Re: new meds

[Guest guest]

a,

Both my aunt and one of my closest friends have been on Plaquenil; both stopped

taking it after a couple years. I have refused to take it. It can cause

serious vision and liver problems. My aunt and friend said it helped, but after

they had been on for some time, decided the risk with taking it was greater than

the benefits. My friend was also on gold. She stopped when she found out it

had caused permanent damage to her lungs - she only has 1/3 lung capacity now.

Of course, as we always say, everybody's different and what works for one may

not for another. So this is just about 2 people. One is now on Embrel, the

other on Remicade. There may be some who have found Plaq worked really well for

them.

Whatever you decide, I hope it works well for you.

Jo

[ ] New Meds

Hi all,

I went to my dr yesterday. He took me off the MTX because of the the

intestinal problems(oral and injection)he gave me the choice of Gold

or Plaquenil and Sulfasaline. He is going to wait until my intestinal

problems clear up, hopefully next week. I have chose to use the

plaquenil and Sulfasaline. He will start me on Plaquenil first to see

if I have any problems. Does anyone have any experience with these

meds? He said it would take another 3-6 months to get results.

Thanks

a R

[Guest guest]

Thanks Jo,

This doesnt sound good. My dr didnt tell me that i would need blood

tests with palquenil,or about these risks. He did say that Gold

caused liver and bone marrow problems.

My dr. doesnt want to put me in Enbrel, Remicade or Arava because he

is not sure of the future effects(cancer??) and that my insurance

wouldnt cover it unless i tried the other less expensive meds first.

Is there anyone else out there that has taken Plaquenil??

a R

> a,

> Both my aunt and one of my closest friends have been on Plaquenil;

both stopped taking it after a couple years. I have refused to take

it. It can cause serious vision and liver problems. My aunt and

friend said it helped, but after they had been on for some time,

decided the risk with taking it was greater than the benefits. My

friend was also on gold. She stopped when she found out it had

caused permanent damage to her lungs - she only has 1/3 lung capacity

now.

>

> Of course, as we always say, everybody's different and what works

for one may not for another. So this is just about 2 people. One is

now on Embrel, the other on Remicade. There may be some who have

found Plaq worked really well for them.

> Whatever you decide, I hope it works well for you.

> Jo

> [ ] New Meds

>

>

> Hi all,

> I went to my dr yesterday. He took me off the MTX because of the

the

> intestinal problems(oral and injection)he gave me the choice of

Gold

> or Plaquenil and Sulfasaline. He is going to wait until my

intestinal

> problems clear up, hopefully next week. I have chose to use the

> plaquenil and Sulfasaline. He will start me on Plaquenil first to

see

> if I have any problems. Does anyone have any experience with

these

> meds? He said it would take another 3-6 months to get results.

>

> Thanks

> a R

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

a R,

A lot of people have taken Plaquenil, it is considered to be one of the

" safer " DMARD's. The problem with it was when taken in high dose's it caused

vision problems, therefore it is recommended that you have your eyes checked

twice a year. They gave it to the Vietnam vets in high dose's and it caused

a lot of problems. I'm sure there will be someone come along soon who has

had some experience with it. Tery

[Guest guest]

a, I don't know if you need blood tests with Plaquenil, but I would assume

at some point they would want to check your liver enzymes - but it may be after

several months; he may wait to se if it's helping before he suggests tests. I

hope anyone else who has taken in would write to you; you need more than just

one opinion. Do you belong to any other RA support groups online? If not, let

me know and I will ask for you. Jo

From: a R

Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2001 2:43 PM

Subject: [ ] Re: New Meds

Thanks Jo,

This doesnt sound good. My dr didnt tell me that i would need blood

tests with palquenil,or about these risks. He did say that Gold

caused liver and bone marrow problems.

My dr. doesnt want to put me in Enbrel, Remicade or Arava because he

is not sure of the future effects(cancer??) and that my insurance

wouldnt cover it unless i tried the other less expensive meds first.

