New diagnosis

[Guest guest]

I have been on injectable MTX for a year this time. My insurance, Care

First/Blue Cross Blue Shield wouldn't cover it as a prescription drug but said

they would cover it as a medical expense. It is $37 and that lasts me 18 to 20

weeks, pretty inexpensive. My insurance did cover the needles, he prescribed

insulin syringes and cautioned me to use a new one each time because the vials

hold either 3 or 4 dosages and technically the public isn't suppose to be able

to use a vial more than once. I have had no problems and I don't have any side

effects from the injectable. I was on the pill form for 2 years because I

couldn't find the injectable anywhere, then a new Rheumy took me off of it for a

year because I am also on Asacol for colitis and he feared for my liver. I have

bloodwork done every 2 months and have not had any rise in my liver values. I

did have fatigue for a couple of days with the pills (MTX).

Colleen

[Guest guest]

I am new to this group and new to rheumatoid arthritis... I am 33 y/o and as of

2 weeks ago lived a " normal " very active life. It all started with extreme pain

in my left wrist and 1.5 weeks later, I was diagnosed with RA. I am extremely

overwhelmed with the unknown and how the course of my life has changed so

quickly. I have not been put on a medication regimen yet as labs are still

pending, etc. There are so many considerations... I don't have children yet and

have previously loved to jog and exercise. I am joining this group per a

suggestion by a friend. All of my peers are young and healthy. Even though they

try, it is impossible for them to comprehend what I am going through.

I appreciate any comfort/ suggestions you can provide to help me get through

the intial shock of this and the impact it will have on my (and my family/

friends) life.

Sincerely,

---------------------------------

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Initially, I went to my PCP and he referred me to a Rheumatologist after my

rhematoid factor, C reactive protein and ANA were all elevated. Plus, I had

sudden inflammation and pain in the joints in my wrist and hands. The

Rheumatologist told me I have classic signs and symptoms of RA. He drew a total

of 16 labs to get a baseline. I go back in a couple of weeks to determine my

first line of treatment. In the meantime, I am religiously taking Mobic. He

mainly discussed methotrexate but I really do not want to take it. I have read a

lot and it seems to have many side effects and causes birth defects.

I appreciate your response. I have found more comfort in talking to people

that can actually relate to what I am going through than confiding in my closest

family/ friends. They want to understand...but they just can't. Thank you for

encouragement!

<man_u8@...> wrote:

,

I am 30 y/o and I have lived w/ RA for the past 7 years. I was

pretty active, I walked everywhere and cycled. Please don't think

that your active lifestyle is going to come to an abrupt stop. You

can still excerise, in fact, it is often recommended. There are alot

of medications for you to take to help w/ the pain/inflamation along

w/ medications to help slow the progression of RA (Remicaide, Enbrel

etc).

Who told you have RA? The best person for you to see is a

rheumatologist and they can work w/ you for the best medication

reginme for yourself. What works for others, may not work for you.

For a definate answer if you have RA, it would show in your labs.

Partiucalr an elevated SED rate, a positive RA factor and most

definately a CCP antibody test. There are other auto-immune

diseases, a rheumatologist is the best person for you to go to.

This group is extremely helpful w/ everyone's knowledge, stories and

a good crutch to lean on, especially when you have bad days.

If you do have RA, you will have bad days (flare-ups), but it is not

the end of the world. I got diagnosed when I was 23. Many people w/

RA go on to have healthy beautiful children. Just hang in there.

>

> I am new to this group and new to rheumatoid arthritis... I am 33

y/o and as of 2 weeks ago lived a " normal " very active life. It all

started with extreme pain in my left wrist and 1.5 weeks later, I was

diagnosed with RA. I am extremely overwhelmed with the unknown and

how the course of my life has changed so quickly. I have not been put

on a medication regimen yet as labs are still pending, etc. There are

so many considerations... I don't have children yet and have

previously loved to jog and exercise. I am joining this group per a

suggestion by a friend. All of my peers are young and healthy. Even

though they try, it is impossible for them to comprehend what I am

going through.

>

> I appreciate any comfort/ suggestions you can provide to help me

get through the intial shock of this and the impact it will have on

my (and my family/ friends) life.

> Sincerely,

>

>

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

> Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome. Congrats on your new baby! Don't worry, once you get to

a specialist there are lots of things they can do to clarify dx and set up a

good treatment plan. In the meantime, try to rest, get some water exercise, and

maybe ask if you can add a NSAID or maybe something for pain. Feel better,

hugs, Kate F

[ ] new diagnosis

hi all, i am 32 and just got diagnosed after a two month history of

transitory random joint pain after having my third child. i work in a

clinic and so they ran an ra panel. the only thing that came back

elevated was the rheumatoid factor. I am now wating on a refferal. i

was given an rx for prednisone 20mg twice a day and told to take ibp.

any thoughts on this? i am not sure what to expect or what a potential

prognosis would be. after 10 years of pediatric nursing, this adult

stuff bewilders me any advice i could get would be appreciated!

thanks in advance,

laura

[Guest guest]

hi laura, my only advice to you would be dont give up!! prednisone is an AWESOME

drug but it can KILL as well... you have to choose whats BEST for you at this

very moment in time... i have had ra for over 33 years & im still kicking it!!!

i really believe in prayer. i firmly believe that if you ask jesus, to calm your

fears; & to heal your body, to touch you heart & to PROTECT YOUR FAMILY HE WILL.

so let him touch you with his HEALING POWER & STRENGTH!!!!!!!!!!!!god

bless,melyndagamez 5/21/08 10:15p.m.central

[ ] new diagnosis

hi all, i am 32 and just got diagnosed after a two month history of

transitory random joint pain after having my third child. i work in a

clinic and so they ran an ra panel. the only thing that came back

elevated was the rheumatoid factor. I am now wating on a refferal. i

was given an rx for prednisone 20mg twice a day and told to take ibp.

any thoughts on this? i am not sure what to expect or what a potential

prognosis would be. after 10 years of pediatric nursing, this adult

stuff bewilders me any advice i could get would be appreciated!

thanks in advance,

laura

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