Concerns About Medication Regimen for Rheumatoid Arthritis
I’m a 28-year-old male, standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing 186 pounds. Recently, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis just two weeks ago, although I’ve been experiencing symptoms for approximately two months. I've begun treatment without utilizing any recreational drugs. Here’s my current medication list, which I feel may be excessive: - Leflunomide 20 mg: once daily - Hydroxychloroquine 200 mg: once daily - Methotrexate 25 mg: taking three pills every Saturday - Folic acid 5 mg: consuming two pills every Sunday - Prednisone 20 mg: I take one pill in the morning and half a pill at night for three weeks, with one dose already taken. After that, I plan to move to half a pill in the morning and half at night. - Omeprazole 20 mg: one pill each day before breakfast Initially, my regimen was more straightforward, consisting of: - Leflunomide 20 mg: once daily - Hydroxychloroquine 200 mg: two pills per day - Prednisone 20 mg: one pill during the day and one at night for four days, followed by one pill during the day and .75 at night for four days to adjust to the current dosing. At that time, I began to notice gradual improvements, although progress was slow. However, upon returning to my physician, adjustments were made to both the dosages and medications. I’m now questioning whether my current medication load is typical or if it indeed feels like too much. Thank you for your insights!
Answers (1)
6/16/2025, 4:30:56 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s completely understandable to feel concerned about your medication regimen, especially after a recent diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Your treatment plan is aimed at managing symptoms and lowering inflammation, but it’s also natural to wonder if the number of medications is excessive.
Current Medication Overview
You’re currently taking a combination of:
- Leflunomide (20 mg daily): A DMARD (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug) that helps to slow down the progression of RA.
- Hydroxychloroquine (200 mg daily): Often used to manage RA symptoms and provides anti-inflammatory effects.
- Methotrexate (25 mg weekly): Another key DMARD; it's important for controlling disease activity.
- Folic acid (5 mg weekly): Helps mitigate some side effects of methotrexate.
- Prednisone (adjusted dose): A corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and helps with flares.
- Omeprazole (20 mg daily): Used to protect your stomach, especially important when taking anti-inflammatory medications.
Understanding Your Concerns
Your current regimen is not uncommon for treating moderate to severe RA, which often requires a combination of medications to effectively manage symptoms. It’s common for treatment to evolve as doctors look for the best results, especially early on.
Next Steps
-
Discuss with Your Doctor: It’s vital to express your concerns about the medication load to your physician, including how you’re feeling about taking several medications. They can clarify whether your regimen is appropriate for your disease severity and can help adjust it if indeed it feels excessive.
-
Track Your Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of your symptoms, medication doses, and any side effects you experience. This can help your doctor better understand your response to current treatments.
-
Educate Yourself: Learn about each of your medications to understand their purpose, potential side effects, and the benefits they provide. Knowing more can empower you to make informed decisions.
-
Lifestyle Considerations: Alongside medication, focus on anti-inflammatory diets, regular exercise, and stress management techniques like mindfulness, which can support overall health in managing RA.
-
Regular Follow-ups: Ensure you're having regular follow-ups with your physician to evaluate your response to the treatment and make necessary adjustments.
Please feel reassured that you're taking a proactive approach to your health. It’s important to ensure you feel comfortable and informed about your treatment decisions. Let me know if you need more specific information about any of these medications or related concerns!
Related Questions
Understanding Hormonal Imbalances: Is it Really PCOS?
