Re: My check up and question

[Guest guest]

,

The book says that the numbers on bloodwork can show improvement

before your body actually " feels " better so hopefully this is all good news

and I am happy for you...

Kay

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

From: " pretty24355 " <blackdogshaven@...>

<Rheumatoid Arthritis >

Sent: Friday, June 25, 2004 9:04 PM

Subject: My check up and question

> Saw my Rheumatologist on Wed. She said I am doing well. Even though

> I feel the swelling in my hands has not improved, she does. She said

> I need to be patient because antibiotic therapy takes time, months+.

> She reiterated that I am a good candidate for antibiotic therapy

> since I have never been on any other RA drugs and my RA is in very

> early stages. She also did blood work.

>

> Her nurse called today to give me the results of my blood work.

> Unfortunately, I was not in my office and she left a voice mail. My

> CBC was great and my SED rate was down from 23 to 15. I am guessing

> this is good? Or it means nothing?? FYI, my SED rate has always

> been in the mid-high 20s. The only way she was able to diagnose RA

> was the CCP test.

>

> Thanks everyone!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kay,

I knew you would be. I cannot thank you enough for always trying to

help me.

> ,

> The book says that the numbers on bloodwork can show

improvement

> before your body actually " feels " better so hopefully this is all

good news

> and I am happy for you...

> Kay

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: " pretty24355 " <blackdogshaven@e...>

> <Rheumatoid Arthritis >

> Sent: Friday, June 25, 2004 9:04 PM

> Subject: My check up and question

>

>

> > Saw my Rheumatologist on Wed. She said I am doing well. Even

though

> > I feel the swelling in my hands has not improved, she does. She

said

> > I need to be patient because antibiotic therapy takes time,

months+.

> > She reiterated that I am a good candidate for antibiotic therapy

> > since I have never been on any other RA drugs and my RA is in very

> > early stages. She also did blood work.

> >

> > Her nurse called today to give me the results of my blood work.

> > Unfortunately, I was not in my office and she left a voice mail.

My

> > CBC was great and my SED rate was down from 23 to 15. I am

guessing

> > this is good? Or it means nothing?? FYI, my SED rate has always

> > been in the mid-high 20s. The only way she was able to diagnose

RA

> > was the CCP test.

> >

> > Thanks everyone!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I have heard it the other way around... you can show improvement before it's reflected in your blood work.

Hi everyone, noob here. My name is Jenni. I've had JRA for ten years, although I guess now it's just RA since I'm not precisely a juvenile anymore. It is the systemic form, aka Stills Disease.

I only joined this group a day ago and hesitated to post because I'm going on a week's vacation tomorrow morning and won't be available to read the message or answer my email but I just couldn't help commenting on some of these things.

Often the studies and the books and the medical websites and sometimes even your doctor are just plain wrong. After you've had this disease for so many years you learn that YOU know more about how your specific body works than someone in a white lab coat who only knows how a couple other people's bodies worked based on words in a report. That's all BS. You are you. You aren't those people in a study.

For what it's worth I have taken methotrexate over the course of years and I never ever had a problem with infections or compromised immune system. Of course it never did anything else for me either. My immune system was in hyperdrive and eating everything it could find. Like Audrey. Little white blood cells just eating, eating, eating. It would have taken chemo at a much higher dosage to drop it to even normal levels let alone compromised ones.

I have packing to do still. In passing here's some wisdom:

Prednisone is bad as a treatment. It will make your face swell like a chipmunk and it destroys your bones AND your teeth. But this is only in the long term. It took ten years for it to maim me so badly. Don't get scared of it for short term relief. It can work miracles. Just don't keep taking it for maintenance over the years. Don't get complacent.

Cytoxin is bad. It does not work and trust me you don't want to lay in the hospital once a month watching a nurse wearing a space suit and plastic face mask hanging a bag on your IV so something can flow into your veins that is so toxic the suit and mask are required by law.

Dr. Lehman of the Hospital for Special Surgery is an interesting character. I won't badmouth him as he only does his job. But if you see him or were thinking about it you should know that he is very forward-thinking and not at all compassionate and more interested in herding you to the latest treatments than in your comfort and well-being.

Painkillers are okay. You are not a stoner drug addict if your doctor prescribes hydrocodone and you become dependent on it. It hurts me to know how many people reject these drugs because they hear in the news about celebrities addicted to painkillers. If you are taking it to allow you to function normally in your life and to reduce pain, that's okay. If you're taking it to get fun, that's not okay. You know the difference.

