Arthritis Central

The past couple days I have been feeling weak, lightheaded, nausious, having headaches and having nightsweats. I feel terrible. My pain subsided some for awhile after I took the medrol dosepak, but now I feel sick. I am not sure if it is a cold/flu or the RA symptoms.

I do think the Medrol dosepak helped a good deal with the intense pain I was in. I still have pain. I know I always will have some pain, but for now it is more tolorable.

Does anyone get the symptoms I listed above with RA or do you think this is more of a flu/cold coming on? I know with taking the MTX it can suppress your immune system and make you pick up things easier, so maybe I did catch something.

 

Hi Tina!  Hope you're starting to feel better!

I do get these sorts of symptoms when I flare...and sometimes I really can't tell the difference between having a bug and a flare at all...because when I have a bug my RA flares anyway.  Either way I'm a pile of sickly.

Can you take cold medicine and see if it helps?  If it's RA it probably won't make a difference...but it should help a cold.  Just an idea...besides that I don't know what to tell you.

Take care and make sure you get some rest...RA or a cold, your body still needs a break!

-Stephanie-

((((Tina))))  We all react differently to the meds and RA is a little different in each of us.  I take MTX and it could be causing you to be nauseaus.  Are you taking Folic Acid?  Ask your rheumy about it, it seems to help the side effects of MTX.  The day after I take the med, I am extremely tired.  The headache, nightsweats could be the flu, RA, or MTX.  I just got over the flu and I had all of those symptoms.  Possibly the Medrol Pak caused the night sweats.  ????  I know Prednisone causes me to have "Hot Flashes", which I call a Prednisone Moment!  It starts in my chest, I turn bright red and sweat, goes up to the top of my head in about 5 minutes and it is gone for a bit.  It would drive me nuts.  I try to stay away from the steroids, as I have Osteoporosis. 

If you don't feel better in another day or two, please go see your rheumy.  It takes awhile to adjust to the meds.  How long have you been on MTX?

I hope you feel better soon.

Hugs, Vicki

I have been on MTX for 5 weeks now. So not long and at a small dosage. I do the injections also. When I was on the steroids I did have hot flashes and my face was red. I didn't have nightsweats while taking them, but it has been a few days since I was on them, maybe it is from them leaving my system....I don't know. I see my rheumy the 18th; less then 2 weeks from now.

To tell you the truth, I am having a hard time knowing what is wrong with me anymore, between the RA, fibro and plain fatigue. The pain eased up some and then last night started back a little more. I feel like I am on a physical symptoms rollercoaster...lol

I am missing class tonight because I am just too weak to push myself. I am so upset over this, but I have to rest. A lady in my class said she would e-mail me any papers the professor hands out tonight. So that will help. I still have a paper to write and e-mail to my professor by tonight and I haven't even started it much because I can't think straight. All I can say at this point, is this sucks!!

I guess this is still all new to me...all the symptoms RA and fibro can cause. I have to find away to cope and manage this so I can live a half way decent life. Right now this is scary to me because I am so young, I know others can relate. I don't want to give in to my symptoms, but I know I need to sometimes and rest, so that is what I am doing today and tonight by not going to class.

My DH doesn't know what to expect from my illness from day to day. Neither do I. I guess that is part of it, just waiting to see how you will be one day at a time.

 

((((Tina))))  I have both RA and Fibromyaglia.  It is hard to tell which one is causing the pain.  As your journey continues, you will start to recognize what sets off the pain and avoid it.  The most important thing is to listen to your body.  If you are going shopping or doing something special, you need to rest your body the day before.  No cleaning house, because your body will get even with you.  The tiredness can be caused from both of these illnesses. 

Methotrexate takes about six weeks before it works.  Your rheumy may up your dose at that time or maybe add another medication.  I added Plaquenil to my Methotrexate and eventually Enbrel.  I still take these three meds.  Once you can find some meds that help, the pain will decrease.  It won't go away, or maybe it will, but I promise it will not be as bad as it is now.  I think you should have some meds for the fibro.  They usually give a muscle relaxant, something for depression, (chronic pain causes Depression) and something to help with sleep.  Fibro messes up your sleep patterns and you are not getting the deep sleep that you need to help deal with all of this!  I know how you feel and I wish I could make the pain go away for you. 

If you have access to a warm water (90 degrees) pool, get in up to your neck and walk in it.  You will be amazed at how much better you will feel. The rice bags, which have been mentioned, are great too.  I take Ultram, a non-narcotic pain reliever.  It helps my Fibro, but not the RA pain.  I get a massage every two weeks by someone that "knows" fibro.  This is probably the best thing that I do to help with the pain.  I sleep with my wrists bent.  At night I wear wrist splints, bought from Longs drug store, and my wrists feel fine in the morning.  The computer does not help my wrists or hands at all!!  ;o)  BUT................

PS here.  Fibro causes what is called "Fibro Fog".  When the pain is worse, the fog gets worse.  I actually thought I was getting Alzheimer's!!!!

Good luck to you and I hope you start to feel better soon.

Hugs, Vicki