Help!

November 1, 2006

Hi and welcome from another newbie,

I actually am on a muscle relaxant and morphine, mine has progressed to a

degree where all they can do is keep me comfortable.

I also suffer from fibro, spondylitis, epilepsy, restless leg syndrome,

dupuytrens and bipolar..

I am on variousa meds to treat those as well..

Hugs

Heidi

____________________________________________

Heidi Jaye AKA Lady Magenta Aalotar

" Misty G and the insiders "

" People are strange, when your'e a stranger "

______________________________________________

-- [ ] HELP!

Hi All,

I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared. My

pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds they

use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas? Thanks to

you all!

God Bless,

November 1, 2006

Forgot totally to say, I have sleeping problems too, and the only thing I

can suggest is sleeping tablets, they have their pros and cons and I suggest

talking to a herbalist and trying valerian as a first resort and some

chamomile tea... Then maybe ask the doctor for help if that doesn't work,

some people are helped by natural remedies, others not.. But do check with a

herbalist for advice, because they can cause adverse reactions and also

check with your doctor..

Good Luck Hun.

I was so scared at first... I cried for 3 days.

Take a day at a time and do as much research as you can, I am ever hopeful

in todays modern age..

Hugs

Heidi

____________________________________________

Heidi Jaye AKA Lady Magenta Aalotar

" Misty G and the insiders "

" People are strange, when your'e a stranger "

______________________________________________

-- [ ] HELP!

Hi All,

I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared. My

pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds they

use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas? Thanks to

you all!

God Bless,

November 1, 2006

I know how you feel, I have been there and tried several meds before we

find that endocet worked best for me, it did not help take the pain away but

it made it bareable,and tolerbale.Some say predisone works,but for me it blowed

me up to 400 lbs.and did not help the pain.My meds was trial and error to

find the pain med that worked for me.As for the sleeping that was grab while

I could,and still is. You will get alot of good advise on this group cuz

people care deeply and understand. But take the advise and see your Doctor and

talk with him and see what he suggest, keep in touch.Remember no matter how

bad it gets God will put no more on you than you can handle,talking with

will help alot too.I know because I do it daily and nightly. Welcome to the

group and I will keep you in my prayers. Have a blessed and painfree day.

Rhonda

[ ] HELP!

Hi All,

I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared. My

pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds they

use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas? Thanks to

you all!

God Bless,

November 1, 2006

Hi Sabra!

I wish you luck and will be praying for you with your new job. I

really hope it goes well. Thanks for letting me know what works for

you!

in CA

November 1, 2006

Heidi,

Thanks for the welcome.

You must be very strong to handle what your going through.

I thought I had it bad. How do you stay positive?

in CA

> >

> ______________________________________________

>

> -- [ ] HELP!

>

> Hi All,

> I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared.

My

> pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds

they

> use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas? Thanks

to

> you all!

> God Bless,

>

November 1, 2006

Rhonda,

thank you for your support. I have been taking tylenol PM at night.

It helps get me to sleep, but I keep waking up in pain. You know how

it goes. And yesd, I have been really seeking God much more and that

is a good thing. I do beleive in miracles. :-)

in CA

> Rhonda

> [ ] HELP!

>

> Hi All,

> I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared.

My

> pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds

they

> use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas?

Thanks to

> you all!

> God Bless,

>

November 1, 2006

Hi ,

I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I have been dealing with RA for

5 years. I take tyleno 4 and sometimes oxycocet. They do work for me.

As for sleeping well I found the same thing because I would fall asleep

and maybe

move in my sleep and the hurt would wake me. My doctor gave me a

sleeping pill

and it works perfect....Good luck and if you have any questions at all

you can email me

here or privately at corinnedilkie (DOT)

good luck,

Corinne

rustierose1964rustie wrote:

>

> Hi All,

> I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared. My

> pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds they

> use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas? Thanks to

> you all!

> God Bless,

>

November 1, 2006

rustierose1964rustie <rustierose1964rustie@...> wrote: Hi

My name is Joy and I am new here too. I was diagnosed about 3yrs

ago but I think I had this a c ouple of years before even being diagnosed.

