Guest guest Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 OK - I promise I am not trying to iritate you by any means, but I have one more question and you may or may not know the answer to this one. I will do my best to be concise...I have been on just about every DMARD, NSAID's I can't take and I was on Enbrel for about 5 months (too many side effects, i.e. coudn't eat) Humira for about 3 months and then Rituxan, which although I tolerated, it really didn't do much. My question is this, since I WAS on medication continually, but just changed for whatever reason, is it possible that these meds had enough effect on me to put me in a medically induced remission since my blood work at the moment states I have nothing wrong with me except for some high WBC & low reds? I never had these types of results in the past. I realize you are NOT a doctor but you do have access to so much knowledge! Thank you for any insight! ltdavis_jrdavis@... --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2008 Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 Ha, ha! You aren't irritating me, . Yes, it is possible that you are in remission right now, especially since you've been treated with Rituxan (rituximab); HOWEVER, if your labs are pretty good, but you are still feeling unwell and have other outward signs of RA, that sort of situation usually would not be considered remission. About the pain: you have to be very clear about how much pain you are experiencing and describe in detail how it interferes with your daily life. Explain that you've been frustrated by not being able to tolerate NSAIDs and various DMARDs and ask for help managing the pain. You could ask for a referral to a pain management clinic if the rheumatologist is opposed to prescribing opioids and has no other suggestions. I know this is extremely frustrating. On the whole, rheumatologists don't treat handle this issue very well. On finding a good rheumatologist: try posting to the group again with a very specific subject line. Maybe others in your area will have suggestions. Check out the sites others have mentioned - the American College or Rheumatology and various online rating/information sites. Once you have a couple of names, Google them and read about what they've published, awards they may have won, what patients have posted about them in public forums, etc. If you have a certain institution in mind, often a receptionist or nurse can steer you toward a winner. I wish there were a better way of finding someone good! Rheumatologists, immunologists and other specialists deal with people with various immune system diseases. Please see this post: /message/109615 Not an MD > [ ] 1 last question for ! > > OK - I promise I am not trying to iritate you by any means, but I have one more > question and you may or may not know the answer to this one. > > I will do my best to be concise...I have been on just about every DMARD, NSAID's I > can't take and I was on Enbrel for about 5 months (too many side effects, i.e. coudn't > eat) Humira for about 3 months and then Rituxan, which although I tolerated, it really > didn't do much. My question is this, since I WAS on medication continually, but just > changed for whatever reason, is it possible that these meds had enough effect on me > to put me in a medically induced remission since my blood work at the moment states > I have nothing wrong with me except for some high WBC & low reds? I never had > these types of results in the past. I realize you are NOT a doctor but you do have > access to so much knowledge! > Thank you for any insight! > > > > ltdavis_jrdavis@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2008 Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 - a thought. Isn't there a files area for the group? Perhaps those who are happy with their rheumys could put a file there, name could be their location, and list the info for their docs. Then they would always be there, even if those people weren't active anymore. On Mon, Feb 25, 2008 at 10:12 AM, <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote: > > On finding a good rheumatologist: try posting to the group again with a > very > specific subject line. Maybe others in your area will have suggestions. -- South Pasadena, CA / Lilydale, MN You can see my galleries at http://www.pbase.com/arenared986 M. Schulz - " All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2008 Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 Thank you so much for your wise insight! I knew you could steer me in the right direction. It is frustrating! <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote: Ha, ha! You aren't irritating me, . Yes, it is possible that you are in remission right now, especially since you've been treated with Rituxan (rituximab); HOWEVER, if your labs are pretty good, but you are still feeling unwell and have other outward signs of RA, that sort of situation usually would not be considered remission. About the pain: you have to be very clear about how much pain you are experiencing and describe in detail how it interferes with your daily life. Explain that you've been frustrated by not being able to tolerate NSAIDs and various DMARDs and ask for help managing the pain. You could ask for a referral to a pain management clinic if the rheumatologist is opposed to prescribing opioids and has no other suggestions. I know this is extremely frustrating. On the whole, rheumatologists don't treat handle this issue very well. On finding a good rheumatologist: try posting to the group again with a very specific subject line. Maybe others in your area will have suggestions. Check out the sites others have mentioned - the American College or Rheumatology and various online rating/information sites. Once you have a couple of names, Google them and read about what they've published, awards they may have won, what patients have posted about them in public forums, etc. If you have a certain institution in mind, often a receptionist or nurse can steer you toward a winner. I wish there were a better way of finding someone good! Rheumatologists, immunologists and other specialists deal with people with various immune system diseases. Please see this post: /message/109615 Not an MD > [ ] 1 last question for ! > > OK - I promise I am not trying to iritate you by any means, but I have one more > question and you may or may not know the answer to this one. > > I will do my best to be concise...I have been on just about every DMARD, NSAID's I > can't take and I was on Enbrel for about 5 months (too many side effects, i.e. coudn't > eat) Humira for about 3 months and then Rituxan, which although I tolerated, it really > didn't do much. My question is this, since I WAS on medication continually, but just > changed for whatever reason, is it possible that these meds had enough effect on me > to put me in a medically induced remission since my blood work at the moment states > I have nothing wrong with me except for some high WBC & low reds? I never had > these types of results in the past. I realize you are NOT a doctor but you do have > access to so much knowledge! > Thank you for any insight! > > > > ltdavis_jrdavis@... ltdavis_jrdavis@... --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2008 Report Share Posted February 26, 2008 Good idea, . Yes, there is a section for files. There is also a database section. Anyone who wishes to can upload a file describing their positive experience with a particular rheumatologist. If there is enough interest, I could create a database. Not an MD > Re: [ ] 1 last question for ! > > - a thought. Isn't there a files area for the group? Perhaps > those who are happy with their rheumys could put a file there, name > could be their location, and list the info for their docs. Then they > would always be there, even if those people weren't active anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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