Becky

February 25, 2004

Becky, weren't you taking oral MTX before? Please consider trying the

injections (and folic acid, of course) this time. I'm glad you're going

to meet with your rheumatologist soon to reassess your situation. Maybe

he will have some insight on the disability issue, too.

Don't worry about how you look when you go out. It always happens that

when you take a quick trip to the store maybe not looking your best that

you run into more people than usual! It always happens to me. Long ago,

I heard Crawford tell a funny story in a TV interview of how she

was just relaxing one day, wearing sweats, and she strolled into a major

department store to buy some things. The gal behind the counter told her

that she'd be real cute with some make-up, LOL!

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: Becki

> I was taking it several months ago but I quit after a few weeks. I

didn't like how it made me feel. Maybe I should give it another try.

I'm really discouraged about the Humira so far. It hurts so bad but

I've accepted that, it would be worth the pain if it helps. I know it

takes time to see if it's working but I was really hoping that by now I

would notice something. I'm also taking Naproxin. I was taking

Celebrex and it quit helping, then Vioxx and Bextra, depending on what

the insurance allowed. Now they say Naproxin. I'm not sure what to do.

I have an appointment coming up with my rheumy soon so I guess we'll

figure it out then. I'm also thinking about disability. I have my own

business but am depending more and more on others to run it. I won't be

making any money doing that but disability isn't much either. I'm

thankful for all of the websites everyone has passed along. It gives me

a good idea of what I need to tell the doctors so they can put it in my

files (how long I can sit, stand, etc.). It's cold here so I'm hoping

the cold has something to do with all of this. I put my hands in heated

mitts like the ones they use when you get a manicure. I bought them at

Sally Beauty Supply for about $20 and it really did seem to help a lot.

I was told to use moist heat so I put on lotion and vinyl gloves first.

Today I just put my hands in it without the lotion and gloves and I

think it worked better. I actually felt okay enough this evening to go

to Wal-Mart and the grocery store to get a few things. My son drove me

and dropped me off at the door. I just wish I looked better than I did

tonight as I saw so many people I knew. It seems that I get so

exhausted just taking a shower, styling my hair, and putting on make up.

If I do a little at a time it works out much better. But sometimes I

just shower and wash my hair. The rest never gets done.

>

> Becky

February 25, 2004

Yes, I took MTX for a few weeks before and didn't like the way I felt and my

hair was falling out some. Maybe I was more concerned about what the drug was

and that scared me away. I called the manufacturer of Humira today and they

agreed that the MTX could help out. They said I might be having a flare up too

and even on Humira you could still have flare ups. I guess I didn't realize

that or even think about that.

Becky

P.S. I have makeup on today and my hair is fixed!!!!!!