Re: positive for ra then negative twice for ra

[Guest guest]

I have had postitive and negative RA factor tests. I was told that

the test is not definate to dignosis RA but only tells you how active

the disease is. For a long time I was sero-negative....if your

rheummy or your rheummy's NP is basing your RA dx on labwork

alone...I would RUN!!! from this doc and find a new one. All the

rheummy's have I had have been very clear about the RA factor labwork.

Good luck

Toni

--- In , " " <melissahancock@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi, I'm back and confused. I would appreciate any info from any one

who has had these confusing test results. About 2 yrs ago, I started

having a lot of pain. I went to my reg doc and described everything

to her and she suspected ra. She done the lab work and it came back

positive for ra. Then she started the journey of trying to treat me

until she could get a rheumy to see me. That didn't happen until

April of this year. I didn't get to see a real rheumy, just the nurse

practitioner, who sent me for blood work, x-rays, and did the

pressure point test for fibro. Her conclusion was that I have osteo,

and fibro, but I was negative for ra. So my reg doc sends me for more

blood work when I went back to her, because she is convinced that I

have ra, because of my symptoms, and because the methotrexate worked

for me. That blood work came back negative also. How can you be

positive and then 2 yrs later be negative 2 times in a row? Anyway,

she still believes that I have ra and she said that she treats the

patient and the symptoms, not the lab results. She's going to New

Jersey for a week during the 4th of July holiday and is going to tell

her rheumy friend about me and see what he suggests for me. I am just

not sure what to do. I don't want to be taking too many meds, but

methotrexate is the only thing that has given me any relief, I have

been on it twice before because it tears my stomach up I had to quit,

but I am so miserable once again, that I have started taking it

again. My reg doc doesn't know anything about the injectable and she

told me to get all of the info I could on it in case we have to go

that route. All of your help would be appreciatted. I told her about

this group and how much it has helped me and she was very impressed.

Sorry that this was so long, and thanks in advance for all of your

help.

>

> in KY

>

>

[Guest guest]

Toni, thank you for replying to my post. I just seem to take one step forward

and 2 steps back. It took 2 yrs. to find this rheumy who would allow their nurse

practitioner to see me because I am on medicare and medicaid because I am

disabled. All of the rheumy's in this state (KY) refuse to take these ins. ,

they say that they don't pay enough. Evidently there are very few docs in the

world who are in the profession to help people, it is all about the money. Well,

enough whining from me, I'll just have to hope that my reg doc can learn to

treat me for this. She is a wonderful person, and I am truely grateful for her.

The problem is she can't prescribe meds like humira, enbrel, etc. because my

ins. won't pay for those meds unless a rheumy prescribes them. Thanks again for

helping me and letting me vent lol.

in KY

[ ] Re: positive for ra then negative twice for ra

I have had postitive and negative RA factor tests. I was told that

the test is not definate to dignosis RA but only tells you how active

the disease is. For a long time I was sero-negative....if your

rheummy or your rheummy's NP is basing your RA dx on labwork

alone...I would RUN!!! from this doc and find a new one. All the

rheummy's have I had have been very clear about the RA factor labwork.

Good luck

Toni

>

> Hi, I'm back and confused. I would appreciate any info from any one

who has had these confusing test results. About 2 yrs ago, I started

having a lot of pain. I went to my reg doc and described everything

to her and she suspected ra. She done the lab work and it came back

positive for ra. Then she started the journey of trying to treat me

until she could get a rheumy to see me. That didn't happen until

April of this year. I didn't get to see a real rheumy, just the nurse

practitioner, who sent me for blood work, x-rays, and did the

pressure point test for fibro. Her conclusion was that I have osteo,

and fibro, but I was negative for ra. So my reg doc sends me for more

blood work when I went back to her, because she is convinced that I

have ra, because of my symptoms, and because the methotrexate worked

for me. That blood work came back negative also. How can you be

positive and then 2 yrs later be negative 2 times in a row? Anyway,

she still believes that I have ra and she said that she treats the

patient and the symptoms, not the lab results. She's going to New

Jersey for a week during the 4th of July holiday and is going to tell

her rheumy friend about me and see what he suggests for me. I am just

not sure what to do. I don't want to be taking too many meds, but

methotrexate is the only thing that has given me any relief, I have

been on it twice before because it tears my stomach up I had to quit,

but I am so miserable once again, that I have started taking it

again. My reg doc doesn't know anything about the injectable and she

told me to get all of the info I could on it in case we have to go

that route. All of your help would be appreciatted. I told her about

this group and how much it has helped me and she was very impressed.

