Another newbie

[Guest guest]

,

Remember that this is what works specifically for Phil as an

individual and isn't necessarily what you would want to replicate (his

Total T levels are in a pretty high range for example and I believe he

has recently mentioned having problems with elevated Total T and E2.

For example, I have read at multiple sites and had more than one TRT

docor mention that IM shots are more likely to cause aromatase (E2)

problems than gels, but in Phil's " Personal case " he had problems with

E2 with the gels.

It is important to look for clinical evidence, noted widespread trends

and grasp individual differences and not rely solely on ancedotal

stories. While they can be important in filling in the big picture,

they are not evidence in and of themselves.

Larry

Hello all,

>

> I've spent the last day catching up on most of the messages posted

> since the beginning of this Group. Quite interesting and also oddly

> supporting; knowing that there are so many other men out there in

> similar circumstances.

>

> To introduce myself, I'm a 47 year old hypogonadic male. My

> physician has, so far, been unable to determine the cause. I suspect

> that it developed as a child--negligible secondary sexual

> characteristics, slight body development, you all know the drill...

>

> I had suspected as far back as high school that something was amiss,

> but met the familiar refrain of " just wait, it'll kick in in a few

> years... " When I hit 34 I went to an endocrinologist who said that

> my levels were low, but that he seldom prescribed HRT because of the

> risks. Almost a decade passed and I found I was becoming

> increasingly more depressed over the situation. I heard about a test

> trial of an Androgel-like product being conducted at s Hopkins

> University, went in for a check up, and discovered that my T level

> was " 124 " . The people running the study were frankly shocked that

> the earlier endocrinologist had not placed me on HRT, and I've been

> on Androgel-prescribed by my GP for nearly 4 1/2 years.

>

> I have noticed improvement, but nothing as pronounced as I had

> expected or hoped for.

>

> I've made an appointment with an excellent endocrinologist, in hopes

> that he might have more informed answers; frankly, my GP is a nice

> woman, but I'm beginning to suspect that she's out of her depth on

> this topic.

>

> What does anyone think of the relative merits of injections v.s.

> Androgel. I'm currently using two 5 gram and one 2.5 gram packets of

> Androgel per day. My numbers hover in the 570-600 range.

>

> Best,

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Guy,

I would ask for Total T, Free T, E2, and DHT levels for now.

Larry

> > > > Hello all,

> > > >

> > > > I've spent the last day catching up on most of

> > the

> >

> === message truncated ===

>

>

>

>

> test'; " >

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Oh, I don't fear the testosterone of IM shots in a significant way.

With fighting my ongoing ultra-cortisol problems I have been taking

both anti-cortisol meds and anti-anxiety meds that (like you said) are

much worse than those.

And if it turns out that IM shots are a better form of TRT for me then

I'll have no hesitation in going that direction.

But if I can get " there " (the " good place " ) with the more bioidentical

T found in the transdermals then that's simply a preference.

If I can get the cortisol levels down to go off the Rermeron and

control it with certain aminos and herbals then that's obviously

another preference.

If I can switch to a new medications (like the Lyrica due out any day)

and eliminate Xanax and Neurontin as it covers both sets of symoptoms

(hopefully) then that also another obvious presence.

And if I can some day walk away from all of them (except probably the

TRT as " TRT is for life " ) then " " !

Larry

> Larry-

>

> I understand your apprehension about putting 'synthetic' drugs in

> your body, which I share. I was curious too because we are putting

> these substances in the body for the rest of a lifetime so it is wise

> to understand the toxicity of these substances.

>

> From what I have read, the esthers of testosterone are simple fatty

> acids that are very easily broken down to water and CO2 - very quickly

> once they are in the bloodstream. The human body is pretty good at

> this metabolic pathway especially since these chemicals are already in

> many of the foods we eat- and in much larger quantities than found in

> weekly TRT shots. This is a whole lot easier to accept than some of

> the SSRI's and MAOI's that I once allowed into my cerebrum. Hope that

> helps.

>

> Dano

[Guest guest]

P.S. In regards to " SRI's and MAOI's " , how long did your situation go

on and was it directly related to your hypogonadal state?

I had ultra high cortisol secretions come on a little over a year ago

and went hypogonadal in less than a month (from a 9.5 on the old ten

sscale to a zero!). The first symptom I actually noticed was severe

anxiety and then in addition developed peripheral neuropathy type

pains (feet/hands), freezing feet and lower legs, burning urethra

type pains (not when I urinated - all the time), severe insomnia, and

tinnitus - and some other " minor symptoms " ...

