Re: Hi, I am new to the group

[Guest guest]

Hello Sue..I am sorry to hear of your current flare, it's so hard to get through

sometimes. Glad to know you have a rendez-vous scheduled soon with your rheumy.

Perhaps you will find some new meds that will help you. I look forward to

reading your posts.

Take care..

marrielle

[ ] Hi, I am new to the group

>I have just joined your group. My name is Sue I live in England and I have

had RA for about 20 years having

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Sue. This is a wonderful place to be with caring, supportive &

knowledgable people.

I'm sorry you are suffering so...I hope you receive some help when you

seen your doctor,, and that this lengthy flare can be twarted.

With Hope...

Tess

[Guest guest]

>Hello Sue and welcome, I haven't been part of the group for to long

but have had RA for 15 years and have been on alot of the arthritis

drug and I am taking Lodine XL for inflamation (many don't work for

me) without them I am sore and stiff and don't get around well at

all. I never take them on an empty stomach and I keep in touch with

my Primary dr and my rhuemotologist. Alot the meds are scary

especially when you read the side effects but I am still moving

around because of those meds.

I am also on Methotrexate (27 mg. once a wk.) and I keep all my

labs done on time. I just think the meds (to me anyway) are the

best of the two evils. Each person is different so I hope you get

to where you can move easier. You are so luck to have been able to

stay off meds that long.

in WA

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue:

Welcome! If you are afraid of stomach problems with

the Motrin type medications, when you see your doctor

ask him about the drug Bextra. I was taking Motrin

since being diagnosed with RA three years ago but

about six months ago I switched over to Bextra which

is supposed to be less hard on your stomach than

Motrin. The pills are much smaller than Motrin and I

usually take only one pill in the morning and I am

fine for the rest of the day - occasionally I will

take one at night too if I have more pain. Before the

Bextra, I was taking three and sometimes four Motrin a

day for the same amount of relief. Don't know if you

have this in England - although I think that Europe

usually gets most every drug before we in the States

do - but ask him about it. Good luck with your visit

and hopefully he will be able to prescribe some

medications to ease your discomfort.

Kathe in CA

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue C, I'm new to the group too. I have had diagnosed RA about 2 years,

llike everyone it took a long time to really find out what the problem was.

Luckily, I found a great MD and Rheumy. Last year, I sold my camper out of

frustration that I couldn't use it any more, I spent most of the time with a

walker or wheelchair. This year...I walk more than 200 feet and only use a

cane some times. I'm using meth, folic acid, plaquenin (sp?) vicodin and

duragesic patches... I changed to injections 6 months ago for the meth

which made a major difference on my stomach...gaviscon is my friend...last

week, I got in my canoe (and OUT!) and fished for a couple of hours...I am

finding if I pace myself, short naps when I can...it makes a big difference.

A year ago, I thought I was going to have to quit my job; but I am still

working and life is not so tough...I live for the remission times, during

flares, I suspend a lot of activities...I no longer bowl or golf; but tried

croquet last weekend. I am sorry that you have been having a tough time...I

hope you can find a great doc and rheummy...a doc that says " I don't want

you in pain " call me if the meds aren't working is marvelous....I went

through 3 before finding this wonderful understanding and straightforward

doc. My Rheummy doc is suggesting my quality of life would even be better

if I went to Remicade...I am researching it now and hoping some members on

the RA line can shed some light on it for me. I understand the life change

can make you very depressed, the lack of sleep doesn't encourage

optimism...but focus on what you can do, not what you can't...the old saying

one day at a time has changed to one hour at a time for me. I hope you find

a good doc soon, one that listens, and doesn't want to see you in pain. You

are in my thoughts....marge

[ ] Hi, I am new to the group

> Hi

>

> I have just joined your group. My name is Sue I live in England and I

have

> had RA for about 20 years having flare-ups and fairly good health

inbetween.

> But for the last 18 months it has been like one long flare-up and it is

> making me depressed because I can`t swim, cycle or walk far or take my

dogs

> out. I am not on any meds. at the moment for RA but am seeing my doctor

> next Tuesday. I have read that anti-inflamatory drugs can cause stomach

> bleeding which is why I have`nt seen my doctor in case he prescribes them.

