Re: New Guy Here

[Guest guest]

>

> hi... back in january i did a 2 1/2 month colon cleanse in which i

> used probiotics,dietary fiber, changed my diet and felt great

during

> and after. later on in may i took part in a research study for the

> Advair diskus medication for people with asthma. I WAS GIVEN ONE

DOSE

> of the drug and that day i started feeling terrible (basic side

> affects of prescription drugs..constipation, dizzy, tired, nausea

> etc.) i later used a homeopathic remedy called Allerade for

allergies

> which made me feel even worse at times, but the allergies went away

> and i discontinued the use of it. yet the constant everyday

> dizzyness, fatigue, constipation etc. continued. so back in early

> july i went to have a colonic irrigation. the colon hydrotherapist

> observed what came out and said that there was white flaky residue;

> yeast in my stool, which she said came from refined, sugary baked

> goods (junk food). i didn't pay much thought to it, i cut back on

the

> junk and thought i'd be fine. fastforward to the present, things

have

> not gotten better i think i developed GERD because after i eat

> (especially a heavy or fatty meal)i get a burning sensation in my

> esophagus and burping. i feel real weak at times, muscle soreness,

> aches, sore feet, headache, dizzyness, anxiety, obsessive

compulsive

> behavior, extreme stress, feelings of hopelessness,dips and dives

of

> energy levels throughout the day, severe sinus pain, lumpy feeling

in

> throat. to put the cherry on top...i recently went to the ER for

left

> chest pain and pain near my left shoulder blade...an x-ray and cat-

> scan confirmed that i had an enlarged (thickened) heart muscle and

a

> blood pressure of 140, then 147...the first due to a lot of

> strenuious physical work and excessive stress and worry from work

and

> home...the latter, not quite sure what's causing it. it's my

> understanding that some pharmacutical drugs can kill off good

> bacteria and increase the growth of candida micro-organisms. what

can

> i do to get back to my normal self...all i can do is cry sometimes

> and i fear i'm about to lose my job do to the enlarged heart problem

==>Hi there friend. Welcome to our group. What is your name please?

==>The only way to overomce candida, as well as any disease, is to

build up your immune system with the nutrients your body requires so

it can heal itself naturally. Unfortunately there are no quick

fixes, and drugs designed to kill candida are toxic and only cause

more problems. It is most important to eat a healthy diet and to

take supplements, eliminate toxins in foods, drinks and the

environment, help the body detoxify naturally (not through harsh

cleanses or colonics), which together provide what your body

requires. Killing off or eliminating candida does not work. It must

be turned around by the immune system so that candida will " change

back " to the friendly organism it is supposed to be in the body.

==>That's what my candida program is all about - see " How to

Successfully Overcome Candida " in our Group's Files (left-hand menu)

in the 2nd folder.

The best in health, Bee

[Guest guest]

thanks for your reply... i found out a few days ago

that my left ventrical heart muscle is enlarged(and

maybe corinary artery disease or blocked artaries)

probally due to high bloodpressure, overworking my

body and excessive emotional stress and lack of

propper nutrition...until i find a way to get health

insurance i really can't take care of that problem. i

don't wanna try & get rid of my candida problem and

neglect my cardivascular problem.

--- Bee <beeisbuzzing2003@...> wrote:

>

> >

> > hi... back in january i did a 2 1/2 month colon

> cleanse in which i

> > used probiotics,dietary fiber, changed my diet and

> felt great

> during

> > and after. later on in may i took part in a

> research study for the

> > Advair diskus medication for people with asthma. I

> WAS GIVEN ONE

> DOSE

> > of the drug and that day i started feeling

> terrible (basic side

> > affects of prescription drugs..constipation,

> dizzy, tired, nausea

> > etc.) i later used a homeopathic remedy called

> Allerade for

> allergies

> > which made me feel even worse at times, but the

> allergies went away

> > and i discontinued the use of it. yet the

> constant everyday

> > dizzyness, fatigue, constipation etc. continued.

