RA and Fibromyalgia - New member

[Guest guest]

I haven't been officially diagnosed with anything yet other than

inflammatory arthritis, but my rheumatologist has me on Plaquenil

for the RA and Lyrica for the Fibro. Lyrica is a wonder drug for my

Fibro - I sleep so much better and the pain is tolerable. The

Plaquenil hasn't kicked in yet - I've been on it for about 8 weeks

now. My hands,wrists,shoulders,hips, knees,feet,and ankles still

hurt and are stiff and my fingers still look like sausages. I can't

even make a fist with my hands. All my blood tests are supposedly

normal - sed rate of 1 and Rheumatoid factor of 8. I guess I'm one

of those sero-negative persons with this. I'm starting to get

nodules now on my elbows - should I ask my rheumy for another med

for my RA?

Just a note...before I started the Lyrica I was in so much pain that

I couldn't even take the covers off me in bed. Depression really

kicked in bad and I just wanted to die. I cried every day. I

couldn't get any sleep because of the pain - I was getting

delirious. I couldn't concentrate on anything and I felt my work

suffered. The Lyrica worked in about 2 days and I've been taking it

for about 2 weeks now and I'm amazed at how good I feel. I still

have my limitations because of the RA, but I feel I can function

normally to a degree. The depression lifted probably because I am

now able to get good sleep.

I'm wondering if my problem is a virus, bacteria, or candida. I've

had problems with candida my whole adult life. Should I ask my

rheumy for a synovial fluid test? Has anyone had this test done?

I appreciate any replies...

Chasity - Orlando, FL