> At the moment I am taking strong painkillers every day which make life a

bit

> hazy. My muscles are constantly stiff and painful too.

>

> Sorry to introduce myself with a moan but I am feeling low at the moment.

>

> Regards

> Sue C

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Very good advice, Marge. Here's to more canoe trips!

[ ] Hi, I am new to the group

>

>

> > Hi

> >

> > I have just joined your group. My name is Sue I live in England

and I

> have

> > had RA for about 20 years having flare-ups and fairly good health

> inbetween.

> > But for the last 18 months it has been like one long flare-up and

it is

> > making me depressed because I can`t swim, cycle or walk far or take

my

> dogs

> > out. I am not on any meds. at the moment for RA but am seeing my

doctor

> > next Tuesday. I have read that anti-inflamatory drugs can cause

stomach

> > bleeding which is why I have`nt seen my doctor in case he prescribes

them.

> > At the moment I am taking strong painkillers every day which make

life a

> bit

> > hazy. My muscles are constantly stiff and painful too.

> >

> > Sorry to introduce myself with a moan but I am feeling low at the

moment.

> >

> > Regards

> > Sue C

[Guest guest]

Welcome Sue C. Sorry the RA flared after such a long remission. I hope you

see a doctor soon and get treatment. There are new meds available that are

easier on the stomach. Some are injectable. I take methotrexate

injections so it will be easier on my stomach. The new cox-2 drugs such as

Celebrex, Vioxx and Bextra are also easier on the stomach. No matter what

your doctor prescribes, it¹s your decision to take any meds. Pain makes

you feel low, so moaning is perfectly understandable. I just hope you will

see a doctor soon. Without treatment, erosion of the joint can be

aggressive.

What part of England are you from? My mom is from Birkenhead, Cheshire.

I¹ve always wanted to go there and see my family, but haven¹t made it yet.

They will never come back here after their last visit in the middle of the

summer, in a heat wave that made them ill. Maybe one day I¹ll get there.

a

> Hi

>

> I have just joined your group. My name is Sue I live in England and I have

> had RA for about 20 years having flare-ups and fairly good health inbetween.

> But for the last 18 months it has been like one long flare-up and it is

> making me depressed because I can`t swim, cycle or walk far or take my dogs

> out. I am not on any meds. at the moment for RA but am seeing my doctor

> next Tuesday. I have read that anti-inflamatory drugs can cause stomach

> bleeding which is why I have`nt seen my doctor in case he prescribes them.

> At the moment I am taking strong painkillers every day which make life a bit

> hazy. My muscles are constantly stiff and painful too.

>

> Sorry to introduce myself with a moan but I am feeling low at the moment.

>

> Regards

> Sue C

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello a

I am in Plymouth, Devon. There are still the steps that the Pilgrim Fathers

sailed from at the Barbican which is about 4 miles from where I live. Your

relatives live about 300 miles further up the country to where I am.

I can well imagine that your relatives could`nt stand the hot weather, our

summers are usually in the high 60s and 70s and occasionally the lower 80s if

we are lucky! It is also very damp this summer which I am sure does`nt help

with RA. My next door neighbour has RA too and when she went for a holiday

in Greece she was pain free.....what a dream! Maybe I should think about

emmigrating!

All the best

Sue

[Guest guest]

Nice to meet you Sue. My name is colleen and I have had RA for a little over

a year. I have a mild case so it isn't too bad right now. I guess I was

lucky. My hands are the worse. It sometimes hurts to type.

Right now I am in Texas visiting family but normally I live in NY. Cold cold

area.....so this heat is different for me.

My sister in law also has RA but it is worse. She has been going for

Remicade.

Anyways...I gotta get going. It is great to meet you and I hope we get to

know you better.

Colleen

>From: TreacleBears@...

>Reply-

>

>Subject: [ ] Hi, I am new to the group

>Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 09:56:28 EDT

>

>Hi

>

>I have just joined your group. My name is Sue I live in England and I

>have

>had RA for about 20 years having flare-ups and fairly good health

>inbetween.