So for me hypogonadism is simply one of many symptoms that I have been

" chipping away at " (with addressing the cortisol being the primary

goal right now as it seems to be caused by a dysfunctional HPA Axis -

if I have this right - and the HPA Axis needs a break - hopefully from

the Remeron - in order to " re-set " and allow normal cortisol

secretions again).

Larry

> Larry-

>

> I understand your apprehension about putting 'synthetic' drugs in

> your body, which I share. I was curious too because we are putting

> these substances in the body for the rest of a lifetime so it is wise

> to understand the toxicity of these substances.

>

> From what I have read, the esthers of testosterone are simple fatty

> acids that are very easily broken down to water and CO2 - very quickly

> once they are in the bloodstream. The human body is pretty good at

> this metabolic pathway especially since these chemicals are already in

> many of the foods we eat- and in much larger quantities than found in

> weekly TRT shots. This is a whole lot easier to accept than some of

> the SSRI's and MAOI's that I once allowed into my cerebrum. Hope that

> helps.

>

> Dano

[Guest guest]

Larry-

I wish you the best of success in getting to only needing TRT

medicine- I think low T can cover a host of symptoms that,

individually, would take several other drugs to 'patch over'. Social

anxiety was a new phenomena to me when I started getting hypogonadal,

but it was a factor. I had taken brain candy back in college for a

few years when I felt depressed but none of them ever seemed to help -

so maybe I had low-normal T back then too?? Since they didn't work, I

quit taking them years ago and just felt mediocre until last fall when

the low T symptoms came on pretty strong- fatigue and mental slowness,

sore all over, etc. I think work stress hastened the hormonal issues,

but I also suspect low T runs in my family- so I dont think the meds

from the past were a causal factor.

Dano

> > Larry-

> >

> > I understand your apprehension about putting 'synthetic' drugs in

> > your body, which I share. I was curious too because we are putting

> > these substances in the body for the rest of a lifetime so it is wise

> > to understand the toxicity of these substances.

> >

> > From what I have read, the esthers of testosterone are simple fatty

> > acids that are very easily broken down to water and CO2 - very quickly

> > once they are in the bloodstream. The human body is pretty good at

> > this metabolic pathway especially since these chemicals are already in

> > many of the foods we eat- and in much larger quantities than found in

> > weekly TRT shots. This is a whole lot easier to accept than some of

> > the SSRI's and MAOI's that I once allowed into my cerebrum. Hope that

> > helps.

> >

> > Dano

[Guest guest]

Thanks.

Never had much of a depression problem... and what little depression

that I've had more recently has occurred since I've been on TRT for

months (so I can't say that it is from low T), it seems to be a

depression that's from just not having much luck with correcting my

" other " physical symptoms - that and the fact that the elevated

cortisol has clearly interfered with getting a proper TRT protocol

established....

Anyway, main problem (that appeared abruptly also) was with anxiety

(and, no, wasn't high E2 as I've so far always been in lower 20s).

Larry

> > > Larry-

> > >

> > > I understand your apprehension about putting 'synthetic' drugs in

> > > your body, which I share. I was curious too because we are putting

> > > these substances in the body for the rest of a lifetime so it is

wise

> > > to understand the toxicity of these substances.

> > >

> > > From what I have read, the esthers of testosterone are simple fatty

> > > acids that are very easily broken down to water and CO2 - very

quickly

> > > once they are in the bloodstream. The human body is pretty good at

> > > this metabolic pathway especially since these chemicals are

already in

> > > many of the foods we eat- and in much larger quantities than

found in

> > > weekly TRT shots. This is a whole lot easier to accept than some of

> > > the SSRI's and MAOI's that I once allowed into my cerebrum.

Hope that

> > > helps.

> > >

> > > Dano

[Guest guest]

On Fri, 22 Jul 2005 00:56:22 -0000, you wrote:

> I pointed out that if they simpy made it in a 2% strength solution -

>and did nothing else - that they would cut in half how much gel one

>has to slather over their body (which would also reduce area covered

>and reduce drying times). A 50 mg dose of T would now be contained in

>a 2.5 gram packet , etc.

I suspect it has to do with absorbtion rates achievable with their

" carrier " compounds.

