new member

[Guest guest]

hi pam amen i here ya i know the feeling it isnt in our head lol my best to

ya peace be with you. opps im cindy nice to meet ya

[Guest guest]

Hi guys,

I wanted to introduce myself. I will be lurking and reading.

I personally do not have RA but have a best friend that is greatly

suffering. When I spoke with her yesterday, she said that the new

medicine she was taking (that has helped her so much) - Methotrexate

- was making her liver values soar into dangerous levels. I am very

concerned about this. Unfortunately, lives " off the grid "

here in New Mexico and this is why I am joining this list instead of

her. I am hoping for anecdotal advice and alternatives and

options for her. I have been reading all your posts since yesterday

and am enjoying learning. It is interesting that you guys are saying

the same things says to me. I wish she could talk to you. I

think it helps very much to discuss these types of things with people

that truly understand. I am hoping that she might set up an e-mail

account and go to one of the cyber cafes we have here in town and

join this list.

If there are any websites that you guys have that I could print out

for her, I'd really appreciate it. I have already passed on some of

the information to her that I learned yesterday. We were just

talking about how she doesn't sleep and how that stress contributes

to the progression of the disease and, already, I have found answers

to this on this list.

Thanks so much.

Vee

VeeAlva

Taos Kennels

New Mexico Canine Rescue and Safeguard, Inc.

505.758.9228

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Vee!

It's very kind of you to try to help your friend in this way. I wish she

could be here, too.

Usually there is no cause for great alarm unless the liver enzymes are

more than 2 -3 times the upper limit of normal. Here's a good article on

the interpretation of liver function tests:

From Postgraduate Medicine, " Abnormal findings on liver function tests:

Interpreting results to narrow the diagnosis and establish a prognosis " :

http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2000/02_00/gopal.htm

Is your friend taking folic acid along with her methotrexate? If so, how

much?

I refer you to a's Web site:

http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

a is the list owner and lead moderator and has compiled much useful

information there. The site is temporarily unavailable (site

maintenance), but I'm assuming it will be back up soon.

The Hospital for Special Surgery has an excellent collection of articles

on RA:

http://www.rheumatology.hss.edu/phys/diseaseIndex/ra.asp

HealthTalk.com also has a lot of interesting reading (and listening):

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/index.cfm

s Hopkins on rheumatoid arthritis:

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.som.jhmi.edu/rheumatoid/rheum.html

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Re: New Member

> Hi guys,

>

> I wanted to introduce myself. I will be lurking and reading.

>

> I personally do not have RA but have a best friend that is greatly

> suffering. When I spoke with her yesterday, she said that the new

> medicine she was taking (that has helped her so much) - Methotrexate

> - was making her liver values soar into dangerous levels. I am very

> concerned about this. Unfortunately, lives " off the grid "

> here in New Mexico and this is why I am joining this list instead of

> her. I am hoping for anecdotal advice and alternatives and

> options for her. I have been reading all your posts since yesterday

> and am enjoying learning. It is interesting that you guys are saying

> the same things says to me. I wish she could talk to you. I

> think it helps very much to discuss these types of things with people

> that truly understand. I am hoping that she might set up an e-mail

> account and go to one of the cyber cafes we have here in town and

> join this list.

>

> If there are any websites that you guys have that I could print out

> for her, I'd really appreciate it. I have already passed on some of

> the information to her that I learned yesterday. We were just

> talking about how she doesn't sleep and how that stress contributes

> to the progression of the disease and, already, I have found answers

> to this on this list.

>

> Thanks so much.

>

> Vee

> VeeAlva

> Taos Kennels

> New Mexico Canine Rescue and Safeguard, Inc.

> 505.758.9228

[Guest guest]

> Welcome, Vee!

Thanks so much for your reply!

> Is your friend taking folic acid along with her methotrexate? If so,

> how much?

