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when to move beyond initial treatments
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Anon_2712 posted:
For years (i.e. six now,) I have been on only NSAIDs and Plaquenil, but I am having more frequent flares, and some non-joint symptoms. When should I consider more aggressive treatment? If my rheumatologist doesn't suggest it, should I? I am sero-negative, but having a lot of hip pain, and have had pleuritis multiple times, and pericarditis once. Although I've rotated my NSAIDs a few times (am currently on Dolobid,) having to use extra Toradol and prednisone regularly is killing my stomach. Can anyone give me an idea of what was the trigger for them starting methotrexate or biologics?
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:when to move beyond initial treatmentsFor years (i.e. six now,) I have been on only NSAIDs and Plaquenil, but I am having more frequent flares, and some non-joint symptoms. When should I consider more aggressive treatment? If my rheumatologist doesn't suggest it, should I? I am sero-negative, but having a lot of hip pain, and have had pleuritis multiple times, and pericarditis once. Although I've rotated my NSAIDs a few times (am currently on Dolobid,) having to use extra Toradol and prednisone regularly is killing my stomach. Can anyone give me an idea of what was the trigger for them starting methotrexate or biologics?
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Scott Zashin, MD responded:
Hip pain can be due to RA but also other conditions. In my patients with hip pain, I try to determine if it is from RA, OA, bursitis, or pain referred from the spine. Pleruitis and pericarditis are uncommon extraarticular manfifestations of RA. LI would exclude lupus in my patients with seronegative RA and these symptoms and consider additional medications based on the cuase and frequency.
Report This| Share this:when to move beyond initial treatmentsHip pain can be due to RA but also other conditions. In my patients with hip pain, I try to determine if it is from RA, OA, bursitis, or pain referred from the spine. Pleruitis and pericarditis are uncommon extraarticular manfifestations of RA. LI would exclude lupus in my patients with seronegative RA and these symptoms and consider additional medications based on the cuase and frequency.
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