br />in Oct. and I plan to bring this up. I may be coming out of remission because last night I woke several times and felt ache<br />and stiff today. I dread going on new med's because I have such<br />bad reactions to many medicines. But trial and error is better than being in RA pain.I'm 76 now and just had a big back surgery<br />came through that just great. God has sure been there for me and so has this site. I learn something here everyday.
kellywic responded:
DIET DIET DIET!!! I have been eating a whole food, plant based diet and have seen tremendous results.. I have come off of all meds except Hurmira. Gluten free as well - even if you don't have celiac disease. Also try calling Humira because they offer a lot of help if you can't afford their shots. good luck
Report This| Share this:New symptoms and concernsDIET DIET DIET!!! I have been eating a whole food, plant based diet and have seen tremendous results.. I have come off of all meds except Hurmira. Gluten free as well - even if you don't have celiac disease. Also try calling Humira because they offer a lot of help if you can't afford their shots. good luck
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Scott Zashin, MD is a clinical professor at the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School and maintains a private practice at Presbyterian Ho...More
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Dry eyes and dry mouth
Patients with RA may develop dryness of the eyes and mouth due to a condition called secondary Sjogrens Syndrome. The dryness is due to ... More
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