My experience with arthritis

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Here are my 2 cents on RA.

My sister has been suffering from RA for about 5 months and when I took her to a rheumatologist, he said that swelling in any joint is a VERY dangerous thing and it can SERIOUSLY effect one's joints in the long run. My sister had swelling in her fingers and in her ankle joints. First he prescribed oral steroids but after some days he said that she should take steroids through IV because its more effective and quick in action. So ALWAYS remember that steroids through IV is more effective and quick in action but very expensive(at least in my country, I am not sure about US and Europe). Oral steroids is slow in action but cheaper than IV.

My sister was admitted in hospital for 3 days and she took steroids through IV and now she is much better. Her swelling has improved.

When I asked the doctor about exercise etc, he said that first she should get away with swelling and then she should do exercise. He also said that if some patient is suffering from acute pains, its difficult for him to do some exercise. So those of you who can manage it, plz DO EXERCISE before its late.

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About medication, hope you all know that swelling in join takes place because our immune system wrongly takes normal cells as diseased cells and starts "fighting" with those. Methotrexate is immune-suppressent i-e it tries to reduce the activity of our immune system.

Ask your rematologist about some other more strong immune suppressent because its actually the "immune system" which causes swelling (and perhaps pain)

GOD bless you all,

Hassan

[Guest guest]

I congratulate you for being concerned about your sister and trying to help. I also appreciate your sharing your information with us. Steroids are generally a lot faster than other medications for RA but they do not actually slow down or stop permanent joint damage. For that you need a Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (DMARD). Here is a web site with a lot of general information about many drugs used in treating RA. http://www.arthritisinsight.com/medical/meds/ . Good luck to your sister and God bless both you and your sister.

----- Original Message -----

From: Hassan Rahman

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2003 6:08 AM

Subject: My experience with arthritis

Hi all,

Here are my 2 cents on RA.

My sister has been suffering from RA for about 5 months and when I took her to a rheumatologist, he said that swelling in any joint is a VERY dangerous thing and it can SERIOUSLY effect one's joints in the long run. My sister had swelling in her fingers and in her ankle joints. First he prescribed oral steroids but after some days he said that she should take steroids through IV because its more effective and quick in action. So ALWAYS remember that steroids through IV is more effective and quick in action but very expensive(at least in my country, I am not sure about US and Europe). Oral steroids is slow in action but cheaper than IV.

My sister was admitted in hospital for 3 days and she took steroids through IV and now she is much better. Her swelling has improved.

When I asked the doctor about exercise etc, he said that first she should get away with swelling and then she should do exercise. He also said that if some patient is suffering from acute pains, its difficult for him to do some exercise. So those of you who can manage it, plz DO EXERCISE before its late.

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

About medication, hope you all know that swelling in join takes place because our immune system wrongly takes normal cells as diseased cells and starts "fighting" with those. Methotrexate is immune-suppressent i-e it tries to reduce the activity of our immune system.

Ask your rematologist about some other more strong immune suppressent because its actually the "immune system" which causes swelling (and perhaps pain)

GOD bless you all,

Hassan