new to RA

[Guest guest]

I read a quote today: " Treat the patient not the lab tests. " and I think that

sort of sums up how I feel about my rheumy. Because my R.A. factor has been LOW

and not risen, I feel like he is blowing me off about the nausea and the

diagnosis in general. I live in a small town but doing some searches this

weekend for another doc. I asked how high a R.A. factor number has to be and he

replied: " If it is a 3 digit number it gets my attention. " Grrrr!

[ ] Re: New to RA

I didn't have bad nausea with Mtx (though I have ceratinly heard

about other people who have) it just made me very sick, like I had

the flu. The good news was that at least for me, these symptoms

_have_ improved with time. I still get pretty tired for the first

day or so after I take my shot, but I try to rest up, and even if I

can't, I _can_ push myself through it. In the beginning, especially

with the pills, I was actually bedridden for 24 hours) I've heard

this from other people too, that the side effects seem to let up

with time.

> > Hi Tim,

> >

> > Plaquenil is one of the first meds often tried on people with

RA,

> > because it has fewer potential serious side effects than others.

> If

> > it works for you, that's great! I had unacceptable intestinal

> > problems with it, so was on it for too short a time to know

> whether it

> > would have done any good or not. I have a family friend, though,

> who

> > is on Plaquenil and nothing else for her RA, and it has kept her

> going

> > and in good shape for years.

> >

> >

> >

> > --- In @gro ups.com, " Tim " <imhogwild0304@ >

wrote:

> > >

> > > Im 32 years old. Recently diagnosed with ra. Im on plaquinel,

> does

> > > anyone have any experience with this medication? Thanks

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------ --------- --------- ---

> > Check out the all-new beta - Fire up a more powerful

> email and get things done faster.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

No, they happened after I took the pills the first (and every)

time. Those symptoms got much better when we switched to the

injectable, but it was still at least a month or two more that I

wasn't laid pretty low for 24 hours after each shot. But at least I

wasn't in bed, shaking with chills.<g> As I said, though, over

time, the side effects did subside to a level that I can live with

them.

> > > > >

> > > > > Im 32 years old. Recently diagnosed with ra. Im on

plaquinel,

> > > does

> > > > > anyone have any experience with this medication? Thanks

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > ------------ --------- --------- ---

> > > > Check out the all-new beta - Fire up a more

> powerful

> > > email and get things done faster.

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Hang in there. The first few weeks are the worst. It's normal to be

overwhelmed and frightened. I'm on Enbrel and I'm switching from prednisone to

dexamethasone to try to help get pregnant. Once you find a good rheumatologist

that you trust and the meds kick in, life gets a lot better. This is a

wonderful group. The members are positive and supportive, and posts the

latest research studies. There's every reason for hope, hugs, Kate F

covenantsis <covenantsis@...> wrote: I just got diagnosed with RA

and was wondering if the medication takes

away the pain. What really works? I am on Celebrex twice a day and

have taken MTX for 2 weeks.

Thanks

---------------------------------

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Try the free Beta.

[Guest guest]

My name is Jo Nell (both go together) I am 60. I have been seeing a

rheumatologist for about 22 years. I have fibro, osteo, osteoporoses

and degenerative disc disease. This past December I was diagnosed with

RA. My doctor put me on 50 mg 1 per week injection I give myself. I

have had numerous infections. If I go odd enbrel I start hurting

really bad, but I am so scared of the side effects. I have decided I

have to stay on the Enbrel regardless of the risk. I had L 4 disc

surgery in Oct 06, then 5 weeks later had a car wreck and fractured my

L1 veterbra and had vertabroplasti on it. This may have brought on the

RA. My RA had not been checked in 2 yrs, I may have had it for a while.

In my blood work the normal range is 0 to 13. Mine was 2100. My doctor

said it couldnt get much worse.

I want to know if any of you are scared of the medication you are

taking.

Thanks for listning to me.

Jo Nell

[Guest guest]

-

Right now she has me on Celebrex, I have had 2 steriod shots and for

pain she has me on Lyrica at night and acuflex (which hasnt worked)

during the day. I set and type all day which is already getting

difficult. She told me if the celebrex did not work to stop taking

it. I have stopped and cant tell the difference. When I was there

Monday, I asked her if she was giving me anything to prevent the

progression of the disease and she told me no. She is waiting on my

tests results regarding my heart. What worries me, I dont have

another apt for 6 more weeks. As fast as this is progressing, I will

be bedridden by then. Or at least that is how I feel at this point.

-- In , Rita Wages <rita.wages@...> wrote:

>

> mine started around44. i am now 53. in 2003 i was put on

disability. it affects every joint in my body. meds help but do not

cure. there is no remission you have it every day. dont give up

hope meds will help you tolerate it. be agressive in treatment. if

offered biologic drugs take up on them quickly. i am on humira and

wish it had been available when i was first diagnosed. i was a court

administrator and had to give it up. it hurts inside and

out,mentally and physically, i hate looking at my body. i don't even

recognize it. find a good dr and tell them everything and push them

for the correct treatment. rita

>

>

>

> [ ] New to RA

>

> I have only been diagnosed for 6 week. I have had symptoms for

quite

> sometime. It has progressed so rapidly since january I am really

> worried. I feel like noone understands. I went to my Rdoc on

monday,

> she told me that my xrays do not look like a 42 year old woman. It

has

> now affected my back, hands,wrist, feet,ankles and now starting in

my

> knees and elbows. She found 2 spots on my aurto viewing the xray.