Is there anyone else out there that has taken Plaquenil??

a R

> a,

> Both my aunt and one of my closest friends have been on Plaquenil;

both stopped taking it after a couple years. I have refused to take

it. It can cause serious vision and liver problems. My aunt and

friend said it helped, but after they had been on for some time,

decided the risk with taking it was greater than the benefits. My

friend was also on gold. She stopped when she found out it had

caused permanent damage to her lungs - she only has 1/3 lung capacity

now.

>

> Of course, as we always say, everybody's different and what works

for one may not for another. So this is just about 2 people. One is

now on Embrel, the other on Remicade. There may be some who have

found Plaq worked really well for them.

> Whatever you decide, I hope it works well for you.

> Jo

> [ ] New Meds

>

>

> Hi all,

> I went to my dr yesterday. He took me off the MTX because of the

the

> intestinal problems(oral and injection)he gave me the choice of

Gold

> or Plaquenil and Sulfasaline. He is going to wait until my

intestinal

> problems clear up, hopefully next week. I have chose to use the

> plaquenil and Sulfasaline. He will start me on Plaquenil first to

see

> if I have any problems. Does anyone have any experience with

these

> meds? He said it would take another 3-6 months to get results.

>

> Thanks

> a R

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi everyone,

I have had RA for 5 years now and was on sulfasalasine for 2 years it was doing

real good for the first 2 years but then I guess I had a what the dr. said was a

relaps it was like it was doing the opposite of what it was suppose to do. then

he put me on plaquenil and it seemed to help a bit but just wasn't enough. so he

put me on plaquenil and methotrexate pills but that didn't help either so now I

am on metho injections today was my second injection and I learned how to inject

myself it wasn't so bad. I haven't noticed but change yet but maybe soon. dr.

cut my hours down to 3 days a week at work. said he wants me to quit all

together, easy for him to say. half of my pay down the drain. enough of my

whining but it does feel good to vent. i know i wear my husband out talking

about the pain and all, so I Quess it helps him too.

thanks for listening

Tina Holden

[ ] New Meds

Hi all,

I went to my dr yesterday. He took me off the MTX because of the the

intestinal problems(oral and injection)he gave me the choice of Gold

or Plaquenil and Sulfasaline. He is going to wait until my intestinal

problems clear up, hopefully next week. I have chose to use the

plaquenil and Sulfasaline. He will start me on Plaquenil first to see

if I have any problems. Does anyone have any experience with these

meds? He said it would take another 3-6 months to get results.

Thanks

a R

[Guest guest]

Hi a,

I'm currently on Plaquenil and it is working well for me. I do not take blood

tests for this one, but I do have to keep an eye on my eye site. My doctor gave

me a sheet that explained this and showed me how to test my own eyesite to see

if I am starting to have any problems. I was told that if there is a problem,

stopping the plaquenil will reverse it. So far it is my wonder drug.

P

[ ] New Meds

>

>

> Hi all,

> I went to my dr yesterday. He took me off the MTX because of the

the

> intestinal problems(oral and injection)he gave me the choice of

Gold

> or Plaquenil and Sulfasaline. He is going to wait until my

intestinal

> problems clear up, hopefully next week. I have chose to use the

> plaquenil and Sulfasaline. He will start me on Plaquenil first to

see

> if I have any problems. Does anyone have any experience with

these

> meds? He said it would take another 3-6 months to get results.

>

> Thanks

> a R

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

HI I took Plaquenil for the first 4yrs after I was Dxed .My RD stopped me on

it about six months ago as he felt I have enough other meds (which I do) and

to see if I felt a difference after all these years. I got blood work done

every 6 weeks and regular eye exams while on it. And I havent noticed that

much of a difference in the way I feel ...still have pain , still have bad

days..still have an occassional good one...I think it did make a difference

along with MTX the first couple yrs I took it.....Judy in AZ

[Guest guest]

I was on Plaquenil for about 7 years and never had any trouble. I went to my

RA doctor every few months and an ophthalmologist once a year. The eye

doctors I have seen have all assured me the risk was very low for eye

trouble, adding that they personally have seen none associated with the

medication themselves. I've seen 3 different doctors as well.