Navigating the complexities of my health has been quite challenging, especially given the overlap in symptoms across various conditions. I am seeking clarity on what might be ailing me, even though I am not attempting to self-diagnose. Let me outline some pertinent details: - Age: 25. Gender: Female. Height: 5'1". Weight: 125 lbs. - My most recent menstrual cycle occurred in June 2024. Prior to that, I enjoyed consistent cycles since I was around 12 years old. Typically, I experienced minimal PMS symptoms, with regular bleeding and no major irregularities. - Blood tests conducted multiple times generally indicated normal hormone levels, with the exception of estradiol (which ranged from 10 to 20) and progesterone (remaining below 0.2). - A few markers raised slight concerns for me (though my doctors deemed them normal): My morning cortisol level was 13.4, while the afternoon reading was 9.49. My TSH levels fluctuated, showing 2.35 in one test and then rising to 3.93 a few months later. My fasting glucose has consistently been around 80, with spontaneous glucose readings at 68 and postprandial glucose at 65. - An MRI revealed a "deviation in the pituitary stalk," which may indicate a small pituitary adenoma. - An ultrasound examination displayed "several well-defined oval anechoic structures, exhibiting posterior acoustic enhancement, measuring a few millimeters, and located around the edges of the stroma." - I have been experiencing a range of symptoms including difficulty maintaining sleep (frequently waking, particularly around 3 AM without the ability to return to slumber), persistent fatigue, challenges in weight loss, intense hunger, heightened anxiety, and noticeable hair loss. - I tried birth control (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol), but it exacerbated almost every symptom. I discontinued use after two weeks, which resulted in a withdrawal bleed. - My lifestyle is generally healthy; I prioritize whole foods and engage in weightlifting and running. Having received a diagnosis of PCOS, I am questioning its validity. If this diagnosis holds true, what steps can I take moving forward, especially since birth control wasn’t beneficial and I appear to have signs suggesting other underlying issues related to thyroid, pituitary, or cortisol function?
Concerns About Cognitive Decline at Age 18
I’d like to share my experience regarding some troubling changes I’m noticing in myself. For as long as I can remember, my memory has been quite poor—some might say it’s a bit ironic. This could be linked to a mild brain injury I sustained in a car crash about a decade ago. Unfortunately, I believe my memory issues are deteriorating further. In recent months, I've become increasingly aware of various troubling symptoms emerging. These include: a declining grasp of my surroundings, a significant memory deficit, vague discomfort in my eyes, difficulties with reading comprehension, challenges in articulating my thoughts and feelings, and an alarming loss of awareness beyond my immediate field of vision. I've also started to experience a resurgence of fear related to darkness and growing unease towards subjects that didn’t bother me for years, such as graphic violence, death, and other unsettling themes. While the cause of these issues is unclear, I'm hypothesizing that excessive screen time, especially scrolling through short videos for hours daily, might be a factor. However, I engaged in similar habits for years before these symptoms emerged, which have surfaced rather abruptly over just the past few months. This rapid progression raises my concerns that it could be something more severe, potentially even early-onset dementia. A couple of years ago, I dealt with intense health anxiety that lasted about a year but seemed to disappear completely until now. Now, I’m recognizing some overlapping symptoms from that period, such as anxiety, eye discomfort, and fears regarding my cognitive abilities. I faintly remember experiencing a fear of the dark then as well, but I had since become quite comfortable in it until recently when those same fears have started to resurface. Interestingly, I’ve also noticed a revival of my childhood sense of wonder, as I find myself enjoying nature and animals more than I have in years. While this should be a positive development, in light of my other symptoms, it feels concerning and suggests that something may be deteriorating within my brain. My sleep patterns have always been problematic, often staying up far too late, but until now, I’ve managed to function cognitively without major concerns. I am aware that insufficient sleep can lead to cognitive issues, yet the speed of my deterioration suggests there could be other underlying causes. I’m feeling as though I’m reverting to a child-like state while my cognitive abilities slip away, and this frightens me. Just as I’m attempting to establish my independence, it feels like it’s all slipping away too quickly. I’m reaching out for insight or help in understanding what’s happening. This situation terrifies me.
Concerns About My Health Journey
At the age of 28, I began experiencing troubling symptoms in November 2025. A persistent dry cough accompanied by a sense of breathlessness made even the slightest physical activity feel overwhelming. After a few weeks of grappling with these issues, I recognized that this was more serious than a typical illness, prompting me to consult a physician who has since recommended a series of diagnostic tests. One significant test administered was a CT scan with contrast. I should mention that I have a history of asthma, which required an inhaler during my early childhood years, though I have only recently resumed its use due to my current symptoms. Additionally, I have dealt with knee arthritis and joint pain that began around the age of 12, continuous migraines dating back even further, and ongoing eczema. Although my doctor suspects an autoimmune condition, the blood test results have yet to provide a clear answer. Regarding my current medications, I am utilizing a Qvar inhaler twice a day, alongside 300 mg of Wellbutrin, 40 mg of Lexapro, and 20 mg of Buspar twice daily. I also take 60 mg of Propranolol, .5 mg of Klonopin as needed, and manage discomfort with Ibuprofen as required. Currently, I rely on supplemental oxygen at 3 liters per minute while at rest, and up to 4 liters per minute when engaging in household activities. I hope that this situation is temporary, but I find myself uncertain about how feasible it is to expect a return to normal breathing without assistance in the future.