- - - -

Just another albino black sheep

[Guest guest]

On Fri, 22 Jul 2005 07:47:07 -0700 (PDT), you wrote:

>Can you tell me how long you were on AG ? I have been

>on it for over 18 months and still have an T level of

>just over 500 on 2-5gram packets. Still having orgasm

>and ejaculation problems. So, what I have been

>reading here it could be the absorption factor doesn't

>seem to be happening with AG and/or I may need a

>higher level of T to resolve my issues. I am seeing

>my doctor next month and want to either try Testim or

>goto weekly shots. Any thoughts on this?

Read the old messages on E2. Two packets per day of AG is usually a

lot. And orgasm problems are a frequent effect of high E2.

- - - -

Just another albino black sheep

[Guest guest]

On Fri, 22 Jul 2005 10:46:25 -0700 (PDT), you wrote:

>

>Hey Phil,

>

>I did have my E2 tested and Prolactin levels and they

>camE back with 26(e2) and 36(Prolactin). My doctor

>said both levels are within normal ranges for Quest

>labs. I will be getting another blood test for my

>next visit, besides retesting E2, anything else I

>should be asking ?

>

>Thanks, guy

For my lab 36 is high. My lab posts 3 to 18 NG/ML. for males.

- - - -

Just another albino black sheep

[Guest guest]

Hi Pete

Welcome here!

As you mention the alcohol consumption it would be good for you if you could

abstain for a few weeks and retake blood tests so you can eliminate the

effects of alcohol in your symptoms and blood tests. 2 weeks may be enough

but possibly a month. Fasting Lipids now and after abstaining would examine

trigylcerides which can be affected by alcohol. Also have liver function

tests before and after.

For the low T you will find a full list in the library but besides T and

Free T you need SHBG, LH and FSH as a minimum.

You will see more messages about Syndrome X and prevalnce amonst men

especially with low T. Hence I would suggest a fasting glucose. Diabetes can

also caused ED.

I suggest keeping a diary. Include " morning wood " as a score eg 1-5 . If you

get horny without actual erection and score during the day so as to get a

better picture of symptoms so you can express in more details. Although

people go to urologists I do feel if one has an actual endocrine problem

then one needs an endocrinologist. You might need both of course.

HJope this helps.

Kind regards,

Another Newbie

> Hello Group,

>

> I have moderate ED, shrinking genitals, total T of 224 and I don't

> feel as if my brain works nearly as well as it used to. Short term

> memory is terrible. I am 47 years old and the two urologists I've

> seen (not going back to either) say that my T is low normal. I

> pointed out that per their own data on the lab sheet, I am actually

> below the normal range for my age group (262-1593) and at the 7th

> percentile for the over 51 group. They both say that my liver

> functions are too high for T therapy. Until recently I have

> consumed too much alcohol and I have a fatty infiltrate on my liver,

> both I'm told elevate the liver functions.

>

> I am 230 pounds and 6 feet tall. I still have decent muscle mass

> left over from years of weight training, but it is going away. I

> have a bad shoulder and have been trying to build it up with weight

> training, but seem to make little or no progress.

>

> I seldom, almost never have " morning wood " anymore. Sure miss that

> and a normal sex life.

>

> Any comments or questions would be very welcome.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Pete Welcome and can you post your test results with the ranges. A lot of Dr.'s

go by the range on the labs test this is just plain dum. Here is a link on

Total and Free T levels by age. A Dr. that tells a men he is ok his test came

back in range say 300 is full of shit. A level that low is good for a man over

100 yrs. old.

http://www.natural-hrt.com/andropause04.html

But if you liver function is off it can cause you T levels to be low be it from

drinking or some other reason. Read message #14939 this is the best thing out

there so far it covers testing and treatment. You can use this Dr. he will work

with you family Dr. to treat you. You don't need to go the Find a Dr. rote.

This link it a good read it is the first one I read I don't buy anything from

this link but I find it to be a dam good read.

http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcls-txt/t-prtcl-130.html

Stop drinking and pray you don't have a bad liver problem.

Phil

pete57yaahoo <pete57yaahoo@...> wrote:

Hello Group,

I have moderate ED, shrinking genitals, total T of 224 and I don't

feel as if my brain works nearly as well as it used to. Short term

memory is terrible. I am 47 years old and the two urologists I've

seen (not going back to either) say that my T is low normal. I

pointed out that per their own data on the lab sheet, I am actually

below the normal range for my age group (262-1593) and at the 7th

percentile for the over 51 group. They both say that my liver

functions are too high for T therapy. Until recently I have

consumed too much alcohol and I have a fatty infiltrate on my liver,

both I'm told elevate the liver functions.

