Guest guest Posted November 20, 2004 Report Share Posted November 20, 2004 Welcome April. You¹ve come to the right place to learn about RA. Having a positive rheumatoid factor isn¹t enough to diagnose RA. There are many reasons RF can be positive, just like there can be many reasons for joint pain. Do you have morning stiffness? Did your doctor order any x-rays to see if there is any erosion of the bone? Do you know if anything else in your blood tests were abnormal such as SED rate and CRP? a > > > Hello, My name is April and I am a married 36 yr old Christian from > Southern California with 2 daughters in 5 & 6th grade. I work one > day a/wk away from home and do home sales the rest of the time. > > My Doctor did some blood work on me Wed. to see if I > have " Rheumatoid Arthritis " through out my body and it came back > Positive. He is going on vacation and my next appointment is not > till 2nd wk of Dec. and will talk to me and start me on med. then. > > I have been in TWO car accidents (not my fault) and had a few Horse > accidents as well. I am on Wellbutrin and Synthroid, take my multi > vitamins, Fish oils/Flax, St. Jn's Wrt, Gingko, Caltrate, and take > my Acidophilus at night before bed. > I take mostly Tylenol when needed and ad 1/2 a Vicodine if it's real > bad alternating with Ibuprphen if my stomach allows. > Glucosamine/. Chondroitin is not an option for me, every time I take > it, even with food, it upsets my stomach. > > I have been in some extra pain the past few yrs which disrupts my > everyday life and sleep patterns. I get tired easily and suffer from > ADD (suffered horribly in school w/out diagnosis then), > depression, , Anxiety/attacks, IBS, Scoliosis, bladder pain off and > on with no positive infection results but get better with > antibiotics and cranberry juice, Tender Points and Candida ( all the > classic symptoms and way too many antibiotics in the past). My pains > are in my Feet, Knees, Hips, Low back, Mid Back, Neck, Shoulders, > Arms/Elbows, Wrists, Hands and Fingers. I would say that my pain has > definitely accelerated sometime after I started Low Carbing (which > major acid reflux died down at that time but back again) and took me > 2 years to lose 45 lbs. I am now back up about 20 less than when I > started and have tapered off from the gaining back. My constant goal > ( but not always successful is to keep refined sugars and bad fats > out of my diet as much as possible and eat more veggies, complex > carbs, lean proteins and good fats. Can you believe as I wrote this > someone came to my door selling chocolates for a youth program!! > (which I declined but gave a donation) > > I would love to exercise 3 x's a week but usually only manage 2, 4 > sometimes 6 times a month 20-40 minutes at a time. I have a > Cardiofit, Gazelle Glider and Treadmill and try to do my stretches > etc in the evening. > > I would like to learn more about RA and what it is doing to me and > how to cope with it. Any advice and prayer are much appreciated and > I would like to know what my options are and what meds I should not > take especially those that are safe for the stomach. > > Thanks and blessings, > April from CA > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2004 Report Share Posted November 20, 2004 Welcome April. You¹ve come to the right place to learn about RA. Having a positive rheumatoid factor isn¹t enough to diagnose RA. There are many reasons RF can be positive, just like there can be many reasons for joint pain. Do you have morning stiffness? Did your doctor order any x-rays to see if there is any erosion of the bone? Do you know if anything else in your blood tests were abnormal such as SED rate and CRP? a > > > Hello, My name is April and I am a married 36 yr old Christian from > Southern California with 2 daughters in 5 & 6th grade. I work one > day a/wk away from home and do home sales the rest of the time. > > My Doctor did some blood work on me Wed. to see if I > have " Rheumatoid Arthritis " through out my body and it came back > Positive. He is going on vacation and my next appointment is not > till 2nd wk of Dec. and will talk to me and start me on med. then. > > I have been in TWO car accidents (not my fault) and had a few Horse > accidents as well. I am on Wellbutrin and Synthroid, take my multi > vitamins, Fish oils/Flax, St. Jn's Wrt, Gingko, Caltrate, and take > my Acidophilus at night before bed. > I