scared of meds

[Guest guest]

Hello. I am new to the group. I was diagnosed 1 year ago and haven't

been back to the doctor since. I got pregnant (so I could have one

more child before getting too bad off) and I had my little boy 4

months ago. My original Rheumy won't see me because it took me 6

months to payoff her bill. Now I have to start all over again. The

commercials for the meds scare me. I don't want cancer or TB. I am 30

with a 2 year old and a 4 month old and I don't know what to do. I am

hurting, and scared. I am also breastfeeding so for now I can't take

anything anyway. Any advice or experience would be appreciated. God Bless and I

feel your pain...

[Guest guest]

First of you can not get TB from taking RA medications. You can have a

reactivation of TB if you are TB positive because the meds are an immune

suppressant that would allow the existing TB infection to become active.

This is the reason docs test for TB before starting meds.

As far as cancer....well the longer we live, the more commercial and

pre-packaged our lives become, the more chemicals we use and the less exercise

we

get...the higher our risk for cancer. Added to that...if you are genetically

pre-disposed for cancer then your risk is higher...if you are risk due to

certain viral exposures you are at a higher risk.

I would say try treatment. Its expensive and hard to find a good doc...but

for most worth the effort. If that is not for you then look at holistic

treatment. At least some treatment is better than suffering in pain with

nothing!

Good luck

Toni

**************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog,

plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)