Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 That I have RA. Still pretty daunted, It has been sort of a shock. Looking back, I first had symptoms about 14-15 months ago. I can't get in to the Rheumatologist until mid March. I work in a hosptial and talked to all the people coming in for Remicade all the time. Remicade isn't given in the same area anymore, so I haven't seen those guys for a while, or I would probably pick their brains. Anyway, I have always heard such good things about Remicade, from patients and nurses. Do you think it would be a possibility that the dr would let me start it soon, even though I am just new to all of this? Thank you, I appreciate any input at all. Like I said, I just found out yesterday, and am a little scared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2004 Report Share Posted January 19, 2004 : It took about 10 months of trying other stuff (methotrexate, plaquenil, prednisone, cyclosporine) before my doctor finally tried Enbrel. I spent 3 months on that before switching to Humira, which seems to be more effective for me. I have been on Humira since last April. As one of the other posters said, I think that they do put you on strong drugs pretty immediately, but they are probably making sure that they aren't shooting a flea with an elephant gun right off the bat. Methotrexate is a DMARD - just not a biologic (I think). As long as the disease's progression is halted or slowed, you're doing the right thing. Good luck to you. gloria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2004 Report Share Posted January 19, 2004 Welcome to the group. I've had RA for a little over two years, started on Arava and then added Methotrexate when Arava alone didn't work. I read some bad things about Arava and took myself off it (probably a mistake). Methotrexate alone didn't work so we added Remicade at 3 mg/kg, then to 5 mg/kg and now at 6 mg/kg. The Remicade didn't do much at 5 mg/kg and I still needed 20 mg Prednisone daily to function, but at 6 mg/kg I got off Prednisone completely except for flares or special needs. The biologics are very expensive, maybe a couple of thousand a month, and most insurance companies won't cover them till one or more cheaper medicines have been tried and failed to give relief. Finances may determine when you go on a biologic. I'm on Remicade because that's the only one partly paid for by Medicare but I've heard good things about Humira and Enbrel, and to a lesser extent about Kineret. I'm also active on another message board and that seems to have more responses than this one. Perhaps you'd like to visit it at least for a while. You can also offer some professional responses to some of the questions posed on the board. http://www.arthritisinsight.com/cgi-bin/wsmbb/wsmbb.cgi?SB+KYWRJLLXVS/AKFCLKZQUN+config Good luck and God bless. ----- Original Message ----- From: annaandbri Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 2:59 PM Subject: Just found out yesterday That I have RA. Still pretty daunted, It has been sort of a shock.Looking back, I first had symptoms about 14-15 months ago. I can't get in to the Rheumatologist until mid March. I work in ahosptial and talked to all the people coming in for Remicade all thetime. Remicade isn't given in the same area anymore, so I haven't seenthose guys for a while, or I would probably pick their brains. Anyway,I have always heard such good things about Remicade, from patients andnurses. Do you think it would be a possibility that the dr would letme start it soon, even though I am just new to all of this? Thank you, I appreciate any input at all. Like I said, I just foundout yesterday, and am a little scared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2004 Report Share Posted January 19, 2004 it is a bit scary! in a way, i was lucky.<g> i suspition for a long time that it was my problem but none of the GP's seemed to think so. I finally after a huge painful flare called a Rheumie and the tests showed positive, even though he was in doubts as i had recommended my self to him and had not gone through a GP. So you see, it was not a shock to me. in a way it was a two sided sword, but at least i knew now that it wasn't all in my mind! had begun to doubt my own integrity of mind! What we have to do is accept it and do everything in our power to combat it. exercise, healthy foods, and a positive outlook. WE WILL beat this aggravation! i have been fortunate. saw Rheumie last Thursday and upping my Prednisone to 10mg a day and Plaquanil for the RA and Naproxin for pain as needed and getting ready to see about going on Humiran if pass the TB test. My first visit to Rheumie was about 5 years ago and had to wait about 3 months to get in so took about a rounded tsp of ginger daily in my cereal and i may be wrong but it seemed to take some of the