Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Introduce yourself and meet others

Yesterday was a wonderful day. I actually felt normal. Today not so much. I didn't sleep last night. I had so many errands to run today that didn't get done. My shoulder pain and headaches kept my mind running at high speed all night. In an attempt to feel better, I started to taper my prednisone this morning. Something needs to change before I go completely bonkers.

Anyone having more problems with their RA after having all of the MRNA shots for COVID 19 during the past few years??? It feels like my already advanced RA is progressing at an accelerated pace and also developing some very troubling allergies this season! My suspicion is that something in the COVID 19 vaccine has triggered these situations. Anyone else experiencing these possible side effects or noticing apparent intensified changes???

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

Hi all. My name is Angie. I had concerns with discomfort and pain, but in November 2006 I couldn't open a gallon of milk. My hands and fingers were the first really bad signs. I was diagnosed with RA in January 2007. I started with oral medications and some years ago had to include infusions. They seem to help a lot but, if I deviate from the 6 week schedule (not by choice) it causes a very bad setback.
Thank you for this group. I appreciate it.

Have been on methotrexate 4 a week. Prednezone , plaquinol. Now my doc. Wants me to go on Embrel. 7000+ a month. I cannot afford. Live on SS. Anyway I do not know what to do. If I get on Embrel will my RA. Swelling in hands and lumps go away? I am in California and will have my doctor refer me to Mayo but I cannot travel there. Hopefully they will zoom me from my records. My blood work is neg. For RA. My hands are swollen when I wake up in morning. Then I take all my pills and swelling subsides. I have not taken Embrel yet ...too expensive. Doc wants me to take because RA going into cartilage. Dr. Says I have aggressive RA but does not show in blood. RA factor negative. ANA normal.

Here are pics of left an right hand with bumps on top. Drs say need surgical removal.

I am in panic mode for RA. My hands swelling badly in am. As I said Dr. Wants me to try Embrel. I have insurance but Embrel still too much money. I am on SS and medicare part D does not cover enough of expense. What do people do? Amgen will not pay for drug for me. Do you think the Prednisone, paquenil, methotrexate will kick in and I will be in remission from RA? Or do I have to get on Embrel no matter what? Will it even work? Is there anyone in my predicament?

Kstarr077…there is a foundation you can apply to and if you meet the criteria your Embrel will be totally covered. My husband and I both have RA and he qualifies for Embrel, I qualify for Humira! We are on SS and would never be able to afford it if not for the foundations!

Did the Embrel añd humira work? My hands are so swollen in am and after I take Prednisone, methotrexate (once a week), folic acid, Plaquenil, and diltiazem For high BP my swelling goes down but not 100%. I live on SS and some ira. When savings gone I will be done. I will apply for humira if emril does not give me free. Does the humira get rid of damage to your joints? And swelling in hands?

I am waiting for Amgen to reply to me for Embrel. I will apply for humira next. Do they get rid of hand swelling?