Sorry that this was so long, and thanks in advance for all of your

help.

>

> in KY

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Blood results can be very confusing, and sometimes

come back false positive or false negative. If your

symptoms fit RA, and methotrexate is the only thing

that has helped you so far, sounds like RA to me. I

am glad that your doctor does not base her diagnosis

just on the lab work and believes in treating the

patient and the symptoms. That is how my first doctor

started out, even though I had a positive RA factor,

she said that even without that, with my symptoms, my

diagnosis would still be RA, and she went more with

that than lab work.

The injectible methotrexate would be much easier on

your stomach, and I hope that you can get that. Has

your doctor considered any other RA meds for you, such

as biologics? Plaquenil was my first RA drug and

really helped me for about 2-1/2 years until the RA

became more aggressive, and I have gone onto other

drugs since then. They all have their side effects,

and unfortunately a lot of them are hard on your

stomach and your liver. Are you making sure to take

enough Folic Acid? Also, I take Milk Thistle as well

for extra protection of my liver, and Omega 3 complex

too for inflammation.

I hope your doctor can get the information to help

you, and not just depend on you to get it for

yourself!

Take care, hang in there, and know that we are here

for you! Kathe in CA

--- <melissahancock@...> wrote:

> Hi, I'm back and confused. I would appreciate any

> info from any one who has had these confusing test

> results. About 2 yrs ago, I started having a lot of

> pain. I went to my reg doc and described everything

> to her and she suspected ra. She done the lab work

> and it came back positive for ra. Then she started

> the journey of trying to treat me until she could

> get a rheumy to see me. That didn't happen until

> April of this year. I didn't get to see a real

> rheumy, just the nurse practitioner, who sent me for

> blood work, x-rays, and did the pressure point test

> for fibro. Her conclusion was that I have osteo, and

> fibro, but I was negative for ra. So my reg doc

> sends me for more blood work when I went back to

> her, because she is convinced that I have ra,

> because of my symptoms, and because the methotrexate

> worked for me. That blood work came back negative

> also. How can you be positive and then 2 yrs later

> be negative 2 times in a row? Anyway, she still

> believes that I have ra and she said that she treats

> the patient and the symptoms, not the lab results.

> >

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathe:

Thanks for replying. I don't know if I am on enough folic acid or not. Before,

she just had me taking 1 mg. of folic acid a day. This time I am taking

something called foltx. It has folic acid and b12 in it. Have you ever heard of

this? What is a good dose of folic acid? I paid almost 25.00 for a months worth

of the foltx. I don't know if folic acid would be cheaper or not. Ins. doesn't

pay for vitamins anymore.

I'm hoping that I can tolerate it this time around, if not she said she would

try the injectable. As far as plaquenil, she has mentioned it, but my eyesight

isn't great to start with, so I'm kind of leary of it. I don't know much about

it except that you need to have eye exams like every 6 months. Does it further

damage your eyesight? Oh well, I guess I will just have to take it day by day.

Thank you so much for helping me.

in KY

Re: [ ] positive for ra then negative twice for ra

Hi :

Blood results can be very confusing, and sometimes

come back false positive or false negative. If your

symptoms fit RA, and methotrexate is the only thing

that has helped you so far, sounds like RA to me. I

am glad that your doctor does not base her diagnosis

just on the lab work and believes in treating the

patient and the symptoms. That is how my first doctor

started out, even though I had a positive RA factor,

she said that even without that, with my symptoms, my

diagnosis would still be RA, and she went more with

that than lab work.

The injectible methotrexate would be much easier on

your stomach, and I hope that you can get that. Has

your doctor considered any other RA meds for you, such

as biologics? Plaquenil was my first RA drug and

really helped me for about 2-1/2 years until the RA

became more aggressive, and I have gone onto other

drugs since then. They all have their side effects,

and unfortunately a lot of them are hard on your

stomach and your liver. Are you making sure to take

enough Folic Acid? Also, I take Milk Thistle as well

for extra protection of my liver, and Omega 3 complex

too for inflammation.

I hope your doctor can get the information to help

you, and not just depend on you to get it for

yourself!