inflamation down so that my hands looked pretty good by the time i got to the Rheumie and i was able to drive the car! If i remember correctly, the plaquanil and pred were the only edications i took for the RA itself but went through a number of NSAIDS before i settled on the Naproxin (Aleve) 500mg. many of the others tore my stomach up and one of them caused palsy symptoms. i don't know about the biologes or what ever yet other than what i have read from folks on these mail lists, so am wandering around in the dark there!..really don't know if i am WONDERING or WANDERING! hehehe! take care and don't let yourself get hung up on the negative side. love.. granny lee ----- Original Message ----- From: annaandbri Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 4:59 PM Subject: Just found out yesterday That I have RA. Still pretty daunted, It has been sort of a shock.Looking back, I first had symptoms about 14-15 months ago. I can't get in to the Rheumatologist until mid March. I work in ahosptial and talked to all the people coming in for Remicade all thetime. Remicade isn't given in the same area anymore, so I haven't seenthose guys for a while, or I would probably pick their brains. Anyway,I have always heard such good things about Remicade, from patients andnurses. Do you think it would be a possibility that the dr would letme start it soon, even though I am just new to all of this? Thank you, I appreciate any input at all. Like I said, I just foundout yesterday, and am a little scared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2004 Report Share Posted January 19, 2004 Thank you for your reply. I am so curious as to the drugs I will be put on...seems like March is a long time away. Yeah, I will check out that other board...As far as professional opinions go, I just did the registration. I'm not a nurse or anything. I just did the paperwork. Thank you again, > Welcome to the group. I've had RA for a little over two years, started on Arava and then added Methotrexate when Arava alone didn't work. I read some bad things about Arava and took myself off it (probably a mistake). Methotrexate alone didn't work so we added Remicade at 3 mg/kg, then to 5 mg/kg and now at 6 mg/kg. The Remicade didn't do much at 5 mg/kg and I still needed 20 mg Prednisone daily to function, but at 6 mg/kg I got off Prednisone completely except for flares or special needs. The biologics are very expensive, maybe a couple of thousand a month, and most insurance companies won't cover them till one or more cheaper medicines have been tried and failed to give relief. Finances may determine when you go on a biologic. I'm on Remicade because that's the only one partly paid for by Medicare but I've heard good things about Humira and Enbrel, and to a lesser extent about Kineret. > > I'm also active on another message board and that seems to have more responses than this one. Perhaps you'd like to visit it at least for a while. You can also offer some professional responses to some of the questions posed on the board. http://www.arthritisinsight.com/cgi-bin/wsmbb/wsmbb.cgi?SB+KYWRJLLXVS/AKFCLKZQUN\ +config Good luck and God bless. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: annaandbri > Rheumatoid Arthritis > Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 2:59 PM > Subject: Just found out yesterday > > > That I have RA. Still pretty daunted, It has been sort of a shock. > Looking back, I first had symptoms about 14-15 months ago. > > I can't get in to the Rheumatologist until mid March. I work in a > hosptial and talked to all the people coming in for Remicade all the > time. Remicade isn't given in the same area anymore, so I haven't seen > those guys for a while, or I would probably pick their brains. Anyway, > I have always heard such good things about Remicade, from patients and > nurses. Do you think it would be a possibility that the dr would let > me start it soon, even though I am just new to all of this? > > Thank you, I appreciate any input at all. Like I said, I just found > out yesterday, and am a little scared. > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2004 Report Share Posted January 19, 2004 --Granny Lee....I like you already! Thank you for your input. I appreciate your response very much. It is just such a lifechanging thing, I cannot quite wrap my mind around it yet. I am 25, and you know, you never think these things will happen to you. I wont see a rheumatologist until march, but so far my PCP has me taking vioxx, and 60 (then 50, then 40 etc) mg of prednisone. The prednisone was a godsend, I was in so much pain. Grit your teeth and close your eyes kind of pain, ya know? I just looked at my lab results today, my RA was 42. (I guess normal is <20.) I read somewhere that the higher the number, the further progressed it is already. Do you happen to know if this is high or sorta high, or middle of the road? Just curious. Thank you Granny Lee. Take care. - In Rheumatoid Arthritis , " leo " <leo@1...