Re: Perplexed

[Guest guest]

I cannot take Vioxx or Celebrex due to gastric issues. My doctor did recently put me on Bextra which is a COX-3 inhibitor. I also take at least 4 Tylenol Arthritis Pain pills a day. As far as just managing pain and joint inflammation (not counting methotrexate, Humira and 2 mg prednisone) the Tylenol and Bextra seem to be making a difference.

gloria

[Guest guest]

One medicine that is often tried is Prednisone, a strong anti-inflammatory. It doesn't stop joint damage but it often does wonders for helping pain. If it works, it is a strong indication of some type of inflammatory arthritis, and if it doesn't work it makes inflammatory arthritis unlikely. It often has bad side effects so people try to use it for short times only. Here are a couple of links you may find interesting. One is to RA medicines http://www.arthritisinsight.com/medical/meds/ and the other is a general description of RA http://www.arthritisinsight.com/medical/disease/ra/ra.html .Good luck and God bless.

.. ----- Original Message -----

From: snowdrift52003

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 7:03 PM

Subject: Perplexed

Hello,I'm 42. I have had a low level, intermittent, undiagnosed problem for about five years. My primary physical symptom is joint pain. No significant swelling (a little in the knuckles of one hand), no redness or heat. I have some mild fatigue. Basically, I feel well. I have consulted with both an internist and a rheumatologist since the pain began and have been tested several times for autoimmune diseases. I have a slightly elevated ANA and RF, but they are both in the "equivocal" range. I have some definite OA in knees and feet.About a month ago, the rheumotologist suggested I try Plaquenil. After 11 days, the side effects of nausea and dizziness brought an end to that experiment. I see him again on Friday and wonder what will come from that meeting. Any ideas? I know early, aggressive treatment is important for RA, yet, is there such a thing as "too soon"? I'm not sure what is going on with me, but no doubt, time will tell.I also recently quit Vioxx after one month because of side effects, so I'm back to using ibuprofin cautiously--minimal dose, on full stomach, not too close to bedtime--I've had past stomach pain from it. I was sorry to have to quit the Vioxx; it worked well initially. I've always been sensitive to meds, and I worry that this may limit future therapies. In addition to the 200-400 mg. of ibuprofin a day, I take dried ginger capsules and fish oil for their anti-inflammatory properties.Besides getting traditional medical care, I'm vigorously pursuing complementary therapies:-acupuncture-Rolfing-massage-supplements (came up with a plan from lots of reading, but mostly from the book "Preventing Arthritis" by an MD who worked with arthritis patients for over 50 years--Zucker?)-dietary changes (am investigating possible food sensitivities)I like the work of Dr. Weil and have taken a lot of guidance about dietary changes from his writings.I'm nervous about my meeting with the Rheumatologist on Friday and would appreciate any thoughts about what I might expect to hear at this stage of the game. One more question: has anyone experienced symptoms getting much worse immediately after going off a strong anti-inflammatory like Vioxx? Thanks in advance for anything you can offer,Sierra

[Guest guest]

Sierra,

Sorry your having such a difficult time finding relief. I have only

been diagonosed since September. Unfortunately I cannot take celebrex

due to allergic response. I was taking Orudus and occasionally

tylenol but both started to give me some of the gastric side effects,

my rheumotologist prescribed prevacid and what a difference it made.

i'm still taking the orudus, and am taking methotrexate along with

the folic acid and have noticed improvment in some joints and

flexability as well.

as for alternative things, I have tried hard to give up the 'shade

vegetables' as recommended in an earlier post and recently started

the South beach diet to get some of this weight off my knees. It's

only been about 18 days, but i have to say I do feel better, not sure

if it's from the weight being gone (only 10# so far) or the fact i

have pretty much eliminated bread, cereals, yeast, pasta, rice for

the last two weeks.

I also tried one session of yoga - i also felt some benefits the

following two days. I need to get my self back into a routine where

i can try to do 2-3 days a week.

Hope your appointment goes well.

Diane

[Guest guest]

Sierra,

Evening Primrose oil also helps with inflammation. I have been using it for months trying to stay off prednisone. Prevention Magazine has a boolket they release on treatment of RA. You can also purchase many books from your local health food stores on arthritis.

Flax seed or the oil is another suppliment used.

There are other inflammatory meds available: Celebrex, Bextra, and Mobic. Mobic is one that is recommend for those with GI problems. Talk you your doc about these and get samples from him to try before filling a prescription.

I personally use Bextra with no GI problems.