I am 230 pounds and 6 feet tall. I still have decent muscle mass

left over from years of weight training, but it is going away. I

have a bad shoulder and have been trying to build it up with weight

training, but seem to make little or no progress.

I seldom, almost never have " morning wood " anymore. Sure miss that

and a normal sex life.

Any comments or questions would be very welcome.

[Guest guest]

Costume Lady <ima1130@...> wrote: Just found this message board to day and

I'm so glad. My 9 1/2 yr old

DS was just diagnosed with AS a couple of weeks ago even though I knew

the original dx was wrong three years ago. It's been a frustrating but

educational experience with for me. It is nice to find a group to be

able to talk to who understands everything that goes on in your life

with an AS child.

Welcome to our group and to all newbies here lately! Feel free to join in the

conversation anytime you like!

Roxanna

Always Remember You're Unique

Just Like Everyone Else

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

Find Great Deals on Gifts at

[Guest guest]

That's interesting . Did you doctor say anything about

it possibly being MRSA? Or a form thereof? Everyone has MRSA.

It just affects everyone differently. Some worse and contagious.

I developed a painful sore on my leg. Found out it started on my

scalp and was transfered. It is easy to transfer based on where you

scratch (legs, arms, nose). Treatable with Bactrum or other antibotics

and creams. Not sure if it's the same as what you are experiencing.

Good luck.

>

> I was diagnosed with PA seems like light years ago, but I think it

was

> about 6 years. I have a wonderful rheumatologist. He has a

reputation

> for being the best in the state of Kansas.

>

> I have been on Vioxx, Bextra, Mobic, Enbrel, Methotrexate (both at

the

> same time for a long while) and Plaquenil (same time as the other

> two) That combination seemed to work for a while. My insurance

> decided that I didn't need the Enbrel anymore, and I quit taking

all

> of the others about a year ago. I wanted to try a more natural

> approach and see if that would work. Dr. gave his

blessing,

> with the condition that if things started to deteriorate, that I

would

> go back on the meds. We kept it in check for a while, but I am

> thinking about doing the drugs again.

>

> Have any of you experienced Erythema Nodosum with PA? I developed

it

> 2 weeks ago. It started with what I thought was an insect bite.

By

> the time I went to my family doctor 2 days later, I had another one

on

> the other leg. She told me what it was, and that it was caused by

my

> PA. Have since sprouted one more. They are extremely painful. I

> would like to know how you dealt with it and how long it lasted.

>

> Trask

> Wichita KS

>

[Guest guest]

No. This it's own little thing. It is an imflammation of the deep

fat tissue. That's the way my dr described it, and all of the

information I found on the internet seems to agree. It isn't quite

as red as it was, but is still very, very painful. I was told that

if it got too bad that they could give me prednisone, but I have

seen what that does first hand, and I refuse to take it unless it is

a choice between prednisone and dying. This is not an infection.

Just swollen tissue deep below the surface of the skin. We (my

husband & I share a rheumy) e-mailed Dr. , and he concurred

that it was from the PA.

> >

> > I was diagnosed with PA seems like light years ago, but I think

it

> was

> > about 6 years. I have a wonderful rheumatologist. He has a

> reputation

> > for being the best in the state of Kansas.

> >

> > I have been on Vioxx, Bextra, Mobic, Enbrel, Methotrexate (both

at

> the

> > same time for a long while) and Plaquenil (same time as the

other

> > two) That combination seemed to work for a while. My insurance

> > decided that I didn't need the Enbrel anymore, and I quit taking

> all

> > of the others about a year ago. I wanted to try a more natural

> > approach and see if that would work. Dr. gave his

> blessing,

> > with the condition that if things started to deteriorate, that I

> would

> > go back on the meds. We kept it in check for a while, but I am

> > thinking about doing the drugs again.

> >

> > Have any of you experienced Erythema Nodosum with PA? I

developed

> it

> > 2 weeks ago. It started with what I thought was an insect

bite.

> By

> > the time I went to my family doctor 2 days later, I had another

one

> on

> > the other leg. She told me what it was, and that it was caused

by

> my

> > PA. Have since sprouted one more. They are extremely painful.

I

> > would like to know how you dealt with it and how long it

lasted.