I guess I was 39 when I found out. I started on Relafen and prednisone

(which I couldn't function without but it is very hard to get off of or

least I am finding it so). Then found out I was allergic to both Relafin

and Plaquenil so got off those and started on Arava and methotrexate.

Then I started having stomach problems from methotrexate and

went on Enbrel and decided to go for Humira instead.

So now I am on prednisone very low dose, humira every two weeks,

and arava and voltaren. I take tylenol arthtritis for pain and take lot's

of warm baths. Also I take high bp med and most recently asthma med.

Joy in MO.

>

> Hi All,

> I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared.

My

> pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds

they

> use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas? Thanks

to

> you all!

> God Bless,

>

November 1, 2006

[ ] HELP!

>

> Hi All,

> I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared.

My

> pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds

they

> use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas?

Thanks to

> you all!

> God Bless,

>

November 1, 2006

[ ] HELP!

>

> Hi All,

> I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared.

My

> pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds

they

> use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas?

Thanks to

> you all!

> God Bless,

>

November 1, 2006

Hello Joy,

I would like to ask you how you were while taking both Arava and MXT. My

Rhuematologist wants me to take Arava with my 20mg MXT, but I have

been reading

that they are not compatible. In fact the PIL advises against taking

both.

I would appreciate any comments.

Best Wishes

Annette

On 1 Nov 2006, at 20:40, Joy wrote:

>

> rustierose1964rustie <rustierose1964rustie@...> wrote: Hi

> My name is Joy and I am new here too. I was diagnosed about 3yrs

> ago but I think I had this a c ouple of years before even being

> diagnosed.

> I guess I was 39 when I found out. I started on Relafen and prednisone

> (which I couldn't function without but it is very hard to get off

> of or

> least I am finding it so). Then found out I was allergic to both

> Relafin

> and Plaquenil so got off those and started on Arava and methotrexate.

> Then I started having stomach problems from methotrexate and

> went on Enbrel and decided to go for Humira instead.

> So now I am on prednisone very low dose, humira every two weeks,

> and arava and voltaren. I take tylenol arthtritis for pain and take

> lot's

> of warm baths. Also I take high bp med and most recently asthma med.

> Joy in MO.

>

> >

> > Hi All,

> > I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared.

> My

> > pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds

> they

> > use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> > asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas? Thanks

> to

> > you all!

> > God Bless,

> >

November 1, 2006

Hum, maybe that is why I had problems. I had very bad diarrhea.

It was horrible. I wonder why she didn't know this. My stomach was

a mess but my ankles did feel better then.

Joy

Annette Hamlin <aah@...> wrote:

Hello Joy,

I would like to ask you how you were while taking both Arava and MXT. My

Rhuematologist wants me to take Arava with my 20mg MXT, but I have

been reading

that they are not compatible. In fact the PIL advises against taking

both.

I would appreciate any comments.

Best Wishes

Annette

On 1 Nov 2006, at 20:40, Joy wrote:

>

> rustierose1964rustie <rustierose1964rustie@...> wrote: Hi

> My name is Joy and I am new here too. I was diagnosed about 3yrs

> ago but I think I had this a c ouple of years before even being

> diagnosed.

> I guess I was 39 when I found out. I started on Relafen and prednisone

> (which I couldn't function without but it is very hard to get off

> of or

> least I am finding it so). Then found out I was allergic to both

> Relafin

> and Plaquenil so got off those and started on Arava and methotrexate.

> Then I started having stomach problems from methotrexate and

> went on Enbrel and decided to go for Humira instead.

> So now I am on prednisone very low dose, humira every two weeks,

> and arava and voltaren. I take tylenol arthtritis for pain and take

> lot's

> of warm baths. Also I take high bp med and most recently asthma med.

> Joy in MO.

>

> >

> > Hi All,

> > I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared.

> My

> > pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds

> they

> > use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> > asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas? Thanks

> to

> > you all!