take mostly Tylenol when needed and ad 1/2 a Vicodine if it's real > bad alternating with Ibuprphen if my stomach allows. > Glucosamine/. Chondroitin is not an option for me, every time I take > it, even with food, it upsets my stomach. > > I have been in some extra pain the past few yrs which disrupts my > everyday life and sleep patterns. I get tired easily and suffer from > ADD (suffered horribly in school w/out diagnosis then), > depression, , Anxiety/attacks, IBS, Scoliosis, bladder pain off and > on with no positive infection results but get better with > antibiotics and cranberry juice, Tender Points and Candida ( all the > classic symptoms and way too many antibiotics in the past). My pains > are in my Feet, Knees, Hips, Low back, Mid Back, Neck, Shoulders, > Arms/Elbows, Wrists, Hands and Fingers. I would say that my pain has > definitely accelerated sometime after I started Low Carbing (which > major acid reflux died down at that time but back again) and took me > 2 years to lose 45 lbs. I am now back up about 20 less than when I > started and have tapered off from the gaining back. My constant goal > ( but not always successful is to keep refined sugars and bad fats > out of my diet as much as possible and eat more veggies, complex > carbs, lean proteins and good fats. Can you believe as I wrote this > someone came to my door selling chocolates for a youth program!! > (which I declined but gave a donation) > > I would love to exercise 3 x's a week but usually only manage 2, 4 > sometimes 6 times a month 20-40 minutes at a time. I have a > Cardiofit, Gazelle Glider and Treadmill and try to do my stretches > etc in the evening. > > I would like to learn more about RA and what it is doing to me and > how to cope with it. Any advice and prayer are much appreciated and > I would like to know what my options are and what meds I should not > take especially those that are safe for the stomach. > > Thanks and blessings, > April from CA > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2004 Report Share Posted November 20, 2004 All I know is that he wants to discuss meds for my ra and I won't know anything else till my he gets back next month from vacation. a54 <a54@...> wrote: Welcome April. You¹ve come to the right place to learn about RA. Having a positive rheumatoid factor isn¹t enough to diagnose RA. There are many reasons RF can be positive, just like there can be many reasons for joint pain. Do you have morning stiffness? Did your doctor order any x-rays to see if there is any erosion of the bone? Do you know if anything else in your blood tests were abnormal such as SED rate and CRP? a > > > Hello, My name is April and I am a married 36 yr old Christian from > Southern California with 2 daughters in 5 & 6th grade. I work one > day a/wk away from home and do home sales the rest of the time. > > My Doctor did some blood work on me Wed. to see if I > have " Rheumatoid Arthritis " through out my body and it came back > Positive. He is going on vacation and my next appointment is not > till 2nd wk of Dec. and will talk to me and start me on med. then. > > I have been in TWO car accidents (not my fault) and had a few Horse > accidents as well. I am on Wellbutrin and Synthroid, take my multi > vitamins, Fish oils/Flax, St. Jn's Wrt, Gingko, Caltrate, and take > my Acidophilus at night before bed. > I take mostly Tylenol when needed and ad 1/2 a Vicodine if it's real > bad alternating with Ibuprphen if my stomach allows. > Glucosamine/. Chondroitin is not an option for me, every time I take > it, even with food, it upsets my stomach. > > I have been in some extra pain the past few yrs which disrupts my > everyday life and sleep patterns. I get tired easily and suffer from > ADD (suffered horribly in school w/out diagnosis then), > depression, , Anxiety/attacks, IBS, Scoliosis, bladder pain off and > on with no positive infection results but get better with > antibiotics and cranberry juice, Tender Points and Candida ( all the > classic symptoms and way too many antibiotics in the past). My pains > are in my Feet, Knees, Hips, Low back, Mid Back, Neck, Shoulders, > Arms/Elbows, Wrists, Hands and Fingers. I would say that my pain has > definitely accelerated sometime after I started Low Carbing (which > major acid reflux died down at that time but back again) and took me > 2 years to lose 45 lbs. I am now back up about 20 less than when I > started