I only stopped it because my RA doctor felt the RA needed to be under more

control than it was. I was way more concerned about being on MXT reminding

him that it had serious side effects. He reminded me that RA and life itself

has serious side effects. I guess he was right.

Rita

In a message dated 6/26/01 8:39:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

jowicklund@... writes:

<< Both my aunt and one of my closest friends have been on Plaquenil; both

stopped taking it after a couple years. I have refused to take it. It can

cause serious vision and liver problems. >>

[Guest guest]

a R, I took Plaquenil for about 2 months before I saw a difference...and

then my RD added MTX...and I now have been on that for 5 yrs......I am one of

the lucky ones as I dont seem to get the stomach problems or reactions some

get to these meds. I have been taking 15 mg of MTX aweek now for about a

yr.......Long as you get your eyes examined regularly(and this is mainly the

health of your eye as well as vision) and get blood work for liver then you

are doing the right things to watch for side effects.Good luck with it. Judy

in AZ

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the replys, it makes me feel better to know that there

are people out there on Plaquenil and seen good results. My dr. said

it would take 3-6 months to see any relief. How long did it take to

start working for you?

a R

> HI I took Plaquenil for the first 4yrs after I was Dxed .My RD

stopped me on

> it about six months ago as he felt I have enough other meds (which

I do) and

> to see if I felt a difference after all these years. I got blood

work done

> every 6 weeks and regular eye exams while on it. And I havent

noticed that

> much of a difference in the way I feel ...still have pain , still

have bad

> days..still have an occassional good one...I think it did make a

difference

> along with MTX the first couple yrs I took it.....Judy in AZ

[Guest guest]

I have been on plaqueil before and yes the last I knew, I had to do monthly

liver test of somekind.

Aactually it wasn't too bad.

[Guest guest]

Dear Tina-

Go ahead a whine, Let it out as a friend of mine who is a

Psychologists says, Vent, Vent, Vent. Here, at RA Support I

have learned that we are not what I used to call " Sunshine

Friends " we're all friends through the Sunshine or Rainstorm

so VENT it out, you'll feel better. Myself, I'm still trying

to come to grips with my diseases, syndromes, conditions,

Etc., I work also and am really trying to come to terms with

my quickly diminishing physical strength- Each day, It's as

if my right hand has less and less strength and ability to

be functional. It's so hard to " tolerate " being/or becoming,

or for that matter even admitting to myself that I am

powerless over this. I do take pain meds, I take up to 3

Vicodin Extra Strength per day and Advil for pain as needed.

It's not always enough but I get by. Good Luck, and feel

free to vent to me anytime. Liz

[ ] New Meds

>

> Hi all,

> I went to my dr yesterday. He took me off the MTX because

of the the

> intestinal problems(oral and injection)he gave me the

choice of Gold

> or Plaquenil and Sulfasaline. He is going to wait until my

intestinal

> problems clear up, hopefully next week. I have chose to

use the

> plaquenil and Sulfasaline. He will start me on Plaquenil

first to see

> if I have any problems. Does anyone have any experience

with these

> meds? He said it would take another 3-6 months to get

results.