> wrote: > it is a bit scary! in a way, i was lucky.<g> i suspition for a long time that it was my problem but none of the GP's seemed to think so. I finally after a huge painful flare called a Rheumie and the tests showed positive, even though he was in doubts as i had recommended my self to him and had not gone through a GP. So you see, it was not a shock to me. in a way it was a two sided sword, but at least i knew now that it wasn't all in my mind! had begun to doubt my own integrity of mind! What we have to do is accept it and do everything in our power to combat it. exercise, healthy foods, and a positive outlook. WE WILL beat this aggravation! > > i have been fortunate. saw Rheumie last Thursday and upping my Prednisone to 10mg a day and Plaquanil for the RA and Naproxin for pain as needed and getting ready to see about going on Humiran if pass the TB test. > > > My first visit to Rheumie was about 5 years ago and had to wait about 3 months to get in so took about a rounded tsp of ginger daily in my cereal and i may be wrong but it seemed to take some of the inflamation down so that my hands looked pretty good by the time i got to the Rheumie and i was able to drive the car! > If i remember correctly, the plaquanil and pred were the only edications i took for the RA itself but went through a number of NSAIDS before i settled on the Naproxin (Aleve) 500mg. many of the others tore my stomach up and one of them caused palsy symptoms. > > i don't know about the biologes or what ever yet other than what i have read from folks on these mail lists, so am wandering around in the dark there!..really don't know if i am WONDERING or WANDERING! hehehe! > take care and don't let yourself get hung up on the negative side. > love.. granny lee > ----- Original Message ----- > From: annaandbri > Rheumatoid Arthritis > Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 4:59 PM > Subject: Just found out yesterday > > > That I have RA. Still pretty daunted, It has been sort of a shock. > Looking back, I first had symptoms about 14-15 months ago. > > I can't get in to the Rheumatologist until mid March. I work in a > hosptial and talked to all the people coming in for Remicade all the > time. Remicade isn't given in the same area anymore, so I haven't seen > those guys for a while, or I would probably pick their brains. Anyway, > I have always heard such good things about Remicade, from patients and > nurses. Do you think it would be a possibility that the dr would let > me start it soon, even though I am just new to all of this? > > Thank you, I appreciate any input at all. Like I said, I just found > out yesterday, and am a little scared. > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2004 Report Share Posted January 19, 2004 In 2001 my RA was 1922 and a couple of months later it was 608. That plus physical examinations was plenty to confirm RA so it hasn't been done since. It can vary either up or down and is not a good measure of RA, but nothing else is either. In fact, about 20 percent of people with RA never have positive blood tests. That's a lot of Prednisone and it doesn't do anything to stop permanent joint damage. For that you need a DMARD (Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drug). It usually takes quite a while for real RA drugs to take effect so the sooner you can start the better. You might ask your PCP for Plaquenil which is the mildest RA drug with the fewest side effects. Next come Methotrexate, Arava, and then the Biologics (Remicade, Humira, Enbrel, Kineret). Also your PCP may be able to get your appointment with the rheumatologist moved up some. It will be good to get off Prednisone as soon as you can but you need to keep it up as long as you need it to function. A moon face, weight gain, and mood swings seem to be the principal side effects of Prednisone. I was on Prednisone for about a year and a half before I was well enough controlled to get off it. Good luck and God bless. ----- Original Message ----- From: annaandbri Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 1:09 PM Subject: Re: Just found out yesterday --Granny Lee....I like you already! Thank you for your input. Iappreciate your response very much. It is just such a lifechangingthing, I cannot quite wrap my mind around it yet. I am 25, and youknow, you never think these things will happen to you.I wont see a rheumatologist until march, but so far my PCP has metaking vioxx, and 60 (then 50, then 40 etc) mg of prednisone. Theprednisone was a godsend, I was in so much pain. Grit your teeth andclose your eyes kind of pain, ya know?I just looked at my lab results today, my RA was 42. (I guess normalis <20.) I read somewhere that the higher the number, the furtherprogressed it is already. Do you happen to know if this is high orsorta high, or middle of the road? Just curious.Thank you Granny Lee. Take care.