I Have Severe RA & A Question To Ask

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone. My name is Barbara. I'm 41 years old. I was diagnosed

with RA 6 years ago (I still work full time). My RA is severe. I

have good days & bad days.

I take Plaquenil, Methotrexate, Naprosyn, Darvocet, Medrol & Folic

Acid. So far, that combo seems to be working & I haven't had any

major side affects from the medication. My rheumatologist is

considering adding Remicade because the xrays of my wrists show

arthritic erosion, so he wants me to get them xrayed every 6 months

to watch for any changes. Right away I thought...oh great, more

medication.

I see the commercials on tv for various RA meds showing people who

have severe RA & couldn't do " anything " before taking the advertised

medication. They took this miracle drug & now they can go water

skiing and get on their knees to do gardening. First of all, water

skiing is out of the question for me as I cannot swim. If I could do

that before my RA diagnosis, I definitely could not do that now &

would probably end up at the local E/R from excruciating pain in

every joint of my body. I cannot get on my knees with my RA, so I

cannot imagine one with severe RA able to do gardening on their knees

& to be out in the direct sunlight for an extended time period.

When I go to church, I cannot kneel to pray so I position myself on

the edge of the pew to " kneel " as best as I can. Of course I am

speaking from my own experience with my severe RA. Is it me or does

it seem like the people in these commercials advertising these

(expensive) RA drugs that the activities they're able to do since

taking that medication are somewhat unrealistic?

If anyone here is on the combo of Methotrexate & Remicade, please let

me know how that is working for you. I would appreciate any advice.

Best wishes to all of you for a pain free day,

Barbara

email: ash_belle@...