It was just suggested by her doctor and, yes, she has begun this. I

wish doctors would think more " prevention " and less treating issues

after they become a reality.

> a is the list owner and lead moderator and has compiled much

> useful information there. The site is temporarily unavailable (site

> maintenance), but I'm assuming it will be back up soon.

>

Thanks so much for this info. I'm going to go check it out today

and print it out for . You guys are great. This is exactly

the kind of stuff I was looking for. I'm enjoying reading your other

posts, as well. I wish I could be more helpful for everybody but

please know that this is helping somebody that really needs it. Like

you guys have talked about (and I *certainly* can relate to this) the

winter is so hard. It's been brutal here. Our weather has finally

begun warming up and spring is around the corner and with it, hope

springs eternal...haha.

Vee

VeeAlva

Taos Kennels

New Mexico Canine Rescue and Safeguard, Inc.

505.758.9228

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Tammy!

Sorry about your RA diagnosis. Please do call your rheumatologist if you

are having a lot of trouble while tapering.

Hope you like it here.

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] New Member

> Hi everyone,

> I've just joined the group and haven't had a chance to read through

> the old posts yet.

>

> I'm 41 yrs. old and just diagnosed with RA. I'm really not sure

> what to make of it all yet. It seems to have come on quite strongly

> 2months ago. I was put on 30 mg prednisone a few weeks ago which

> helped significantly. I'm in the process of tapering down to 7.5mg

> and not enjoying the relapse of flares. I've also begun taking

> Hydroxycholoquine twice a day. Today is the worst day I've had

> since I began the prednisone! Wrist and ankle today. I don't see

> my rheum. dr. for another 4 weeks! I'll be calling him a lot sooner

> if this keeps up.

>

> I have 2 daughtes ages 3 and 5 and a 15 yr old stepson (and a hubby

> too) and they all keep me busy.

>

> I'm looking forward to reading through the old posts and gaining any

> insight I can.

>

> Tammy

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy, Just want to welcome you to the group, hugs Tawny

--- In , " Tammy " <tammyfredricks@h...>

wrote:

> Hi everyone,

> I've just joined the group and haven't had a chance to read through

> the old posts yet.

>

> I'm 41 yrs. old and just diagnosed with RA. I'm really not sure

> what to make of it all yet. It seems to have come on quite

strongly

> 2months ago. I was put on 30 mg prednisone a few weeks ago which

> helped significantly. I'm in the process of tapering down to 7.5mg

> and not enjoying the relapse of flares. I've also begun taking

> Hydroxycholoquine twice a day. Today is the worst day I've had

> since I began the prednisone! Wrist and ankle today. I don't see

> my rheum. dr. for another 4 weeks! I'll be calling him a lot

sooner

> if this keeps up.

>

> I have 2 daughtes ages 3 and 5 and a 15 yr old stepson (and a hubby

> too) and they all keep me busy.

>

> I'm looking forward to reading through the old posts and gaining

any

> insight I can.

>

> Tammy

[Guest guest]

Welcome Tammy! You will find wonderful people here! They all have given me so

much information, it's just amazing. I am 47 and have 4 children ages 15-21. I

am now taking Humira injections (they really hurt) that seem to be helping. I

still have flareups and fatigue at the moment is my worst problem. I take

Provigil to help with that, I also am on a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. If I

could lose weight I probably would not need the CPAP but at 180 lbs. and 5'4 " I

have a ways to go. Glad you found us!

Becky

[ ] New Member

Hi everyone,

I've just joined the group and haven't had a chance to read through

the old posts yet.

I'm 41 yrs. old and just diagnosed with RA. I'm really not sure

what to make of it all yet. It seems to have come on quite strongly

2months ago. I was put on 30 mg prednisone a few weeks ago which

helped significantly. I'm in the process of tapering down to 7.5mg

and not enjoying the relapse of flares. I've also begun taking

Hydroxycholoquine twice a day. Today is the worst day I've had

since I began the prednisone! Wrist and ankle today. I don't see

my rheum. dr. for another 4 weeks! I'll be calling him a lot sooner

if this keeps up.

