Re: Back From Doctor

[Guest guest]

al i am sorry to hear this. i had trouble with enbrel and remicade. i hope

they can find the problem and resolve it. we are here, don't feel bad about

leaning on us. that is why we are here. is she sending you across the hall? i

went there, big office but pretty efficient. 3 different types of dr's

cardiologist, pulmanologists, infectious diseases. try not to worry too much

until the tests are in. kathy in il

[Guest guest]

Hi Al:

Glad to see that you spoke with your doctor about your

depression and sleeplessness. Hope that with the

medication she has prescribed you will be feeling

better emotionally if not physically. I know the

antidepressant I am on has really helped me - even my

joints feel better because I am sleeping better. You

are in my thoughts, Al, and I hope that they find out

what is causing your breathing problems soon so that

you can begin treating and getting better.

Kathe in CA

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathe,

Thank you. I felt it was time to discuss the depression although it

was difficult at first. What was interesting is that I mentioned it

and she first asked " why don't we try the prednisone and ambien first

and see where that gets you? " After we kept talking though she asked

if I would like a prescription for prozac. I guess she knows me well

enough that I wouldn't ask unless I felt I really needed it.

She also knows that I am an extremely upbeat person usually. It was

obvious I wasn't doing well.

Hope you're having a good day.

Hugs,

Al in IL

> Hi Al:

>

> Glad to see that you spoke with your doctor about your

> depression and sleeplessness. Hope that with the

> medication she has prescribed you will be feeling

> better emotionally if not physically. I know the

> antidepressant I am on has really helped me - even my

> joints feel better because I am sleeping better. You

> are in my thoughts, Al, and I hope that they find out

> what is causing your breathing problems soon so that

> you can begin treating and getting better.

>

> Kathe in CA

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

actually my back was in alot of pain today. i doubled my prednisone. i was in

tears at least 4 times today. just got back from walking my dog and my back

and ankles are sore so i'm taking a break. i got a really bad uri on enbrel.

they made me stop in fear of sepsis, that was 2 christmases ago. then last

summer i was in the e/r twice in the same day. second time by ambulance, i

was pretty dizzy. i thought for sure i'd be admitted. they wouldn't do

anything for me the 2nd time and sent me home. all tests came out ok, thats

when the dx'ed me costchondritis. so now when it happens i just try to focus

on that. have you made an appt yet? kathy in il

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

Thanks. Did you have any respiratory/pulmonary trouble with the

Enbrel? When she told me I needed to see a pulmonologist she said

that there are some really good ones here, so it may be across the

hall.

I am doing my best to remain positive. Sometimes being a bit stoic

helps too. Plus I have you to keep my spirits up.

Thanks again Kathy. I hope all is going okay for you.

Hugs,

Al

> al i am sorry to hear this. i had trouble with enbrel and remicade.

i hope

> they can find the problem and resolve it. we are here, don't feel

bad about

> leaning on us. that is why we are here. is she sending you across

the hall? i

> went there, big office but pretty efficient. 3 different types of

dr's

> cardiologist, pulmanologists, infectious diseases. try not to worry

too much

> until the tests are in. kathy in il

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

I am so sorry to hear you were in such pain today. My thoughts and

prayers are with you.

I am also sorry to hear that Enbrel didn't work. Medication like we

take definitely affects each of us so differently.

I haven't had a chance to make the appointment yet, but plan on doing

so first thing in the morning.

Have a good, and as pain free an evening, as possible.

Hugs,

Al

[Guest guest]

Dear Al...sounds like you have a pretty great doctor. I am so glad she

is being proactive on all your symptoms. You can lean on us all you

need...we are a tender-hearted bunch, eh?

Love & Hugs & Prayers....

Tess

[Guest guest]

Hi Tess,

Yes, she is wonderful. And yes, you are all a tender-hearted bunch.

Hugs,

Al

> Dear Al...sounds like you have a pretty great doctor. I am so glad

she

> is being proactive on all your symptoms. You can lean on us all you

> need...we are a tender-hearted bunch, eh?