Take care, hang in there, and know that we are here

for you! Kathe in CA

--- <melissahancock@...> wrote:

> Hi, I'm back and confused. I would appreciate any

> info from any one who has had these confusing test

> results. About 2 yrs ago, I started having a lot of

> pain. I went to my reg doc and described everything

> to her and she suspected ra. She done the lab work

> and it came back positive for ra. Then she started

> the journey of trying to treat me until she could

> get a rheumy to see me. That didn't happen until

> April of this year. I didn't get to see a real

> rheumy, just the nurse practitioner, who sent me for

> blood work, x-rays, and did the pressure point test

> for fibro. Her conclusion was that I have osteo, and

> fibro, but I was negative for ra. So my reg doc

> sends me for more blood work when I went back to

> her, because she is convinced that I have ra,

> because of my symptoms, and because the methotrexate

> worked for me. That blood work came back negative

> also. How can you be positive and then 2 yrs later

> be negative 2 times in a row? Anyway, she still

> believes that I have ra and she said that she treats

> the patient and the symptoms, not the lab results.

> >

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I started on oral Methotrexate and the side effects were terrible,

even with folic acid daily and leucovorin the day I took the Mtx.

When I started taking it via injection, almost all the side effects

went away. I still get kind of worn out the day I take it and the

next day, but I was sick as a dog for 2 days after taking the oral

version, so this is MUCH better.

--- In , " " <melissahancock@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi, I'm back and confused. I would appreciate any info from any

one who has had these confusing test results. About 2 yrs ago, I

started having a lot of pain. I went to my reg doc and described

everything to her and she suspected ra. She done the lab work and it

came back positive for ra. Then she started the journey of trying to

treat me until she could get a rheumy to see me. That didn't happen

until April of this year. I didn't get to see a real rheumy, just

the nurse practitioner, who sent me for blood work, x-rays, and did

the pressure point test for fibro. Her conclusion was that I have

osteo, and fibro, but I was negative for ra. So my reg doc sends me

for more blood work when I went back to her, because she is

convinced that I have ra, because of my symptoms, and because the

methotrexate worked for me. That blood work came back negative also.

How can you be positive and then 2 yrs later be negative 2 times in

a row? Anyway, she still believes that I have ra and she said that

she treats the patient and the symptoms, not the lab results. She's

going to New Jersey for a week during the 4th of July holiday and is

going to tell her rheumy friend about me and see what he suggests

for me. I am just not sure what to do. I don't want to be taking too

many meds, but methotrexate is the only thing that has given me any

relief, I have been on it twice before because it tears my stomach

up I had to quit, but I am so miserable once again, that I have

started taking it again. My reg doc doesn't know anything about the

injectable and she told me to get all of the info I could on it in

case we have to go that route. All of your help would be

appreciatted. I told her about this group and how much it has helped

me and she was very impressed. Sorry that this was so long, and

thanks in advance for all of your help.

>

> in KY

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi, I'm back and confused. I would appreciate any info from any one

who has had these confusing test results. About 2 yrs ago, I started

having a lot of pain. I went to my reg doc and described everything to

her and she suspected ra. She done the lab work and it came back

positive for ra. Then she started the journey of trying to treat me

until she could get a rheumy to see me. That didn't happen until April

of this year. I didn't get to see a real rheumy, just the nurse

practitioner, who sent me for blood work, x-rays, and did the pressure

point test for fibro. Her conclusion was that I have osteo, and fibro,

but I was negative for ra. So my reg doc sends me for more blood work

when I went back to her, because she is convinced that I have ra,

because of my symptoms, and because the methotrexate worked for me.

That blood work came back negative also. How can you be positive and

then 2 yrs later be negative 2 times in a row? Anyway, she still

believes that I have ra and she said that she treats the patient and

the symptoms, not the lab results. She's going to New Jersey for a

week during the 4th of July holiday and is going to tell her rheumy

friend about me and see what he suggests for me. I am just not sure

what to do. I don't want to be taking too many meds, but methotrexate

is the only thing that has given me any relief, I have been on it

twice before because it tears my stomach up I had to quit, but I am so

miserable once again, that I have started taking it again. My reg doc

doesn't know anything about the injectable and she told me to get all

of the info I could on it in case we have to go that route. All of

your help would be appreciatted. I told her about this group and how

much it has helped me and she was very impressed. Sorry that this was

so long, and thanks in advance for all of your help.

>

> in KY

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Wow, they sure are confusing you huh? I agree with the other posts,

run as fast as you can away from this NP and rheumy group. Stick

with your primary care person who has been treating you for the two

years. I have seronegative RA and was told by my rheumy that it is

harder to diagnose, but 1 in 5 people have it. It means your RF is

negative, but everything else is wacky and you have all the symptoms

of RA and the medicines for RA help you which they do in your case.

