Guest guest Posted December 1, 2004 Report Share Posted December 1, 2004 Hi everyone: I am a newbie here and have not posted much and have really just been learning a lot from a lot of you. I think I have introduced myself before. My name is Nan and I am from Michigan. I am 46 and dxd with RA, Sjogren's syndrome and Fibromyalgia plus in 97 I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder but that is well under control (most of the time). Oh yeah I also have genetically high induced cholesterol (meaning I don't eat a fatty diet at all but my cholesterol has to be controled by medication or it goes sky high), and I have hypothyroidism. Whew did you get all that????? LOL Geesh I sound like I am 100 !!!! The RA I have had for about 15 years but because of HMO's in insurance no Dr. would test me beyond the positive ANA. I have damage to my lower disc's in my back now and have problems with sciatica and numbness and pain in my legs that gets horrible as well as in my neck. The fatigue is bad as well. I have been on SSI since 97. I lose my balance quite a bit and I fall a lot and the bruising I get is bad. The bruises I get are different then regular bruises, these don't go away even after the " color " is gone the pain stays like pins and needles are under the skin. This leads me to the next question: I have been on methotrexate now for about six weeks. Pill form, I am also on Plaquenil which I have been on for about 4 months. I just had blood work done and my liver panel did not come back " normal " . I am wondering if others on the MTX and having their blood work being done have abnormal liver results in their blood work?? I am just so confused and I go to my Rhuemy next Wednesday. But we all know that knowledge is power. Most of the time (no insult intended) but my doctors are foreign and I can't understand them because they talk a hundred miles an hour and I want answers and not like SPEEDY GONZALES!!!!!!!!! My body and life is more important to me than to them!!! And I have to live with this they don't. I have a small farm to take care of along with my husband. Doctor's (God bless them) sometimes don't understand the multiple disorders most of deal with. Sorry this is so long. Just had to get it off my chest folks! Any answers would be appreciated! Bless you all and my heart goes out to each and everyone of you! Hugs(gentle) Nan __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2004 Report Share Posted December 1, 2004 Hi everyone: I am a newbie here and have not posted much and have really just been learning a lot from a lot of you. I think I have introduced myself before. My name is Nan and I am from Michigan. I am 46 and dxd with RA, Sjogren's syndrome and Fibromyalgia plus in 97 I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder but that is well under control (most of the time). Oh yeah I also have genetically high induced cholesterol (meaning I don't eat a fatty diet at all but my cholesterol has to be controled by medication or it goes sky high), and I have hypothyroidism. Whew did you get all that????? LOL Geesh I sound like I am 100 !!!! The RA I have had for about 15 years but because of HMO's in insurance no Dr. would test me beyond the positive ANA. I have damage to my lower disc's in my back now and have problems with sciatica and numbness and pain in my legs that gets horrible as well as in my neck. The fatigue is bad as well. I have been on SSI since 97. I lose my balance quite a bit and I fall a lot and the bruising I get is bad. The bruises I get are different then regular bruises, these don't go away even after the " color " is gone the pain stays like pins and needles are under the skin. This leads me to the next question: I have been on methotrexate now for about six weeks. Pill form, I am also on Plaquenil which I have been on for about 4 months. I just had blood work done and my liver panel did not come back " normal " . I am wondering if others on the MTX and having their blood work being done have abnormal liver results in their blood work?? I am just so confused and I go to my Rhuemy next Wednesday. But we all know that knowledge is power. Most of the time (no insult intended) but my doctors are foreign and I can't understand them because they talk a hundred miles an hour and I want answers and not like SPEEDY GONZALES!!!!!!!!! My body and life is more important to me than to them!!! And I have to live with this they don't. I have a small farm to take care of along with my husband. Doctor's (God bless them) sometimes don't understand the multiple disorders most of deal with. Sorry this is so long. Just had to get it off my chest folks! Any answers would be appreciated! Bless you all and my heart goes out to each and everyone of you! Hugs(gentle) Nan __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2004 Report Share Posted December 1, 2004 Nan, Welcome to our group. Sorry for your mixed bag of problems. It isn't easy to treat multiple conditions, but it is possible. Liver enzyme elevation while on RA drugs is common. How high the enzymes are will determine what course of action your doctor will take. Some doctors will discontinue meds for slight increases in liver enzymes, while others believe up to 3 times the normal is acceptable. Do you know how high yours are? Do you take folic acid? Folic acid is normally prescribed with mtx to help with the side effects. When your doctor isn't explaining things so that you can understand, ask him to repeat it. Remember that you are paying him to take care of you, and good care should be expected. If you have to, take notes. You shouldn't leave his office without understanding your treatment. a On Wed, 1 Dec 2004 03:07:28 -0800 (PST), <nanday_blue@...