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Re: Hello, I'm new - and anxious about starting Imraldi
Hi Lynette007,
Welcome to the forum, it’s lovely to meet you, I hope you stay with your forum for a good while now you’ve got here.
It must be very scary, thinking of doing something deliberately to yourself to lower your immune system when we are seeing so much all the time about COVID-19.
Heres the information about your proposed new medication Imraldi. It’s known under other names too, most commonly humira. The active ingredient is adalimumab
Before you start taking it you will have blood tests and maybe other screening. You need to be advised of your dose, this is an injection and you get pre-dosed injections so it’s quite clear.
Im not sure what stage you are at, considering what to do, or post tests or awaiting delivery of the meds so it’s hard to advise. It’s also a personal thing, especially now.
Do you know what your risk level is? That might be useful to you. Here’s the link
I hope that helps
Yvonne x
YvonneH
1
Re: blood tests
I used to go to the path lab at the hospital but now have mine done at my local GPs. I arranged an appointment via email and a telephone call. DD
Re: blood tests
Hi Joann100
Welcome to the Online Community, it's lovely to meet you.
When is your next appointment, I would expect that they would contact you beforehand to let you know what procedure to follow, so if it's not for 9 days maybe hang on to give them a chance to get to you, if it's in the next couple of days see if you can ring up to clarify what you need to do.
NHS 111 do have an online service
If you can't get through on the phone this might be your best option.
Please do log in and let us now the answer to your problem as it will no doubt be useful for other members
Do also look around your community now you are here and join in wherever you feel comfortable
Take care
Yvonne x
YvonneH
1
Re: Amitriptyline
Hi Theresa and welcome to our online Community, it is lovely to have you here.
I'm so sorry to hear you are having problems that you suspect are due to taking amitriptyline. Going straight back to your doctor was the best course of action and fingers crossed that you get an early appointment soon.
There is a very informative page on our website concerning amitriptyline. It is well worth reading, especially the sections on dosages, side effects and reactions.
Do come back and let us know how you get on.
All best wishes
Brynmor
Brynmor
5
Knee replacement operation update
Hi guys, Firstly wanted to thank you all for signing my campaign for reducing NHS waiting times for joint replacements. Just wanted to let you all know that I recently received my operation date, for my first knee operation for 15th April but sadly this has now been cancelled due to the Coronavirus situation.
Rob
6
Re: Are methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine anti inflammatory? Should I be lowering my dose?
Hi Annszoff
I realise I've not answered your question entirely - methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine are not anti-inflammatory drugs. They are disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs DMARDS.
These drugs are used in the treatment of various forms of inflammatory arthritis and have an impact on the way the immune system works, thus hopefully reducing inflammation.
I hope that's ok.
All the best Guy
Re: Are methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine anti inflammatory? Should I be lowering my dose?
Annszoff
Until the Helpline Team come along I will try to help a little.
Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine are both DMARDS disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs.
The current advice is that you should not stop taking your medications unless advised to do so by your rheumatologist or rheumatology nurse.
By stopping your medication, you're more likely to have a ‘flare’, which could make you more likely to pick up an infection.
If you have concerns about your medication, speak to a member of your healthcare team.
This quote is from our coronavirus page which contains the latest updated advice and links concerning the current crisis.
Ellen
Ellen
5
Re: Being in so much pain, I feel very dept
This must be so hard for you, I am sorry. I know from experience that when pain is concentrated in one area it stands out so much more, its screams for attention are impossible to ignore. What pain relief are you taking, what walking aids do you use, and what exercise do you do to help your leg muscles stay strong and flexible?
I plunged into depression when my OA was diagnosed because, already having an auto-immune kind, I thought I had ticked that box on my to-do list of diseases to have. How wrong I was.😂 My GP prescribed an anti-depressant (this was back in 2011) and to this day I take a small daily dose because, as my rheumatologist reasoned, if I am stronger mentally I can cope better physically. I keep pain relief to a minimum as it achieves little and use distraction to keep myself from focusing on the pain. I am 23 years in so know how demoralising this can be. DD
Re: Being in so much pain, I feel very dept
Hi PeterE
welcome to the forums I am sorry to hear you have been experiencing so much pain in your knee and that this is leading to you feeling depressed. Pain is very complex and it can be difficult to manage. You might find this section of our website useful
It is also very important to look after our mental health and this section of the website might be useful for you
Keep posting and let us know how you get on
Best Wishes
Sharon
Sharon_K
5