Re: Book Suggestions, Medication Experiences, Weight Loss suggestions

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I am the daughter of a 52 year old mother with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis

since the mid-1980s. I was hoping that some of you who have severe RA could

suggest books worthy of reading that may offer some weight loss suggestions

or other helpful information in helping her to cope with this disease. She

is of course on medications which cause weight gain, but tries not to use

them. She has severe crippling of her hands, yet she still has some use--can

type, but can't open containers, jars, etc. Her knees are bad sometimes too,

but she can walk. Exercise suggestions? Once she is on the floor, she cannot

get up by herself. Her toes are also severely affected. I suggested walking

on a treadmill, since she can walk, and her exer-cycle bike seems to make

her knees worse/fluid, etc.

Also, I was praying that some of you have experience with the new drugs that

are out such as Enbrel and others. She is afraid to try the new drugs for

fear of the very severe side-effects. Any input good or bad would be

appreciated. Please include your age (if you don't mind), how long you took

them, side effects, and benefits. She feels the drugs are not out long

enough to determine if they would help a severe RA condition. She feels that

she is still too young to take the risk.

P.S. Has anyone found any diets or supplements where they can honestly say

help the pain or the symptoms of RA with the added benefit of weight loss?

Thanks so much in advance.

I wish you all the best,

Kim from PA

[Guest guest]

Kim, you're very sweet to advocate for your mother.

Specifically, what medications does your mother currently take?

A good rheumatologist or nurse practitioner should be able to work with

your mother on the issues you raised. An excellent physician or

healthcare team is essential.

Exercise is important and beneficial in RA. If the bike is too hard on

your mother's knees, I agree that a high-quality treadmill is a good

idea. I also like elliptical trainers and own a cross-country ski

machine. All are gentle on the knees and the elliptical trainers and

skiers can provide a total body workout as opposed to the treadmill

which is lower-body only.

I understand your mother's hesitation about the newer treatments for RA,

but, for example, Enbrel (etanercept) was approved in November of 1998

and has a very good safety record so far. It's hard to believe it's

already been on the market for five years. We have many past and current

members who have had excellent results with Enbrel. Remicade

(infliximab), too. Yes, there is a risk of some very serious

side-effects, especially infection-related risks, but they occur in the

minority of users. Overall, Enbrel and Remicade have demonstrated a good

safety profile (Remicade was approved for RA in November of 1999). Of

course, we don't know about the very long-term side-effects that they

may produce, but, so far, the news is encouraging.

Those with RA who don't want to risk taking the more powerful

or newer treatments also risk, among other things, permanent joint

damage and a poor quality of life. Of course, only your mother can know

what is right for her, but she should be aware of all of the options and

possible outcomes.

Although there are many RA books available, and I have several good ones

in my own library, they become out-of-date quickly. At the moment, I

think the Internet is a better resource.

a's Web site is a very good place to start:

http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net

Here's her page on diet and exercise:

http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/Diet.html

Re: [ ] Book Suggestions, Medication Experiences,

Weight Loss suggestions

> Hello,

>

> I am the daughter of a 52 year old mother with severe Rheumatoid

Arthritis

> since the mid-1980s. I was hoping that some of you who have severe RA

could

> suggest books worthy of reading that may offer some weight loss

suggestions

> or other helpful information in helping her to cope with this disease.

She

> is of course on medications which cause weight gain, but tries not to

use

> them. She has severe crippling of her hands, yet she still has some

use--can

> type, but can't open containers, jars, etc. Her knees are bad

sometimes too,

> but she can walk. Exercise suggestions? Once she is on the floor, she

cannot

> get up by herself. Her toes are also severely affected. I suggested

walking

> on a treadmill, since she can walk, and her exer-cycle bike seems to

make

> her knees worse/fluid, etc.

>

> Also, I was praying that some of you have experience with the new

drugs that

> are out such as Enbrel and others. She is afraid to try the new drugs

for

> fear of the very severe side-effects. Any input good or bad would be

> appreciated. Please include your age (if you don't mind), how long you

took

> them, side effects, and benefits. She feels the drugs are not out long

> enough to determine if they would help a severe RA condition. She

feels that

> she is still too young to take the risk.

>

> P.S. Has anyone found any diets or supplements where they can honestly

say

> help the pain or the symptoms of RA with the added benefit of weight

loss?

>

> Thanks so much in advance.

>

> I wish you all the best,

>

> Kim from PA