RA

[Guest guest]

i have RA for the past 16 years now, the first 10 years i had a job,

that was so hard on my joints,sometimes i came home crying because i

was in so much pain.

I have ben taking Methotraxate for about 6 yrs, and it was the best

medication, at all had no side effects whatsoever, but i think the

medicine is wearing off, because i have so much flareups now.

In 2007 bevore christmas i was put on Orencia, got preasurred in ,

Had so many side effcts, but the Dr just ignored them all untill right

before christmas i had to go to the hospithal 2x with Pneumonia,

the problems i had, was with my knees, she told me the medication would

help, what it did not at all it just got worse, But you never complain

to a Dr, because the know it all. I stopped going to her.and found

another one, so far i dont see any results, exept when he gives me

cortisone shots.I am so depressed, sometimes i think to just end it all,

[Guest guest]

I’m sorry that your troubles have

returned and your first doctor was so unkind and not helpful. There are many

other medications that might help you and some of the less expensive ones may

work well for you. Plaquenil and Sulfasalazine come to mind as possibilities

in addition to the Methotrexate. Also there are several other biologics

besides Orencia that may give you good help. Also some people do well on

antibiotic therapy with Minocycline or a related medicine. I hope you keep

trying and your new doctor is able to get you relief. God bless.

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of Marika

Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 5:02

PM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: RA

i have RA for the past 16 years now, the first 10

years i had a job,

that was so hard on my joints,sometimes i came home crying because i

was in so much pain.

I have ben taking Methotraxate for about 6 yrs, and it was the best

medication, at all had no side effects whatsoever, but i think the

medicine is wearing off, because i have so much flareups now.

In 2007 bevore christmas i was put on Orencia, got preasurred in ,

Had so many side effcts, but the Dr just ignored them all untill right

before christmas i had to go to the hospithal 2x with Pneumonia,

the problems i had, was with my knees, she told me the medication would

help, what it did not at all it just got worse, But you never complain

to a Dr, because the know it all. I stopped going to her.and found

another one, so far i dont see any results, exept when he gives me

cortisone shots.I am so depressed, sometimes i think to just end it all,

[Guest guest]

Dear - MTX modifies the disease but it only slows the RA cells down, it doesnt prevent the process. A strong biologic should work. I have been on Remicade via IV infusion since 2000 without side effect and in conjunction with MTX. It is given via 2 -3 hour infusion. It has not stopped working for me and I am grateful. Now of course I have debilitating fatigue and fibro but you learn to live with them as best you can. If you havent been on a TNF blocking agent you should consider it. If Orencia was giving you side effects then it isnt the right med for you. There is also rituxan which is a B-Cell Blocker. There is a whole other world when you are in pain and it affects everything. Be sure to stop the inflammation with a biologic and the pain will subside on its own. Remicade has different results. Many feel nothing but some feel energized or hyper for a day or fatigued. It works through the intestines since it was originally made for crohnes disease. If your RD has a god complex, or you cant get your needs met find another RD. Tell them your concerns. You can just simply say that you want to address and control your disease as quickly and effectively as possible. Tell him what is or is not working. Call your local RA chapter office www.arthritisfoundation.org to find a meeting in your area. There support is wonderful. Remember that most RD's are overworked and only have 10 or 15 minutes to devote to you. Make notes and try to get your point across quickly. I have had RA since 1994. I was as aggressive with it as it was with me and though some days I am laid low with fatigue and fibro, the Biologic is still working. I live rather like a hermit because I dont risk being around people. My immune system is low so I eat a good healthy diet and do only what I can which somedays may be just a shower. Sounds like you need to be on an anti depressant. I would recommend Naltrexone. It is being used with great results in RA patients. It is a beta endorphin so once your pain is relieved and your disease is managed you can focus on your mental health. Its all related. Dont think it isnt. Pain causes depression. Keep fighting. This is the only life you get. Work on getting your quality of life better then all else will fall into place. Email any time. Deborah

On Thu, May 29, 2008 at 9:02 PM, Marika <tobytoby99350@...> wrote:

i have RA for the past 16 years now, the first 10 years i had a job, that was so hard on my joints,sometimes i came home crying because i was in so much pain.I have ben taking Methotraxate for about 6 yrs, and it was the best

medication, at all had no side effects whatsoever, but i think the medicine is wearing off, because i have so much flareups now.In 2007 bevore christmas i was put on Orencia, got preasurred in ,Had so many side effcts, but the Dr just ignored them all untill right

before christmas i had to go to the hospithal 2x with Pneumonia,the problems i had, was with my knees, she told me the medication would help, what it did not at all it just got worse, But you never complain to a Dr, because the know it all. I stopped going to her.and found

another one, so far i dont see any results, exept when he gives me cortisone shots.I am so depressed, sometimes i think to just end it all,