Re: Kim- Book Suggestions, Medication Experiences, Weight Loss suggestions

[Guest guest]

Kim,

I have had RA for three years now. I too was unable to open containers,

squeeze out a wash cloth, cut my own meat, etc. The pain was awful and

caused me to get depressed.

I was first put on methotrexate, but that didn't help me much. I was

then switched to Arava, which was wonderful as far as relieving the

inflammation and pain. But it caused my white blood cell count to get

too low, so I had to stop taking it.

This was all a blessing, in my opinion, because then I was put on

Enbrel. It has worked wonderfully well for me. It has even helped the

fatigue. My fingers are nearly down to normal size, and I have very

little pain. I can still tell that I have RA, because I wake up stiff

in the morning, but it's almost as if I don't have it. I have noticed

no adverse side effects. I am 64, by the way.

I happen to have a wonderful rheumatologist who kept working at it

until he got it right. He told me that there are very few people that

nothing will help. People are different, so the same combination of

meds will not help everyone. Your mother's rheumy should be willing to

try different things until he finds something that works for her with a

minimum of side effects.

If your mother can get on a medication that reduces the inflammation

and pain, she'll then be better able to exercise. I exercise on a

stationary bike and find that that is relatively easy on the knees.

Perhaps she could benefit from steroid shots in the knees. I had one

when my knee was giving me fits, and it helped considerably. This was

pre-Enbrel; my knees have been fine since I've been on that. Actually I

started exercising before I got RA and was able to lose 30 pounds.

Since I'm diabetic, I have to restrict carbs, anyway, but I restricted

them even more and also watched portion size. The exercise is what did

the trick, though, I believe.

There is no reason for your mother to keep suffering unbearable pain if

she hasn't exhausted all the possibilities. Tell her to keep pestering

her rheumy until he does something to help her. Mine encourages me to

pester him, but since I've been on Enbrel I don't have to pester him

very much.

Sue

[Guest guest]

hello my doc has just prescribed enbrel for me . i watched the video and it

looks a little scary. having to mix it yourself. i don't know if to take it or

not.got to have insurance approve it first then as my book said i should only

have to pay $20 for it . but we'll see if that happens.

Sue <marysue@...> wrote:Kim,

I have had RA for three years now. I too was unable to open containers,

squeeze out a wash cloth, cut my own meat, etc. The pain was awful and

caused me to get depressed.

I was first put on methotrexate, but that didn't help me much. I was

then switched to Arava, which was wonderful as far as relieving the

inflammation and pain. But it caused my white blood cell count to get

too low, so I had to stop taking it.

This was all a blessing, in my opinion, because then I was put on

Enbrel. It has worked wonderfully well for me. It has even helped the

fatigue. My fingers are nearly down to normal size, and I have very

little pain. I can still tell that I have RA, because I wake up stiff

in the morning, but it's almost as if I don't have it. I have noticed

no adverse side effects. I am 64, by the way.

I happen to have a wonderful rheumatologist who kept working at it

until he got it right. He told me that there are very few people that

nothing will help. People are different, so the same combination of

meds will not help everyone. Your mother's rheumy should be willing to

try different things until he finds something that works for her with a

minimum of side effects.

If your mother can get on a medication that reduces the inflammation

and pain, she'll then be better able to exercise. I exercise on a

stationary bike and find that that is relatively easy on the knees.

Perhaps she could benefit from steroid shots in the knees. I had one

when my knee was giving me fits, and it helped considerably. This was

pre-Enbrel; my knees have been fine since I've been on that. Actually I

started exercising before I got RA and was able to lose 30 pounds.

Since I'm diabetic, I have to restrict carbs, anyway, but I restricted

them even more and also watched portion size. The exercise is what did

the trick, though, I believe.