What else? Hip replacement surgeries are not too scary. Only hospital for a week and a month after that of waddling around on a cane and using an ugly plastic toilet seat. It is not like shoulder or wrist therapies where you have to do the PT every day and force yourself to move the joint and do the prescribed exercises and it's so easy to skip your PT. You need to walk in order to conduct your life and that takes care of the requirement to use the joint after surgery. But you're never going to look hot in a bikini again even if your surgeon promises minimal scarring. He's lying.

That's about all. I'll be out of town for a week. Probably I shouldn't have posted until I came back. But it's nice meeting you all.

-- Jenni

[Guest guest]

I forgot something that I had an answer to.

Someone (?) asked about sed rate. Sed rate means sedimentation rate.

It is actually not an acronym for something weird and unpronouncable like so

many of the tests we encounter all the time.

It a measure of how fast your red blood cells fall to the bottom of a tube

and settle there and it indicates inflammation. For a woman a sed rate of

anywhere under 20 is normal. For a man it's under 15. Kids should be under

10 and seniors might be close to 30 regularly -- the older you are the

higher your normal sed rate is. Anything higher indicates that there is

abnormal inflammation caused by something or other.

Jenni

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/26/04 9:02:59 PM, Siwelyak@... writes:

Marcia,

     The New Arthritis Breakthrough by Henry Scammell.  It includes some of Dr. Brown's book The Road Back and explains all of Dr. Brown's work. Another book I got was The Infection Connection.

I spoke to my rheumie about this.

She said she will be glad to put me on it, but so far the studies do not prove it works (more than the "placebo effect")..

She has several patients on it.

I believe the therapy concept is pretty dated... Dr. Brown is long dead, I think...

But if nothing else works, WHY NOT?

Pris

The book for the extreme pig person -

This is not Pighood 101, it's a step beyond "how to" books.

Color photos, problem solving, tricks, aggression tips.

"Potbellied Pig Behavior and Training"

www.valentinesperformingpigs.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/27/04 8:19:56 PM, Siwelyak@... writes:

Rheumatologists can't make much money off of you just on antibiotics if you think about it....

Much of the info I have gotten if from my own brother, a doctor at a medical school univesity.

If you truly believe that doctors are so unscrupulous they would hide a "cure" from us, them we are all in real trouble beyond just this....

I find such an argument ridiculous... and truly unfair to those doctors who really care about their patients.

Pris

[Guest guest]

Pris,

I'm sure all folks are different but antibiotic therapy helped me get off some pretty powerful drugs. To each his own. Website at www.rheumatic.org gives plenty testimonies to the fact it still works for folks. Rheumatologists can't make much money off of you just on antibiotics if you think about it....

Only drug I take now is anti-inflammatory..... and I was on plenty stuff for several years.

Kay

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

From: NELLIESTAR@...

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2004 11:32 PM

Subject: Re: My check up and question

In a message dated 6/26/04 9:02:59 PM, Siwelyak@... writes:

Marcia, The New Arthritis Breakthrough by Henry Scammell. It includes some of Dr. Brown's book The Road Back and explains all of Dr. Brown's work. Another book I got was The Infection Connection.I spoke to my rheumie about this.She said she will be glad to put me on it, but so far the studies do not prove it works (more than the "placebo effect")..She has several patients on it.I believe the therapy concept is pretty dated... Dr. Brown is long dead, I think...But if nothing else works, WHY NOT?PrisThe book for the extreme pig person -This is not Pighood 101, it's a step beyond "how to" books.Color photos, problem solving, tricks, aggression tips."Potbellied Pig Behavior and Training"www.valentinesperformingpigs.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/28/04 6:55:00 PM, Siwelyak@... writes:

And we who have RA are great guinea pigs because we all want to be pain-free....

       

Kay, you did not offend or fluster me at all.

I think these discussions are fruitful.

And you are right, we all want to be pain free!

I feel very depressed some times....but there are many worse off than me!

Keep up the great attitude....it's contagious.

Pris

The book for the extreme pig person -

This is not Pighood 101, it's a step beyond "how to" books.

Color photos, problem solving, tricks, aggression tips.