I too find relief with the Methotrexate and folic acid as well as

low dose Prednisone. I did Humira for a year, but it made me very

ill although I have to say it did help the disease and my lab work.

I just cannot take it anymore. Good luck and if YOU believe you

have RA don't let someone new try to change your mind. Sometimes I

wonder where these people go to school. You know they were not all

A students as my hubby would say. I want the doctor who got all A's

not the one who barely passed, lol. He is right though. When it

comes to your health especially. Good luck.

Tracie

--- In , " " <melissahancock@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi, I'm back and confused. I would appreciate any info from any

one who has had these confusing test results. About 2 yrs ago, I

started having a lot of pain. I went to my reg doc and described

everything to her and she suspected ra. She done the lab work and it

came back positive for ra. Then she started the journey of trying to

treat me until she could get a rheumy to see me. That didn't happen

until April of this year. I didn't get to see a real rheumy, just

the nurse practitioner, who sent me for blood work, x-rays, and did

the pressure point test for fibro. Her conclusion was that I have

osteo, and fibro, but I was negative for ra. So my reg doc sends me

for more blood work when I went back to her, because she is

convinced that I have ra, because of my symptoms, and because the

methotrexate worked for me. That blood work came back negative also.

How can you be positive and then 2 yrs later be negative 2 times in

a row? Anyway, she still believes that I have ra and she said that

she treats the patient and the symptoms, not the lab results. She's

going to New Jersey for a week during the 4th of July holiday and is

going to tell her rheumy friend about me and see what he suggests

for me. I am just not sure what to do. I don't want to be taking too

many meds, but methotrexate is the only thing that has given me any

relief, I have been on it twice before because it tears my stomach

up I had to quit, but I am so miserable once again, that I have

started taking it again. My reg doc doesn't know anything about the

injectable and she told me to get all of the info I could on it in

case we have to go that route. All of your help would be

appreciatted. I told her about this group and how much it has helped

me and she was very impressed. Sorry that this was so long, and

thanks in advance for all of your help.

>

> in KY

>

>

[Guest guest]

, it seems you can do better than " Foltx " price-wise. I have a

prescription for 150 1 mg Folic Acid tabs at a time for about $15, and take

B Complex vitamins separate from the Folic. I also take daily a

multivitamin, vitamins C, E, iron, fiber, and calcium.

When I first started taking MTX, I was put on 1 mg Folic per day. Then, when

my Rummy increased my MTX to max of 1.2 cc injected, he didn't increase the

Folic Acid with it, and my tongue swelled and was very sore, among other

things. I called after learning some about it on this site, and he increased

my Folic to 5 mg/day as if it were an afterthought. It has taken a year to

finally get my mouth back to normal, but I also have a real Rheumy again,

too. He allows me to control my meds within reason which is something that's

nice, since I know more about my body than he does except for blood tests.

Dennis

Re: [ ] positive for ra then negative twice for ra

> Hi Kathe:

> Thanks for replying. I don't know if I am on enough folic acid or not.

> Before, she just had me taking 1 mg. of folic acid a day. This time I am

> taking something called foltx. It has folic acid and b12 in it. Have you

> ever heard of this? What is a good dose of folic acid? I paid almost 25.00

> for a months worth of the foltx. I don't know if folic acid would be

> cheaper or not. Ins. doesn't pay for vitamins anymore.

> I'm hoping that I can tolerate it this time around, if not she said she

> would try the injectable. As far as plaquenil, she has mentioned it, but

> my eyesight isn't great to start with, so I'm kind of leary of it. I don't

> know much about it except that you need to have eye exams like every 6

> months. Does it further damage your eyesight? Oh well, I guess I will just

> have to take it day by day. Thank you so much for helping me.

> in KY

[Guest guest]

>

> Here is a link to the s Hopkins classification for RA--you only

> need four of the seven to have RA (only one is bloodwork).

>

> Hope this helps--

> dordale

>

Just realized I forgot to post the link--here it is:

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/edu/acr/acr.html#class_rheum

Also--for clarification, this isn't the s Hopkins classifcation,

but the ACR classification as posted by s Hopkins.

dordale

[Guest guest]

Hi :

I got my last bottle of Folic Acid from our local

Sam's Club, 450 tabs for about $6.00. 400 mcg. I

take 4 tabs daily. I would say that 1 mg. is a good

amount, but you can increase it if you still are

experiencing side effects like nausea. Maybe someone

else knows just how high you can go. I also take a

multi-vitamin with folic acid in it, so I think I am

getting enough into my system.

