Sandia,
I was on Plaquanil for 2 months, started with 1 pill once a day then graduated to 2 pills twice a day....felt like i was dying a slow death. Althought it help my RA symptoms, i suffered from stomach upset, constant vertigo, headache, weakness on one side of my body, tingling, skin burning sensation, numbness. I thought it was maybe my RA flaring, or even worse...i thought it could be MS....so my doc had me stop plaquenil, and within a week most symptoms subsided and in 2 weeks I felt like my old self, but then the joint pain came back.
So now she wants to start me on sulfasalazine 500mg 3 x daily. i have read the side affects...uhg. if this doesn't work then its methotextrate.

I have only had a rhuematologist since january, and my diagnoisis since about march. Although in my DR's notes she has stated i vaporize on occasion, i am reluctant to ask for a recomondation so soon. I may way for a couple of months and see how this new med works, and if makes me as sick as the plaquenil, but helps with the joint pain, then i will ask for a recomendation.
i want a recomendation TODAY, but i don't want to break the trust of my doc. so i am going to hold off for just a few more weeks.

But in the meantime, i will enjoy reading the forums.

Sandia,
what kind of symptoms do you endure, what is a flare feel like to you? and what meds do they have you on? I don't know anyone with RA to compare my symptoms with, and i feel all alone. I don't have much, if any, joint swelling, except on my left big toe, but i sure experience stiffness in the morning.

anyway...i would PM you, but don't know how...lol
lovemyhens Reviewed by lovemyhens on . how to approach a Doc I am diagnosed w/ seronegative ra. I was how I would approach my rhuematologist with a recommondation. I have a pretty good feeling that she won't recommend me, but i don't think i can get a recommendation through another doc unless they are a rhuematologist. I also have had cronic back pain, and i have been seeing a chiropractor religously for over 3 years, but he definately doesn't support the NM MM laws. I live in the bible belt of NM and I am a bit intimidated to approach a doc. Rating: 5