"Potbellied Pig Behavior and Training"

www.valentinesperformingpigs.com

[Guest guest]

Hey, Folks,

I did not mean to offend anyone or start such bickering concerning antibiotic therapy. I was only sharing my experiences and never said I was "CURED", just very functional. After seven years of many drugs and doctors, I have stated that I have become cynical. There are plenty doctors out there just handing out drugs and it is all trial and error. It is not the docs fault but the drug companies seem to control things a bit too much I feel. It gets old in a hurry.... Just felt like a guinea pig all the time. And we who have RA are great guinea pigs because we all want to be pain-free....

Sorry everyone got so flustered.

Kay

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

From: NELLIESTAR@...

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2004 10:58 PM

Subject: Re: My check up and question

In a message dated 6/27/04 8:19:56 PM, Siwelyak@... writes:

Rheumatologists can't make much money off of you just on antibiotics if you think about it....Much of the info I have gotten if from my own brother, a doctor at a medical school univesity.If you truly believe that doctors are so unscrupulous they would hide a "cure" from us, them we are all in real trouble beyond just this....I find such an argument ridiculous... and truly unfair to those doctors who really care about their patients.Pris

[Guest guest]

Hi Jenni,

I am new to RA, well newly diagnosed. I have had active disease for

5+ years now.

Your post made me think a lot, especially about the Pred, which I

take now and said I never would. But, I realize I must not allow

myself to become complacent like you said.

--- In Rheumatoid Arthritis , Jenni <chaospearl@o...>

wrote:

> I have heard it the other way around... you can show improvement

before it's reflected in your blood work.

>

> Hi everyone, noob here. My name is Jenni. I've had JRA for ten

years, although I guess now it's just RA since I'm not precisely a

juvenile anymore. It is the systemic form, aka Stills Disease.

>

> I only joined this group a day ago and hesitated to post because

I'm going on a week's vacation tomorrow morning and won't be

available to read the message or answer my email but I just couldn't

help commenting on some of these things.

>

> Often the studies and the books and the medical websites and

sometimes even your doctor are just plain wrong. After you've had

this disease for so many years you learn that YOU know more about how

your specific body works than someone in a white lab coat who only

knows how a couple other people's bodies worked based on words in a

report. That's all BS. You are you. You aren't those people in a

study.

>

> For what it's worth I have taken methotrexate over the course of

years and I never ever had a problem with infections or compromised

immune system. Of course it never did anything else for me either.

My immune system was in hyperdrive and eating everything it could

find. Like Audrey. Little white blood cells just eating, eating,

eating. It would have taken chemo at a much higher dosage to drop it

to even normal levels let alone compromised ones.

>

> I have packing to do still. In passing here's some wisdom:

>

> Prednisone is bad as a treatment. It will make your face swell

like a chipmunk and it destroys your bones AND your teeth. But this

is only in the long term. It took ten years for it to maim me so

badly. Don't get scared of it for short term relief. It can work

miracles. Just don't keep taking it for maintenance over the years.

Don't get complacent.

>

> Cytoxin is bad. It does not work and trust me you don't want to

lay in the hospital once a month watching a nurse wearing a space

suit and plastic face mask hanging a bag on your IV so something can

flow into your veins that is so toxic the suit and mask are required

by law.

>

> Dr. Lehman of the Hospital for Special Surgery is an

interesting character. I won't badmouth him as he only does his

job. But if you see him or were thinking about it you should know

that he is very forward-thinking and not at all compassionate and

more interested in herding you to the latest treatments than in your

comfort and well-being.

>

> Painkillers are okay. You are not a stoner drug addict if your

doctor prescribes hydrocodone and you become dependent on it. It

hurts me to know how many people reject these drugs because they hear

in the news about celebrities addicted to painkillers. If you are

taking it to allow you to function normally in your life and to

reduce pain, that's okay. If you're taking it to get fun, that's not

okay. You know the difference.

>

>

> What else? Hip replacement surgeries are not too scary. Only

hospital for a week and a month after that of waddling around on a

cane and using an ugly plastic toilet seat. It is not like shoulder

or wrist therapies where you have to do the PT every day and force

yourself to move the joint and do the prescribed exercises and it's

so easy to skip your PT. You need to walk in order to conduct your

life and that takes care of the requirement to use the joint after

surgery. But you're never going to look hot in a bikini again even

if your surgeon promises minimal scarring. He's lying.