She

> ran a blood test for heart disease and now I have an apt to get an

> ultra sound on my stomach on Monday. I am tired. I hurt, not so

much an

> unbearable pain, but a constant pain. I have been having burning in

my

> elbow all morning. Am I headed right towards becoming disabled ??

Is

> this all real ?

>

>

>

>

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

______________

> You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of

Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.

> http://tc.deals./tc/blockbuster/text5.com

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have only been diagnosed for 6 week. I have had symptoms for quite

sometime. It has progressed so rapidly since january I am really

worried. I feel like noone understands. I went to my Rdoc on monday,

she told me that my xrays do not look like a 42 year old woman. It has

now affected my back, hands,wrist,feet,ankles and now starting in my

knees and elbows. She found 2 spots on my aurto viewing the xray. She

ran a blood test for heart disease and now I have an apt to get an

ultra sound on my stomach on Monday. I am tired. I hurt, not so much

an

unbearable pain, but a constant pain. I have been having burning in my

elbow all morning. Am I headed right towards becoming disabled ?? Is

this all real ?

-

-- In , Rita Wages <rita.wages@...> wrote:

>

> mine started around44. i am now 53. in 2003 i was put on

disability. it affects every joint in my body. meds help but do not

cure. there is no remission you have it every day. dont give up

hope meds will help you tolerate it. be agressive in treatment. if

offered biologic drugs take up on them quickly. i am on humira and

wish it had been available when i was first diagnosed. i was a court

administrator and had to give it up. it hurts inside and

out,mentally and physically, i hate looking at my body. i don't even

recognize it. find a good dr and tell them everything and push them

for the correct treatment. rita

>

>

>

> [ ] New to RA

>

> I have only been diagnosed for 6 week. I have had symptoms for

quite

> sometime. It has progressed so rapidly since january I am really

> worried. I feel like noone understands. I went to my Rdoc on

monday,

> she told me that my xrays do not look like a 42 year old woman. It

has

> now affected my back, hands,wrist, feet,ankles and now starting in

my

> knees and elbows. She found 2 spots on my aurto viewing the xray.

She

> ran a blood test for heart disease and now I have an apt to get an

> ultra sound on my stomach on Monday. I am tired. I hurt, not so

much an

> unbearable pain, but a constant pain. I have been having burning in

my

> elbow all morning. Am I headed right towards becoming disabled ??

Is

> this all real ?

>

>

>

>

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

______________

> You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of

Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.

> http://tc.deals./tc/blockbuster/text5.com

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi amber, you are starting to SOUND like me & we cant have that!!! no way, no

how are we going to let that HAPPEN cuz our LORD & SAVIOR WILL not allow that..

BE STRONG & i will PRAY for you as i do with others who ask for prayers!!! no

its not heredity, thats what i was told when i found out when i was pregnant

with alyssa... i saw a genetist & they asked all kinds of questions about

illnesses that ran in my family & we went from there.. im BLESSED TO SAY i have

a PERFECTLY HEALTHY DAUGHTER,ALYSSA. im not going to lie though theres always a

lil piece of me that still worries!!! god bless, melyndagamez 4/3/08 11:18a.m.

central time

Re: [ ] New to RA

hon I have the same fears, if this thing has come back again with this bad

of a flare then what is it doing to my joints? u know. I have 5 children to

care for and I want to be able to walk down the church isle when they get

married, be able to hold a grandchild without my hands falling apart........the

long term has really scared me into getting help. I do not want to be like my

great grand mother (I just found out about this) who was bedbound, contracted

with her arms across her chest and legs drawn up from rheumatoid arthritis (is

it hereditary??) I want to be able to do things, I do not expect to run

marathons but at least be mobile.

amber

**************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides.

(http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016)

[Guest guest]

I just want some energy...I am tired and Im getting to where I feel sick all day

long...I keep on going...thats all we can do.

---------------------------------

You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total

Access, No Cost.

[Guest guest]

WELCOME KELLY!!! hi i HOPE you will find comfort in this group & find what you

are seeking... im 38 yrs.old & have severe ra,osteo,neuropathy, & last but not

least depression! i understand how you feel & yes it can be hard but you have to

keep going if you can. i recently felt the same way but i HAVE CHANGED some

things in my LIFE,now im where i want to be & feel.... good luck & i HOPE you

feel BETTER soon! god bless, melyndagamez 4/3/08 7:40p.m. central time

[ ] Re: New to RA

I just want some energy...I am tired and Im getting to where I feel sick all day

long...I keep on going...thats all we can do.

---------------------------------

You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total

Access, No Cost.