RA Symptoms and Treatment Options?

[Guest guest]

My name is Jay, I own a small business and am an EMT serving on a

volunteer ambulance service.

I just joined this group tonight. I am 55 years old and apparently

have developed rheumatioid arthritis.

Two months ago I started having pain in my feet, them my shoulders.

Next my knees, wrists and hands started hurting. Four weeks ago I

went to the ER and found my RA Factor was 113. A week later it was

118. It is now 164.

I was prescribed Vicadin and Motrin 800 Mg. A consult appointment

with a Rhuemitologist is scheduled for Aug 27th. In the mean time my

Dr. is going to start me on Methotrexate and Plaquenil.

I hurt 24/7 and I am scared. I have a hundred questions, but will

just let this be my introduction to all of you. I will read what you

say and try to educate myself on this debilitating disease. No, I do

need a question answered by someone. Does the pain ever stop?

I hurt so much it even wakes me up. I haven't had a full nights sleep

in 6 weeks. I get so stiff I need help getting dressed sometimes. I

can hardly wash my own hair and feet, Sometimes I can't even scratch

an itch.

I've been told that these symptoms are worse at first and will get

better. Is this true? and if so about how long before the pain

lessens?

Any answers and information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jay

[Guest guest]

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

From: Jay Bishop <jbird_2000@...>

Sent: 05/09/03 02:34 AM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: RA Symptoms and Treatment Options?

Jay,

Start a pain diary and document how you feel and how much you sleep. It will

help the rheumy when you see her/him. Also, you should be able to get some

medicine to help you sleep. Alot of us are on meds for sleep. Good luck and

hang on - help is coming soon.

Lynette

My name is Jay, I own a small business and am an EMT serving on a

volunteer ambulance service.

I just joined this group tonight. I am 55 years old and apparently

have developed rheumatioid arthritis.

Two months ago I started having pain in my feet, them my shoulders.

Next my knees, wrists and hands started hurting. Four weeks ago I

went to the ER and found my RA Factor was 113. A week later it was

118. It is now 164.

I was prescribed Vicadin and Motrin 800 Mg. A consult appointment

with a Rhuemitologist is scheduled for Aug 27th. In the mean time my

Dr. is going to start me on Methotrexate and Plaquenil.

I hurt 24/7 and I am scared. I have a hundred questions, but will

just let this be my introduction to all of you. I will read what you

say and try to educate myself on this debilitating disease. No, I do

need a question answered by someone. Does the pain ever stop?

I hurt so much it even wakes me up. I haven't had a full nights sleep

in 6 weeks. I get so stiff I need help getting dressed sometimes. I

can hardly wash my own hair and feet, Sometimes I can't even scratch

an itch.

I've been told that these symptoms are worse at first and will get

better. Is this true? and if so about how long before the pain

lessens?

Any answers and information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jay

[Guest guest]

Hi Jay

Just wanted to let you know that the pain will lessen once your Dr finds the right medication for you and it kicks in. I had twelve months like you are going through now. Joint and muscular pain kept me from sleeping, I couldn't get dressed without assistance, not to mention the trouble I had getting dressed after going to the toilet! When my pain was bad, I found it a debilitating, demoralising disease. It scared me too.

The medication does help once it gets into your system. In my case, like I said before, it was twelve months before I was diagnosed, but I was then put on Salazopyrin, Naprosyn and Prednisone. The first two took a month or so to get into my system, but the Prednisone made a dramatic improvement within days! Your Dr and/or Rheumatologist will need to find the medications that will work for you.

You will find lots of caring people who will offer support, love, 'gentle hugs', and prayers within this group.

God bless

Deb

-----Original Message-----From: Jay Bishop [mailto:jbird_2000@...] Sent: Friday, 9 May 2003 4:35 PMRheumatoid Arthritis Subject: RA Symptoms and Treatment Options?My name is Jay, I own a small business and am an EMT serving on a volunteer ambulance service.I just joined this group tonight. I am 55 years old and apparently have developed rheumatioid arthritis.Two months ago I started having pain in my feet, them my shoulders. Next my knees, wrists and hands started hurting. Four weeks ago I went to the ER and found my RA Factor was 113. A week later it was 118. It is now 164. I was prescribed Vicadin and Motrin 800 Mg. A consult appointment with a Rhuemitologist is scheduled for Aug 27th. In the mean time my Dr. is going to start me on Methotrexate and Plaquenil.I hurt 24/7 and I am scared. I have a hundred questions, but will just let this be my introduction to all of you. I will read what you say and try to educate myself on this debilitating disease. No, I do need a question answered by someone. Does the pain ever stop?I hurt so much it even wakes me up. I haven't had a full nights sleep in 6 weeks. I get so stiff I need help getting dressed sometimes. I can hardly wash my own hair and feet, Sometimes I can't even scratch an itch.I've been told that these symptoms are worse at first and will get better. Is this true? and if so about how long before the pain lessens?Any answers and information will be greatly appreciated.Thanks, Jay