- In Rheumatoid Arthritis , "leo" <leo@1...> wrote:> it is a bit scary! in a way, i was lucky.<g> i suspition for a longtime that it was my problem but none of the GP's seemed to think so. Ifinally after a huge painful flare called a Rheumie and the testsshowed positive, even though he was in doubts as i had recommended myself to him and had not gone through a GP. So you see, it was not ashock to me. in a way it was a two sided sword, but at least i knewnow that it wasn't all in my mind! had begun to doubt my ownintegrity of mind! What we have to do is accept it and do everythingin our power to combat it. exercise, healthy foods, and a positiveoutlook. WE WILL beat this aggravation!> > i have been fortunate. saw Rheumie last Thursday and upping myPrednisone to 10mg a day and Plaquanil for the RA and Naproxin forpain as needed and getting ready to see about going on Humiran if passthe TB test.> > > My first visit to Rheumie was about 5 years ago and had to waitabout 3 months to get in so took about a rounded tsp of ginger dailyin my cereal and i may be wrong but it seemed to take some of theinflamation down so that my hands looked pretty good by the time i gotto the Rheumie and i was able to drive the car! > If i remember correctly, the plaquanil and pred were the onlyedications i took for the RA itself but went through a number ofNSAIDS before i settled on the Naproxin (Aleve) 500mg. many of theothers tore my stomach up and one of them caused palsy symptoms.> > i don't know about the biologes or what ever yet other than what ihave read from folks on these mail lists, so am wandering around inthe dark there!..really don't know if i am WONDERING or WANDERING! hehehe!> take care and don't let yourself get hung up on the negative side. > love.. granny lee> ----- Original Message ----- > From: annaandbri > Rheumatoid Arthritis > Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 4:59 PM> Subject: Just found out yesterday> > > That I have RA. Still pretty daunted, It has been sort of a shock.> Looking back, I first had symptoms about 14-15 months ago. > > I can't get in to the Rheumatologist until mid March. I work in a> hosptial and talked to all the people coming in for Remicade all the> time. Remicade isn't given in the same area anymore, so I haven't seen> those guys for a while, or I would probably pick their brains. Anyway,> I have always heard such good things about Remicade, from patients and> nurses. Do you think it would be a possibility that the dr would let> me start it soon, even though I am just new to all of this? > > Thank you, I appreciate any input at all. Like I said, I just found> out yesterday, and am a little scared.> > > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2004 Report Share Posted January 20, 2004 Good heavens....1922? Yeah, I heard about some of the side effects of prednisone today actually. I need to talk to my dr...I think that I am supposed to finish this course, and then just use it for flare ups. (?) But I am not too sure. Does the Plaquenil help the pain? I hate to sound like such a sissy, but man. It hurts pretty bad most times. Within the last couple of weeks it has went from just my hands and wrists hurting bad, to include elbows, shoulders, hips and ankles. Even just laying down aggravates my shoulders adn hips. Sorry to whine, especially when I bet there are tons here who have it worse and don't complain, but it is nice to know there are people that can relate. So usually, are the biologics used when nothing else is working well enough? I hope my doctor can move up my appt with the specialist. Thank you so much In Rheumatoid Arthritis , " Harold Van Tuyl " <hvantuyl@c...> wrote: > In 2001 my RA was 1922 and a couple of months later it was 608. That plus physical examinations was plenty to confirm RA so it hasn't been done since. It can vary either up or down and is not a good measure of RA, but nothing else is either. In fact, about 20 percent of people with RA never have positive blood tests. That's a lot of Prednisone and it doesn't do anything to stop permanent joint damage. For that you need a DMARD (Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drug). It usually takes quite a while for real RA drugs to take effect so the sooner you can start the better. You might ask your PCP for Plaquenil which is the mildest RA drug with the fewest side effects. Next come Methotrexate, Arava, and then the Biologics (Remicade, Humira, Enbrel, Kineret). Also your PCP may be able to get your appointment with the rheumatologist moved up some. It will be good to get off Prednisone as soon as you can but you need to keep it up as long as you need it to function. A moon face, weight gain, and mood swings seem to be the principal side effects of Prednisone. I was on Prednisone for about a year and a half before I was well enough controlled to get off it. Good luck and God bless. