Guest guest Posted January 11, 2003 Report Share Posted January 11, 2003 Hi to you all. I am Cecilia, Italian, living in Italy (Florence). I am 46 and has been diagnosed with RA almost 4 years ago. I am married, mother of 4 (3 still at home; 2 of them still very young) and have a very demanding job (that I like so much and that is my main help in coping with my arthritis, keeping high my self exteem and my levels of activity). I am currently under cortisone (5 mg every day), Methotrexate (1 shot, 10 mg, once a week), folic acid, Vioxx. In the first year of my desease I was treated also by intrivenous cortisone (1 gr. once a month). Then I shifted to remicade and had a great improvement. Unfortunately Remicade is only an hospital treatment here in Italy and because of money restictions from the Gocverment to our National Health Service, it is not still avaible. My RA is very active and heavy. I have developed also a low stage of osthoporosis because of the cortisone (not already in menopause, though). And deformities in both my anckles becaise of synouvial liquid retentions. I am now waiting for a new hosptalization, in search of a new treatment: the doctors speak of a star with cortisone intravenous and then Anti TNP. Is it much different from Remicade? Any side effects? What can I do about the swollen anckels because of the liquid retentions? I have had also a story of cysts full of liquid in my knees (following a severe Arthritis flare) that then broke and the liquid invaded all my leg. Is it possible to perform anything to prevet that fact? Thank you for your help. Thake care Cecilia (I apologize for my bad English). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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