>

> Thanks

> a R

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi a, My name is Liz and I am new to RA Support and am

also new to RA, Fibro, Poly Articular Arthritis, Lupus, All

of which I've been diagnosed with this past January by

Rheumatologist. Anyway, I have been on Plaquenil, 300 mg per

day since January-I did notice eye changes on it the first

month but that seemed to get better and disappear over time,

but yes, I was told to have my eyes checked at least once a

year. I've been on MTX for just 3 weeks, besides nausea, a

noticeable thinning of my hair and a stomach ache I haven't

had any eye problems with it. Good Luck. Liz

[ ] New Meds

> >

> >

> > Hi all,

> > I went to my dr yesterday. He took me off the MTX

because of the

> the

> > intestinal problems(oral and injection)he gave me the

choice of

> Gold

> > or Plaquenil and Sulfasaline. He is going to wait

until my

> intestinal

> > problems clear up, hopefully next week. I have chose

to use the

> > plaquenil and Sulfasaline. He will start me on

Plaquenil first to

> see

> > if I have any problems. Does anyone have any

experience with

> these

> > meds? He said it would take another 3-6 months to get

results.

> >

> > Thanks

> > a R

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Re: the placq. drug, I haven't ever been on it I am on Embrel and Prednisone,

but I have a dear friend who has been on it for over six years and she has

had great results. I just have flunked most of the drugs and the last was

Methotrexate shots and they helped for a couple of years and then they quit

working, I have only been on Embrel a few months but it has really started to

help me and I have seen a great difference. Shirley in Wyoming

[Guest guest]

NEW MEDS

Stressed out today?

Cheer up!

Modern medicine has come up with some great

new stuff to make life easier.

St. Mom's Wort ... Plant extract that treats mom's depression by

rendering preschoolers unconscious for

up to six hours.

Empty Nestrogen ... Highly effective suppository that eliminates

melancholy by enhancing the memory of

how awful they were as teenagers and how you couldn't wait til they

moved out.

Peptobimbo ... Liquid silicone for single women. Two full cups

swallowed before an evening out increases

breast size, decreases intelligence, and improves flirting.

Dumerol ... When taken with Peptobimbo, can cause dangerously low I.Q.

causing enjoyment of country

western music.

Flipitor .. Increases life expectancy of commuters by controlling road

rage and the urge to flip off

other drivers.

Antiboyotics ... When administered to teenage girls, is highly

effective in improving grades, freeing up

phone lines, and reducing money spent on make-up.

Menicillin ... Potent antiboyotic for older women. Increases

resistance to such lines as, " You make me

want to be a better person ... can we get naked now? "

Buyagra ... Injectable stimulant taken prior to shopping. Increases

potency and duration of spending

spree.

Extra Strength Buy-one-all ... When combined with Buyagra, can cause

an indiscriminant buying frenzy so

severe the victim may even come home with a Donnie Osmond CD or a book

by Dr. .

Jack Asspirin ... Relieves the headache caused by a man who can't

remember your birthday, anniversary or

phone number.

Anti-talksident ... A spray carried in a purse or wallet to be used on

anyone too eager to share their

life stories with total strangers.

Sexcedrin ... Bedroom aerosol spray for men. More effective than

Excedrin in treating the, " Not now,

dear, I have a headache, " syndrome.

Ragamet ... When administered to a husband, provides the same

irritation as ragging on him all weekend,

saving the wife the time and trouble of doing it herself.

Men-Gay ... A rub-in ointment that enables single women to identify

who to cross off the dating pool

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/4/02 9:04:14 PM Central Daylight Time,

paula54@... writes:

> http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/ramipril_pi.htm

thanks paula. i hope i'll feel better tomorrow

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

Please be careful. I hope you adjust quickly and these side effects pass.

If you have any facial swelling, or swelling of the lips, tongue, or eyes,

please call your doctor. Here¹s the list of possible side effects:

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/ramipril_pi.htm

I hope you feel better.

a

> <PRE>i started taking altace today. i am taking it to protect my kidneys. i

> took

> it at 9am. felt tired at 11am. drank some coffee. had lunch and walked the

> dog about 1. i got kinda dizzy, turned around came home and called the nurse

> and good thing i did. first she told me it could take a week or 10 days to

> get used to meds. also told me i am to push fluids and it depletes the

> potassium so i am to eat a banana, orange, and drink a cup of orange juice

> everyday. so i guess i am camped out for awhile until i either get used to

> this or try something else. she told me to move very slow and be careful when

> i walk. sudden movements (like a squirrel while walking the dog) can cause

> dizzy spells or fainting. so i guess it's back to carrying the cell phone

> when i walk. course if i faint i guess i can't call 911 either. i will see

> how i am doing tomorrow before i decide to drive to foot therapy. i just may

> have to do my own stretches and massage. kathy in side effect city.

