Re: Re: expectations Vickie

[Guest guest]

Hi Vickie:

Unfortunately, there is no way to tell how RA will

affect any individual. All disease courses are

different. Nobody can tell you how bad it will get or

what your future will be. We all experience this

disease in our own way, and are able to be treated

with certain medications, but not with others;

however, those might be good for somebody else. I wish

I could tell you it will go like this, and this, and

then it will do that, and then ....... but I can't.

It is very normal for the RA to travel all around the

body, landing on one joint today, and another

tomorrow, and then all at once even. It's

unpredictable that way.

It could very well be that your father and his

brothers also had RA, but were undiagnosed, or had

another form of arthritis. Genetics do play a factor,

I believe.

As far as pain control, if you are in pain, ask your

doctor for something. There is no reason you should

be in pain, as there are some very good meds out

there.

If simple Motrin or Aleve type meds are not helpful,

then I would see about (and these I have had myself

and had benefit from) Ultracet or Ultram. This is my

only personal expeience with pain meds, aside from

some of my husband's Vicodin when the pain is very

severe (sounds familiar lol). You and your doctor can

best address this together and find a med that will

work with what you are currently taking. Call him and

let him know that you are in this much pain, okay? He

can't treat you if you don't tell him.

I hope that this helps - I hope that today is a better

day for you. Take care -

Kathe in CA

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