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: annaandbri > Rheumatoid Arthritis > Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 1:09 PM > Subject: Re: Just found out yesterday > > > --Granny Lee....I like you already! Thank you for your input. I > appreciate your response very much. It is just such a lifechanging > thing, I cannot quite wrap my mind around it yet. I am 25, and you > know, you never think these things will happen to you. > > I wont see a rheumatologist until march, but so far my PCP has me > taking vioxx, and 60 (then 50, then 40 etc) mg of prednisone. The > prednisone was a godsend, I was in so much pain. Grit your teeth and > close your eyes kind of pain, ya know? > > I just looked at my lab results today, my RA was 42. (I guess normal > is <20.) I read somewhere that the higher the number, the further > progressed it is already. Do you happen to know if this is high or > sorta high, or middle of the road? Just curious. > > Thank you Granny Lee. Take care. > > > > - In Rheumatoid Arthritis , " leo " <leo@1...> wrote: > > it is a bit scary! in a way, i was lucky.<g> i suspition for a long > time that it was my problem but none of the GP's seemed to think so. I > finally after a huge painful flare called a Rheumie and the tests > showed positive, even though he was in doubts as i had recommended my > self to him and had not gone through a GP. So you see, it was not a > shock to me. in a way it was a two sided sword, but at least i knew > now that it wasn't all in my mind! had begun to doubt my own > integrity of mind! What we have to do is accept it and do everything > in our power to combat it. exercise, healthy foods, and a positive > outlook. WE WILL beat this aggravation! > > > > i have been fortunate. saw Rheumie last Thursday and upping my > Prednisone to 10mg a day and Plaquanil for the RA and Naproxin for > pain as needed and getting ready to see about going on Humiran if pass > the TB test. > > > > > > My first visit to Rheumie was about 5 years ago and had to wait > about 3 months to get in so took about a rounded tsp of ginger daily > in my cereal and i may be wrong but it seemed to take some of the > inflamation down so that my hands looked pretty good by the time i got > to the Rheumie and i was able to drive the car! > > If i remember correctly, the plaquanil and pred were the only > edications i took for the RA itself but went through a number of > NSAIDS before i settled on the Naproxin (Aleve) 500mg. many of the > others tore my stomach up and one of them caused palsy symptoms. > > > > i don't know about the biologes or what ever yet other than what i > have read from folks on these mail lists, so am wandering around in > the dark there!..really don't know if i am WONDERING or WANDERING! hehehe! > > take care and don't let yourself get hung up on the negative side. > > love.. granny lee > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: annaandbri > > Rheumatoid Arthritis > > Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 4:59 PM > > Subject: Just found out yesterday > > > > > > That I have RA. Still pretty daunted, It has been sort of a shock. > > Looking back, I first had symptoms about 14-15 months ago. > > > > I can't get in to the Rheumatologist until mid March. I work in a > > hosptial and talked to all the people coming in for Remicade all the > > time. Remicade isn't given in the same area anymore, so I haven't seen > > those guys for a while, or I would probably pick their brains. Anyway, > > I have always heard such good things about Remicade, from patients and > > nurses. Do you think it would be a possibility that the dr would let > > me start it soon, even though I am just new to all of this? > > > > Thank you, I appreciate any input at all. Like I said, I just found > > out yesterday, and am a little scared. > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2004 Report Share Posted January 20, 2004 WELL! THANK YOU <G> i'm not yelling.. my fingers are not quite controllable and i forever either don't hit the caps key when i should or hit it when i shouldn't! LOL . i didn't know what the 'ratings' are either, so i asked Rheumie Thursday's visit and he said not to worry about it, it was just a test to see **how much inflamation was present**, which he needs to know but that i don't need to worry about.. SOoooo,,,,..... i figure if there is nothing i can do about it, i might as well let HIM worry about it and let me off the hook! i don't go 'round looking for trouble and/or something to worry about. if the rating is so high/low that my prednisone needs to change, i