I was dxs with Sero-Neg RA in 2003, about 6 months later I was dxs with hemochomotosis and between the plaquinal and phelbotomies I had some of my life back.

I have a new Rhuemy who I really like but she doesn't believe I have RA and took me off the plaqunial, I cut my dose in half for two weeks then every other day and have been off totally for about 3 weeks.

I have been having a lot of pain again and the stiffness is back, I can lay down for 30 mins or more and can barely get up.

My hands look fine and that seems to be what she is thinking, she can't SEE it do it isn't there. I do think she is wrong. Anyone here have the same problem-Thanks-Carla

Hi Carla,

I'm sorry to hear you are feeling poorly again. I just wrote a long message but my internet lost it somehow. (I have a love/hate relationship with the internet.)

To sum it up sooner... Yes, I have that problem now. My Rhuemy recently diagnosed me with RA. When the MTX/5 mgs steroids didn't help, she changed her mind and said I did NOT have RA. Well, she gave me Plaquenil anyway and I've been taking that for 3 weeks. (No differences yet..)

I have some questions for you: Are you having morning stiffness or any symptoms? Did you have to get a new Rhuemy because you moved? Is there anyway you can have your old Rhuemy call this doctor to discuss your history? Doctors are incredibly frustrating - even awful!

I hate that you aren't doing well. I think since you have RA/CFS/FM you can post a message on the CFS/FM asking for people with both to come onto the Arthritis Board to help you here. The Arthiritis Board doesn't move very quickly...

Wendysj

Thanks for your reply. I have a new Rheumy because my last one didn't have a clue. It is a long story but my new Rhemuy thought that it was the hemochomotosis that the first Rhuemy missed was the cause of my pain in 2003. I was dxs with FM/RA in Feb of 2003, after I responded well after about 4-6 weeks on the plaquinal was sure it was RA-

Then Sept 2003 I was really sick mostly my brain stopped working, some pain and extreme fatigue, that is when my GP found the hemo. I lost my health ins at the same time so had to drop a Dr and dropped the Rheumy as I didn't like him and he would not work with a reduced rate like my other Drs where.

The Dr I have now was a 6 month wait, I really like her, she took a lot of time with me, looked me over head to toe, ran every test in the book and everything came back normal. She didn't feel I had RA as there are no obvious signs. My hands do hurt but do not have the RA hands. So she figured the first Rheumy misdx me with RA when it was the hemo.

The stiffness started last week, I fell asleep on the couch watching tv for about an hour and when I tried to get up I couldn't but did manage. When I was first dxs I wasn't able to walk up a flight a stairs unless it was one at a time.

Her office called me and told me to go back on the plaquinal and come in Dec, my next scheduled appt. I was hoping for bloodwork while the meds were out of me. But I guess the fact that my symptoms returned after about 5-6 weeks after going off of it she knew that I did have RA AND hemo.

The hemo is under control now and get pheloboties once or twice a year. Even tho the plaq worked for the joint pain I kept telling the quack Rhuemy there was something else wrong and he treated me like a drug seeker, then like I said my beloved GP figured it. Once I had about 2 months of phelbomties I felt human again.

I have had Graves disease, cancer, asthma just to name a few so trying pin pointing any one thing has been hard. But I think it will improve now.

I am sorry you have had to go threw this too, my crack Dr suggested metx but I said no after reading about. The plaq take at least 4-8 weeks to notice a change, I hope it works for you. I take 2-200mg a day and have had no side effect for 6 years.

I do have eye exams every six months and medicare pays for it but other than that no problems. Good luck and hope you find relief soon. I stay away from the FM board, too many problems over there. I stick to chit chat but wanted to come here and knew it was slower. Thanks again- Carla