> > God Bless,

> >

November 1, 2006

Sounds like a heavy load for the liver--I personally wouldn't do it.

I had raised liver enzymes on both MTX and Arava when I took them

seperately.

Sierra

Hi

> > My name is Joy and I am new here too. I was diagnosed about 3yrs

> > ago but I think I had this a c ouple of years before even being

> > diagnosed.

> > I guess I was 39 when I found out. I started on Relafen and

prednisone

> > (which I couldn't function without but it is very hard to get

off

> > of or

> > least I am finding it so). Then found out I was allergic to both

> > Relafin

> > and Plaquenil so got off those and started on Arava and

methotrexate.

> > Then I started having stomach problems from methotrexate and

> > went on Enbrel and decided to go for Humira instead.

> > So now I am on prednisone very low dose, humira every two weeks,

> > and arava and voltaren. I take tylenol arthtritis for pain and

take

> > lot's

> > of warm baths. Also I take high bp med and most recently asthma

med.

> > Joy in MO.

> >

> > >

> > > Hi All,

> > > I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared.

> > My

> > > pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds

> > they

> > > use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> > > asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas?

Thanks

> > to

> > > you all!

> > > God Bless,

> > >

November 2, 2006

,

I meet so many people worse off than me...

I don't feel like laying down and letting everything take me over, I love

life and love the experiences because I am learning from them...

I think you have a tough lot to handle too...

Sendin you hugs honey

Heidi

____________________________________________

Heidi Jaye AKA Lady Magenta Aalotar

" Misty G and the insiders "

" People are strange, when your'e a stranger "

______________________________________________

-- [ ] HELP!

>

> Hi All,

> I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared.

My

> pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds

they

> use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas? Thanks

to

> you all!

> God Bless,

>

November 2, 2006

,

RA can be so very frustrating and scary. In my case, I can be (relatively)

pain free one day, and then wake up the next day with a knee so swollen that I

can hardly walk...and then the next day have a swollen wrist. Go figure.

At one point in my life, none of the meds were working, and of course the side

effects scared me. I just so happened to find a nutritionist who told me that

if I avoided certain foods (sugar seems to be the worst offender for me), then I

could get rid of the arthritis (so to speak). I stuck to her diet and

supplement suggestions for two months straight, and I was able to get off of my

medicine (prednisone at the time). I have since been rather lax about my diet,

but still avoid certain foods....and because of my lack of strength am back on 4

mg of prednisone a day.

The doctors are only taught the Western medicine ways, so you have to be

proactive with other areas in your life that absolutely DO have an impact on

your health -- physical (diet and exercise), mental and emotional health, etc.

Good luck to you. We all understand what you are going through!

bigsis135 <bigsis135@...> wrote:

[ ] HELP!

>

> Hi All,

> I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared.

My

> pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds

they

> use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas?

Thanks to

> you all!

> God Bless,

>

November 2, 2006

Hugs right back atcha!

Love,

Heidi Jaye <heidijaye2@...> wrote:

,

I meet so many people worse off than me...

I don't feel like laying down and letting everything take me over, I love

life and love the experiences because I am learning from them...

I think you have a tough lot to handle too...

Sendin you hugs honey

Heidi

____________________________________________

Heidi Jaye AKA Lady Magenta Aalotar

" Misty G and the insiders "

" People are strange, when your'e a stranger "

______________________________________________

-- [ ] HELP!

>

> Hi All,

> I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared.

My

> pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds

they

> use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas? Thanks

to

> you all!

> God Bless,

>

November 2, 2006

Thanks !

You are sooo right. I was eating alot of junk and feeling even worse than I do

now. A friend of mine who has MS told me about Candida and how it can take over

your body and make your symptoms worse! So I started taking additional

supplements and cut out most all of the sugar and hve been eating fresh foods

and making healthier choices. It has made a huge difference for me.

Fondly,

<bizzyisme@...> wrote:

,

RA can be so very frustrating and scary. In my case, I can be (relatively) pain

free one day, and then wake up the next day with a knee so swollen that I can

hardly walk...and then the next day have a swollen wrist. Go figure.