There is no reason for your mother to keep suffering unbearable pain if

she hasn't exhausted all the possibilities. Tell her to keep pestering

her rheumy until he does something to help her. Mine encourages me to

pester him, but since I've been on Enbrel I don't have to pester him

very much.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Mike,

I hope the Enbrel works as well for you as it has for me. It was scary

for me, also, thinking of having to mix it and then actually sticking a

needle into my own body twice a week. But it is very easy to mix, and

soon becomes no chore at all. The injections are much easier now

because the needles are smaller and shorter than they used to be.

It took about a month for my insurance to approve me for the Enbrel,

but then I have an especially obstinate company, according to my

rheumy, who has dealt with many companies. So don't worry if it takes a

while. I was without medication during that month, but I did get

through it, and Enbrel was worth the wait.

Sue

On Saturday, January 10, 2004, at 12:17 AM, mike nelson wrote:

> hello my doc has just prescribed enbrel for me . i watched the video

> and it looks a little scary. having to mix it yourself. i don't know

> if to take it or not.got to have insurance approve it first then as my

> book said i should only have to pay $20 for it . but we'll see if that

> happens.

[Guest guest]

The Enbrel is not difficult to inject at all. I am a BIG chicken and I can do

it with no problem. Once you actually do it, it becomes less overwhelming. I

know exactly how you feel though, I felt the same way. I have been on it about

1-1/2 yrs.-have had no side effects-it doesn't help me much with the pain and

swelling but it definitely helps with the fatigue. Also,Each person's reaction

is different and I know there are people who it helps across the board soI would

say to try it-it is definitely worth it!

mike nelson <winchester19572004@...> wrote:

hello my doc has just prescribed enbrel for me . i watched the video and it

looks a little scary. having to mix it yourself. i don't know if to take it or

not.got to have insurance approve it first then as my book said i should only

have to pay $20 for it . but we'll see if that happens.

Sue <marysue@...> wrote:Kim,

I have had RA for three years now. I too was unable to open containers,

squeeze out a wash cloth, cut my own meat, etc. The pain was awful and

caused me to get depressed.

I was first put on methotrexate, but that didn't help me much. I was

then switched to Arava, which was wonderful as far as relieving the

inflammation and pain. But it caused my white blood cell count to get

too low, so I had to stop taking it.

This was all a blessing, in my opinion, because then I was put on

Enbrel. It has worked wonderfully well for me. It has even helped the

fatigue. My fingers are nearly down to normal size, and I have very

little pain. I can still tell that I have RA, because I wake up stiff

in the morning, but it's almost as if I don't have it. I have noticed

no adverse side effects. I am 64, by the way.

I happen to have a wonderful rheumatologist who kept working at it

until he got it right. He told me that there are very few people that

nothing will help. People are different, so the same combination of

meds will not help everyone. Your mother's rheumy should be willing to

try different things until he finds something that works for her with a

minimum of side effects.

If your mother can get on a medication that reduces the inflammation

and pain, she'll then be better able to exercise. I exercise on a

stationary bike and find that that is relatively easy on the knees.

Perhaps she could benefit from steroid shots in the knees. I had one

when my knee was giving me fits, and it helped considerably. This was

pre-Enbrel; my knees have been fine since I've been on that. Actually I

started exercising before I got RA and was able to lose 30 pounds.

Since I'm diabetic, I have to restrict carbs, anyway, but I restricted

them even more and also watched portion size. The exercise is what did

the trick, though, I believe.

There is no reason for your mother to keep suffering unbearable pain if

she hasn't exhausted all the possibilities. Tell her to keep pestering

her rheumy until he does something to help her. Mine encourages me to

pester him, but since I've been on Enbrel I don't have to pester him

very much.

