Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Super Steroid Woman gets Ambulance Ride

Well, the rheumy wasn't as helpful as I had hoped. After waiting an hour and a half to see him-he confirmed severe acute gastritis, probably caused from all the anti-inflammatory drugs and irritated by the swelling the RA causes in my chest and ribs. Treatment plan-added Nexium to the Previcid for the time being. Also is keeping me on 10mg prednisone (steroid) to help the inflammation. He did a few more blood tests and made me pee in a cup and I need to go back next week. Depending on the test results, he will start me on Imuran-its another immune suppressant drug, its supposed to help a lot but can take some time to kick in.

He wants me to stay on the placquenil and Enbrel. We will give the Enbrel another month or so before trying another TNF drug, like Humara or Remicade. From what I understand, you have your immune system depressants, like placquenil, methotrexate, alsulfadine and Imuran, these are called DMARD's, disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. Then you have Biologic Response Modifiers, or TNF blocker drugs like Enbrel, Humara and Remicade. Each drug in its own category works in a similar way-kind of like the nsaid drugs (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) like Alieve and Mortrin. They are in the same class of drug and work in a similar way but some people respond better to one than the other.

So, he is trying to find the right combination of drugs to work for me. Apparently, there is a standard order in which these drugs are tried, which is way it can take months to years to get this under control and find the right drugs. I got a little bitchy at the rheumy yesterday and told him I didn't give a crap about the standard procedure!!! I asked him if I was his wife and he had to get out of bed in the middle of the night to help me pee or had to brush my hair because I couldn't or went to the ER room with me twice in less than 3 months, what would you give her???? So, I think that stressed to him that I'm tired of waiting and trying and lets move on to whatever the end of the line drugs are because I just can't handle any more!

He said before we start the Imuran, he had to test my liver and a few other things, thats why I have to wait a week and go back. So, I loaded up on pain pills and was in bed from 4:30 yesterday until 11am this morning. I got to work around 12:30 and I'm just trying to get through the day. I look like a train wreck and feel even worse but I think the pain is a little less today, either that or I forgot I took my pain pills and doubled up on them!

Thanks to everyone who responded, the continued support and encouragement is much appreciated!

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Taking it one day at a time.....

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