meds and such

[Guest guest]

Hi,

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Noreen. I've been diagnosed with RA

for about a year and a half. I tend to lurk a lot around here, but I always

read the messages every day.

I've tried two treatments so far. First, antibiotics, minocycline in

particular. It not only did not make my joints feel any better, but I felt

more fatigue, and it totally messed with my brain. I was foggy and confused

all the time, and in my job, as a lab tech, that doesn't work.

My Rheumy said that the next step was methotrexate. Following the advice of

the group here, I get the injections, once weekly.

I've been on it now since April, and I feel so much better, I can't even

tell you. My ankles and wrists don't hurt as much. The swelling has gone way

down and I have much more energy. So far, no side effects either. I am on

folate, daily, and have been getting my blood work done bimonthly.

Last September I went to my favorite yearly outing, a two day long craft

fair, and had fun, but spent most of the day sitting around, because I just

hurt too much. This year, despite the fact that I still have OA in my right

knee, I felt really good.

I am also obese, and have lost about 40 pounds in the last year, which helps

as well, but I know the methotrexate has done the most.I saw my Rheumy

again, and she says that if I keep up like this we can cut back on the

methotrexate, and see how that goes

So to those of you out there who are afraid of the meds, remember the

disease itself can be worse. Not every med works for every person, but there

are so many new ones out there, that you have to give them a chance.

And this group is the best for support that there is.

Noreen