Sue

[Guest guest]

thank goodness i have a dauther in-law who is a R.N. she said she would give me

the first few shots. it seems like nothing is going to stop it. sense i've

been to the doc. i've been worried and down . i fear a wheelchair is down the

road. your friend mike

Montemorra <neproper@...> wrote:The Enbrel is not difficult to

inject at all. I am a BIG chicken and I can do it with no problem. Once you

actually do it, it becomes less overwhelming. I know exactly how you feel

though, I felt the same way. I have been on it about 1-1/2 yrs.-have had no

side effects-it doesn't help me much with the pain and swelling but it

definitely helps with the fatigue. Also,Each person's reaction is different and

I know there are people who it helps across the board soI would say to try it-it

is definitely worth it!

mike nelson <winchester19572004@...> wrote:

hello my doc has just prescribed enbrel for me . i watched the video and it

looks a little scary. having to mix it yourself. i don't know if to take it or

not.got to have insurance approve it first then as my book said i should only

have to pay $20 for it . but we'll see if that happens.

Sue <marysue@...> wrote:Kim,

I have had RA for three years now. I too was unable to open containers,

squeeze out a wash cloth, cut my own meat, etc. The pain was awful and

caused me to get depressed.

I was first put on methotrexate, but that didn't help me much. I was

then switched to Arava, which was wonderful as far as relieving the

inflammation and pain. But it caused my white blood cell count to get

too low, so I had to stop taking it.

This was all a blessing, in my opinion, because then I was put on

Enbrel. It has worked wonderfully well for me. It has even helped the

fatigue. My fingers are nearly down to normal size, and I have very

little pain. I can still tell that I have RA, because I wake up stiff

in the morning, but it's almost as if I don't have it. I have noticed

no adverse side effects. I am 64, by the way.

I happen to have a wonderful rheumatologist who kept working at it

until he got it right. He told me that there are very few people that

nothing will help. People are different, so the same combination of

meds will not help everyone. Your mother's rheumy should be willing to

try different things until he finds something that works for her with a

minimum of side effects.

If your mother can get on a medication that reduces the inflammation

and pain, she'll then be better able to exercise. I exercise on a

stationary bike and find that that is relatively easy on the knees.

Perhaps she could benefit from steroid shots in the knees. I had one

when my knee was giving me fits, and it helped considerably. This was

pre-Enbrel; my knees have been fine since I've been on that. Actually I

started exercising before I got RA and was able to lose 30 pounds.

Since I'm diabetic, I have to restrict carbs, anyway, but I restricted

them even more and also watched portion size. The exercise is what did

the trick, though, I believe.

There is no reason for your mother to keep suffering unbearable pain if

she hasn't exhausted all the possibilities. Tell her to keep pestering

her rheumy until he does something to help her. Mine encourages me to

pester him, but since I've been on Enbrel I don't have to pester him

very much.

Sue

[Guest guest]

thanks you help to ease my worries . your friend mike

Sue <marysue@...> wrote:Mike,

I hope the Enbrel works as well for you as it has for me. It was scary

for me, also, thinking of having to mix it and then actually sticking a

needle into my own body twice a week. But it is very easy to mix, and

soon becomes no chore at all. The injections are much easier now

because the needles are smaller and shorter than they used to be.

It took about a month for my insurance to approve me for the Enbrel,

but then I have an especially obstinate company, according to my

rheumy, who has dealt with many companies. So don't worry if it takes a

while. I was without medication during that month, but I did get

through it, and Enbrel was worth the wait.

Sue

On Saturday, January 10, 2004, at 12:17 AM, mike nelson wrote:

> hello my doc has just prescribed enbrel for me . i watched the video

> and it looks a little scary. having to mix it yourself. i don't know

> if to take it or not.got to have insurance approve it first then as my

> book said i should only have to pay $20 for it . but we'll see if that

> happens.

[Guest guest]

thanks you help to ease my worries . your friend mike

Sue <marysue@...> wrote:Mike,

I hope the Enbrel works as well for you as it has for me. It was scary

for me, also, thinking of having to mix it and then actually sticking a

needle into my own body twice a week. But it is very easy to mix, and

soon becomes no chore at all. The injections are much easier now

because the needles are smaller and shorter than they used to be.

