Have I mentioned how good I feel? The first week or so when I was off my RA meds before surgery, I was miserable. Everything ached.
Then, in preparation for surgery, my doctor prescribed (among other things) a daily dose of Mobic. He suggested I continue to take the full round of 30 pills — continuing on after surgery — to help me feel better.
I’ve felt great. Nothing hurts, I haven’t flared, I don’t have the draggy fatigue caused by the Arava and Orencia, I’m sleeping well, and since I take the Mobic at night, I don’t wake up with any morning stiffness.
Wow.
Go figure, right?
You know what’s coming next, don’t you? I’ve got an appointment with my rheumy in a few days to discuss getting off the Arava and Orencia and just staying on Mobic. It’s cheaper, it seems to be working, and I feel better than I have in a long, long time.
Wait, you say. The Mobic will reduce inflammation but it won’t necessarily stop all the joint damage. True. But as some one who has had both a hip and shoulder replaced, had multiple bouts of bursitis, and is facing another shoulder replacement, I can’t say that I’m all that impressed with the ability of other RA drugs to prevent joint damage. And even with all the drawbacks that are associated with NSAIDs, they’re a lot safer than biologic RA drugs.
I started back on my Arava dosage a couple of days ago. I’m due for my Orencia injection today. However, I think I’m going to wait one more week until I meet with my rheumatologist and see what she says.
Any advice, suggestions, words of wisdom, or random thoughts that might help me make this decision are more than welcome.
Thanks for checking in.
Carla, I have been thinking the same thing about RA drugs – I don’t necessarily believe they stop joint damage. Maybe it is slowing it, but who really knows. Sometimes I think we are told that as a scare tactic to take the meds but obviously people are still suffering from joint damage. Since going back on meds, I have noticed more joint damage than without. Personally if it was me, I would go with what feels good. If this new med is working, and it sounds like it is, that is huge! I am happy you are feeling some relief right now. Visualizing it continuing on this path!
Carla: I just had my feet xrayed for upcoming surgery and despite needing surgery for bad foot issues like bunions and hammertoes, the orthopedic surgeon was astounded that after 16 years of RA I had virtually no erosions in my feet. He said to me whatever medication/treatment regimen you have been doing it has worked! I went after the RA with big guns early on as I did not want the disability so often the outcome with RA. So I stared on the DMARDS early on and have blown through a few that have ceased to work but I am now on Simponi and will remain on them as long as I know that despite the stiffness and pain I have little to no errosions. Nan
I can’t offer any advice really – but hurrah that you’re feeling so good and I can completely see your point about losing faith in the RA drugs! :-( I think they can work, and they can work fantastically – I’m one of the lucky ones they work for. Unfortunately they don’t work so well for everyone, and maybe they just aren’t doing it for you? Certainly worth having the discussion with the rheumy anyway! Good luck with it.