I have 2 daughtes ages 3 and 5 and a 15 yr old stepson (and a hubby

too) and they all keep me busy.

I'm looking forward to reading through the old posts and gaining any

insight I can.

Tammy

[Guest guest]

Hi Becky, I am on Humira also, have you tried taking the meds out of

the refridgerator about 20 min. before doing the injection? I also

go slow and it seems to be ok, every once in awhile I will get a

little sting, stop for a sec and then go slow again. Humira was

really helping me along with Methotrexate but had a lung problem and

had to go off Mxt. back on Humira now with Arava and I think it is

working fairly well. I still hate giving myself injections but like

the exercising and eating right, I have no choice.

Hope you are having a pain free day.

in Central Oregon

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

-----------

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, I tried that and everything else. I am just going to have to accept that

it will hurt and know it will only last a short time.

Becky

[ ] Re: New Member

Hi Becky, I am on Humira also, have you tried taking the meds out of

the refridgerator about 20 min. before doing the injection? I also

go slow and it seems to be ok, every once in awhile I will get a

little sting, stop for a sec and then go slow again. Humira was

really helping me along with Methotrexate but had a lung problem and

had to go off Mxt. back on Humira now with Arava and I think it is

working fairly well. I still hate giving myself injections but like

the exercising and eating right, I have no choice.

Hope you are having a pain free day.

in Central Oregon

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

-----------

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy,

Welcome to the group!

Doesn't sound like much fun, taking care of 2 little kids, a teen,

and a husband when you've got RA! I'm a 58-year old grandmother with

a husband who has Parkinson's, a grown daughter with year-old

triplets and a 4-year old, and I have Dercum's Disease, but they let

me into this group anyway LOL. The key word in this group is

Support, and there's plenty to go around, so help yourself!

Judi

[Guest guest]

Support is it for sure! I look so forward to reading the e-mails on this group.

I don't always write but I faithfully read everything.

Does anyone live in the Orlando area? If so, we are going to be there at the

end of June for a lightning survivors conference (my son was struck by lightning

when he was 13, he is now 21) and will be staying at Port Orleans in Disney. I

would love to get together with anyone if possible. I will be renting

wheelchair or scooter while there as I do not have the energy to walk the area.

I probably could walk it more than an hour anyway.

Becky

[ ] Re: New Member

Hi Tammy,

Welcome to the group!

Doesn't sound like much fun, taking care of 2 little kids, a teen,

and a husband when you've got RA! I'm a 58-year old grandmother with

a husband who has Parkinson's, a grown daughter with year-old

triplets and a 4-year old, and I have Dercum's Disease, but they let

me into this group anyway LOL. The key word in this group is

Support, and there's plenty to go around, so help yourself!

Judi

[Guest guest]

Hey Tammy,

Welcome! As I said before to , it's a wonderful feeling to

be here. I, for one, don't feel so awfully alone anymore. That

alone is worths whole lot.

Cheers!

Jutta

[Guest guest]

Welcome . Sorry about your diagnosis. You¹ve come to the right

place to learn about this disease.

We have many members that have had experiences with mtx. I understand your

apprehension to take mtx,

but it is the most widely prescribed drug for RA and is also one of the

oldest drug prescribed for RA. It has been

widely tested and with careful monitoring, any potential problems can be

avoided. It is suggested to get a baseline

Chest x-ray before starting mtx. Regular blood tests will be taken to check

for liver toxicity. Hopefully your doctor

also prescribed folic acid to help with the side effects. I have info on a

website that may help:

http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/drugs.html#mtx

Are you taking it in pill form or injections?

a

> Hello everyone! I am 35 and live in Tulsa, OK. I had been having

> problems for the last few months with my feet.