and have tapered off from the gaining back. My constant goal > ( but not always successful is to keep refined sugars and bad fats > out of my diet as much as possible and eat more veggies, complex > carbs, lean proteins and good fats. Can you believe as I wrote this > someone came to my door selling chocolates for a youth program!! > (which I declined but gave a donation) > > I would love to exercise 3 x's a week but usually only manage 2, 4 > sometimes 6 times a month 20-40 minutes at a time. I have a > Cardiofit, Gazelle Glider and Treadmill and try to do my stretches > etc in the evening. > > I would like to learn more about RA and what it is doing to me and > how to cope with it. Any advice and prayer are much appreciated and > I would like to know what my options are and what meds I should not > take especially those that are safe for the stomach. > > Thanks and blessings, > April from CA > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2004 Report Share Posted November 20, 2004 All I know is that he wants to discuss meds for my ra and I won't know anything else till my he gets back next month from vacation. a54 <a54@...> wrote: Welcome April. You¹ve come to the right place to learn about RA. Having a positive rheumatoid factor isn¹t enough to diagnose RA. There are many reasons RF can be positive, just like there can be many reasons for joint pain. Do you have morning stiffness? Did your doctor order any x-rays to see if there is any erosion of the bone? Do you know if anything else in your blood tests were abnormal such as SED rate and CRP? a > > > Hello, My name is April and I am a married 36 yr old Christian from > Southern California with 2 daughters in 5 & 6th grade. I work one > day a/wk away from home and do home sales the rest of the time. > > My Doctor did some blood work on me Wed. to see if I > have " Rheumatoid Arthritis " through out my body and it came back > Positive. He is going on vacation and my next appointment is not > till 2nd wk of Dec. and will talk to me and start me on med. then. > > I have been in TWO car accidents (not my fault) and had a few Horse > accidents as well. I am on Wellbutrin and Synthroid, take my multi > vitamins, Fish oils/Flax, St. Jn's Wrt, Gingko, Caltrate, and take > my Acidophilus at night before bed. > I take mostly Tylenol when needed and ad 1/2 a Vicodine if it's real > bad alternating with Ibuprphen if my stomach allows. > Glucosamine/. Chondroitin is not an option for me, every time I take > it, even with food, it upsets my stomach. > > I have been in some extra pain the past few yrs which disrupts my > everyday life and sleep patterns. I get tired easily and suffer from > ADD (suffered horribly in school w/out diagnosis then), > depression, , Anxiety/attacks, IBS, Scoliosis, bladder pain off and > on with no positive infection results but get better with > antibiotics and cranberry juice, Tender Points and Candida ( all the > classic symptoms and way too many antibiotics in the past). My pains > are in my Feet, Knees, Hips, Low back, Mid Back, Neck, Shoulders, > Arms/Elbows, Wrists, Hands and Fingers. I would say that my pain has > definitely accelerated sometime after I started Low Carbing (which > major acid reflux died down at that time but back again) and took me > 2 years to lose 45 lbs. I am now back up about 20 less than when I > started and have tapered off from the gaining back. My constant goal > ( but not always successful is to keep refined sugars and bad fats > out of my diet as much as possible and eat more veggies, complex > carbs, lean proteins and good fats. Can you believe as I wrote this > someone came to my door selling chocolates for a youth program!! > (which I declined but gave a donation) > > I would love to exercise 3 x's a week but usually only manage 2, 4 > sometimes 6 times a month 20-40 minutes at a time. I have a > Cardiofit, Gazelle Glider and Treadmill and try to do my stretches > etc in the evening. > > I would like to learn more about RA and what it is doing to me and > how to cope with it. Any advice and prayer are much appreciated and > I would like to know what my options are and what meds I should not > take especially those that are safe for the stomach. > > Thanks and blessings, > April from CA > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2004 Report Share Posted November 20, 2004 a, P.S. I forgot to answer - Oh boy do I have morning stiffness, and sometimes my feet will kill me as soon as I wake up like I had walked a marathon or something! I will have trouble going to sleep because of pain and/or wake up with it. I have a " sleep number " bed and memory foam but sometimes no matter what, can't get comfortable. I look like I am ancient -walking around here in the a.m.