Carolyn in KY

[Guest guest]

Hello, Carolyn!

I believe you can expect to feel better. Although there is no cure for

RA, management of the disease has improved dramatically over the years.

Please don't wait for 3 months before talking to your doctor. If you are

still in a lot of pain, you should call and tell your physician that.

12.5 mg MTX per week is a fairly low dose. Maybe your physician will

increase it or change other aspects of your regimen. Please mention your

hair loss, too.

The best of luck to you!

[ ]

> So sorry to hear that you are having problems with your children. I

> went through about 3 years of turmoil with my daughter, starting

> when she was about 14 years old. She has a brother 2 years older

> and I had experienced minimal trouble with him during his teenage

> years so it was a real challange to curb her destructive impulses.

> It took total determination and constant attention with lots of love

> to get her through those years. Often her ears could not hear. Her

> friends thought I was the WITCH of all times. But she is now doing

> a residency in surgery and looks back on those times with lots of

> thank yous for my love and guidance. I didn't think I could make it

> through those years many times and cried often just trying.

> Sometimes those with strong wills are harder to handle. But it

> might also indicate that they want to experience all of life, will

> be strong later and succeed fine.

>

> I gave lots of love, remained firm in my expectations, and prayed a

> lot----hope this helps. My prayers are with you during this

> difficult time. It does pass. Putting a guardian angel on their

> shoulder helps.

>

> I have a question for those with more experience with this RA thing.

> I have had RA diagnosed for 4 months and am on mtx 12.5 mg, folic

> acid 2 mg ,and celebrex two times a day. The smx are better but

> still have great deal of pain, swelling comes and goes in feet,

> ankles and hands with no discernable rhyme or reason. Also have

> trouble with feet and legs at bedtime -- as I have heard others

> comment on.

> My question is what should I expect -- to live as is or expect to

> have a better result. My doctor doesn't see me for 3 months so do

> not know if I should be expecting more from my treatment or if this

> is the best there is. If this is the best, I can't imagine the

> future. From reading everyone's posts it seems that it doesn't get

> a whole lot better. Also I have lost about 1/3 of my hair and

> wonder if this ends and what everyone's experience with their first

> meds went.

> My heart goes out to each of you that have had this experience for

> so long. I am also so impressed with the compassion and love in the

> group. You are each special.

> Lots of hugs