At one point in my life, none of the meds were working, and of course the side

effects scared me. I just so happened to find a nutritionist who told me that if

I avoided certain foods (sugar seems to be the worst offender for me), then I

could get rid of the arthritis (so to speak). I stuck to her diet and supplement

suggestions for two months straight, and I was able to get off of my medicine

(prednisone at the time). I have since been rather lax about my diet, but still

avoid certain foods....and because of my lack of strength am back on 4 mg of

prednisone a day.

The doctors are only taught the Western medicine ways, so you have to be

proactive with other areas in your life that absolutely DO have an impact on

your health -- physical (diet and exercise), mental and emotional health, etc.

Good luck to you. We all understand what you are going through!

bigsis135 <bigsis135@...> wrote:

[ ] HELP!

>

> Hi All,

> I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared.

My

> pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds

they

> use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas?

Thanks to

> you all!

> God Bless,

>

November 8, 2006

Annette,

Some rheumatologists do prescribe both at once. Close monitoring is

required.

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

Re: [ ] Re: HELP!

> Hello Joy,

>

> I would like to ask you how you were while taking both Arava and MXT. My

> Rhuematologist wants me to take Arava with my 20mg MXT, but I have

> been reading

> that they are not compatible. In fact the PIL advises against taking

> both.

> I would appreciate any comments.

>

> Best Wishes

>

> Annette

November 8, 2006

Yes I do go for blood tests every 4-6 weeks.

Joy

<Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote:

Annette,

Some rheumatologists do prescribe both at once. Close monitoring is

required.

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

Re: [ ] Re: HELP!

> Hello Joy,

>

> I would like to ask you how you were while taking both Arava and MXT. My

> Rhuematologist wants me to take Arava with my 20mg MXT, but I have

> been reading

> that they are not compatible. In fact the PIL advises against taking

> both.

> I would appreciate any comments.

>

> Best Wishes

>

> Annette

Joy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Visit Joy's Homepage and Reading Room!

http://jhoormann-ivil.tripod.com

Come see My Dog Salsa!

http://www.geocities.com/jhoorm01/Salsa.html

November 15, 2006

Hi ,

Davicete is a good place to start with pain meds. If that is not enough tell

your Doc, and they may move you up yo Percacete, or Tylenol with codine. You

also should be taking some kind of anti-inflammatory med, like Advil or Alive.

This keeps the internal swelling down (inflammation) and that will help with the

pain. Taking them before bed may help you sleep better. A muscle relaxer would

be better than sleeping pills before you got to bed in my opinion. They will

make you a little drowsy and relax you enough to sleep..

Hang in there and God Bless!!

Mike

Corinne Drover <Corinne@...> wrote:

Hi ,

I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I have been dealing with RA for

5 years. I take tyleno 4 and sometimes oxycocet. They do work for me.

As for sleeping well I found the same thing because I would fall asleep

and maybe

move in my sleep and the hurt would wake me. My doctor gave me a

sleeping pill

and it works perfect....Good luck and if you have any questions at all

you can email me

here or privately at corinnedilkie (DOT)

good luck,

Corinne

rustierose1964rustie wrote:

>

> Hi All,

> I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared. My

> pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds they

> use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas? Thanks to

> you all!

> God Bless,

>

November 16, 2006

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the advice. Have you ever taken Lortab? Someone from the group

recommended it as well. I will write down the ones you recommend too and when I

go see my Rheumy next week, I will talk with him about it. :-)

Thanks!

in CA

michael shane <mjstco@...> wrote:

Hi ,

Davicete is a good place to start with pain meds. If that is not enough tell

your Doc, and they may move you up yo Percacete, or Tylenol with codine. You

also should be taking some kind of anti-inflammatory med, like Advil or Alive.

This keeps the internal swelling down (inflammation) and that will help with the

pain. Taking them before bed may help you sleep better. A muscle relaxer would

be better than sleeping pills before you got to bed in my opinion. They will

make you a little drowsy and relax you enough to sleep..

Hang in there and God Bless!!