I have also gotten Folic Acid at Wal Mart for about

$2-3, and I believe it was also 400 mcg, but they also

have 800 mcg., and it was like 100 tablets for that

amount.

I have never heard of Foltx, so can't help you there.

I also have pretty bad eye sight, really bad

near-sightedness, but had no problems from the Plaq

with my eyes. I did get eye problems, however, from

my use of Pred, cataracts, one of which I have had

operated on, and need to do the left eye too. The

plaq needs to have you checked for any retinal damage,

but it is a very rare side effect, and my exams for

2-1/2 years were totally normalm for any retinal

problems.

I read in another post that you cannot have biologics

unless prescribed by a rheumy. There is also Arava

which you can try for RA, I was on it for about 6

months in addition to Mtx, and it helped quite a bit,

but the side effects finally made me quit it. Others

take it without any problems, so you could also ask

about that one.

This is a tough disease with a lot of uncertainty in

both prognosis and medications, and a lot of

frustration finding the right meds. We understand.

I've been through the same sorts of things. Be

patient. I hope that the Mtx is good to you this time,

but definately look into the injectible.

Take care - Kathe in cA

--- <melissahancock@...> wrote:

> Hi Kathe:

> Thanks for replying. I don't know if I am on enough

> folic acid or not. Before, she just had me taking 1

> mg. of folic acid a day. This time I am taking

> something called foltx. It has folic acid and b12 in

> it. Have you ever heard of this? What is a good dose

> of folic acid? I paid almost 25.00 for a months

> worth of the foltx. I don't know if folic acid would

> be cheaper or not. Ins. doesn't pay for vitamins

> anymore.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks , this is the last time I am going to try the oral. I think I will

mention the leucovorin to her, I have never heard of it. I might get lucky and

be helped by it.

[ ] Re: positive for ra then negative twice for ra

I started on oral Methotrexate and the side effects were terrible,

even with folic acid daily and leucovorin the day I took the Mtx.

When I started taking it via injection, almost all the side effects

went away. I still get kind of worn out the day I take it and the

next day, but I was sick as a dog for 2 days after taking the oral

version, so this is MUCH better.

>

> Hi, I'm back and confused. I would appreciate any info from any

one who has had these confusing test results. About 2 yrs ago, I

started having a lot of pain. I went to my reg doc and described

everything to her and she suspected ra. She done the lab work and it

came back positive for ra. Then she started the journey of trying to

treat me until she could get a rheumy to see me. That didn't happen

until April of this year. I didn't get to see a real rheumy, just

the nurse practitioner, who sent me for blood work, x-rays, and did

the pressure point test for fibro. Her conclusion was that I have

osteo, and fibro, but I was negative for ra. So my reg doc sends me

for more blood work when I went back to her, because she is

convinced that I have ra, because of my symptoms, and because the

methotrexate worked for me. That blood work came back negative also.

How can you be positive and then 2 yrs later be negative 2 times in

a row? Anyway, she still believes that I have ra and she said that

she treats the patient and the symptoms, not the lab results. She's

going to New Jersey for a week during the 4th of July holiday and is

going to tell her rheumy friend about me and see what he suggests

for me. I am just not sure what to do. I don't want to be taking too

many meds, but methotrexate is the only thing that has given me any

relief, I have been on it twice before because it tears my stomach

up I had to quit, but I am so miserable once again, that I have

started taking it again. My reg doc doesn't know anything about the

injectable and she told me to get all of the info I could on it in

case we have to go that route. All of your help would be

appreciatted. I told her about this group and how much it has helped

me and she was very impressed. Sorry that this was so long, and

thanks in advance for all of your help.

>

> in KY

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tracie, thanks for your advice. I'm hoping that my reg. doc can find

something that she is allowed to prescribe for me that works if I can't tolerate

the methotrxate. I really don't have any hope of a rheumatologist agreeing to

see me because of my ins.

Were you the one that was talking about the sleep number bed? I would really

like to have one of those if they really work. Could you give me some info like

price and such. You can e-mail me privately if you prefer.

