Re: Re: Question for women

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Until about 5 years ago I was on sulphsalazine for about ten years then had to stop because of blood results. I didn't realise how bad the side effects were hitting me until I came of it.

The Consultant put me on Methotrexate and I could not believe the improvement. I could walk without a walking stick for the first time in years. I have been on Methotrexate for 5 years or so now, however, this last year I can feel myself getting worse, My dosage has increased from 7.5 mg per week to 15mg.

I have had my anti inflams changed from Meloxicam to refoxicib about 6 months ago, that's helped a bit.

I am only just beginning to realise how many things are associated with RA & Sjogrens. I have only been diagnosed with Sjogrens about a month and know little about it, so any info or points to info would be most greatfully accepted.

I would like to end by saying how glad I am I found this group, what a lovely bunch of people you are.

xx Lynne

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/7/04 7:47:44 PM, ash_belle@... writes:

don't think I'm having early menopause (I'll be 39 later this

month) but I have noticed that I have a problem with dryness.  I, too

was wondering if RA had something to do with dryness (I use KY or

Astroglide...Walmart & Kmart have their brand of personal lubricants).

I have always wondered if RA had anything to do with a lack of hormones.

Mine started right after my hysterectomy.

About a year ago I had my doc double the estrogen. She felt it was relatively safe.

My emotions came back, with my libido...

Pris

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[Guest guest]

I'll just chime in on the question. At 23 years I'm definitely not

menopausing, but I don't get regular cycles either. For a while I was

taking The Pill and that did the trick -- three weeks of pills, then my

period would begin right on schedule and last the normal amount of time.

At the time I was on Pill for the usual reason one is on birth control.

After I no longer had that reason (I haven't been in a relationship for two

years) I never bothered going back to have my prescription refilled after my

supply ran out. And once I stopped taking it, my cycles pretty much

vanished. I can't remember the last time I had my period... not since

before last Christmas. I'm taking too much prednisone for my natural

hormones to deal with. I keep meaning to make an ob\gyn appointment to

check up on the matter but it's not been a priority and honestly I'm just so

tired of going to the doctor.

In any case, I've never really had much of a sex drive either. I always

assumed it was the various medications, as " sexual side effects " is listed

as a possibility on pretty much every medication I've ever heard of. It

hasn't been a problem for me as I'm currently single and uninterested, but I

imagine it's a big one for those who are involved.

It seems to be pretty common for women with RA, whether it's caused by

medication or the illness itself. It's not " just you. "

Jenni

[Guest guest]

It took me a year before I noticed improvement so try to hang in there and give

the meds time to work.

pyle456 <coachmac@...> wrote:

It's my understanding that some women do see an increase in asthma

symptoms in relation to their menstrual cycle. My pulmo mentioned

something about this but I don't have an explanation.

I think most of us started seeing improvement in months 3 and 4, so

give it some time.

Good luck!

Addy

Group co-owner

>

> I hate to be indelicate but I really need to ask about asthma and

> menstrual cycles. I apologize greatly if this makes anyone

> uncomfortable but I desperately need help figuring out this mystery.

>

> I think that I am allergic to my period. I am dead serious. Every

> month about 4 days before my period, I cannot breathe at all. TO

> recap, I am on tons of meds, Xolair, and I self inject epi as a

> rescue medicine. I end up on Prednisone 4 days before my period

> every month. And my cycle is very irregular so it isn't

> psychosomatic. Will Xolair effect this? Does anyone know an

> approach to dealing with this?

>

> I have been on Xolair for 2 months and I do not see much change. I

> know that it can take a while to have a noticeable effect. My IgE

> was not terribly high (48) but my lungs are terribly bad. I am so

> sick of giving myself shots in the stomach. I am more sick of my

> kids getting my sharps off the shelf and the epi out of the fridge

> and bringing them to me when I can't stop coughing.

>

> I would greatly appreciate any information that could help me with

> this.

>

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