(24F) Seeking Clarity on Crepitus Symptoms - Any Guidance?
Hello! I'm feeling quite anxious and could really use some advice. Previously, I shared a post discussing my elevated CRP levels. For several months now, I've been experiencing a strange sensation throughout my upper body that feels like dry leaves crunching or bubbles popping. Although it's silent, the feeling is distinctly present. This started in early 2025 and began with a noticeable urge to stretch my whole body, evolving into a feeling of muscle heaviness and discomfort, culminating in this crepitus whenever I attempt to stretch. It’s felt around my sternum, ribs, spine, shoulders, hips, and occasionally even in my jaw. After I began taking magnesium supplements, the severe heaviness and pain in my upper back significantly decreased by around 80%. Yet, the crepitus remains stubbornly persistent and annoying. It feels as if my muscles haven’t been used in ages or perhaps have air bubbles within them. Whenever I give in to stretching to alleviate the pressure, I experience mild stiffness. In a moment of desperation, I consulted AI for insights regarding my condition. It suggested that systemic inflammation (my CRP is over 10 and decreasing gradually) might lead to a slight thickening of synovial fluid, which could explain the crepitus. On top of this, I also battle fatigue, widespread body aches, and significant anxiety that heightens my awareness of even the slightest sensations in my body. My iron levels are low (Ferritin at 17), and I’m borderline deficient in both B12 and vitamin D. My gastroenterologist informed me that it may take weeks or even months for my gastrointestinal symptoms to improve. My endocrinologist has approved iron supplementation, which I’ve been on for about a month, and is also treating my issues with PCOD and elevated testosterone, while my CRP levels are slowly decreasing. Despite that, my ongoing anxiety, the crepitus, and a general feeling of malaise continue to trouble me. With a move to a new city coming up in 10 days, I’m worried about how that might affect me. I’d like to see a general practitioner, but I’m uncertain about how to approach it. While my ongoing concerns are being addressed, I haven't experienced any clear signs of improvement yet. However, it's only been a month and a half since the treatment for H Pylori and a month since I started all my supplements. Transitioning to a new place and finding a suitable doctor will also take time, and I feel lost regarding what’s happening with my body. Could this be benign? Is it part of the healing journey? Should I wait a few more weeks before consulting my GP or should I share my experience with them right away? I’m feeling quite confused. My parents advise seeking reassurance, but I have apprehensions about this specific GP due to their sarcastic demeanor, though I do trust them. I understand that any doctor would prefer my consultation over ignorance, yet I can’t shake the feeling that I might be overanalyzing everything, as I’ve been told in the past.
Experiencing Jitters After Starting Hormonal Medication
Recently, I've found myself under a considerable amount of stress, leading to an unusual occurrence where I had my menstrual cycle three times in a single month, which is definitely not ideal. After visiting my doctor, she prescribed a hormonal therapy for me, though I don’t recall the specific name of the medication. The regimen consists of taking it twice a day at 12-hour intervals, specifically in the morning and evening at the same time, and I am to continue this for a duration of 21 days. I've noticed that I've been more emotional than usual, with tears coming more frequently. Just yesterday, I opened up to my friends about the emotional turmoil and stress I’ve been enduring, including experiencing nightmares and waking up unexpectedly. However, upon waking today, I initially felt fine. After taking my medication, I soon began to feel excessively jittery and hyperactive. My grip has been off too, as I keep dropping small objects, like bottle caps. Additionally, I’m experiencing a bit of lightheadedness. Is it possible that these symptoms are a side effect of the medication, or could it be that my stress levels are just too high?