know this RD and i know he will not over dose me on Prednisone. and he knows that i do not complain until i get pretty uncomfortable. you must have had pretty high inflamation to be starting out at 60 mg and, of course, it will take a bit longer to come down to a minimum amount, but there it just takes time. you noted you are just 25 and it certainly is a life changing thing, but somehow we manage. I have had it for years but the GP's who checked me in the early years when i was trying to find out what was wrong with me, assumed it was caused by some psycotic anxiety, which was a popular catagory in which to assign anything they couldn't figure out! I am 75+ now and i finally went to the Rheumie when i was nearly 70. I am not crippled yet, getting worse gradually, but see! you have a long way to go! don't give in to it. I don't get enough exercise.. i know i would fare better if i got more exercise.. don't do as i do.. do as i say..<g> get plenty of exercise.. in as much as you can... to keep your body mobile. i could hardoly getpout of bed this morning, but after stretching and flexing i fially did my housework, walked all over the local Walmart shopping today, did some volunteer work for the local free clinic and kept really busy here at home with all the odds and ins of various projects i keep creating so i don't think about it a lot. well.. i ramble on,... sorry... i go.. love.. granny lee ----- Original Message ----- From: annaandbri Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 3:09 PM Subject: Re: Just found out yesterday --Granny Lee....I like you already! Thank you for your input. Iappreciate your response very much. It is just such a lifechangingthing, I cannot quite wrap my mind around it yet. I am 25, and youknow, you never think these things will happen to you.I wont see a rheumatologist until march, but so far my PCP has metaking vioxx, and 60 (then 50, then 40 etc) mg of prednisone. Theprednisone was a godsend, I was in so much pain. Grit your teeth andclose your eyes kind of pain, ya know?I just looked at my lab results today, my RA was 42. (I guess normalis <20.) I read somewhere that the higher the number, the furtherprogressed it is already. Do you happen to know if this is high orsorta high, or middle of the road? Just curious.Thank you Granny Lee. Take care. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2004 Report Share Posted January 20, 2004 , you are not a sissy.. just the facts, ma'am! it helps to unload occasionally. that's what all of us are here for, perhaps to unload a bit and perhaps share something that may be of help to another. any time you feel like blowing off steam, have at it! you are at the point i got to this past several weeks and that's why the trip to the Rheumie.... but it will get better. I have been here before... it gets better at times and i appreciate the good times. love.. grany lee ----- Original Message ----- From: annaandbri Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 6:47 PM Subject: Re: Just found out yesterday Good heavens....1922? Yeah, I heard about some of the side effects of prednisone todayactually. I need to talk to my dr...I think that I am supposed tofinish this course, and then just use it for flare ups. (?) But I amnot too sure. Does the Plaquenil help the pain? I hate to sound likesuch a sissy, but man. It hurts pretty bad most times. Within the lastcouple of weeks it has went from just my hands and wrists hurting bad,to include elbows, shoulders, hips and ankles. Even just laying downaggravates my shoulders adn hips. Sorry to whine, especially when Ibet there are tons here who have it worse and don't complain, but itis nice to know there are people that can relate. So usually, are the biologics used when nothing else is working wellenough? I hope my doctor can move up my appt with the specialist.Thank you so much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2004 Report Share Posted January 20, 2004 Thank you so much. Thank goodness for the internet and the information and support it provides. Does organ involvement worry you? That is what scares me. Sometimes my back (right in where my kidneys are) hurts noticeably, and often I have to get up to use the bathroom 4-5 times a night. Don't know why I never thought to mention this to my dr. before. ??? You all seem to have such a good attitude about all this. I will get there, I know I will. When the surprise wears off a little. Thank you Granny Lee -- In Rheumatoid Arthritis , " leo " <leo@1...