>

> That's about all. I'll be out of town for a week. Probably I

shouldn't have posted until I came back. But it's nice meeting you

all.

>

> -- Jenni

[Guest guest]

Kay, I'm not flustered, angry , or anything negative. You're just talking, and that's cool. We're here to help each other and to think, both of which you do. We love ya girl! ~Kay Simpson <Siwelyak@...> wrote:

Hey, Folks,

I did not mean to offend anyone or start such bickering concerning antibiotic therapy. I was only sharing my experiences and never said I was "CURED", just very functional. After seven years of many drugs and doctors, I have stated that I have become cynical. There are plenty doctors out there just handing out drugs and it is all trial and error. It is not the docs fault but the drug companies seem to control things a bit too much I feel. It gets old in a hurry.... Just felt like a guinea pig all the time. And we who have RA are great guinea pigs because we all want to be pain-free....

Sorry everyone got so flustered.

Kay

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

From: NELLIESTAR@...

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2004 10:58 PM

Subject: Re: My check up and question

In a message dated 6/27/04 8:19:56 PM, Siwelyak@... writes:

Rheumatologists can't make much money off of you just on antibiotics if you think about it....Much of the info I have gotten if from my own brother, a doctor at a medical school univesity.If you truly believe that doctors are so unscrupulous they would hide a "cure" from us, them we are all in real trouble beyond just this....I find such an argument ridiculous... and truly unfair to those doctors who really care about their patients.Pris

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/29/04 5:34:15 PM, shelsmieg2000@... writes:

Seems like everytime they test me, it comes back normal.  If that's true, I don't know why I hurt so bad and my joints are inflammed.  Why shouldn't I just go off all of this medicine and forget the whole thing if all of my tests say nothing conclusive?  Would you stay on all of your meds or forget it?  Please tell me what you think

I think most rheumies treat their patients based on symptoms, not tests, because no test is conclusive. Stay on your meds, if they are helping you...

Pris

Show Biz tricks for pigs!

Does your pig sleep his life away?

Give him a healthy challenge at ANY age.

"Potbellied Pig Behavior and Training" book

www.valentinesperformingpigs.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/29/04 6:57:41 PM, shelsmieg2000@... writes:

I don't like the idea that someone may think I'm being a hypo, you know what I mean?

When you hurt bad enough, you will no longer care about such superficialities........

Pris

Show Biz tricks for pigs!

Does your pig sleep his life away?

Give him a healthy challenge at ANY age.

"Potbellied Pig Behavior and Training" book

www.valentinesperformingpigs.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/29/04 8:48:23 PM, hvantuyl@... writes:

If someone thinks that of me I feel sorry for them for being so stupid but I don't change my actions because of their problem.  God bless.

I think if you have a chronic insideous disease, there will always be someone accusing you of being a hypo. It may even be a close family member.

This is just something that all of us will have to put up with.

I think it's best to not focus on it, but to just accept it as part of the disease.

Sometimes family members get frustrated and will "blame us".

Again, do not focus on it or defend yourself.

Take a positive approach.

Pris

Show Biz tricks for pigs!

Does your pig sleep his life away?

Give him a healthy challenge at ANY age.

"Potbellied Pig Behavior and Training" book

www.valentinesperformingpigs.com

[Guest guest]

Thank you !

I saw my doctor today and she upped my Methotrexate. I have to start very low and build up because of the chemo; even after 3 years. I asked her about my knees with the fullness and tightness I have been having, and the pain. It seems I have RA, OA and bursitis in them. No wonder they are hurting!

She asked me why I was limping when I started to leave..were my knees hurting that much? I told her no, but I had kicked a chair Sunday night (not on purpose!) and my little toe was sore. She checked it. Wrong answer...I broke the silly thing! So my toe is taped to the one next to it and I have to limp along on vacation all week. Urgh! Guess that means I have to just lay around the pool in the shade and relax for a week. That might not be such a bad thing after all

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

< Seems like everytime they test me, it comes back normal. If that's

true, I don't know why I hurt so bad and my joints are inflammed.

Why shouldn't I just go off all of this medicine and forget the whole

thing if all of my tests say nothing conclusive? Would you stay on

all of your meds or forget it? Please tell me what you think.

