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Rheumatoid arthritis questions
Autoimmune Diseases | Last Active: May 21, 2020 | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
Hi, Karen. Thanks for your info. Have you ever had significant symptoms or has your life been pretty much normal since 2003? I just do not know what to expect because I feel great and am rather fearful of all of a sudden getting ill. I got terribly ill on Plaquenil with severe stomach pains and violent diarrhea. Was not able to take it. I gave it a try for 6 months but the stomach issues were crippling. But all of the DMARDs basically have the same side effects. Just checking all the bases before I "dive in" again.
Replies to "Hi, Karen. Thanks for your info. Have you ever had significant symptoms or has your life..."
@karen00 Hi, Karen. Two things. Make sure you have a good grip on what you want your life to be. Then, with that clear, go for it, keeping in mind that you have some extra stuff to deal with. It is like having blonde hair, or green eyes. It is just stuff about you that you cannot ignore, but you can and must account for it sometimes. Do not worry about having it, just deal with it. Except for the extra pain and stiffness limitations it has no more necessary effect than a pimple on your shoulder.
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Hey @ellenh, I’ve had no significant symptoms. Personally I’m terrified of getting lymphoma from DMARD’s. I refuse to start them. My rheumatologist has talked about them, but I shut down that conversation. No need for me to make that decision now as I’m doing ok. How about you? I’m sorry you had an awful reaction to Plaquenil! You’re not scared of side effects from biologics?