Thanks

[ ] Re: positive for ra then negative twice for ra

Hi ,

Wow, they sure are confusing you huh? I agree with the other posts,

run as fast as you can away from this NP and rheumy group. Stick

with your primary care person who has been treating you for the two

years. I have seronegative RA and was told by my rheumy that it is

harder to diagnose, but 1 in 5 people have it. It means your RF is

negative, but everything else is wacky and you have all the symptoms

of RA and the medicines for RA help you which they do in your case.

I too find relief with the Methotrexate and folic acid as well as

low dose Prednisone. I did Humira for a year, but it made me very

ill although I have to say it did help the disease and my lab work.

I just cannot take it anymore. Good luck and if YOU believe you

have RA don't let someone new try to change your mind. Sometimes I

wonder where these people go to school. You know they were not all

A students as my hubby would say. I want the doctor who got all A's

not the one who barely passed, lol. He is right though. When it

comes to your health especially. Good luck.

Tracie

>

> Hi, I'm back and confused. I would appreciate any info from any

one who has had these confusing test results. About 2 yrs ago, I

started having a lot of pain. I went to my reg doc and described

everything to her and she suspected ra. She done the lab work and it

came back positive for ra. Then she started the journey of trying to

treat me until she could get a rheumy to see me. That didn't happen

until April of this year. I didn't get to see a real rheumy, just

the nurse practitioner, who sent me for blood work, x-rays, and did

the pressure point test for fibro. Her conclusion was that I have

osteo, and fibro, but I was negative for ra. So my reg doc sends me

for more blood work when I went back to her, because she is

convinced that I have ra, because of my symptoms, and because the

methotrexate worked for me. That blood work came back negative also.

How can you be positive and then 2 yrs later be negative 2 times in

a row? Anyway, she still believes that I have ra and she said that

she treats the patient and the symptoms, not the lab results. She's

going to New Jersey for a week during the 4th of July holiday and is

going to tell her rheumy friend about me and see what he suggests

for me. I am just not sure what to do. I don't want to be taking too

many meds, but methotrexate is the only thing that has given me any

relief, I have been on it twice before because it tears my stomach

up I had to quit, but I am so miserable once again, that I have

started taking it again. My reg doc doesn't know anything about the

injectable and she told me to get all of the info I could on it in

case we have to go that route. All of your help would be

appreciatted. I told her about this group and how much it has helped

me and she was very impressed. Sorry that this was so long, and

thanks in advance for all of your help.

>

> in KY

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you Dennis. I was hoping I could use something that would be cheaper than

the foltx. I'm hoping that I can tolerate the oral methotrexate this time. I

don't really want to do the injections unless I absolutely have too. I am on

just 2.5 mg of MTX to start. The last time that I was on it, I worked up to 7.5

mg and it worked really well for my RA, but my stomach couldn't tolerate it.

Maybe I should go ahead and increase the folic acid to 5 mg. myself.

Thanks again,

Re: [ ] positive for ra then negative twice for ra

> Hi Kathe:

> Thanks for replying. I don't know if I am on enough folic acid or not.

> Before, she just had me taking 1 mg. of folic acid a day. This time I am

> taking something called foltx. It has folic acid and b12 in it. Have you

> ever heard of this? What is a good dose of folic acid? I paid almost 25.00

> for a months worth of the foltx. I don't know if folic acid would be

> cheaper or not. Ins. doesn't pay for vitamins anymore.

> I'm hoping that I can tolerate it this time around, if not she said she

> would try the injectable. As far as plaquenil, she has mentioned it, but

> my eyesight isn't great to start with, so I'm kind of leary of it. I don't

> know much about it except that you need to have eye exams like every 6

> months. Does it further damage your eyesight? Oh well, I guess I will just

> have to take it day by day. Thank you so much for helping me.

> in KY

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for the info. I will check it out.

[ ] Re: positive for ra then negative twice for ra

>

> Here is a link to the s Hopkins classification for RA--you only

> need four of the seven to have RA (only one is bloodwork).

>

> Hope this helps--

> dordale

>

Just realized I forgot to post the link--here it is:

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/edu/acr/acr.html#class_rheum

Also--for clarification, this isn't the s Hopkins classifcation,

but the ACR classification as posted by s Hopkins.

dordale

[Guest guest]

Thanks Kathe, I didn't know anything about the plaquenil, so I was afraid of it

and wouldn't let her put me on it before. At least now I know that if I can't

tolerate the MTX I can try the plaq. I think I will try the inj. MTX first if it

comes to that, because it really worked well for my RA before.

