Re: I need some imput PLEASE.

July 26, 2006

Hi :

Welcome! We are happy that you have found us, but

sorry for the reason. You have some other very

serious medical problems which are causing you

difficulty with taking your RA medication. That is

terrible, and I am sorry you are feeling so poorly

because of it.

Basically, what will happen if you take no RA meds, is

that the disease process itself will continue to

continue unchecked, and you will be putting yourself

at risk to serious joint destruction and deformity,

chronic pain, and disability. Immediate and

aggressive RA treatment is the only way to treat RA,

but unfortunately you have been having some very bad

reactions to the RA meds you have tried.

Because of your COPD, I would not recommend that you

take Methotrexate, which is a drug that is used quite

a lot for initial RA treatment, and continued to use

by many. Because of your lung damage, Mtx, which can

also cause lung problems as a side effect, would be no

good for you, obviously. You have tried Imuran and

Plaquenil. I think that you should consider

biological meds because they are in shot form, and

should not cause you the stomach problems you have

been having with oral meds. I am currently on Enbrel,

have been for about 8 months now, and am doing very

well on it, along with Methotrexate. There is also

Humira and Remicade which are pretty well known, but

there are new meds too, Orencia and Rituximab (think I

got that one right). I think we have two people here

on Orencia, and the posts have been positive.

The most important part is that you get your RA

treated, aggressively, and as soon as possible. Ask

your doctor about injectible meds. I hope that there

is something out that will help you, and get your RA

under good control. The COPD must be so difficult - I

have asthma and know the feeling of being unable to

take a breath, but know that is nothing when compared

to your disease. My prayers are with you - let us

know what you and your doctor decide to do.

Kathe in CA

--- cynthiareese27 <creese@...> wrote:

> I am new to the board so I will briefly go throught

> somethings about me.> I am 68 years old and have had

COPD for 5 years and> on oxygen 24 hours > a day.

>

> I was diagnosed with RA September of last year. At

> that time I weighted > 124 pounds. My Arthritis

doctor started me on> IMURAN. Oh man ir did wonders..

Until Novenmeber I> began to have throw > up and have

diarreh and I could not even keep water> on my

stomache. It > got so bad that I was seeing people in

my bedroom> floating on the > ceiling at night. After

4 weeks I went to the doctor> and discovered > that I

was highly allergiv to the medication. I had> lost

down to 96 > pounds. She then started me on Planquinel

and> wanterd me to take Humira > both at the same

time. I decided to take just the> pill and forget the

> shot for awhile. OK Week before last I started

doing> the same thing. > Throwing up. cannot keep

water on my stomache and I

> called the doctor > and she said to stay on the

pills but the start the> shots.

>

> Is there anyone that is having as much trouble with

> the medication as I > am??? I am thinking about not

taking any medication> at all. It is > really

effecting my COPD and my Pulmono says me to> quit all

of the > chemicals because it is not good for my

breathinbg.> What will happend to me if I take no

medication at> all???

>

> Please help me if you can.

> Thanks so much.

> in Texas

>

__________________________________________________

July 26, 2006

Kathe,

Thank you so very much for your good advice. I will take it into consideration.

I am open minded and want different ways I can go and you gave me some ideals to

talk over with the doctor.

Thanks

Re: [ ] I need some imput PLEASE.