> But for the last 18 months it has been like one long flare-up and it is

>making me depressed because I can`t swim, cycle or walk far or take my dogs

>out. I am not on any meds. at the moment for RA but am seeing my doctor

>next Tuesday. I have read that anti-inflamatory drugs can cause stomach

>bleeding which is why I have`nt seen my doctor in case he prescribes them.

>At the moment I am taking strong painkillers every day which make life a

>bit

>hazy. My muscles are constantly stiff and painful too.

>

>Sorry to introduce myself with a moan but I am feeling low at the moment.

>

>Regards

>Sue C

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sue,

They picked the absolute worse time to come and we had no air conditioning

at that time.

Humidity causes me a lot of pain, so I can imagine the weather there isn¹t

to great for RA.

Many people have moved to better climates for their RA.

a

> Hello a

>

> I am in Plymouth, Devon. There are still the steps that the Pilgrim Fathers

> sailed from at the Barbican which is about 4 miles from where I live. Your

> relatives live about 300 miles further up the country to where I am.

>

> I can well imagine that your relatives could`nt stand the hot weather, our

> summers are usually in the high 60s and 70s and occasionally the lower 80s if

> we are lucky! It is also very damp this summer which I am sure does`nt help

> with RA. My next door neighbour has RA too and when she went for a holiday

> in Greece she was pain free.....what a dream! Maybe I should think about

> emmigrating!

>

> All the best

> Sue

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Sue,

I am in total agreement with Marge and ; you can't

participate in your recovery if you spend all of your

time in pain. Pain can so totally take over your life

where it is all you can think about. If that Dr won't

be a believer - dump him and find one that will!

Seven years ago I found myself in your shoes, not

sleeping, not being able to manage any portion of my

life and with a Rheumy that wouldn't subscribe pain

medication. The best decision I ever made was to dump

him and find the most wonderful DR around - one that

really listened, never made me feel as though I was

taking too much of his valuable time. He has taught

me a lot over the last several years and I think the

best thing he ever did was to include me in the

decisions.

Living in pain will take over your life! I hope you

can find a new DR very soon! You deserve a pain-free

life, or as close as we can get to it. Take very

good care of yourself. - Iris

--- Marge <margermeg@...> wrote:

> Hi Sue C, I'm new to the group too. I have had

> diagnosed RA about 2 years,

> llike everyone it took a long time to really find

> out what the problem was.

> Luckily, I found a great MD and Rheumy. Last year, I

> sold my camper out of

> frustration that I couldn't use it any more, I spent

> most of the time with a

> walker or wheelchair. This year...I walk more than

> 200 feet and only use a

> cane some times. I'm using meth, folic acid,

> plaquenin (sp?) vicodin and

> duragesic patches... I changed to injections 6

> months ago for the meth

> which made a major difference on my

> stomach...gaviscon is my friend...last

> week, I got in my canoe (and OUT!) and fished for a

> couple of hours...I am

> finding if I pace myself, short naps when I can...it

> makes a big difference.

> A year ago, I thought I was going to have to quit my

> job; but I am still

> working and life is not so tough...I live for the

> remission times, during

> flares, I suspend a lot of activities...I no longer

> bowl or golf; but tried

> croquet last weekend. I am sorry that you have been

> having a tough time...I

> hope you can find a great doc and rheummy...a doc

> that says " I don't want

> you in pain " call me if the meds aren't working is

> marvelous....I went

> through 3 before finding this wonderful

> understanding and straightforward

> doc. My Rheummy doc is suggesting my quality of

> life would even be better

> if I went to Remicade...I am researching it now and

> hoping some members on

> the RA line can shed some light on it for me. I

> understand the life change

> can make you very depressed, the lack of sleep

> doesn't encourage

> optimism...but focus on what you can do, not what

> you can't...the old saying

> one day at a time has changed to one hour at a time

> for me. I hope you find

> a good doc soon, one that listens, and doesn't want

> to see you in pain. You

> are in my thoughts....marge

> [ ] Hi, I am new to the group

>

>

> > Hi

> >

> > I have just joined your group. My name is Sue I

> live in England and I

> have

> > had RA for about 20 years having flare-ups and

> fairly good health

> inbetween.