>

> Love & Hugs & Prayers....

>

> Tess

[Guest guest]

Hi Al, You were one of the first ones to welcome me to the group and

being that I needed a man's perspective on dealing w/RA I am glad

that you did. I am the one that has the spouse w/RA that has been in

denial for almost 4 years. I am so glad (and your family should be

also) that you take control of your life and your health issues like

you do. It's great to see everyone in this group doing that. You

should be very pleased w/yourself. I'm sure it's hard when you are

constantly going through all of this. I wouldn't really know, it's a

forbidden subject in our house!...LOL

I have a few questions for you. How long have you known that you had

your Illnesses? How long have you been on Enbrel? Have you had any

side effects frrom it? What else are you taking w/it? Did you have

your problems before you were married? How does your wife handle

this? Your kids? I hope you don't mind telling me this. If you do, I

understand. Believe me I understand " forbidden subjects " !

Keri in MI

> Hi Friends,

>

> I haven't read the posts since last night, but wanted to tell you

> what is going on. I saw my rheumy and she also suspects that my

> symptoms are heart related. We talked acid reflux, sleep apnea, and

> pericarditis but she said we really need more tests to be run and

> that I need to see a pulmonologist. Also, in addition to my echo-

> cardiogram, I will have a CT scan. She said that it could also be a

> side-effect to Enbrel. Because it is so new, so much is unknown. As

a

> result, I am not going to take it until all of my tests are done.

It

> scares me bacause the drug really gave me my life back but I

> understand her logic.

>

> I am taking 30 mgs of prednisone a day now for 1 week and 20 mgs a

> day for the next three after that to get my body to " rebound " . My

> rheumy also had blood drawn to have a ESR, RF, ANA, and CBC done.

We

> talked about my depression and she prescribed 20 mgs of prozac

daily.

> She also prescribed ambien to help me sleep as needed. She was

> extremely concerned about me and worried about the 10 pounds I have

> lost. I am really keeping my fingers crossed and will probably lean

> on you from time-to-time. So be forewarned...LOL

>

> And Lynn, my rhuemy said there is no ban on prescribing the oxy

> drugs. Rheumy's just need to be careful because they are being sold

> to addicts.

>

> Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers. I means more to

be

> than you will ever know.

>

> All my love,

>

> Al in IL

[Guest guest]

(((((((((((((((((( AL )))))))))))))))))))))))

It makes a lot of sense to look further at the possibility of cardio

problems, both because of this new development and because the pulmonary

tests so far have shown nothing of significance. It's a very serious

situation, though, and I think stopping the Enbrel is a good idea. I know

in researching the Remicade, they say that there is an increased incidence

of heart problems in those with underlying/preexisting conditions. At least

you'll know in short order if the Enbrel is the culprit, and hopefully be

able to continue it. And even if it is the Enbrel, you could ask about

Kineret. I don't know the safety profile, but maybe it would be easier on

the cardiovascular system. Just a thought.... ? a?

I'm really happy to hear you spoke to the Dr. about depression. I'm hoping

the Trazodone I take at night will do the trick for me. You and I both need

to get back to our families, if you know what I mean. I'm determined not to

withdraw again when my husband comes home this Sunday. I think the

Trazodone is already helping a little with my " dark cloud " , or it's the

Remicade helping the pain. Either way, hopefully we'll both get that

balance back in our lives that we need so badly.

The Ambien will almost certainly help your sleep, which will also help your

outlook and your pain level.

As you must be aware, we all love and care about you. That's one of many

reasons you MUST stay well!

Sending love and hugs your way,

Carol

________________________________________________________________________

Hi Friends,

I haven't read the posts since last night, but wanted to tell you

what is going on. I saw my rheumy and she also suspects that my

symptoms are heart related. We talked acid reflux, sleep apnea, and

pericarditis but she said we really need more tests to be run and

that I need to see a pulmonologist. Also, in addition to my echo-

cardiogram, I will have a CT scan. She said that it could also be a

side-effect to Enbrel. Because it is so new, so much is unknown. As a

result, I am not going to take it until all of my tests are done. It

scares me bacause the drug really gave me my life back but I

understand her logic.