>

> I just got back from the Rheumatologist and have been diagnosed with

> fast acting Rheumatoid Arthritis. He put me on Bextra and

> Methotrexate. Any input on Methotrexate that anyone has would be

> greatly appreciated. I am a little concerned with what I have read

> so far.

>

> Thanks!

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi. I'm Kelley from OKC!! I have Lupus and RA & Fibro. I've been taking

Methatrexate injections for over a year now. I was taking the pills, but had to

be moved up. For me, Methatrexate has been wonderful. My hands were turning into

twisted roots. So for me, it had helped with the degeneration. I still hurt and

swell, and my fingers and joints are kind of shaped funny, but they are better.

I'm 30

Kelley

[ ] New member

Hello everyone! I am 35 and live in Tulsa, OK. I had been having

problems for the last few months with my feet.

I just got back from the Rheumatologist and have been diagnosed with

fast acting Rheumatoid Arthritis. He put me on Bextra and

Methotrexate. Any input on Methotrexate that anyone has would be

greatly appreciated. I am a little concerned with what I have read

so far.

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I would like to welcome you to the group, sorry about your new dx. I

have never taken Bextra, but have taken MTX. It didn't help me at

all, and my liver enzymes were high so I had to go off of it. I have

heard some people have had great results from it. I have heard the

MTX injections are better then the pills, less side effects.

I am on Humira injections weekly, 5 mg of Prednisone daily, and

Darvocet, Tramadol for pain. I'm also on 40mg of Prozac to deal with

my depression. I live in OKC, and this is a wonderful group, glad

your here, hugs Tawny

> Hello everyone! I am 35 and live in Tulsa, OK. I had been having

> problems for the last few months with my feet.

>

> I just got back from the Rheumatologist and have been diagnosed

with

> fast acting Rheumatoid Arthritis. He put me on Bextra and

> Methotrexate. Any input on Methotrexate that anyone has would be

> greatly appreciated. I am a little concerned with what I have read

> so far.

>

> Thanks!

>

[Guest guest]

a,

Thanks for the info. My doctor did start me on folic acid. He also

did a bunch of baseline blood tests, but no chest xray.

Thank you again. It is nice to know that I am not alone. ya know?

Everything I have read says that depression goes along with this.

My doctor suggested I come here to try and help with it.

Thank you again!

> Welcome . Sorry about your diagnosis. You¹ve come to the

right

> place to learn about this disease.

> We have many members that have had experiences with mtx. I

understand your

> apprehension to take mtx,

> but it is the most widely prescribed drug for RA and is also one

of the

> oldest drug prescribed for RA. It has been

> widely tested and with careful monitoring, any potential problems

can be

> avoided. It is suggested to get a baseline

> Chest x-ray before starting mtx. Regular blood tests will be

taken to check

> for liver toxicity. Hopefully your doctor

> also prescribed folic acid to help with the side effects. I have

info on a

> website that may help:

>

> http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/drugs.html#mtx

>

> Are you taking it in pill form or injections?

>

> a

>

>

>

>

>

> > Hello everyone! I am 35 and live in Tulsa, OK. I had been

having

> > problems for the last few months with my feet.

> >

> > I just got back from the Rheumatologist and have been diagnosed

with

> > fast acting Rheumatoid Arthritis. He put me on Bextra and

> > Methotrexate. Any input on Methotrexate that anyone has would be

> > greatly appreciated. I am a little concerned with what I have

read

> > so far.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Tawny,

Thank you! I am hoping it helps for me. I am just glad to finally

have a diagnosis and be getting help.

> Hi ,

>

> I would like to welcome you to the group, sorry about your new

dx. I

> have never taken Bextra, but have taken MTX. It didn't help me at

> all, and my liver enzymes were high so I had to go off of it. I

have

> heard some people have had great results from it. I have heard

the

> MTX injections are better then the pills, less side effects.