- I will guess about 45 minutes to hour and 15 min. unless some of my pain sticks with me for part of the day or more. Blessings, April a54 <a54@...> wrote: Welcome April. You¹ve come to the right place to learn about RA. Having a positive rheumatoid factor isn¹t enough to diagnose RA. There are many reasons RF can be positive, just like there can be many reasons for joint pain. Do you have morning stiffness? Did your doctor order any x-rays to see if there is any erosion of the bone? Do you know if anything else in your blood tests were abnormal such as SED rate and CRP? a > > > Hello, My name is April and I am a married 36 yr old Christian from > Southern California with 2 daughters in 5 & 6th grade. I work one > day a/wk away from home and do home sales the rest of the time. > > My Doctor did some blood work on me Wed. to see if I > have " Rheumatoid Arthritis " through out my body and it came back > Positive. He is going on vacation and my next appointment is not > till 2nd wk of Dec. and will talk to me and start me on med. then. > > I have been in TWO car accidents (not my fault) and had a few Horse > accidents as well. I am on Wellbutrin and Synthroid, take my multi > vitamins, Fish oils/Flax, St. Jn's Wrt, Gingko, Caltrate, and take > my Acidophilus at night before bed. > I take mostly Tylenol when needed and ad 1/2 a Vicodine if it's real > bad alternating with Ibuprphen if my stomach allows. > Glucosamine/. Chondroitin is not an option for me, every time I take > it, even with food, it upsets my stomach. > > I have been in some extra pain the past few yrs which disrupts my > everyday life and sleep patterns. I get tired easily and suffer from > ADD (suffered horribly in school w/out diagnosis then), > depression, , Anxiety/attacks, IBS, Scoliosis, bladder pain off and > on with no positive infection results but get better with > antibiotics and cranberry juice, Tender Points and Candida ( all the > classic symptoms and way too many antibiotics in the past). My pains > are in my Feet, Knees, Hips, Low back, Mid Back, Neck, Shoulders, > Arms/Elbows, Wrists, Hands and Fingers. I would say that my pain has > definitely accelerated sometime after I started Low Carbing (which > major acid reflux died down at that time but back again) and took me > 2 years to lose 45 lbs. I am now back up about 20 less than when I > started and have tapered off from the gaining back. My constant goal > ( but not always successful is to keep refined sugars and bad fats > out of my diet as much as possible and eat more veggies, complex > carbs, lean proteins and good fats. Can you believe as I wrote this > someone came to my door selling chocolates for a youth program!! > (which I declined but gave a donation) > > I would love to exercise 3 x's a week but usually only manage 2, 4 > sometimes 6 times a month 20-40 minutes at a time. I have a > Cardiofit, Gazelle Glider and Treadmill and try to do my stretches > etc in the evening. > > I would like to learn more about RA and what it is doing to me and > how to cope with it. Any advice and prayer are much appreciated and > I would like to know what my options are and what meds I should not > take especially those that are safe for the stomach. > > Thanks and blessings, > April from CA > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2004 Report Share Posted November 20, 2004 a, P.S. I forgot to answer - Oh boy do I have morning stiffness, and sometimes my feet will kill me as soon as I wake up like I had walked a marathon or something! I will have trouble going to sleep because of pain and/or wake up with it. I have a " sleep number " bed and memory foam but sometimes no matter what, can't get comfortable. I look like I am ancient -walking around here in the a.m.- I will guess about 45 minutes to hour and 15 min. unless some of my pain sticks with me for part of the day or more. Blessings, April a54 <a54@...