I am taking 30 mgs of prednisone a day now for 1 week and 20 mgs a

day for the next three after that to get my body to " rebound " . My

rheumy also had blood drawn to have a ESR, RF, ANA, and CBC done. We talked

about my depression and she prescribed 20 mgs of prozac daily.

She also prescribed ambien to help me sleep as needed. She was

extremely concerned about me and worried about the 10 pounds I have

lost. I am really keeping my fingers crossed and will probably lean

on you from time-to-time. So be forewarned...LOL

And Lynn, my rhuemy said there is no ban on prescribing the oxy

drugs. Rheumy's just need to be careful because they are being sold

to addicts.

Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers. I means more to be

than you will ever know.

All my love,

Al in IL

[Guest guest]

thanks al, feeling a little better today. thought maybe i'd go for a drive

this afternoon. but also in the back of my head i know i will probably not

feel well this afternoon. good luck with the appt. kathy in il

[Guest guest]

Hi Keri,

I remember you. I hope this message finds you well. Thanks for your

comments. I believe that the only way I can effectively " fight " this

disease is to learn all I can and make the most informed decisions as

possible.

Having a spouse and chlidren, I can only imagine how hard it must be

for you. Especially if your husband isn't being proactive.

I have had these diseases since 1995, after I had pneumonia. I have

been on Enbrel since January, 2000 and it's helped me tremendously.

That's why I am so concerned now that I am off. It's really helped

me. I have had no side-effects, but my recent herat/lung issues may

be related.

I am now taking Prednisone (steroid), Prozac, and Ambien. I just

started yesterday as a matter of fact.

I was married in 1988 and had no health problems to speak of until

1995. I used to weightlift and run 5 days a week.

My wife handles it well but sometimes has a good cry every few

months. She's sad mostly for me. We are very open with each other and

I tell her what's going on. I can't hide it anyway. She tells me her

coping is based on knowledge of what I am going through, as well as

remaining upbeat. There's times to where she just doesn't dwell on

it, which is fine.

My oldest son (9) knows that dad has limits, but is okay with the

disease. I am still able to throw a ball with him on occasion and

play board games and attend events. In fact, I am probably more

active with my kids than a lot of dads who are healthy. Not a slam on

them, just the truth.

My youngest (4) doesn't comprehend what's going on and that's fine.

When he is overly rambunctious I may say " daddy is sore " or something

like that. He's okay with that.

I just want us to live as normal a life as possible.

Feel free to ask me anything. You can even be more personal. That's

fine. If you want to ask via my e-mail address feel free to do so as

well.

I hope this answers some of your qustions.

Take care,

Al

[Guest guest]

(((((((((((((((((((((CAROL)))))))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you very much. I think stopping the Enbrel was also good, but

scary. I am hoping next week will bring even more answers. I have

been taking the Prednisone (30MGs) a day since yesterday, as well as

the Prozac. I have yet to take the Ambien because I know I would only

have about 5-6 hours of sleep last night (long story and not because

I was doing anything fun LOL). I plan on taking it tonight.

I have been feeling a bit foggy as of late. Could it be the

Prednisone? I have only taken 5 mgs a day before. I wouldn't think

it's the prozac. I mean 2 days should have no affect whatsoever.

Yes, we both need to get back to our " other " family also. I am glad

your meds are doing the trick and will continue praying for good

health to come your way.

Love and hugs,

Al

[Guest guest]

You're welcome Kathy. Thank you. I am glad you're feeling a bit

better today. It's really humid out now so I would try and keep cool.

Take care,

Al

> thanks al, feeling a little better today. thought maybe i'd go for

a drive

> this afternoon. but also in the back of my head i know i will

probably not

> feel well this afternoon. good luck with the appt. kathy in il