Re: [ ] positive for ra then negative twice for ra

Hi :

I got my last bottle of Folic Acid from our local

Sam's Club, 450 tabs for about $6.00. 400 mcg. I

take 4 tabs daily. I would say that 1 mg. is a good

amount, but you can increase it if you still are

experiencing side effects like nausea. Maybe someone

else knows just how high you can go. I also take a

multi-vitamin with folic acid in it, so I think I am

getting enough into my system.

I have also gotten Folic Acid at Wal Mart for about

$2-3, and I believe it was also 400 mcg, but they also

have 800 mcg., and it was like 100 tablets for that

amount.

I have never heard of Foltx, so can't help you there.

I also have pretty bad eye sight, really bad

near-sightedness, but had no problems from the Plaq

with my eyes. I did get eye problems, however, from

my use of Pred, cataracts, one of which I have had

operated on, and need to do the left eye too. The

plaq needs to have you checked for any retinal damage,

but it is a very rare side effect, and my exams for

2-1/2 years were totally normalm for any retinal

problems.

I read in another post that you cannot have biologics

unless prescribed by a rheumy. There is also Arava

which you can try for RA, I was on it for about 6

months in addition to Mtx, and it helped quite a bit,

but the side effects finally made me quit it. Others

take it without any problems, so you could also ask

about that one.

This is a tough disease with a lot of uncertainty in

both prognosis and medications, and a lot of

frustration finding the right meds. We understand.

I've been through the same sorts of things. Be

patient. I hope that the Mtx is good to you this time,

but definately look into the injectible.

Take care - Kathe in cA

--- <melissahancock@...> wrote:

> Hi Kathe:

> Thanks for replying. I don't know if I am on enough

> folic acid or not. Before, she just had me taking 1

> mg. of folic acid a day. This time I am taking

> something called foltx. It has folic acid and b12 in

> it. Have you ever heard of this? What is a good dose

> of folic acid? I paid almost 25.00 for a months

> worth of the foltx. I don't know if folic acid would

> be cheaper or not. Ins. doesn't pay for vitamins

> anymore.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

, is there some kind of rule imposed by the drug companies that

say nobody but rheumatologists can prescribe the biologics? Or does

your regular doc just not feel competent to monitor you while you're on

them.

I ask because my regular doctor once wrote me a prescription for Enbrel

when my rheumatologist (now my former one) did not have time to give me

one. She made it clear that this was just short term, because I believe

she didn't want the responsibility of monitoring me on the Enbrel.

So find out from your doctor.

Sue

On Monday, June 26, 2006, at 08:05 PM, wrote:

> Hi Tracie, thanks for your advice. I'm hoping that my reg. doc can

> find something that she is allowed to prescribe for me that works if I

> can't tolerate the methotrxate. I really don't have any hope of a

> rheumatologist agreeing to see me because of my ins.

> Were you the one that was talking about the sleep number bed? I

> would really like to have one of those if they really work. Could you

> give me some info like price and such. You can e-mail me privately if

> you prefer.

[Guest guest]

I took plaquenil for several years before switching rheumy and switching to

Humeri. I never had any eye problems with it other than the near sightedness I

had to begin with. I did make sure to get my eyes examined once a year while I

was on the drug. I was told by eye doctor that damage from plaquenil, is rarely

seen RA the dosage taken for RA n WI

<melissahancock@...> wrote:

Thanks Kathe, I didn't know anything about the plaquenil, so I was

afraid of it and wouldn't let her put me on it before. At least now I know that

if I can't tolerate the MTX I can try the plaq. I think I will try the inj. MTX

first if it comes to that, because it really worked well for my RA before.

Re: [ ] positive for ra then negative twice for ra

Hi :

I got my last bottle of Folic Acid from our local

Sam's Club, 450 tabs for about $6.00. 400 mcg. I

take 4 tabs daily. I would say that 1 mg. is a good

amount, but you can increase it if you still are

experiencing side effects like nausea. Maybe someone

else knows just how high you can go. I also take a

multi-vitamin with folic acid in it, so I think I am

getting enough into my system.

I have also gotten Folic Acid at Wal Mart for about

$2-3, and I believe it was also 400 mcg, but they also

have 800 mcg., and it was like 100 tablets for that

amount.

I have never heard of Foltx, so can't help you there.

I also have pretty bad eye sight, really bad

near-sightedness, but had no problems from the Plaq

with my eyes. I did get eye problems, however, from

my use of Pred, cataracts, one of which I have had

operated on, and need to do the left eye too. The

plaq needs to have you checked for any retinal damage,

but it is a very rare side effect, and my exams for

2-1/2 years were totally normalm for any retinal

problems.