> wrote: Welcome April. You¹ve come to the right place to learn about RA. Having a positive rheumatoid factor isn¹t enough to diagnose RA. There are many reasons RF can be positive, just like there can be many reasons for joint pain. Do you have morning stiffness? Did your doctor order any x-rays to see if there is any erosion of the bone? Do you know if anything else in your blood tests were abnormal such as SED rate and CRP? a > > > Hello, My name is April and I am a married 36 yr old Christian from > Southern California with 2 daughters in 5 & 6th grade. I work one > day a/wk away from home and do home sales the rest of the time. > > My Doctor did some blood work on me Wed. to see if I > have " Rheumatoid Arthritis " through out my body and it came back > Positive. He is going on vacation and my next appointment is not > till 2nd wk of Dec. and will talk to me and start me on med. then. > > I have been in TWO car accidents (not my fault) and had a few Horse > accidents as well. I am on Wellbutrin and Synthroid, take my multi > vitamins, Fish oils/Flax, St. Jn's Wrt, Gingko, Caltrate, and take > my Acidophilus at night before bed. > I take mostly Tylenol when needed and ad 1/2 a Vicodine if it's real > bad alternating with Ibuprphen if my stomach allows. > Glucosamine/. Chondroitin is not an option for me, every time I take > it, even with food, it upsets my stomach. > > I have been in some extra pain the past few yrs which disrupts my > everyday life and sleep patterns. I get tired easily and suffer from > ADD (suffered horribly in school w/out diagnosis then), > depression, , Anxiety/attacks, IBS, Scoliosis, bladder pain off and > on with no positive infection results but get better with > antibiotics and cranberry juice, Tender Points and Candida ( all the > classic symptoms and way too many antibiotics in the past). My pains > are in my Feet, Knees, Hips, Low back, Mid Back, Neck, Shoulders, > Arms/Elbows, Wrists, Hands and Fingers. I would say that my pain has > definitely accelerated sometime after I started Low Carbing (which > major acid reflux died down at that time but back again) and took me > 2 years to lose 45 lbs. I am now back up about 20 less than when I > started and have tapered off from the gaining back. My constant goal > ( but not always successful is to keep refined sugars and bad fats > out of my diet as much as possible and eat more veggies, complex > carbs, lean proteins and good fats. Can you believe as I wrote this > someone came to my door selling chocolates for a youth program!! > (which I declined but gave a donation) > > I would love to exercise 3 x's a week but usually only manage 2, 4 > sometimes 6 times a month 20-40 minutes at a time. I have a > Cardiofit, Gazelle Glider and Treadmill and try to do my stretches > etc in the evening. > > I would like to learn more about RA and what it is doing to me and > how to cope with it. Any advice and prayer are much appreciated and > I would like to know what my options are and what meds I should not > take especially those that are safe for the stomach. > > Thanks and blessings, > April from CA > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2004 Report Share Posted November 21, 2004 hi April, Im not sure if anyone else has told you this so if so sorry for the repeat. While taking Wellbutrin you should not take St. s Wort. It is like double dosing your meds. When you take a prescribed medication for something you shouldnt also medicate it with herbs for the same thing. Usually that is how herbs get a bad rap. People who take anti-depressants should NEVER take St. s also you could Over dose youself. Herbs I believe are a gift from our Lord but need to be taken very carefully along side traditional meds. Other than that I also wanted to welcome you to the group. I too am a christian. There is a web site called www.restministries.org it has helped alot.I was diagnosed almost a year ago with RA it has been a difficult journey. You know Im sure how it is pray for healing expect God to heal. Well meaning friends and church members give their 2 cents worth. Through all of this I thought Lord what have you allowed to happen to me? Then I thought Oh Lord you know I CANT handle this. I have learned alot. That in a world that is affected by sin and a world that is falling apart things happen. If God would have healed me right away like I wanted then I would have not grown into a more mature person in Christ. I would not have understanding or compassion to pray for others in this group. I would not be the person I am. It has taught me to slow down and do