About Dr. Tatiana Yatsenko, PharmD Expertise I can provide very useful information on a variety of different topics, however, my specialty lies in Home Infusion Therapy.
1. Nutrition therapies: parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition and hydration.
2. Anti-infectives (antibiotics)
3. Chemotherapy
4. Pain management and miscellaneous therapies
Experience Initially, I worked as a pharmacy technician while doing undergraduate work. I then went on to receive my Doctor of Pharmacy degree and now specialize in Home Infusion Pharmacy.
Education/Credentials Biochemistry (University of California Riverside)
Doctor of Pharmacy (Western University of Health Sciences)
Question I am active duty military and I have recently been told that I either have Rheumatoid arthritis or bursitis. I see a specialsts on the 22 of May, but in the mean time the military Dr's will not help me to control the pain I am in. I don't know what to do.
Answer Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for your question. May 22nd is just around the corner. Hang in there. To date, the goal of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis is to reduce joint inflammation and pain, maximize joint function, and prevent joint destruction and deformity. Early medical intervention has been shown to be important in improving outcomes. Optimal treatment for the disease involves a combination of medications, rest, joint strengthening exercises, joint protection, and patient (and family) education. Aggressive management can improve function, stop damage to joints as seen on x-rays, and prevent work disability.
Two classes of medications are used in treating rheumatoid arthritis: fast-acting "first-line drugs" and slow-acting "second-line drugs" (also referred to as Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs or DMARDs). The first-line drugs, such as aspirin and cortisone (corticosteroids), are used to reduce pain and inflammation. The slow-acting second-line drugs, such as gold, methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) promote disease remission and prevent progressive joint destruction, but they are not anti-inflammatory agents.
However, for the above, you would need a prescription. In the mean time, why don't you try ibuprofen (motril, advil)? The over the counter dose is 200mg, which usually is a pain, fever reducer. However, to get the anti-inflammatory effects of ibuprofen, the dose is 600-800mg (prescription) three times daily. Make sure you take the ibuprofen with meals, milk...it is hard on the stomach. You could also try adding on some tylenol (acetaminophen) to the ibuprofen to help with some of the pain until you see the specialist.
Treatment for bursitis is usually simple and includes resting and immobilizing the affected area, applying ice to reduce swelling and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. With simple self-care and home treatment, bursitis usually disappears within a week or two.
Sometimes, your doctor may recommend physical therapy or exercises to strengthen the muscles in the area. Additionally, your doctor may inject a corticosteroid drug into the bursa to relieve inflammation. This treatment generally brings immediate relief and, in many cases, one injection is all you'll need.
So, in both cases, ibuprofen would be the best pain reliever for you at this point. The best of luck to you!
If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.
Dr Tatiana