> I am on Humira injections weekly, 5 mg of Prednisone daily, and

> Darvocet, Tramadol for pain. I'm also on 40mg of Prozac to deal

with

> my depression. I live in OKC, and this is a wonderful group, glad

> your here, hugs Tawny

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> --- In , " mskettler " <mskettler@y...>

wrote:

> > Hello everyone! I am 35 and live in Tulsa, OK. I had been

having

> > problems for the last few months with my feet.

> >

> > I just got back from the Rheumatologist and have been diagnosed

> with

> > fast acting Rheumatoid Arthritis. He put me on Bextra and

> > Methotrexate. Any input on Methotrexate that anyone has would

be

> > greatly appreciated. I am a little concerned with what I have

read

> > so far.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

[Guest guest]

Caroline...Have you given any thought to getting a pet and receiving the most

unconditional love of your life? It would be someone for you to talk to and

cuddle with. A pet will not let you feel so alone. Judy

[Guest guest]

Welcome . I am 33 and live in PA. I was diagnosed with RA a

little over a year ago.

One thing about RA is there is no blood test that can say you have it

or you don't have it. RA is diagnosed when many different factors

point to one having RA, typical RA drugs improve the symtoms, and

over a period of time a rheumatologist feels you have it.

There are some very well informed people on this board that might

know what the reference to the antibody means, I am not sure. One

thing that can show up in your blood work is an elevated rheumatoid

factor. This can be one indication that RA is present, but some

people have an elevated RA factor and don't get RA and some with RA

do not have an elevated RA factor.

What are your symptoms? Do you have stiffness in the mornings and

swollen, painful joints? Did he prescribe any medication for you? I

would call back and ask some more questions such as the name of

the " antibody " and the name of the type of arthritis he thinks you

might have. There are many forms of arthritis.

My other suggestion is to get a second opinion. Your doctor does not

seem to be explaining what he thinks you have very clearly, and

another doctor might interpret the results differently.

Jennie

> Hello My name is . I am 30 years old and live in NJ. I

> thought I had fibre for 4 yrs and my new doc did some blood work and

> it showed the arthritis antibody what ever that means. He said its

> very unlikely this can turn into rumitoid. He doubts that the fibro

> is my prob and its the arthritis antibody what does this mean? He

> says this is something that can be controlled symptomatically. Does

> anyone have any ideas on what this means? I have looked online and I

> am not getting anywhere.

>

>

> www.landonfamily.com

[Guest guest]

Welcome . The antibody your doctor was referring to is probably the

Anti-CCP. It is a newer test that helps with the diagnosis of RA. Is your

doctor a rheumatologist? If not, I would highly recommend seeing a

rheumatologist. Here is some info on the test:

http://www.medicinenet.com/citrulline_antibody/article.htm

http://www.healthtalk.com/rheumatoidarthritis/askthedoctor/040504.cfm

I have a lot of information on a website regarding fibro and RA:

http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

What part of NJ are you from? I just moved from there after living there

all my life.

I was in Atlantic County.

a

> Hello My name is . I am 30 years old and live in NJ. I

> thought I had fibre for 4 yrs and my new doc did some blood work and

> it showed the arthritis antibody what ever that means. He said its

> very unlikely this can turn into rumitoid. He doubts that the fibro

> is my prob and its the arthritis antibody what does this mean? He

> says this is something that can be controlled symptomatically. Does

> anyone have any ideas on what this means? I have looked online and I

> am not getting anywhere.

>

>

> www.landonfamily.com

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am very sore not sure if its joints. I get alot of muscle spasms. He

said that is antibody may not turn into the RA so not sure what that means.

I talked to him on the phone yesterday and found this out so I may need to

go in sometime and talk to him more in depth about what he means. He doesn

t think I have fibro but wanted to test me for arthritis and found this

antibody and says that is what causes my pain. I also have a few hurniated

disks.

