Re: heart troubles/RA related? Cat

June 15, 2006

Hi Cat:

That is an excellent idea to see a cardiologist - and

I would not delay since you have had such severe chest

pain episodes, which may or may not be related to the

Enbrel. I hope that the doctor is able to find a

reason for the pain, and a way to treat it. Yes, RA

can affect your heart to, mainly I think the sac that

the heart is encased in, can't think of the name.

Anyway, get that referral, and I wish you the best of

luck - let us know how you are doing -

Kathe in CA

--- cat mohseny <catmoh@...> wrote:

> Hi Kathe

> I am glad to hear that I am not being paranoid

> by holding off on the Enbrel until I know more about

> the cause of my chest pains. I mean they were so

> bad at one time that I was literally lying in bed

> with my fists in the middle of my chest, applying as

> much pressure as I could. I felt like hell and the

> pain ran all the way to my back. I did mention it

> to my RA doc, he is very concerned. He advised me to

> see my primary doc about it. I did. He did not do

> a thing. He just wrote it down in my file. That is

> twice now. No, I do not want a different primary,

> he has been with me for years. But I do think I

> will be finding a cardiologist and checking things

> out before I go back to the Enbrel. I know RA alone

> can cause hardening of the arteries and other heart

ailments.>

__________________________________________________

June 17, 2006

That is what I wanted to hear. That I am not being dramatic. I have to wait a

couple of weeks because my husband started a new job the beginning of the year

and due to my pre-existing, I had a wait for my insurance benefits. My sister

is coming from Arizona for a 3 week visit. I plan on taking it as easy as I can,

but I know it will be exhausting. I have a 9 year old, she has an 11 year old.

Both girls and they are great together, but a handful. My sis and I are best

friends, she is concerned about me, but she does not fully understand RA.

Neither does my Mom. If I have to lie down and rest in the middle of the day, I

am being lazy or old. Hard to explain to others how I can be miserable, but

look basically okay on the outside. My feet hurt all the time, I can hardly

walk on them first thing in the morning. And I must have shoes on all day long,

even slippers or something with some padding. Hardwood floors are torture on my

feet, toes and ankles. But my chest

pains are a big scare and a huge concern. I will keep you informed as to my

results as soon as I can.

Thanks so much

Cat in Chicago

Re: [ ] heart troubles/RA related? Cat