Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment for Type 1

[Jan B]

I have looked into this a lot, and now I feel I know nothing. I can't find any good info about treating RA when you have Type 1 diabetes.

I hadn't had any flares for so long, well, until today. It hurts very much to type now. I'm having shooting pain down both wrists and the nodules on my wrists below the little fingers are huge and burning and hot to the touch. All this extra stiffening, then shooting pain started last night, then got much worse after I cleaned the pool today. I try to stay very active, but I'm paying for it big time! My wrists are cracking with every movement and I feel like a big baby. Anyway, I've been in denial for a while that I truly have RA. My ANA has gone from 1:80 to 1:160 to 1:320 in the last 3 years and I've got symetrical pain on both hands, fingers and wrists. My mom has RA, so I'm familiar with what it does. I tested negative for RF (rheumatoid factor), but about 30% with RA do test negative.

My question I guess, is do any of you have this or know much about it, and how do you treat it? My doctor has only given me naproxen and agrees with me that Humira or other RA treatments aren't very good for diabetics. He wants to stall until I get worse (?) Every ad you see on TV tells you to get treatment as soon as the symptoms of RA come on in order to prevent faster, irreparable joint damage. My hands already look nodular and hurt all the time. Now my wrists are getting all bony and nodular looking.

I feel wimpy . . . any help out there?!! Any comments or ideas or suggestions accepted!!

[eg208]

I think your doctor is right another medication may bad for your diabetes, you should combine your treatment with nondrug treatment (ex. Physical therapy, Hydrotherapy, Relaxation therapy. etc)

[Erin]

I think some of the newer injectable drugs can be bad with the d, but what about the older NSAID's? Personally I'm on Mobic and Sulfasalazine to treat serum - RA, which it sounds like you've got. I would change doctors if your doctor is uncomfortable with a more aggressive treatment plan. You don't want to destroy your joints while waiting for the RA to get worse. I find the Sulfasalazine is amazing. It isn't a pain killer, but really decreases the swelling in my joints and makes moving much easier.

Controlling the RA is just as important as controlling the D IMHO. My arthritis effects primarily the larger joints in my legs (ankle, sub-taylor, and knee) and I walked 8 miles this weekend. I wouldn't trade that mobility for anything. I take the lowest therapeutic dose of both meds, and reduce it myself when flare ups go down, much like I change my insulin doses to accommodate changes in food and activity. that way both my doctor and I are confident that I'm avoiding unnecessary risk.