Re: Myra: ARAVA anyone?

[Guest guest]

Myra,

I know how you feel and deeply sympathize with you. My RA started in January

of 2001. At first, it moved about from joint to joint. My PCP prescribed

Celebrex, which didn't touch it at all. I realized I needed to see a

rheumatologist and got an appointment.

At first he diagnosed me with frozen shoulders and diabetic limited joint

mobility syndrome, which affects the hands and is supposed to be painless.

He prescribed not meds but physical therapy, which was sheer torture and did

absolutely no good. I was having unbearable pain from a condition that was

supposed to be painless. My knees also became painful. I couldn't open a

bottle or jar, squeeze out a washcloth or dishcloth or mop, or cut up my own

meat. Taking care of personal hygiene and dressing myself were very

difficult. I became very depressed over my helplessness and hopelessness. No

way could I do normal activities such as gardening and spring cleaning.

I called the rheumy, and he called in a prescription for Vioxx. That also

did absolutely no good. I called again, and he finally realized, I think,

that I might have RA. He got me in to see him in two days and did bloodwork

that confirmed that I did have it. In August he started me on a low dose of

mtx, accompanied by a low dosage of prednisone to help until the mtx began

to work. Of course the prednisone helped the pain, but I still had plenty.

The dosage of mtx was gradually increased to 15mg a week. I finally tapered

off the prednisone on my own because I have diabetes and an eye condition

that I didn't want to worsen.

Somewhere in there I learned how to pee standing over the commode because my

knees hurt so much to sit down and get up. I got a cortisone shot in one

knee, which really did help; but then of course the other one had to take

its turn hurting.

Meanwhile, the mtx caused my white blood cell count to go low. So instead of

increasing the mtx, he finally prescribed Arava and decreased the mtx. He

also prescribed Bextra, since I had an ulcer from taking Aleve.

This combination is working well for me. My pain was alleviated after taking

the Arava for a month. So far my liver is holding out, but my white blood

cell count is still low. I've been lucky enough not to catch any infections

yet and hope that will continue.

I do hope that you will soon find a combination of meds that will alleviate

your pain. It is so frustrating to have constant pain! This is an evil

disease that shows no mercy. Hang in there and don't give up. I will send

positive thoughts your way.

Sue in NC

on 10/5/02 12:27 AM, Myra at tarnishedsilverheart@... wrote:

> Thank you for your kind thoughts. I am not sure of what to say to my

> physician on my next visit. I am not sure if I have given Arava a chance. I

> am taking Plaquenil and Arave. My doc did give me lortabs 5 mgs but they seems

> to be doing nothing, I do not take them. They provide no relief. I have been

> on Betra since June and I am still hurting. My left sholder that had arthro

> surgery in July still hurts with not much more range of motion. The pain in

> my feet/knees are what is really getting to me now and the fatigue is

> overwhelming. I am also having more and more trouble with my hands. I am just

> not so sure of how much more I can take. I do work so on the weekends...I

> rest. I do nothing...there is no life outside of this disease. It takes

> everything for me. There is no one that can help me. I have been on my own

> for the last 20 years. My only daughter move to FL before my dx....said all

> this was just in my head.... What can I expect? More of the same? Has anyone!

> else had this much progression of the disease. I almost know when it started

> kicking my but...I was a healthy....active 48 year old women....now I am a 51

> year old...old person. When will it get a bit better? How long should I

> give Arava? I am tired of this disease...and not really understanding why it

> does not kill you...you just wish it would. I do have an appointment with

> another Rheumatologist Nov 21...that was first available...had it since

> sometime is Sept. Anyone that can add anything to help me I would appreciate

> the advise. Myra