Re: Lung Problems on MTX

[Guest guest]

Sharon, you really should stop smoking, or it's the same as committing

slow suicide. I know, because I smoked for about 34 years and was up to

at least three packs a day. I felt that it was not within my power to

quit, so I didn't even try.

Then one weekend I had the flu and was sick as a dog. I always knew it

was stupid to smoke, but to smoke with this condition was really

stupid. So I decided to stay in bed all weekend and not smoke. I got up

periodically to go to the bathroom or to eat a little chicken soup, but

other than that just lay in bed for about three days. That was three

days without cigarettes. I had quit! After that, I just took it an

hour, a day at a time.

April 11 would be a good time for you to quit. You won't be able to

smoke in the OR, nor in the recovery room, nor in the hospital at all,

will you? So keep extending the time without a cigarette after you

leave the hospital. After a few days, you will be over the hump and

will stop wanting the nicotine. You will see that you are perfectly

capable of breaking the habit.

What do you think of this plan?

Sue, an ex-addict

On Monday, March 27, 2006, at 06:41 PM, Sharon wrote:

> Unfortunately I'm

> still smoking although a lot less than usual. Am gearing myself up to

> quit

> since all the docs keep telling me it will help immensely. I'll be

> having a

> total knee replacement on Apr 11 so as I told my RA when he said he

> would

> not change the Lortab for my pain to anything else because he doesn't

> want

> me to become " addicted " , " I'm actually looking forward to the surgery

> as I

> feel any pain for a day or so. " :-) lol

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/27/2006 7:08:13 PM Central Standard Time,

buckswheat@... writes:

I wish everyone well this day and hope that tomorrow is pain free for you or

at least a little less. I just had the remicade treatment last week and

already it is wearing off and I can't take the meds that most of you are on

for one reason or another. Am thinking about the Rituxan -- so if anyone

out here in RA land knows about this infusion, please let me know.

The weather in NW Florida is getting warmer now, so perhaps some of the pain

will go away for a while. At least I hope so.

Sharon

Sharon i wish you good luck and speedy recovery from your knee replacement

in April. I dont know much about the Rituxan, it was just mentioned as an

option briefly at my last visit. Thinking of remicaide later down the road, but

it really scares me...Warmer weather should help. HUGS

from PA

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

I have had 6 infusions of Remicade and might not be

able to take anymore (building up allergic

reaction)-let me know when you learn about the new medicine-'

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