> wrote: > > > Hi everyone: > I am a newbie here and have not posted much and have really just been learning a lot from a lot of you. I think I have introduced myself before. My name is Nan and I am from Michigan. > I am 46 and dxd with RA, Sjogren's syndrome and Fibromyalgia plus in 97 I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder but that is well under control (most of the time). Oh yeah I also have genetically high induced cholesterol (meaning I don't eat a fatty diet at all but my cholesterol has to be controled by medication or it goes sky high), and I have hypothyroidism. Whew did you get all that????? LOL Geesh I sound like I am 100 !!!! The RA I have had for about 15 years but because of HMO's in insurance no Dr. would test me beyond the positive ANA. I have damage to my lower disc's in my back now and have problems with sciatica and numbness and pain in my legs that gets horrible as well as in my neck. The fatigue is bad as well. I have been on SSI since 97. I lose my balance quite a bit and I fall a lot and the bruising I get is bad. The bruises I get are different then regular bruises, these don't go away even after the " color " is gone the pain stays like pins and needles are under > the skin. > > This leads me to the next question: I have been on methotrexate now for about six weeks. Pill form, I am also on Plaquenil which I have been on for about 4 months. I just had blood work done and my liver panel did not come back " normal " . I am wondering if others on the MTX and having their blood work being done have abnormal liver results in their blood work?? > > I am just so confused and I go to my Rhuemy next Wednesday. But we all know that knowledge is power. Most of the time (no insult intended) but my doctors are foreign and I can't understand them because they talk a hundred miles an hour and I want answers and not like SPEEDY GONZALES!!!!!!!!! My body and life is more important to me than to them!!! And I have to live with this they don't. I have a small farm to take care of along with my husband. > Doctor's (God bless them) sometimes don't understand the multiple disorders most of deal with. > > Sorry this is so long. Just had to get it off my chest folks! Any answers would be appreciated! > Bless you all and my heart goes out to each and everyone of you! > Hugs(gentle) > Nan > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2004 Report Share Posted December 1, 2004 Nan, Welcome to our group. Sorry for your mixed bag of problems. It isn't easy to treat multiple conditions, but it is possible. Liver enzyme elevation while on RA drugs is common. How high the enzymes are will determine what course of action your doctor will take. Some doctors will discontinue meds for slight increases in liver enzymes, while others believe up to 3 times the normal is acceptable. Do you know how high yours are? Do you take folic acid? Folic acid is normally prescribed with mtx to help with the side effects. When your doctor isn't explaining things so that you can understand, ask him to repeat it. Remember that you are paying him to take care of you, and good care should be expected. If you have to, take notes. You shouldn't leave his office without understanding your treatment. a On Wed, 1 Dec 2004 03:07:28 -0800 (PST), <nanday_blue@...> wrote: > > > Hi everyone: > I am a newbie here and have not posted much and have really just been learning a lot from a lot of you. I think I have introduced myself before. My name is Nan and I am from Michigan. > I am 46 and dxd with RA, Sjogren's syndrome and Fibromyalgia plus in 97 I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder but that is well under control (most of the time). Oh yeah I also have genetically high induced cholesterol (meaning I don't eat a fatty diet at all but my cholesterol has to be controled by medication or it goes sky high), and I have hypothyroidism. Whew did you get all that????? LOL Geesh I sound like I am 100 !!!! The RA I have had for about 15 years but because of HMO's in insurance no Dr. would test me beyond the positive ANA. I have damage to my lower disc's in my back now and have problems with sciatica and numbness and pain in my legs that gets horrible as well as in my neck. The fatigue is bad as well. I have been on SSI since 97. I lose my balance quite a bit and I fall a lot and the bruising I get is bad. The bruises I get are different then regular bruises, these don't go away even after the " color " is gone the pain stays like pins and needles are under > the skin. > > This leads me to the next question: I have been on methotrexate now for about six weeks. Pill form, I am also on Plaquenil which I have been on for about 4 months. I just had blood work done and my liver panel did not come back " normal " . I am wondering if others on the MTX and having their blood work being done have abnormal liver results in their blood work?? > > I am just so confused and I go to my Rhuemy next Wednesday. But we all know that knowledge is power. Most of the time (no insult intended) but my doctors are foreign and I can't understand them because they talk a hundred miles an hour and I want answers and not like SPEEDY GONZALES!!!!!!!!! My body and life is more important to me than to them!!! And I have to live with this they don't. I have a small farm to take care of along with my husband. > Doctor's (God bless them) sometimes don't understand the multiple disorders most of deal with. > > Sorry this is so long. Just had to get it off my chest folks! Any answers would be appreciated! > Bless you all and my heart goes out to each and everyone of you! > Hugs(gentle) > Nan > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2004 Report Share Posted December 1, 2004 Nan,...Yes, with taking MTX, and many other RA meds, it's so important to have lab work. I did take MTX a couple of years ago, and my liver enzymes went up. I did start the MTX a couple of weeks ago, and my lab work is fine. I would contact the doctor, and see if they want you to go off the med temporary until your appointment. You just hang in there, and take care of yourself, Tawny --- In , <nanday_blue@y...