how do you know when medication is working?

This seems like a strange question but I have been wondering for a few weeks now.  I started on Plaquinal a month ago and immediately felt a great improvement - within a few days.  That said, my hands still hurt if I flex my hands or have to close a heavy door.  I still have discomfort in my foot, but not any crazy pain or any "hot spots."  I feel like I still have days where my right arm feels a bit weak.  I don't know, I guess I wonder how good I will ever feel again. I wonder if the medication is "working".  I wonder what "working" is - stopping joint damage or stopping pain.  I wonder if I should be taking an anti-inflammatory - as I am not.  I am feeling paranoid about the discomfort and the general tiredness (though I do have a sick kid - so I am not sleeping much and may come down with yet another cold).  Anyway, I would love to hear from anyone who has had the experience of knowing (retrospectively) that you were in "remission" and how you knew when you were coming out of it.  Thanks in advance.

Rebecca (feeling tired and worried, yet again)

[[hugs]]

The first time I went into remission, around age 20, I felt my kneecaps for the first time in 15 years.   For almost a year and a half I felt so normal I thought I'd beat the disease.

Now I measure progress in tiny changes that are hard to quantify. Most of us need a combination of medications, very rarely does a single med "do" it for us. You might very well need a small dose of NSAID to give you that little extra boost to feeling a LOT better, not just better.

I wasn't doing badly on mtx and mobic, but I wasn't satisfied. Last year I added enbrel and both my rheumie and I noticed a slight improvement of my wrists and fingers. I also felt like I had a little more energy.

Fatigue can be caused by the continuing disease process, or by the medication itself. If you're not taking a prescription nsaid, try taking something mild like ibuprofen or aspirin regularly for a few days and see what happens. If your stomach can tolerate it, that is!

Hang in there!

thanks carolan.  i think i will start the anti-inflammatory. my dr. did prescribe one, but i have been overwhelmed by pills and vitamins. i think i just need to find my way in all of this and it is so confusing.  i just hope that i have some time where i will be pain free - just to remember it and to know what I can strive for.  thanks for reaching out - it means a great deal.

Rebecca,

I am sorry to hear that you are still in such agony.  As Carolan has stated the NSAIDs play a very important role in the management of this disease no matter how small a dose. 

What I do because of the over abundess of medications and vitamins I take on a daily basis I keep a list of what I am taking and why! The why is one of the important reasons to keep, especially when you are taking so many suppliments to offset side effects of other medications.  For instance I was taking a multivitamin and an asprin everyday, so because i wanted to cut down I now take a multivitamin that contains the aspirin and am down one pill a day.  Yea 1 but it is better to take 19 pill versus 20.  I have also stopped taking some of the different vitamin B's and moved to a liquid Vitamin B Complex that contains the proper dosages of each.  I put this in a cup tea and ensure I drink the entire cup. 

For fiber i went to the powder in my coffee twice a day versus the pills. 

Remember if the regiment isnt working for you talk to your doctor about change up if necessary not all of the meds work for all of us the same way.  The key is finding your cocktail for your body.

Good luck

Not to hijack the thread, but how interesting that there's a vitamin that contains aspirin! Where do you get it?

Does the liquid B complex have a taste to it?

I've been putting Benefiber in my coffee and/or my daily water bottle, as well. I really like this stuff - you truly can't tell it's there once it's mixed up.

Carolan,

I found the multivitamin containing the asprin at BJ's I haven't looked for it yet anywhere else because of the wonderful large bulk size you get at the Warehouse stores. I will find out the name and the price for you.

The Sublingual Liquid B Complex (with b12) has a bit of a taste but when I put it in my tea or coffee it doesn't seem to make it nasty tasting. 

Your right bout the benefiber there is no taste at all. 

Previously TessaD wrote:

Rebecca,

I am sorry to hear that you are still in such agony.  As Carolan has stated the NSAIDs play a very important role in the management of this disease no matter how small a dose. 

What I do because of the over abundess of medications and vitamins I take on a daily basis I keep a list of what I am taking and why! The why is one of the important reasons to keep, especially when you are taking so many suppliments to offset side effects of other medications.  For instance I was taking a multivitamin and an asprin everyday, so because i wanted to cut down I now take a multivitamin that contains the aspirin and am down one pill a day.  Yea 1 but it is better to take 19 pill versus 20.  I have also stopped taking some of the different vitamin B's and moved to a liquid Vitamin B Complex that contains the proper dosages of each.  I put this in a cup tea and ensure I drink the entire cup. 

For fiber i went to the powder in my coffee twice a day versus the pills. 

Remember if the regiment isnt working for you talk to your doctor about change up if necessary not all of the meds work for all of us the same way.  The key is finding your cocktail for your body.

Good luck

 

Tessa,

I am fairly new to the Board, and I like your idea about the liquid Vitamin B complex. Is this in addition to the multivitamin? Also, what kind of fiber powder are you using?

I'm trying to do all I can..It can be quite frustrating.  I'm working out with a trainer so I can strengthen my muscles to make it easier on the joints. But, itis hard to put my feet in shoes at the moment.  I started taking Humira a month ago and I can tell when it's time to take another shot.   

Rebecca,

NSAIDs will help.  As you can see, many of us take lots of meds and it may be just the kicker to allow you to get some sleep. Good luck!

Hi Tess,

Are you sure that you can take Vit B complex in a warm drink, often temperatures can reduce the effectivness of certain vitamins.

Dozey.

I don't know that I am taking enough of anything right now.  I am taking the plaquinal and vitamins(it feels like a ton, and I think I am only taking 1/2 of what I am "supposed" to take).  I have reactions to a lot of the anti-inflammatory meds - being that I bruise terribly. I just started taking what my dr prescribed and hope that it helps without the side effect.  I am trying to do physical therapy for my shoulder and hope once that feels better, I can get back to swimming.  Needless to say, I am trying not to get overwhelmed, but it feels like one step forward and a few back... it kind of makes me laugh and how you just want to get through the day and have a good night sleep... just that simple, yet so complicated.  Anyway, as always thanks everyone for the ideas, suggestions - the hijacked part was also very interesting.  Maybe we shoudl start a thread about vitamin regimens that people take and find useful.  Anyway - I check creakyjoints everyday and find it all very good for my spirit.  Thanks - for helping in the lonely factor... especially.

Rebecca

Angela,

Yes the BComplex is in addition to the multivitman the maker is Nature's Bounty.  The taste isn't too bad.

The dietary fiber I use is Benefiber the same as carolan. 

Rebecca  you have a good point this should be under non traditional meds. 

Tess