only the things that God wants me to accomplish and He gives me the strength to do those things He wants me to do. It has taught me to seek Him first instead of trying to fix and do everything. I still pray to be healed but now I ask God what do you want me to learn today from this and please use this circumstance to mature me and make me a better person so that I may glorify my Lord and Savior. I will be praying for you not only for your physical body but for you spiritual growth also and for strength and that the Lord will give your doc wisdom in how and what meds you should take. Where in Calif. are you? We just moved 3 months ago from Santa ( 1 hour north of Santa Barbara) My mother in law is stage 4 breast cancer and terminal. My hubby is a nurse so we are here to care for her until she enters the pearly gates . Im 31 and have 4 kids whom I homeschool ages 4-11. We are now living close to St. Louis, Missouri. Take care and May the Lord make His face to shine upon you. Your sister in Christ, Latisha April <aprilsruss@...> wrote: Hello, My name is April and I am a married 36 yr old Christian from Southern California with 2 daughters in 5 & 6th grade. I work one day a/wk away from home and do home sales the rest of the time. My Doctor did some blood work on me Wed. to see if I have " Rheumatoid Arthritis " through out my body and it came back Positive. He is going on vacation and my next appointment is not till 2nd wk of Dec. and will talk to me and start me on med. then. I have been in TWO car accidents (not my fault) and had a few Horse accidents as well. I am on Wellbutrin and Synthroid, take my multi vitamins, Fish oils/Flax, St. Jn's Wrt, Gingko, Caltrate, and take my Acidophilus at night before bed. I take mostly Tylenol when needed and ad 1/2 a Vicodine if it's real bad alternating with Ibuprphen if my stomach allows. Glucosamine/. Chondroitin is not an option for me, every time I take it, even with food, it upsets my stomach. I have been in some extra pain the past few yrs which disrupts my everyday life and sleep patterns. I get tired easily and suffer from ADD (suffered horribly in school w/out diagnosis then), depression, , Anxiety/attacks, IBS, Scoliosis, bladder pain off and on with no positive infection results but get better with antibiotics and cranberry juice, Tender Points and Candida ( all the classic symptoms and way too many antibiotics in the past). My pains are in my Feet, Knees, Hips, Low back, Mid Back, Neck, Shoulders, Arms/Elbows, Wrists, Hands and Fingers. I would say that my pain has definitely accelerated sometime after I started Low Carbing (which major acid reflux died down at that time but back again) and took me 2 years to lose 45 lbs. I am now back up about 20 less than when I started and have tapered off from the gaining back. My constant goal ( but not always successful is to keep refined sugars and bad fats out of my diet as much as possible and eat more veggies, complex carbs, lean proteins and good fats. Can you believe as I wrote this someone came to my door selling chocolates for a youth program!! (which I declined but gave a donation) I would love to exercise 3 x's a week but usually only manage 2, 4 sometimes 6 times a month 20-40 minutes at a time. I have a Cardiofit, Gazelle Glider and Treadmill and try to do my stretches etc in the evening. I would like to learn more about RA and what it is doing to me and how to cope with it. Any advice and prayer are much appreciated and I would like to know what my options are and what meds I should not take especially those that are safe for the stomach. Thanks and blessings, April from CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2004 Report Share Posted November 21, 2004 hi April, Im not sure if anyone else has told you this so if so sorry for the repeat. While taking Wellbutrin you should not take St. s Wort. It is like double dosing your meds. When you take a prescribed medication for something you shouldnt also medicate it with herbs for the same thing. Usually that is how herbs get a bad rap. People who take anti-depressants should NEVER take St. s also you could Over dose youself. Herbs I believe are a gift from our Lord but need to be taken very carefully along side traditional meds. Other than that I also wanted to welcome you to the group. I too am a christian. There is a web site called www.restministries.org it has helped alot.I was diagnosed