-- [ ] Re: new member

Welcome . I am 33 and live in PA. I was diagnosed with RA a

little over a year ago.

One thing about RA is there is no blood test that can say you have it

or you don't have it. RA is diagnosed when many different factors

point to one having RA, typical RA drugs improve the symtoms, and

over a period of time a rheumatologist feels you have it.

There are some very well informed people on this board that might

know what the reference to the antibody means, I am not sure. One

thing that can show up in your blood work is an elevated rheumatoid

factor. This can be one indication that RA is present, but some

people have an elevated RA factor and don't get RA and some with RA

do not have an elevated RA factor.

What are your symptoms? Do you have stiffness in the mornings and

swollen, painful joints? Did he prescribe any medication for you? I

would call back and ask some more questions such as the name of

the " antibody " and the name of the type of arthritis he thinks you

might have. There are many forms of arthritis.

My other suggestion is to get a second opinion. Your doctor does not

seem to be explaining what he thinks you have very clearly, and

another doctor might interpret the results differently.

Jennie

> Hello My name is . I am 30 years old and live in NJ. I

> thought I had fibre for 4 yrs and my new doc did some blood work and

> it showed the arthritis antibody what ever that means. He said its

> very unlikely this can turn into rumitoid. He doubts that the fibro

> is my prob and its the arthritis antibody what does this mean? He

> says this is something that can be controlled symptomatically. Does

> anyone have any ideas on what this means? I have looked online and I

> am not getting anywhere.

>

>

> www.landonfamily.com

[Guest guest]

,

I get muscle spasms too - they are a sign of fibromyalgia. I think it would

be a good idea to see a Dr. who is well versed in fibro. There are physical

tests you can do for fibro, as well as lists of symptoms you can check to see if

you have it.

It can be treated, and the treatment is different than for RA.

There are many forms of arthritis. You may not have RA, but you may have

Inflammatory Arthritis, Degenerative Joint Disease, or something else. There

are also tests that just test that amount of inflammation in the body.

Dix

[ ] Re: new member

Welcome . I am 33 and live in PA. I was diagnosed with RA a

little over a year ago.

One thing about RA is there is no blood test that can say you have it

or you don't have it. RA is diagnosed when many different factors

point to one having RA, typical RA drugs improve the symtoms, and

over a period of time a rheumatologist feels you have it.

There are some very well informed people on this board that might

know what the reference to the antibody means, I am not sure. One

thing that can show up in your blood work is an elevated rheumatoid

factor. This can be one indication that RA is present, but some

people have an elevated RA factor and don't get RA and some with RA

do not have an elevated RA factor.

What are your symptoms? Do you have stiffness in the mornings and

swollen, painful joints? Did he prescribe any medication for you? I

would call back and ask some more questions such as the name of

the " antibody " and the name of the type of arthritis he thinks you

might have. There are many forms of arthritis.

My other suggestion is to get a second opinion. Your doctor does not

seem to be explaining what he thinks you have very clearly, and

another doctor might interpret the results differently.

Jennie

> Hello My name is . I am 30 years old and live in NJ. I

> thought I had fibre for 4 yrs and my new doc did some blood work and

> it showed the arthritis antibody what ever that means. He said its

> very unlikely this can turn into rumitoid. He doubts that the fibro

> is my prob and its the arthritis antibody what does this mean? He

> says this is something that can be controlled symptomatically. Does

> anyone have any ideas on what this means? I have looked online and I

> am not getting anywhere.

>

>

> www.landonfamily.com

[Guest guest]

Deanna:

I'm new to the list as well. I'm sorry about your RA and the trouble you've

had.

What has happened with your husband being laid off?

What kind of business was he in? Do you still have health insurance?

I ask partly out of interest in politics. I'm not just being nosy. I write a

political blog and I am always interested in stories about the economy and

people being laid off and the problems with health insurance.

