Re: New to support group Jenn - meds

June 21, 2006

Hi Jenn:

Welcome!~ The people in this group are the absolute

greatest at offering support and understanding. Our

moderators, and a, find us the most recent

information on so many interesting subjects, and can

answer just about any question you pose. You will

make lots of friends here, in fact, these people are

more like family to me!

I am sorry to hear about your problems with RA.

Raising four kids has to be sooo hard with all that RA

brings into your life, the biggest one sometimes just

being the fatigue which can wipe you out, out of the

blue. I am sorry that you are unable to work outside

of the home and this affects your finances. So many

of us have been or are right now in the same dilemma

you are, it's one of the side effects of RA that the

medical community does not understand, especially when

you try to get disability.

I was on Plaquenil when I was first diagnosed and did

really well on it, however, since it is not working

for you, the next med I would suggest would be

methotrexate which is quite cheap to buy. There are

pills or injectible forms, and I have had good result

from use of Methotrexate. I used it alone for quite a

while because I could not afford to get on any

biologics, which was my next step, but now, after my

husband changed jobs and we got better insurance, I

use Enbrel too. Methotrexate is one of the oldest

drugs in use for RA, and has a good track record.

Just remember to take Folic Acid with it, very

important, and I also take Milk Thistle for further

liver protection.

I hope this helps you - ask your doctor about Mtx, and

I am sure he/she will prescribe it for you. Best of

luck and let us know what happens -

Kathe in CA

--- McCannon <callmejenn@...> wrote:

> Hi I'm Jenn and I've had RA since 98-99 when I was

> diagnosed. I'm 32 now....got 4 kids, 2 step kids and

> a hubby at home. I can't really work anymore and its

> really affecting our finances..I am on plaquenil

> since cheapest drug and on medical. Anyone else know

> a better med that is not very expensive? >

>

__________________________________________________

June 21, 2006

Well thank you so much.......I will do that. Right now my focus is my boyfriend,

he has a bilateral inguinal hernia and is having surgery next Thursday but after

that will be my turn at the doctor and I will def change my meds...Today was the

first day in 4 days I was hungry and able to eat without feeling as if I would

puke it all back up.

By the way I am in CA too...Merced U?

Thx Jenn

Re: [ ]New to support group Jenn - meds