Re: Introduction Pamela (long post)

[Guest guest]

Hi Pamela:

Welcome! You are right, we really do understand what

you are going through! I am 52, and have been dx with

RA, Fibromyalgia, OA, and Raynaud's syndrome. I am no

stranger, either, to what seems to be an unending

struggle with pain. You are not alone.

I have been under the care of rheumatologists since I

was first diagnosed 7 years ago, and the frustration

of trying to find the right type of medication, or

combo of meds, is something that we all go through.

It seems to be very much a try and wait kind of thing,

with the doctors trying new meds, and us waiting for

help. I do think that, IMO, your doctor should have

tried you on a new drug much sooner than now, if you

have been not having any success with the Pred, Plaq

and Lortab for a year! Adding the Mtx will hopefully

be of help to you. How much Pred are you on?

Generally, it is a miracle drug and really helps with

pain and inflammation, but taking it a too high of a

dose for a long time can compromise your body to other

illnesses like osteoporosis, so be careful of it.

As far as how long it should take to feel a

difference, I would say give it another month with the

addition of the Mtx, and if there is still no relief,

go back and ask for a different medication. You may

do well on biologics - I am taking Enbrel with

Methotrexate and my RA is under good control.

Unfortunately, can't say the same for my fibro lol.

I am also taking meds for that - do you take anything

for your fibro? There are meds that you could be

taking which might help with the fibro related pain

your body experiences. Mine help me with taking the

edge off the pain so that I can get done what I need

to. I don't think that being painfree will happen for

me anytime soon, sigh .......

I have a lot of leg pain, daily, and also numbness and

tingling in my feet and toes, my hands and fingers, so

my doctor feels that is a peripheral neuropathy,

either from the RA or the fibro, don't know for sure,

and I take Lyrica and Cymbalta for that. I also

suffer from severe shooting pains in my legs from my

hips down, especially at night when I am trying to

sleep (isn't that always the way pain hits?). Buying

a memory foam mattress topper has been helpful, and

taking hot showers, using rice socks, heating pads,

and massage pads, and generally getting as much rest

as possible. Don't overdo - we have to learn to pace

ourselves, and for you, taking care of your two

daughters, means you probably don't get a lot of rest

or time to yourself. Maybe hubby could give you a

break when he gets home?

Anyway, welcome, and I am sure you will get a lot out

of this group. The people here are very supportive

and caring, and we will try to help you in any way we

can. Just post an ASAP or HELP to your subject line

if you need something gotten to quickly, okay? Take

care -

Kathe in CA

> I decided to join a support group online because I

> know y'all will be the only ones who understands

> what I am going through. Sometimes I just feel so

> alone.

> It has only been a year now I have been seeing a

> rhuemey. I have been taking prednisone, plaquenil

> and loritab for a year with no relief. I just keep

> getting worse and worse. My doc. started me on

> methotrexate a month ago. I still am not getting any

> better. how long does it take to feel a difference?

>> Anyways, I look forward to talking with you and

> reading what you all have to say.

>

> Pam

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Do you ?

> Get on board. You're invited to try the new

> Mail Beta.

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________