Thanks,

[ ] new member

Hi ya'll. My name is Deanna. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee. I

have a wonderful husband and three children ages 15, 9, and 6. I

work part-time as a Teacher's Asst. in Kindergarten. I joined this

group about a month ago. I am learning so much and receiving

encouragment from the emails. I hope to encourage someone else.

Anyway, this past June 2 is when my RA started. I woke up with a

sore middle finger but it went away. Then a couple days later i got

up to leave the movie theater and could hardly walk(pain on the top

of my right foot). Then during the night the finger pain came back

so bad it couldn't bend it along with knee pain and foot pain. All

were swollen. I went to the doctor that day and they did blood work

and x-rays. From that day I was literally paralized. I crawled to

the bathroom, my husband had to bathe me, feed me dress me(only if I

absolutely had to get dressed!) I couldn't hold anything or even open

a door.

Anyway, the lab and xrays ( I don't know medical terms)showed RA.

They immediately started me on Prednisone and Celebrex plus several

others for the side affects. The md tested me for Lyme Disease, and

anything else that it could be they all came back neg. It only

showed arth.

What's strange to me is the pain slowly went away and I am fully

functional now.(I am not complaining!) i had to come off the Pred.

because it made me feel like I was losing my mind. The only signs of

RA is minor aches in my joints oll over my body. I get tired easier

and have to rest it the afternoons.

I haven't been to see a Rheumy becase the very day I found out about

the RA, my husband was layed off.

Does this experience sound strange to anyone else? Also, I have had

heel pain for about 2 years(was on Bextra) and when the RA came the

heel pain left. I don't know. Also, the md put me on a 1800 calorie

diabetic diet(sugar-free) because my suger was slightly high. I am

just a mess.

Deanna

[Guest guest]

Deanna, I have RA and type 2 diabetes. I much prefer the diabetes,

because there are measures that you can take to control it. You can

exercise and eat healthful foods. I am also on oral medications. Just

remember to limit not only sugar but also starches, mostly the white

foods such as potatoes, rice, pasta, and bread. They turn into sugar

once you eat them. By limiting carbs, I was also able to lose weight,

which also helped my diabetes. Some of us just get multiple diseases,

don't we? Just hang in there, and if you have any questions about

diabetes, feel free to email me privately. Sue

On Thursday, August 5, 2004, at 08:54 AM, mdmjnm wrote:

> Also, the md put me on a 1800 calorie

> diabetic diet(sugar-free) because my suger was slightly high. I am

> just a mess.

[Guest guest]

Darlene,

I would ask to be referred to a rheumatologist, or if your insurance

does not require a referral, just go see one. With an elevated RA

factor and joint pain, you need to be evaluated further by a

specialist. It is difficult to diagnose RA, because there is no one

test to say you have it or to rule it out.

RA is diagnosed by monitoring your blood work, your symptoms and if

you are suspected to have RA, trying some RA drugs and seeing how you

respond. You are best served by having this evaluation done by a

rheumatolgist, as this can be a difficult disease to treat.

Jennie

>

> Hi everyone and thanks for letting me join the group! I'm Darlene,

49 yrs

> old and I am confused. I was diagnosed with Fibro about 12 yrs ago

and in

> the past year have started having joint pain and stiffness in

multiple

> joints. I went to my PCP and he did some labs, including an

arthritis panel.

> He told me at the visit that I have arthritis.

>

> When the labs came back, the RA factor was elevated and the nurse

called to

> tell me but just said there was some inflammation going on and to

keep

> taking my celebrex. I tried to question her but couldn't get any

answer

> other than -- it could be RA and might be something else. No follow

up or

> anything.

>

> I couldn't sleep last night because i kept thinking about it. I

feel like I

> need more info than my doctor is giving me. Do you think I should

go to

> another doctor or should I just sit back and see what develops?

I've heard

> that early treatment improves outcome but maybe it's too early to

make the

> diagnosis. I don't know what to do or think.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Darlene

>

>

>