> >

> > Trask

> > Wichita KS

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

My name is Shirley

Been suffering with psoriatic arthritis for years and

recently - before i was to go for the tests to accept

immune suppressant horrible drugs - i was encouraged

to try to stop drinking coffee and go off all breads

(yeast) I have and rarely do i take an advil -

perhaps once in 3 days. my psoriasis seems to have

abated - not totally but a noticable difference and my

inflammation - really down. So - i now with no coffee

- i have no sugar and dairy - and without bread - no

gobs of butter and jam and whatever else that goes

nicely with bread. So try it - no yeast and no coffee

See what happens

Shirley

--- Trask <strask3@...> wrote:

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

No. This it's own little thing. It is an

imflammation of the deep

fat tissue. That's the way my dr described it, and

all of the

information I found on the internet seems to agree.

It isn't quite

as red as it was, but is still very, very painful. I

was told that

if it got too bad that they could give me prednisone,

but I have

seen what that does first hand, and I refuse to take

it unless it is

a choice between prednisone and dying. This is not an

infection.

Just swollen tissue deep below the surface of the

skin. We (my

husband & I share a rheumy) e-mailed Dr. , and

he concurred

that it was from the PA.

[Guest guest]

Thanks, . I truly believe that when I see Dr. in

April that he will make everything all bettter. I know that the

combination of Enbrel, MTX and another drug that I can't remember

the name of worked really well. I just got sick and tired of being

sick and tired from all the drugs. I've learned that that is better

than the constant pain. Some of us have to learn things the hard

way.

I have total confidence in my doctor. He also treats my husband for

Wegeners Granulamatosis. He has kept Jeff alive about 12 years

longer than anyone expected, and Jeff is still doing reasaonably

well. He is truly an awesome dr, and if anyone in the Kansas City

area is looking for a good one, I would recommend him in a

heartbeat. He used to be in Wichita, but moved when he remarried.

We now drive to KC every two months or so to see him - he is worth

the drive, and I don't believe anyone know how to treat Wegeners as

well as he. He has a wonderful PA here that I still see in between

visits with him if something comes up, so I'm covered there.

Thanks for the good thoughts, and I will send them to you also. I

still want to know if anyone has has problems with Erythema

Nodosum. Drs say it is from the PA, but it hurts a lot worse.

-- In , martincoyless@... wrote:

>

>

> In a message dated 23/02/2006 11:28:23 GMT Standard Time,

strask3@...

> writes:

>

> We kept it in check for a while, but I am

> thinking about doing the drugs again.

>

>

>

> Hi and welcome,

>

> I'm sorry that things have gone downhill for you. I hope that if

you do

> decide to start taking the meds again that this will help you with

the flare you

> seem to be going through at the moment.

>

> Good luck,

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 05/03/2006 13:12:10 GMT Standard Time, strask3@...

writes:

I truly believe that when I see Dr. in

April that he will make everything all bettter.

Hi again ,

I hope that is the case. You have a lot on your plate with Jeff being so

unwell too. Its great that you are so happy with Dr though. I hope he

can

help you.

Try to keep us up to date with how you are getting on if you are up to it.

Good luck,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/5/2006 8:12:10 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

strask3@... writes:

I just got sick and tired of being

sick and tired from all the drugs.

Some things that you might want to ask your dr about re fatigue while on all

the meds: extra folic acid (I take 4 per day, 400 mcgs each, seems to

help), also if extra B12 would help...many meds can make you anemic, B12 helps

you absorb iron...

[Guest guest]

Oh the joys. I can relate to your school incident. My daughter has a diagnosis

and will be 4 in Dec. Her big thing is MEDICAL shows. She is fascinated by the

human body and how it works. How the blood pumps seems to be the popular one of

the day. She will say HI to everybody in the store, tell kids running to slow

down, etc. I feel like the redirection police on a daily basis. I am getting

quite good at it if I might brag on myself. She asks the same things over and

over. I have learned to change my wording on the answer if it doesn't seem to

" click " in her brain. For instance she would ask a question and I would say " I

don't know " if I didn't have an answer for her at the time. The we sort of

figured to her " KNOW " and " NO " were confusing her. Now I say " I don't have an

answer for you " That seems to work for now.

I do have to say she is a ray of joy (most days) lol she makes us smile each

day.

Tammie

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie,

I was just diagnosed last month and put on MTX. I was taken off within

a week due to the extreme reactions I had to the drug.

I am now on Arava and have been for about a week. So far, I have not

noticed any side effects.

Pam

Alabama

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie,

I understand your quandary, but I'd research more if I were you.