> wrote: > , you are not a sissy.. just the facts, ma'am! it helps to unload occasionally. that's what all of us are here for, perhaps to unload a bit and perhaps share something that may be of help to another. > any time you feel like blowing off steam, have at it! you are at the point i got to this past several weeks and that's why the trip to the Rheumie.... but it will get better. I have been here before... it gets better at times and i appreciate the good times. > love.. grany lee > ----- Original Message ----- > From: annaandbri > Rheumatoid Arthritis > Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 6:47 PM > Subject: Re: Just found out yesterday > > > Good heavens....1922? > > Yeah, I heard about some of the side effects of prednisone today > actually. I need to talk to my dr...I think that I am supposed to > finish this course, and then just use it for flare ups. (?) But I am > not too sure. Does the Plaquenil help the pain? I hate to sound like > such a sissy, but man. It hurts pretty bad most times. Within the last > couple of weeks it has went from just my hands and wrists hurting bad, > to include elbows, shoulders, hips and ankles. Even just laying down > aggravates my shoulders adn hips. Sorry to whine, especially when I > bet there are tons here who have it worse and don't complain, but it > is nice to know there are people that can relate. > > So usually, are the biologics used when nothing else is working well > enough? I hope my doctor can move up my appt with the specialist. > > Thank you so much > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2004 Report Share Posted January 20, 2004 You asked about the RA Factor, When I was diagnosed in Apr 03 my number started out at 113. A week later it was 118 and 2 1/2 weeks after that 164. I can relate to the pain and the Prednisone. I've taken 60mg daily for flares. It is a Godsend, but it is soooooooo bad for us. I'm now on MTX, Plaquinil, and Enbrel and finally down to 15mg of Prednisone daily. Never been down this low without a major flare and had to jump back up to large doses of Pred. Best of luck and God Bless, Jay > > it is a bit scary! in a way, i was lucky.<g> i suspition for a long > time that it was my problem but none of the GP's seemed to think so. I > finally after a huge painful flare called a Rheumie and the tests > showed positive, even though he was in doubts as i had recommended my > self to him and had not gone through a GP. So you see, it was not a > shock to me. in a way it was a two sided sword, but at least i knew > now that it wasn't all in my mind! had begun to doubt my own > integrity of mind! What we have to do is accept it and do everything > in our power to combat it. exercise, healthy foods, and a positive > outlook. WE WILL beat this aggravation! > > > > i have been fortunate. saw Rheumie last Thursday and upping my > Prednisone to 10mg a day and Plaquanil for the RA and Naproxin for > pain as needed and getting ready to see about going on Humiran if pass > the TB test. > > > > > > My first visit to Rheumie was about 5 years ago and had to wait > about 3 months to get in so took about a rounded tsp of ginger daily > in my cereal and i may be wrong but it seemed to take some of the > inflamation down so that my hands looked pretty good by the time i got > to the Rheumie and i was able to drive the car! > > If i remember correctly, the plaquanil and pred were the only > edications i took for the RA itself but went through a number of > NSAIDS before i settled on the Naproxin (Aleve) 500mg. many of the > others tore my stomach up and one of them caused palsy symptoms. > > > > i don't know about the biologes or what ever yet other than what i > have read from folks on these mail lists, so am wandering around in > the dark there!..really don't know if i am WONDERING or WANDERING! hehehe! > > take care and don't let yourself get hung up on the negative side. > > love.. granny lee > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: annaandbri > > Rheumatoid Arthritis > > Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 4:59 PM > > Subject: Just found out yesterday > > > > > > That I have RA. Still pretty daunted, It has been sort of a shock. > > Looking back, I first had symptoms about 14-15 months ago. > > > > I can't get in to the Rheumatologist until mid March. I work in a > > hosptial and talked to all the people coming in for Remicade all the > > time. Remicade isn't given in the same area anymore, so I haven't seen > > those guys for a while, or I would probably pick their brains. Anyway, > > I have always heard such good things about Remicade, from patients and > > nurses. Do you think it would be a possibility that the dr would let > > me start it soon, even though I am just new to all of this? > > > > Thank you, I appreciate any input at all. Like I said, I just found > > out yesterday, and am a little scared. > > > > > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2004 Report Share Posted January 20, 2004 > Good heavens....1922? > Does the Plaquenil help the pain? Yes. Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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