almost a year ago with RA it has been a difficult journey. You know Im sure how it is pray for healing expect God to heal. Well meaning friends and church members give their 2 cents worth. Through all of this I thought Lord what have you allowed to happen to me? Then I thought Oh Lord you know I CANT handle this. I have learned alot. That in a world that is affected by sin and a world that is falling apart things happen. If God would have healed me right away like I wanted then I would have not grown into a more mature person in Christ. I would not have understanding or compassion to pray for others in this group. I would not be the person I am. It has taught me to slow down and do only the things that God wants me to accomplish and He gives me the strength to do those things He wants me to do. It has taught me to seek Him first instead of trying to fix and do everything. I still pray to be healed but now I ask God what do you want me to learn today from this and please use this circumstance to mature me and make me a better person so that I may glorify my Lord and Savior. I will be praying for you not only for your physical body but for you spiritual growth also and for strength and that the Lord will give your doc wisdom in how and what meds you should take. Where in Calif. are you? We just moved 3 months ago from Santa ( 1 hour north of Santa Barbara) My mother in law is stage 4 breast cancer and terminal. My hubby is a nurse so we are here to care for her until she enters the pearly gates . Im 31 and have 4 kids whom I homeschool ages 4-11. We are now living close to St. Louis, Missouri. Take care and May the Lord make His face to shine upon you. Your sister in Christ, Latisha April <aprilsruss@...> wrote: Hello, My name is April and I am a married 36 yr old Christian from Southern California with 2 daughters in 5 & 6th grade. I work one day a/wk away from home and do home sales the rest of the time. My Doctor did some blood work on me Wed. to see if I have " Rheumatoid Arthritis " through out my body and it came back Positive. He is going on vacation and my next appointment is not till 2nd wk of Dec. and will talk to me and start me on med. then. I have been in TWO car accidents (not my fault) and had a few Horse accidents as well. I am on Wellbutrin and Synthroid, take my multi vitamins, Fish oils/Flax, St. Jn's Wrt, Gingko, Caltrate, and take my Acidophilus at night before bed. I take mostly Tylenol when needed and ad 1/2 a Vicodine if it's real bad alternating with Ibuprphen if my stomach allows. Glucosamine/. Chondroitin is not an option for me, every time I take it, even with food, it upsets my stomach. I have been in some extra pain the past few yrs which disrupts my everyday life and sleep patterns. I get tired easily and suffer from ADD (suffered horribly in school w/out diagnosis then), depression, , Anxiety/attacks, IBS, Scoliosis, bladder pain off and on with no positive infection results but get better with antibiotics and cranberry juice, Tender Points and Candida ( all the classic symptoms and way too many antibiotics in the past). My pains are in my Feet, Knees, Hips, Low back, Mid Back, Neck, Shoulders, Arms/Elbows, Wrists, Hands and Fingers. I would say that my pain has definitely accelerated sometime after I started Low Carbing (which major acid reflux died down at that time but back again) and took me 2 years to lose 45 lbs. I am now back up about 20 less than when I started and have tapered off from the gaining back. My constant goal ( but not always successful is to keep refined sugars and bad fats out of my diet as much as possible and eat more veggies, complex carbs, lean proteins and good fats. Can you believe as I wrote this someone came to my door selling chocolates for a youth program!! (which I declined but gave a donation) I would love to exercise 3 x's a week but usually only manage 2, 4 sometimes 6 times a month 20-40 minutes at a time. I have a Cardiofit, Gazelle Glider and Treadmill and try to do my stretches etc in the evening. I would like to learn more about RA and what it is doing to me and how to cope with it. Any advice and prayer are much appreciated and I would like to know what my options are and what meds I should not take especially those that are safe for the stomach. Thanks and blessings, April from CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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