Mike

Corinne Drover <Corinne@...> wrote:

Hi ,

I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I have been dealing with RA for

5 years. I take tyleno 4 and sometimes oxycocet. They do work for me.

As for sleeping well I found the same thing because I would fall asleep

and maybe

move in my sleep and the hurt would wake me. My doctor gave me a

sleeping pill

and it works perfect....Good luck and if you have any questions at all

you can email me

here or privately at corinnedilkie (DOT)

good luck,

Corinne

rustierose1964rustie wrote:

>

> Hi All,

> I have just been diagnosed with RA and am very upset and scared. My

> pain seems to get worse everyday. Can someone tell me what meds they

> use to treat the pain, that works? And sleeping, how can I stay

> asleep? I wake up in pain several times a night. Any ideas? Thanks to

> you all!

> God Bless,

>

February 16, 2007

. . .

It's normal for a woman to feel worse just prior to explant . .. You've been struggling for some time . . putting all your energy into making it and holding yourself together . .. you're worn out.

Please be very good to yourself . . . eat well, get plenty sleep, drink a lot of water, take probiotics, eat fresh garlic, take oil of oregano, etc . . . If you can find a way to cut back on your work a little, do it. Maybe someone else will take some of your tables temporarily . . .

Try to clear your schedule of all extra demands on your energy and time. If you feel anything stressing you, walk away for now.

The health food stores have some wonderful smoothies with added probiotics . . . Maybe using them for a snack will help energize you.

You're nearly there! Less than three weeks to go! You're going to get there!

Hugs and prayers,

Rogene

February 16, 2007

,

It is so amazing to me - because the exact same words have been used

by so many other women who have come here. I honestly remember

others saying numerous times that they would get lost while

driving. I wish you all the best in your explant surgery, and I

have seen many women get better after explant, including from the

physical pain you have described. I have heard that Dr. Huang is

excellent, so you are in good hands.

When I went for my explant, I brought alot of sweat pants because I

knew I'd be spending alot of time in my hotel room. I also brought

zip up hooded sweatshirts. Otherwise, I just brought things to do

while in the hotel room to keep me occupied, and I found that my

cellphone was my lifeline. I brought alot of bottled water along,

too, because I was told it was important to drink alot of water

after surgery. I brought milk of magnesia along in the event I got

bound up by the pain medications. I brought a journal so I could

write down what I had just been through.

I know how far away your surgery feels - that's how I felt, too.

However, I survived until the surgery and now I'm more than a year

post explant.

Sis

--- In , <waltjenking@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi Everybody,

>

> I am very stressed out right now. I have been very positive up

until now, but now I am at the point where I don't think I can work

much longer. Today is the third time I had to leave my shift

because I couldn't finish it. I can't focus, I felt as though I was

going to pass out, and I'm not even walking straight. I wait tables

and I find myself walking into things, burning myself, and more. I

have extreme pain in my neck, shoulders, breasts, and back...behind

my implants. I can't remember anything and have to ask people

things over and over. I can't even drive because I don't remember

where to go. I sat in my car for 20 minutes before going into the

store to get a few things for dinner....it took me that long to

figure out what I needed.

>

> I am having my explant on March 13 with Dr. Huang. What do I

need to do? I need to know what I should bring and how to prepare

for this. I am so tired that it is hard for me to just write this

let alone research stuff. I don't want to sound like a whiner, but

I seriously feel like I am losing it and don't know how much longer

I can take this. Can someone please give me a little focus? I know

my surgery date is soon, but with the pain and all it feels like so

far away. Thanks.

>

> ---------------------------------

> TV dinner still cooling?

> Check out " Tonight's Picks " on TV.

>

February 16, 2007

-, I am so sorry you are going through this. Just to let

you know you are not alone, there are so many of us out here. My

explant was five weeks ago and the last weeks were awful, I had the

EXACT symptoms, and although I am still sick, the burning from the

implants is gone. I did have to quit working. So there is no happy

ending for me yet, but if you listen a lot of these women have been

to hell and back and survived and healed. So there is hope. Love

Nan

-- In , <waltjenking@...>