~>

First, you are no pest. I am the new jerk on the list, not you

Second, would I stay on the meds? Well, I do not know what you are

on, but if it is working for you, yes. You see I have had RA for

about 5 years, but it went untreated due to a negative RA Factor and

normal SED rate. But, if I had been treated as others are with

normal test results yet have the clinical signs, maybe, just maybe,

my fingers would not have gotten as bad as they did and maybe I would

have no joint damage. So, I would not say I would go off the meds

just because my test results are negative. Even the CCP is not 100%.

[Guest guest]

, if someone thinks you are a hypochondriac it is only their problem unless you choose to make it your problem also. If someone thinks that of me I feel sorry for them for being so stupid but I don't change my actions because of their problem. God bless.

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

From: shelly smiegal

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 6:55 PM

Subject: RE: Re: My check up and question

Jacy, Thanks for answering my letter. I just get so discouraged, I don't like the idea that someone may think I'm being a hypo, you know what I mean? I will stay on it because of what you and Harold have said. Why is it so difficult to diagnose what's going on? You are a blessing to me, Jacy, and I know you've been through so much and I really respect what you have to say. ~

[Guest guest]

> I think if you have a chronic insideous disease, there will

always be someone accusing you of being a hypo. It may even be a

close family member.> Pris

It has happened to me, by family and a co-worker. When my co-worker

heard me talking to someone about my RA, he said " it is a bit_h

getting old " as if RA were that simple. I explained the magnitude of

the disease to him and he looked at me as if I had two heads and was

making it up.

Pris is so right, if it is chronic, there will always be someone

thinking you are just a complainer. Forget about them, think about

you and feeling good. There is a lot of ignorance in the world!

[Guest guest]

Jacy, I've got a better idea, why don't you stay home and rest your toe and I'll go in your place! lol! How much MTX are you taking now? Have fun on your vacation and when you're relaxing by the pool, remember your friends at RA and that they'll be missing you! ~ P.S. Sorry about your boo-boo toe!Jacy <jacymail@...> wrote:

Thank you !

I saw my doctor today and she upped my Methotrexate. I have to start very low and build up because of the chemo; even after 3 years. I asked her about my knees with the fullness and tightness I have been having, and the pain. It seems I have RA, OA and bursitis in them. No wonder they are hurting!

She asked me why I was limping when I started to leave..were my knees hurting that much? I told her no, but I had kicked a chair Sunday night (not on purpose!) and my little toe was sore. She checked it. Wrong answer...I broke the silly thing! So my toe is taped to the one next to it and I have to limp along on vacation all week. Urgh! Guess that means I have to just lay around the pool in the shade and relax for a week. That might not be such a bad thing after all

[Guest guest]

Jacy, Have a safe and wonderful time and I look forward to hearing all about that trip when you get home. How's your piggie toe today? Keep you in my thoughts and prayers!~Jacy <jacymail@...> wrote:

Thanks !

You could always join us...

I saw my doc yesterday and she upped my MTX to 7.5mg once a week.

Slow going, but I have to do it that way.

Hugs, Jacy

~Sacred cows make the best hamburger

jacymail@...IM: jacygal - ICQ: 96949087www.geocities.com/mtn_rose

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-----Original Message-----From: shelly smiegal [mailto:shelsmieg2000@...]Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 06:50Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: RE: Re: My check up and question

Jacy, I've got a better idea, why don't you stay home and rest your toe and I'll go in your place! lol! How much MTX are you taking now? Have fun on your vacation and when you're relaxing by the pool, remember your friends at RA and that they'll be missing you! ~ P.S. Sorry about your boo-boo toe!Jacy <jacymail@...> wrote:

Thank you !

I saw my doctor today and she upped my Methotrexate. I have to start very low and build up because of the chemo; even after 3 years. I asked her about my knees with the fullness and tightness I have been having, and the pain. It seems I have RA, OA and bursitis in them. No wonder they are hurting!

She asked me why I was limping when I started to leave..were my knees hurting that much? I told her no, but I had kicked a chair Sunday night (not on purpose!) and my little toe was sore. She checked it. Wrong answer...I broke the silly thing! So my toe is taped to the one next to it and I have to limp along on vacation all week. Urgh! Guess that means I have to just lay around the pool in the shade and relax for a week. That might not be such a bad thing after all

[Guest guest]

Thanks !

I am very aware that I have a little toe on the foot...especially when I walk. The little sucker throbs.

The part the bothers me is that it makes me limp so that makes my knees hurt. Just gonna have to veg out for a week!