I read in another post that you cannot have biologics

unless prescribed by a rheumy. There is also Arava

which you can try for RA, I was on it for about 6

months in addition to Mtx, and it helped quite a bit,

but the side effects finally made me quit it. Others

take it without any problems, so you could also ask

about that one.

This is a tough disease with a lot of uncertainty in

both prognosis and medications, and a lot of

frustration finding the right meds. We understand.

I've been through the same sorts of things. Be

patient. I hope that the Mtx is good to you this time,

but definately look into the injectible.

Take care - Kathe in cA

--- <melissahancock@...> wrote:

> Hi Kathe:

> Thanks for replying. I don't know if I am on enough

> folic acid or not. Before, she just had me taking 1

> mg. of folic acid a day. This time I am taking

> something called foltx. It has folic acid and b12 in

> it. Have you ever heard of this? What is a good dose

> of folic acid? I paid almost 25.00 for a months

> worth of the foltx. I don't know if folic acid would

> be cheaper or not. Ins. doesn't pay for vitamins

> anymore.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

im new so this question may be completely off, but if you have to take folic

acid and all those other vitamins too, why cant you simply take prenatal

vitamins?? they are not expensive and have folic acid, calcium, and other

vitamins all in one pill. will that work?

thanks, brandy hendricks

[Guest guest]

>

> Thank you Dennis. I was hoping I could use something that would be

cheaper than the foltx. I'm hoping that I can tolerate the oral

methotrexate this time. I don't really want to do the injections

unless I absolutely have too. I am on just 2.5 mg of MTX to start. The

last time that I was on it, I worked up to 7.5 mg and it worked really

well for my RA, but my stomach couldn't tolerate it. Maybe I should go

ahead and increase the folic acid to 5 mg. myself.

> Thanks again,

--

If you can get your doctor to prescribe Lecovourin for you, that might

help quite a bit. (I know you mentioned that you'll be asking your

doctor about this in another post.)

From what I've read, Lecovourin can be more effective than folic acid

at reducing the side effects of MTX.

I'm currently on 15mg MTX/wk and 10mg Lecovourin/wk (taken at the same

time). I don't have any noticable side effects from the MTX--don't

know if the Lecovourin is really working, or if I'm just really lucky.

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck--

dordale

[Guest guest]

In my case, I _KNOW_ the leucovorin makes a big difference. When I

was on the oral Mtx, I was so sick without it that I couldn't even

get out of bed to tell someone how sick I was. With the leucovorin,

it was MUCH better, though still not great. Now that I'm on the

injectable with leucovorin (my Dr. wants me to take it 12 hrs later)

the only side effects I have from the Mtx are more fatigue than

usual, and sometimes I get a headache. That's W-A-Y better than

before.

> If you can get your doctor to prescribe Lecovourin for you, that

might

> help quite a bit. (I know you mentioned that you'll be asking your

> doctor about this in another post.)

>

> From what I've read, Lecovourin can be more effective than folic

acid

> at reducing the side effects of MTX.

>

> I'm currently on 15mg MTX/wk and 10mg Lecovourin/wk (taken at the

same

> time). I don't have any noticable side effects from the MTX--don't

> know if the Lecovourin is really working, or if I'm just really

lucky.

>

> Anyway, I wish you the best of luck--

> dordale

>

[Guest guest]

In my case, I _KNOW_ the leucovorin makes a big difference. When I

was on the oral Mtx, I was so sick without it that I couldn't even

get out of bed to tell someone how sick I was. With the leucovorin,

it was MUCH better, though still not great. Now that I'm on the

injectable with leucovorin (my Dr. wants me to take it 12 hrs later)

the only side effects I have from the Mtx are more fatigue than

usual, and sometimes I get a headache. That's W-A-Y better than

before.

> If you can get your doctor to prescribe Lecovourin for you, that

might

> help quite a bit. (I know you mentioned that you'll be asking your

> doctor about this in another post.)

>

> From what I've read, Lecovourin can be more effective than folic

acid

> at reducing the side effects of MTX.

>

> I'm currently on 15mg MTX/wk and 10mg Lecovourin/wk (taken at the

same

> time). I don't have any noticable side effects from the MTX--don't

> know if the Lecovourin is really working, or if I'm just really

lucky.

>

> Anyway, I wish you the best of luck--

> dordale

>