new here but not new to RA

April 13, 2004

Hi there. I was dx with RA at the age of 27 and have been living with

it for 8 years now--hard to believe! I was in remission for 2 years

thanks to Enbrel but docs had to take me off of it when I was dx with

MS in 2002. Slowly the RA came back and now it has taken over. I

can't go on any of the newer drugs like Remicade, Humira, Enbrel due

the MS (these drugs can cause MS to worsen). I was so thrilled to

become part of a clinical trial at Northwestern in Chicago for

Rituxan (approved lymphoma drug that can help RA). However I think

I'm part of the placebo group because I've gotten worse not better!

How frustrating. Thankfully at week 17 of study I can find out what

I'm on and request the Rituxan (in July).

My hands and feet are affected the worse right now. Have very limited

movement in shoulder (no cartilage left but too young for shoulder

replacement). My hands are so bad in the morning and I have a two

year old to run around after! He is 36 pounds so very hard to pick

up. Especially when he has temper tantrums about leaving the park and

goes flat out on the ground and kicks and screams if I pick him up--

AHHHHH!!!! Today I resorted to jelly beans to get him in the car--I

vowed I wouldn't bribe my children (but that was we didn't have

kids). WHat did I know??? He really is a sweetheart and kisses my

hands when I tell them they hurt :-)

i'm currently taking MTX, Celebrex and received infusion of trial

drug a month ago (but probably placebo).

Any other moms of toddlers with RA out there?? I could use some words

of encouragement

Thanks

Kirsten in Chicagoland

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