It took about a month for my insurance to approve me for the Enbrel,

but then I have an especially obstinate company, according to my

rheumy, who has dealt with many companies. So don't worry if it takes a

while. I was without medication during that month, but I did get

through it, and Enbrel was worth the wait.

Sue

On Saturday, January 10, 2004, at 12:17 AM, mike nelson wrote:

> hello my doc has just prescribed enbrel for me . i watched the video

> and it looks a little scary. having to mix it yourself. i don't know

> if to take it or not.got to have insurance approve it first then as my

> book said i should only have to pay $20 for it . but we'll see if that

> happens.

[Guest guest]

Mike,

That is great that your daughter in law will help. I went to my rheumy's office

for two weeks 2 X a week to get my first few shots-the RN there gave me my

first one and then watched me do it. It was so helpful and to have someone in

the family will be even better. Believe me, once you start doing it, it will

come easily. The new needles are very small and the new way of mixing is very

easy. Good luck to you and let us know how you make out.

mike nelson <winchester19572004@...> wrote:

thank goodness i have a dauther in-law who is a R.N. she said she would give me

the first few shots. it seems like nothing is going to stop it. sense i've

been to the doc. i've been worried and down . i fear a wheelchair is down the

road. your friend mike

Montemorra <neproper@...> wrote:The Enbrel is not difficult to

inject at all. I am a BIG chicken and I can do it with no problem. Once you

actually do it, it becomes less overwhelming. I know exactly how you feel

though, I felt the same way. I have been on it about 1-1/2 yrs.-have had no

side effects-it doesn't help me much with the pain and swelling but it

definitely helps with the fatigue. Also,Each person's reaction is different and

I know there are people who it helps across the board soI would say to try it-it

is definitely worth it!

mike nelson <winchester19572004@...> wrote:

hello my doc has just prescribed enbrel for me . i watched the video and it

looks a little scary. having to mix it yourself. i don't know if to take it or

not.got to have insurance approve it first then as my book said i should only

have to pay $20 for it . but we'll see if that happens.

Sue <marysue@...> wrote:Kim,

I have had RA for three years now. I too was unable to open containers,

squeeze out a wash cloth, cut my own meat, etc. The pain was awful and

caused me to get depressed.

I was first put on methotrexate, but that didn't help me much. I was

then switched to Arava, which was wonderful as far as relieving the

inflammation and pain. But it caused my white blood cell count to get

too low, so I had to stop taking it.

This was all a blessing, in my opinion, because then I was put on

Enbrel. It has worked wonderfully well for me. It has even helped the

fatigue. My fingers are nearly down to normal size, and I have very

little pain. I can still tell that I have RA, because I wake up stiff

in the morning, but it's almost as if I don't have it. I have noticed

no adverse side effects. I am 64, by the way.

I happen to have a wonderful rheumatologist who kept working at it

until he got it right. He told me that there are very few people that

nothing will help. People are different, so the same combination of

meds will not help everyone. Your mother's rheumy should be willing to

try different things until he finds something that works for her with a

minimum of side effects.

If your mother can get on a medication that reduces the inflammation

and pain, she'll then be better able to exercise. I exercise on a

stationary bike and find that that is relatively easy on the knees.

Perhaps she could benefit from steroid shots in the knees. I had one

when my knee was giving me fits, and it helped considerably. This was

pre-Enbrel; my knees have been fine since I've been on that. Actually I

started exercising before I got RA and was able to lose 30 pounds.

Since I'm diabetic, I have to restrict carbs, anyway, but I restricted

them even more and also watched portion size. The exercise is what did

the trick, though, I believe.

There is no reason for your mother to keep suffering unbearable pain if

she hasn't exhausted all the possibilities. Tell her to keep pestering

her rheumy until he does something to help her. Mine encourages me to

pester him, but since I've been on Enbrel I don't have to pester him

very much.

Sue