Hugs, Jacy

~Sacred cows make the best hamburger

jacymail@...IM: jacygal - ICQ: 96949087www.geocities.com/mtn_rose

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-----Original Message-----From: shelly smiegal [mailto:shelsmieg2000@...]Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 12:30Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: RE: Re: My check up and question

Jacy, Have a safe and wonderful time and I look forward to hearing all about that trip when you get home. How's your piggie toe today? Keep you in my thoughts and prayers!~Jacy <jacymail@...> wrote:

Thanks !

You could always join us...

I saw my doc yesterday and she upped my MTX to 7.5mg once a week.

Slow going, but I have to do it that way.

Hugs, Jacy

~Sacred cows make the best hamburger

jacymail@...IM: jacygal - ICQ: 96949087www.geocities.com/mtn_rose

Signature powered by Plaxo

Want a signature like this?

-----Original Message-----From: shelly smiegal [mailto:shelsmieg2000@...]Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 06:50Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: RE: Re: My check up and question

Jacy, I've got a better idea, why don't you stay home and rest your toe and I'll go in your place! lol! How much MTX are you taking now? Have fun on your vacation and when you're relaxing by the pool, remember your friends at RA and that they'll be missing you! ~ P.S. Sorry about your boo-boo toe!Jacy <jacymail@...> wrote:

Thank you !

I saw my doctor today and she upped my Methotrexate. I have to start very low and build up because of the chemo; even after 3 years. I asked her about my knees with the fullness and tightness I have been having, and the pain. It seems I have RA, OA and bursitis in them. No wonder they are hurting!

She asked me why I was limping when I started to leave..were my knees hurting that much? I told her no, but I had kicked a chair Sunday night (not on purpose!) and my little toe was sore. She checked it. Wrong answer...I broke the silly thing! So my toe is taped to the one next to it and I have to limp along on vacation all week. Urgh! Guess that means I have to just lay around the pool in the shade and relax for a week. That might not be such a bad thing after all

[Guest guest]

Jacy, About 13 years ago, I cracked my little toe off the corner of our new couch, and broke it. It was hanging off the side of my foot, so I know how you feel. They wanted me to have surgery on it and I laughed. I taped it to the other toe and it did just fine. I just thought I'd share that with you~Jacy <jacymail@...> wrote:

Thanks !

I am very aware that I have a little toe on the foot...especially when I walk. The little sucker throbs.

The part the bothers me is that it makes me limp so that makes my knees hurt. Just gonna have to veg out for a week!

Hugs, Jacy

~Sacred cows make the best hamburger

jacymail@...IM: jacygal - ICQ: 96949087www.geocities.com/mtn_rose

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-----Original Message-----From: shelly smiegal [mailto:shelsmieg2000@...]Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 12:30Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: RE: Re: My check up and question

Jacy, Have a safe and wonderful time and I look forward to hearing all about that trip when you get home. How's your piggie toe today? Keep you in my thoughts and prayers!~Jacy <jacymail@...> wrote:

Thanks !

You could always join us...

I saw my doc yesterday and she upped my MTX to 7.5mg once a week.

Slow going, but I have to do it that way.

Hugs, Jacy

~Sacred cows make the best hamburger

jacymail@...IM: jacygal - ICQ: 96949087www.geocities.com/mtn_rose

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-----Original Message-----From: shelly smiegal [mailto:shelsmieg2000@...]Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 06:50Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: RE: Re: My check up and question

Jacy, I've got a better idea, why don't you stay home and rest your toe and I'll go in your place! lol! How much MTX are you taking now? Have fun on your vacation and when you're relaxing by the pool, remember your friends at RA and that they'll be missing you! ~ P.S. Sorry about your boo-boo toe!Jacy <jacymail@...> wrote:

Thank you !

I saw my doctor today and she upped my Methotrexate. I have to start very low and build up because of the chemo; even after 3 years. I asked her about my knees with the fullness and tightness I have been having, and the pain. It seems I have RA, OA and bursitis in them. No wonder they are hurting!

She asked me why I was limping when I started to leave..were my knees hurting that much? I told her no, but I had kicked a chair Sunday night (not on purpose!) and my little toe was sore. She checked it. Wrong answer...I broke the silly thing! So my toe is taped to the one next to it and I have to limp along on vacation all week. Urgh! Guess that means I have to just lay around the pool in the shade and relax for a week. That might not be such a bad thing after all