> wrote: > > Hi everyone: > I am a newbie here and have not posted much and have really just been learning a lot from a lot of you. I think I have introduced myself before. My name is Nan and I am from Michigan. > I am 46 and dxd with RA, Sjogren's syndrome and Fibromyalgia plus in 97 I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder but that is well under control (most of the time). Oh yeah I also have genetically high induced cholesterol (meaning I don't eat a fatty diet at all but my cholesterol has to be controled by medication or it goes sky high), and I have hypothyroidism. Whew did you get all that????? LOL Geesh I sound like I am 100 !!!! The RA I have had for about 15 years but because of HMO's in insurance no Dr. would test me beyond the positive ANA. I have damage to my lower disc's in my back now and have problems with sciatica and numbness and pain in my legs that gets horrible as well as in my neck. The fatigue is bad as well. I have been on SSI since 97. I lose my balance quite a bit and I fall a lot and the bruising I get is bad. The bruises I get are different then regular bruises, these don't go away even after the " color " is gone the pain stays like pins and needles are under > the skin. > > This leads me to the next question: I have been on methotrexate now for about six weeks. Pill form, I am also on Plaquenil which I have been on for about 4 months. I just had blood work done and my liver panel did not come back " normal " . I am wondering if others on the MTX and having their blood work being done have abnormal liver results in their blood work?? > > I am just so confused and I go to my Rhuemy next Wednesday. But we all know that knowledge is power. Most of the time (no insult intended) but my doctors are foreign and I can't understand them because they talk a hundred miles an hour and I want answers and not like SPEEDY GONZALES!!!!!!!!! My body and life is more important to me than to them!!! And I have to live with this they don't. I have a small farm to take care of along with my husband. > Doctor's (God bless them) sometimes don't understand the multiple disorders most of deal with. > > Sorry this is so long. Just had to get it off my chest folks! Any answers would be appreciated! > Bless you all and my heart goes out to each and everyone of you! > Hugs(gentle) > Nan > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2004 Report Share Posted December 1, 2004 Nan,...Yes, with taking MTX, and many other RA meds, it's so important to have lab work. I did take MTX a couple of years ago, and my liver enzymes went up. I did start the MTX a couple of weeks ago, and my lab work is fine. I would contact the doctor, and see if they want you to go off the med temporary until your appointment. You just hang in there, and take care of yourself, Tawny > > Hi everyone: > I am a newbie here and have not posted much and have really just been learning a lot from a lot of you. I think I have introduced myself before. My name is Nan and I am from Michigan. > I am 46 and dxd with RA, Sjogren's syndrome and Fibromyalgia plus in 97 I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder but that is well under control (most of the time). Oh yeah I also have genetically high induced cholesterol (meaning I don't eat a fatty diet at all but my cholesterol has to be controled by medication or it goes sky high), and I have hypothyroidism. Whew did you get all that????? LOL Geesh I sound like I am 100 !!!! The RA I have had for about 15 years but because of HMO's in insurance no Dr. would test me beyond the positive ANA. I have damage to my lower disc's in my back now and have problems with sciatica and numbness and pain in my legs that gets horrible as well as in my neck. The fatigue is bad as well. I have been on SSI since 97. I lose my balance quite a bit and I fall a lot and the bruising I get is bad. The bruises I get are different then regular bruises, these don't go away even after the " color " is gone the pain stays like pins and needles are under > the skin. > > This leads me to the next question: I have been on methotrexate now for about six weeks. Pill form, I am also on Plaquenil which I have been on for about 4 months. I just had blood work done and my liver panel did not come back " normal " . I am wondering if others on the MTX and having their blood work being done have abnormal liver results in their blood work?? > > I am just so confused and I go to my Rhuemy next Wednesday. But we all know that knowledge is power. Most of the time (no insult intended) but my doctors are foreign and I can't understand them because they talk a hundred miles an hour and I want answers and not like SPEEDY GONZALES!!!!!!!!! My body and life is more important to me than to them!!! And I have to live with this they don't. I have a small farm to take care of along with my husband. > Doctor's (God bless them) sometimes don't understand the multiple disorders most of deal with. > > Sorry this is so long. Just had to get it off my chest folks! Any answers would be appreciated! > Bless you all and my heart goes out to each and everyone of you! > Hugs(gentle) > Nan > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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