Patsy

[Guest guest]

Hi a,

I spoke with Art a few days ago. It has been approximately six weeks now

and his RA continues to improve. The rheumatoid nodules that were like

walking on marbles are almost smooth. As I mentioned before, he had just

assumed it was not having food for days that helped the RA. I called and

told him that you said it might be the antibiotics. He was amazed at the

thought. Since they cut a vein from his leg that went from his groin to his

ankle, he was probably on some pretty powerful medicine. I'll bet that is

exactly what helped him. From what I read, fasting will help anyone, but

the minute they start eating again the pain comes back. However, he is

being careful what he eats. He has not had his weekly injection of Mtx or

bi-weekly injection of Enbrel since the heart surgery. He is not on any RA

meds at all. I just can't stop thinking about it. I keep wondering if many

of us have a bug that the medical field has not discovered yet -- kind of

like the doctor in Australia that figured out that 85% of ulcers were caused

by bacteria.

Thank you for writing. Glad you are back safely from your trip. While most

everyone I know loves to travel, I find it such a chore. I wasn't good at

it before RA and am worse now what with dragging the Enbrel around and

trying to keep it the right temperature. I just wish all the marvelous

things I would like to see -- especially The Great Wall of China -- would

come to me. Ha! My mother, four brothers and their families are all within

10 miles of each other in Missouri across the river from Kentucky. I don't

get home much and I should since my mother is 85 now. Plus, I miss them.

Sorry you got sick. I have a miserable cold now too. While you were gone,

I wrote to and told her about Art. She answered and I accidentally

erased her letter after the first line. I had asked her if she knew of a RA

researcher who would take Art's remission seriously. I know it is too early

to call it a remission, but it is still a miracle for someone who had RA as

severe as his was.

Hope you are feeling better by now.

Sincerely,

Patsy

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

From: a [mailto:aA@...]

Sent: Friday, March 02, 2001 2:58 PM

Subject: [ ] Patsy

Hi Patsy. How is your friend's husband Art doing? Is he still in

remission?

a

[Guest guest]

Hi Patsy, I agree with everyone else who has answered your post ...

I have had RA for 16 years and this disease can affect people

differently, but for most it is progressive and destructive ... I go

through phases where I feel much better and then wonder what kind of

truck hit me ... I have never been fortunate to have the disease go

into remission, but I know it can happen especially with the newer

drugs available now ... get all the info you can so you can make the

most informative decisons about your care and see more than one

doctor, if you feel it is necessary ... I wish you the very best ...

be well and God bless ... hugs ... nne