>

>

[Guest guest]

ette,

Rocaltrol is a synthetic vitamin D. It is normally taken in

conjunction with a calcium supplement. Be sure to drrind lots of

water while taking this. Vitamin D is a citamin produced by the body

by sunshine on the skin and turning cholestrol into Vit D. Vit D is

used by the body in the intestines for the body to aborsb calcium.

Without enough Vit D the body does not absorb calcium, it just goes

on through. For more info go to healthsquare.com or emed.com. Also

you can go to google.com, type in the drug anme and hit search. Lots

of info available.

Arava is a DMARD (desease modifying anti-rheumatic drug)which affects

the enzymes that are attacking joints. It's generic name is

Leflunomide. The loading dose is 100 mg for 3 days then maintenance

dose of 20 mg daily. I found this info at emed.com then the drug

information spot on the left hand side of the page.

I hope this helps, go to these websites for more information.

Good luck and God Bless,

Jay

> Hi all,

> I am just starting prednisone and only a low dosage....10 mgs per

day.

>

> They have also started me on Rocaltrol 0.25 mcg twice daily

>

> I have been taking 25 mgs of methotrexate per week

>

> Folic acid 5 mgs once per week

>

> i brufen retard.....800 mgs twice daily.

>

> I will be eventually be coming off ibrufen and maybe be able to

think about

> cutting my methotrexate down abit.

>

> Does any one know anything about Rocaltrol?

>

> Also I will be trying a drug called Arava as soon as we find

someone to

> fund it.

> Does any one know anything about this as well?

>

> Cheers,

> ette

[Guest guest]

I hadn't heard of Rocaltrol before but it seems to be given for kidney problems among other things. http://www.rocheusa.com/products/rocaltrol/

Your dosage of Folic Acid once a week instead of daily does not sound like common practice in the US but is common practice in other countries.

Arava is a drug used about like Methotrexate. It is reported to have a higher incidence of liver problems than Methotrexate but a lower incidence of lung problems. Also it stays in the system much longer than Methotrexate so if problems develop it is harder to overcome the problems. One public interest group petitioned the US Food and Drug Administration to remove Arava from the market but a review about a year ago decided that the benefits outweighed the risks.

I don't know what Ibrufen but perhaps you mean Ibuprofen. If so, that may be hard on the kidneys and you should be careful if you have other kidney problems.

While on Methotrexate (and perhaps on a lot of other drugs) you need to have frequent blood work to make sure your liver and kidneys are not affected. If you are not getting blood work at least every other month you should ask about it.

Let me know if you would like more complete information on any of the above or anything else. Good luck and God bless.

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

From: Thurlow

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Friday, August 15, 2003 12:36 AM

Subject: new meds

Hi all,I am just starting prednisone and only a low dosage....10 mgs per day.They have also started me on Rocaltrol 0.25 mcg twice dailyI have been taking 25 mgs of methotrexate per weekFolic acid 5 mgs once per weeki brufen retard.....800 mgs twice daily.I will be eventually be coming off ibrufen and maybe be able to think about cutting my methotrexate down abit.Does any one know anything about Rocaltrol?Also I will be trying a drug called Arava as soon as we find someone to fund it.Does any one know anything about this as well?Cheers,ette

[Guest guest]

,

You might want to look in our Files for some info on Statins.

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Gretchen. I did look a little last night. The files section sure has

gotten bigger over the years. I will do some more reading tonight.

Re: New meds

,

You might want to look in our Files for some info on Statins.

Gretchen

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