The Arthritis Foundation has a drug guide they will send you for free that list all the Arthritis treatment drugs. this is at www.arthritisfoundation.org

Good luck

Toni

In a message dated 11/20/03 12:03:16 PM Central Standard Time, Rheumatoid Arthritis writes:

Message: 9

Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 03:03:48 -0000

From: "snowdrift52003" <snowdrift52003@...>

Subject: Perplexed

Hello,

I'm 42. I have had a low level, intermittent, undiagnosed problem for

about five years. My primary physical symptom is joint pain. No

significant swelling (a little in the knuckles of one hand), no

redness or heat. I have some mild fatigue. Basically, I feel well. I

have consulted with both an internist and a rheumatologist since the

pain began and have been tested several times for autoimmune

diseases. I have a slightly elevated ANA and RF, but they are both in

the "equivocal" range. I have some definite OA in knees and feet.

About a month ago, the rheumotologist suggested I try Plaquenil.

After 11 days, the side effects of nausea and dizziness brought an

end to that experiment. I see him again on Friday and wonder what

will come from that meeting. Any ideas? I know early, aggressive

treatment is important for RA, yet, is there such a thing as "too

soon"? I'm not sure what is going on with me, but no doubt, time will

tell.

I also recently quit Vioxx after one month because of side effects,

so I'm back to using ibuprofin cautiously--minimal dose, on full

stomach, not too close to bedtime--I've had past stomach pain from

it. I was sorry to have to quit the Vioxx; it worked well initially.

I've always been sensitive to meds, and I worry that this may limit

future therapies. In addition to the 200-400 mg. of ibuprofin a day,

I take dried ginger capsules and fish oil for their anti-inflammatory

properties.

Besides getting traditional medical care, I'm vigorously pursuing

complementary therapies:

-acupuncture

-Rolfing

-massage

-supplements (came up with a plan from lots of reading, but mostly

from the book "Preventing Arthritis" by an MD who worked with

arthritis patients for over 50 years--Zucker?)

-dietary changes (am investigating possible food sensitivities)

I like the work of Dr. Weil and have taken a lot of guidance

about dietary changes from his writings.

I'm nervous about my meeting with the Rheumatologist on Friday and

would appreciate any thoughts about what I might expect to hear at

this stage of the game. One more question: has anyone experienced

symptoms getting much worse immediately after going off a strong anti-

inflammatory like Vioxx?

Thanks in advance for anything you can offer,

Sierra

[Guest guest]

> Sierra,

>

> Evening Primrose oil also helps with inflammation.

> Flax seed or the oil is another suppliment used.

Yes, I take several of these types of supplements and eat foods that

contain omega-3s.

>

> There are other inflammatory meds available: Celebrex, Bextra, and

Mobic.

> Mobic is one that is recommend for those with GI problems. Talk

you your doc

> about these and get samples from him to try before filling a

prescription.

>

> I personally use Bextra with no GI problems.

My problem with Vioxx was not GI--it was dizziness, mental fuzziness,

and headache. I had the same problem with Bextra 4-6 weeks into it.

> Good luck

>

> Toni

Thanks, Toni!

Sierra

[Guest guest]

Hi Tom,

My memory isn't very good sometimes but when I went into your site, I had a hard time ordering your book. I wish I could remember why but I don't. Anyway I finally ordered it through Amazon. com. I have read most it and will finish it soon. It is a wonderful book.

Maybe other people had a hard time ordering it too.

I hope that everything is going well for you,my friend.

Love

Marie

[low dose naltrexone] perplexed

Hi Folks,

As many of you know, I have written three books about ms. During the past four years I have been sending these books to anyone that asks and cannot afford to pay for them.

Last year I was asked by a number of ms'er's to write a book about the things that we don't talk about regarding ms. At that time I was assured that many of you would "buy " this particular book.

Well that has not happened and I am in a bit of a jam...in that all of these books have been published at and sent at my own expense. I still send any of these books to anyone that cannot afford to pay for them.

I am a little perplexed because the books have received great reviews from "MS-FOCUS", "The Cape Cod Times" and several others. They can be reviewed on my website www.copingandprevailing.com or Amazon.com

Still, I have only sold about 30 of the new book...but have given out over 300. It is expensive and I could use a little help. I am sorry and surely hope no one is offended.

Regards,

Tom

[Guest guest]

Hi Marie,

All is well here in Florida but my heart will always be in New England. The book problem on the website has been resolved...thanks.

Hope all is well with you.

Love,

Tom

[low dose naltrexone] perplexed

Hi Folks,

As many of you know, I have written three books about ms. During the past four years I have been sending these books to anyone that asks and cannot afford to pay for them.

Last year I was asked by a number of ms'er's to write a book about the things that we don't talk about regarding ms. At that time I was assured that many of you would "buy " this particular book.

Well that has not happened and I am in a bit of a jam...in that all of these books have been published at and sent at my own expense. I still send any of these books to anyone that cannot afford to pay for them.

I am a little perplexed because the books have received great reviews from "MS-FOCUS", "The Cape Cod Times" and several others. They can be reviewed on my website www.copingandprevailing.com or Amazon.com

Still, I have only sold about 30 of the new book...but have given out over 300. It is expensive and I could use a little help. I am sorry and surely hope no one is offended.

Regards,

Tom