> > But for the last 18 months it has been like one

> long flare-up and it is

> > making me depressed because I can`t swim, cycle or

> walk far or take my

> dogs

> > out. I am not on any meds. at the moment for RA

> but am seeing my doctor

> > next Tuesday. I have read that anti-inflamatory

> drugs can cause stomach

> > bleeding which is why I have`nt seen my doctor in

> case he prescribes them.

> > At the moment I am taking strong painkillers every

> day which make life a

> bit

> > hazy. My muscles are constantly stiff and

> painful too.

> >

> > Sorry to introduce myself with a moan but I am

> feeling low at the moment.

> >

> > Regards

> > Sue C

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I think everyone is afraid of the unknown. My husband goes to the doctor on the

10th. He doesn't even know how bad it is yet. That is hard, plus now I will

have to be tested. That is scary. Hang in there. Kathy

[Guest guest]

hi Carol,

welcome to the group. genotype 2 & 3 are less dangerous and more responsive

to the medication. i have geno 3. But i am still not getting treatment. i am

using herbs and undertook homeopathic treatment. I am feeling fine. The only

treatment in allopathic is interferon inj thrice a week or pegasis/peginteron

weekly for 24 weeks. but it has many side affects, the main are flue and fever.

The other one is depresion, therefore, before starting the treatment you have to

educate your family. they have to cooperate with you to manage depresion. There

would be weekness and hair loss as well.

you need to be determined and not to worry. hep c is slow progressive and will

damage your liver in 20-30 years. so cheer up. best of luck. what is your

loality, let me know so that i may help you more.saleem

Carol <caroltrescott@...> wrote:

My name is Carol and I have Hep C, Genotype 2. I just recently had my

liver biopsy and luckily I don't have any cirrosis or cancer. I am now

waiting for the insurance company to cover my medications I have to

take. I am afraid of the effects of the meds. I may need someone to

bounce myself off of occassionally. I am afraid of the unknown. I am

also a good listener. Hope to hear from someone with my genotype and

what your experience has been. Thanks Carol

[Guest guest]

I keep reading about HCV taking 20 to 30 years to do the worst damage. I

had hepatitis B over 30 years ago. I don't know when I got HCV only when it

was diagnosed. Can I now assume that I'm already over my limit for 20 to 30

years????????

Re: Hi, I am new to the group

Kathy,

No one should be afraid. Hep c is nothing. it is slow progressing disease

and take 20-30 years to damage your livr. treatment is available. so why to

worry. be brave. human beings are very strong. diseases come and go. i have

hep-c. i damn care. stand by your husband. nothing will happen. 15% patients

are automatically cured without any medicine. take care. what is your

locality, i may guide you. best of luck. saleem

[Guest guest]

hi Dorothy,

You should not be pasimistic. 15% patients are cured automatically without

any medicine so it is not necessary that it will do the damage by all means. it

depends on your immune system, how strong that is. in fact there is interferon

produced in your body naturely which defends the hep c virus. if it is produced

sufficiantly in your bodt it will not allow the virus to damage your liver. if

it is not in required quantity, it is injected. this is simple equation. Be

positive. take care. keep in touch withyour doctor. best of luck saleem

Dorothy <dorv@...> wrote:

I keep reading about HCV taking 20 to 30 years to do the worst damage. I

had hepatitis B over 30 years ago. I don't know when I got HCV only when it

was diagnosed. Can I now assume that I'm already over my limit for 20 to 30

years????????

Re: Hi, I am new to the group

Kathy,

No one should be afraid. Hep c is nothing. it is slow progressing disease

and take 20-30 years to damage your livr. treatment is available. so why to

worry. be brave. human beings are very strong. diseases come and go. i have

hep-c. i damn care. stand by your husband. nothing will happen. 15% patients

are automatically cured without any medicine. take care. what is your

locality, i may guide you. best of luck. saleem