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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Introduce yourself and meet others

Autoimmune Diseases | Last Active: 14 hours ago | Replies (825)
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@cody0623

I'm a 71 YO male diagnosed with PMR and RA. I also have a slow developing prostate cancer that my Urologist is just monitoring. Currently tapering 4mg Prednisone and couldn't tolerate Arava or Hydrochloroquin. Just starting taking Sulfasalzine but it isn't controlling swelling and pain in my hands and feet.
My Rheumatologist said the next option is biologics, but suggested I get clearance from my Urologist. It's amazing to me how all of these diseases and treatments are so complex and connected.
I'm very thankful for Mayo Clinic and these discussion groups.

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Replies to "I'm a 71 YO male diagnosed with PMR and RA. I also have a slow developing..."
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Mar 13, 2023

@cody0623 I’m so glad to hear that Mayo Clinic Connect has been so useful for you! When will you see the urologist and maybe start on biologics?

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novice | @novice | May 29, 2023

Good morning, Cody: I feel with you and this dilemma tha those ILLnesses come forward the more we are maturing. 🙁 I have a wonderful rheumatologist for the past 15 years at MAYO; that's when my RA was diagnosed there. I am close to status quo with my RA 'attacks', as I call them, thanks to being put on methotrexate [once a week] and Actemra injections [once a week]. And when I really get a painful flare-up, my rheumatologist prescribed a regimen of Methylprednisolone [it's packaged for six days], which I always have upon her suggestion at home to take when it hits me. It happens mostly on weekends! And then one can't get any help, so to have this Methylprednisolone at home is 'lifesaving'. AND it helps within hours!! 🙂 - Yes, see the rheumatologist as soon as you can. - So sorry that you have to deal with the PMR and the prostate cancer. It's good that your doctor watches the latter, in case it progresses.
If you would like to converse about the latter, just asked. My dear husband passed away; he was diagnosed with prostate cancer 20 years earlier and was treated with the seed implant at MAYO. It went away [?] and he had never had a problem since this seed implant treatment.
Take care of yourself and I agree, I am grateful to the MAYO medical professionals too, as well as this MAYO Connect forum.
With friendly regards, Chris

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