Question
Hi. I am thirty eight a female and I have been experiencing a great deal of hand pain, swollen hands, painful knees, ankles, toe joints and elbows. Years ago I was seeing a rheumatologist who was treating me symptomatically for lupus symptoms for my ana at that time was normal, but I had symptoms. I since then moved and around two years ago was put on high blood pressure medicine tenormin which I was taken off of for the reaction I had in my lungs. Then I was put on diltiazem or the generic brand which is cartia xl 240 mil. I was also put on verapamil but went back to the diltiazem. My question is this. Could the diltiazem after taking it for around a year be causing arthritic symptoms. The hand pain is awful and the joint pain tremendous. I started with the hand pain around a year ago and now the pain is bad and my mobility and the way I feel is not right. I saw an article about certain meds causing reactions and was curious as to your input on that. I do take 200 mil. of motrin around three times a day or more, tried viox but the pain is there. I do hope I did not make this too long of a n inquiry. I thank you. Nancy

Answer
Nancy,

Sorry to hear what you are going through.

I looked through my medical resources and do not see anywhere that diltiazem can cause joint pain or inflammation.

It is time for you to see a Rheumatologist again. It is important to know exactly what is causing these symptoms so that a proper treatment can be established. I say this because what you are doing now is very dangerous for your health. Motrin can be very dangerous for your health. It is safe to take occasionally but taken three times a day over time can cause dangerous side effects. Thousands of people die every year from Ibuprofen the ingredient in Motrin. The new prescription anti-inflammatory drugs are much safer to take.

I wish you good health

Rusty