I don't know what Medrol is, but I'm guessing it is a Anti-

inflammatory and/or pain reliever. MTX is a DMARD.

In a nutshell what that means is NSAIDS, Pain relievers and Anti

Inflammatories may all be necessary to use to combat your symptoms,

HOWEVER, They do nothing to address the cause of your disease. MTX &

Enbrel address the cause and subsequently relieve the symptoms.

As far as your concerns, some folks, like me, tolerate MTX with ZERO

side effects. Others may have a few issues. I've never been

nauseous, have a full head of hair, yeah sometimes some fatigue, but

I believe that comes from the PA NOT the MTX. But you really can't

continue regular use of alcohol. I cheat on some rare occaisions and

have a glass of wine. It is giving up something I enjoy, But I rather

give up the alcohol and be able to walk, than vice versa. (of course

if you have enough alcohol, you can't walk either!)

Stay Well,

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie- I'd have to ditto what said. My son takes 17.5

mg/wk MTX. He has lost no hair. I have noticed that if he forgets

to take a folic acid every day then the day after the injection he

will have stomach pain. He does require a little more sleep the

first few days after the injection too. I am very thankful for MTX

as it got rid of all the inflammation in Grant's eyes.

Wishing you no more flare ups!

and Grant(11,PA/Uveitis)

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

I'm Sharon...I'm 56 years old...soon to be 57 and while I haven't

properly been DX'ed yet I think that will come next week when all my

lab work is in. I haven't had a doctor in about 6 years because I

have no insurance and finally when I realized the things going on

with my body are giving me too much pain and robbing me of the things

I love to do...I decided I needed to go see someone about it all.

When I called to make the appointment I asked the charge for an

office visit and was told $200 but that they can charge what they

want. I had $1,000 in a savings account from my last temp job last

fall and I thought I would use that to get me started anyway. It's

almost certain that I have RA at least in my hands. My fingers are

turning to the sides and my mother (retired nurse) told me a while

ago when I discovered it that's what it is. I picked a great doctor

and my exam lasted over an hour. She asked me if I had ever been

DX'ed with Fibro or Polymyalgia and to this point I have not. I have

buritis around both knees but that was about it. My last bloodwork

revealed a high SED rate but we never were able to determine what was

causing that. At that time, I wasn't feeling all that bad...it was

back in '01 and '02. Since then I'm really in a lot of pain from my

feet and ankles to my legs (it seems to creep up from my ankles on

both sides of my legs and up the front as well and the pain is

rough..it throbs and burns too), no idea what that is, my hips and

thigh muscles hurt all the time, my lower back below my waist hurts

even to touch it, my right art, my wrists my hands and oh my poor

fingers too just give me fits. I snap, crackle and pop all over the

place!! After an excellent exam and an order for blood work she sent

me out with Celebrex, something for blood pressure and Prevacid for

my GERD problem. She also suggested I go to the hospital and arrange

to see someone in charity care. This is NOT an easy thing to do but

I went, took in all the necessary papers and I was give that for a

year. My blood work was done the following day and now for the hard

part...I wait. I was tested for RA, Lupus and Lyme Disease too...it

was 6 viles when all was said and done. I don't know what my

problems are but there has to be something that is making me hurt so

bad. I just want to find out what it is and treat it so I can get

back to my life again.

When I was tested before they told me my SED rate wassn't high enough

for Lupus..how high does it have to be?? I don't know if the doctor

I had really believed in Fibro because she didn't mention it very

much and kind of blew it off.

Thank you for letting me into your group. I hope to learn from all

of you and if anyone has any suggestions on how I'm going to pay for

medications, etc...feel free to share.

Take care,

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy,

I found this article at the s Hopkins Arthritis Center website:

" Cancer risk with methotrexate. Although there are case reports of lymphoma

associated with methotrexate therapy including cases where the lymphoma resolved

after cessation of therapy, increased occurrence of malignancy has not been

found in large population-based studies. It is important to recognize that

patient with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of developing lymphoma

as a consequence of their autoimmune disease, independently from any potential

medication effects. "

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/arthritis-info/rheumatoid-arthritis/rheum_treat\

..html

Hope this helps...

[Guest guest]

Enroll in the " Encourage Foundation " . You can find it online when you google

Enbrel. Ask the clinic to send the necessary papers to them. You'll get your

meds absolutely FREE!!!!! This place has been a lifesaver for me. Good Luck!!!