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Flare During Periods, Took Prednisone. Muscle Ability Lost In Biceps, Muscle Pain. How To Improve Strength?
Hi, my name is tom schlotter age 56 ,and I am being treated for rheumatoid arthritis . I take 20 mg. methotrexate weekly and inject 125 mg. orencia weekly. For the last 22 days i have been in a terrible flare period and was treated with 350 mg prednisone over a 17 day period. I am now worse off than when the flares started. i have lost all bicep muscle ability in each arm and suffer from muscle pain that make my eyes tear. I read a RA chat room conversation recently and believe i am prednisone poisoned or my body refuses to produce cortisol . What type of advice would your specialists give me to improve strength and reduce pain?
Wed, 7 Aug 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
The disease Rheumatoid arthritis is characterised by "remissions and exacerbations" of symptoms.
There are a few general guidelines to improve your muscle strenght & pain -
* Ice packing over the affected area, which should be applied for about 15 minutes once in 2 hours. This will alleviate your pain.
* judicious use of analgesics & muscle relaxants
* Once the acute pain subsides, Moist heat applications to relax the muscles
* Physiotherapy for the involved joints & muscles so as to improve strength
* Dietary supplementation - Take adequate potassium rich fruits like bananas, potatoes ,dried fruits etc. Avoid acidic foods & drinks like tomatoes and vinegar.
* Use aroma therapy oils as massage over the affected muscles
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
The disease Rheumatoid arthritis is characterised by "remissions and exacerbations" of symptoms.
There are a few general guidelines to improve your muscle strenght & pain -
* Ice packing over the affected area, which should be applied for about 15 minutes once in 2 hours. This will alleviate your pain.
* judicious use of analgesics & muscle relaxants
* Once the acute pain subsides, Moist heat applications to relax the muscles
* Physiotherapy for the involved joints & muscles so as to improve strength
* Dietary supplementation - Take adequate potassium rich fruits like bananas, potatoes ,dried fruits etc. Avoid acidic foods & drinks like tomatoes and vinegar.
* Use aroma therapy oils as massage over the affected muscles
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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