> so back in early

> > july i went to have a colonic irrigation. the

> colon hydrotherapist

> > observed what came out and said that there was

> white flaky residue;

> > yeast in my stool, which she said came from

> refined, sugary baked

> > goods (junk food). i didn't pay much thought to

> it, i cut back on

> the

> > junk and thought i'd be fine. fastforward to the

> present, things

> have

> > not gotten better i think i developed GERD because

> after i eat

> > (especially a heavy or fatty meal)i get a burning

> sensation in my

> > esophagus and burping. i feel real weak at times,

> muscle soreness,

> > aches, sore feet, headache, dizzyness, anxiety,

> obsessive

> compulsive

> > behavior, extreme stress, feelings of

> hopelessness,dips and dives

> of

> > energy levels throughout the day, severe sinus

> pain, lumpy feeling

> in

> > throat. to put the cherry on top...i recently went

> to the ER for

> left

> > chest pain and pain near my left shoulder

> blade...an x-ray and cat-

> > scan confirmed that i had an enlarged (thickened)

> heart muscle and

> a

> > blood pressure of 140, then 147...the first due to

> a lot of

> > strenuious physical work and excessive stress and

> worry from work

> and

> > home...the latter, not quite sure what's causing

> it. it's my

> > understanding that some pharmacutical drugs can

> kill off good

> > bacteria and increase the growth of candida

> micro-organisms. what

> can

> > i do to get back to my normal self...all i can do

> is cry sometimes

> > and i fear i'm about to lose my job do to the

> enlarged heart problem

>

> ==>Hi there friend. Welcome to our group. What is

> your name please?

>

> ==>The only way to overomce candida, as well as any

> disease, is to

> build up your immune system with the nutrients your

> body requires so

> it can heal itself naturally. Unfortunately there

> are no quick

> fixes, and drugs designed to kill candida are toxic

> and only cause

> more problems. It is most important to eat a

> healthy diet and to

> take supplements, eliminate toxins in foods, drinks

> and the

> environment, help the body detoxify naturally (not

> through harsh

> cleanses or colonics), which together provide what

> your body

> requires. Killing off or eliminating candida does

> not work. It must

> be turned around by the immune system so that

> candida will " change

> back " to the friendly organism it is supposed to be

> in the body.

>

> ==>That's what my candida program is all about - see

> " How to

> Successfully Overcome Candida " in our Group's Files

> (left-hand menu)

> in the 2nd folder.

>

> The best in health, Bee

>

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. Visit the

Auto Green Center.

http://autos./green_center/

[Guest guest]

>

> thanks for your reply... i found out a few days ago

> that my left ventrical heart muscle is enlarged(and

> maybe corinary artery disease or blocked artaries)

> probally due to high bloodpressure, overworking my

> body and excessive emotional stress and lack of

> propper nutrition...until i find a way to get health

> insurance i really can't take care of that problem. i

> don't wanna try & get rid of my candida problem and

> neglect my cardivascular problem.

==>You will not be neglecting your cardiovascular system on this

nutrient-rich program, in fact you will be helping it because of the

high good saturated fats which the heart prefers, along with other

aspects of the program which improve your heart function and health.

If in doubt read articles under " Cardiovascular Disease " here:

http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndiseases/index.html - the best

article to start with is " What Causes Heart Disease? " ;

http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndiseases/hd.html

==>Also Dr. Jan Kwasniewski, in Poland, has been curing heart disease

for over 30 years on his Optimal Diet which is high good fats,

moderate protein and low carbs (I use the same ratios on this

program) - see his diet at: http://homodiet.netfirms.com

You can't go wrong giving your body the nutrients it requires so it

can heal itself naturally, so you will be helping your heart as well

as curing candida - what could be a better combination for you?

Bee

[Guest guest]

i am not good with food combinations...what would i

eat for breakfast since breads, pancakes and starch is

out the window for now, i guess i could do chicken

salad for lunch & dinner, but what about breakfast?

[Guest guest]

>

> i am not good with food combinations...what would i

> eat for breakfast since breads, pancakes and starch is

> out the window for now, i guess i could do chicken

> salad for lunch & dinner, but what about breakfast?

==>Hi There. What is your name? I remember people better by name

rather than by email address.

The best breakfast includes eggs. Most people on this group are

having Bee's Raw Egg Drink, which is easy to make and includes good

saturated fats. You can adjust the recipe with lower fats until your

body gets used to the antifungal activity by butter and coconut oil.

Here's the recipe:

- 3 raw large whole eggs (or 4 medium), preferably " certified

organic " free-range, and not grain-fed

- 2 tablespoons coconut oil – see Note 1

- 2 tablespoons butter (organic or certified organic cultured &

unsalted is best)

- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste

- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, or to taste

- 1 pinch of stevia sweetener, or to taste

- 2 – 2 1/2 cups of boiled filtered water

(Only buy certified organic spices from the health store because all

commercial spices in North America are irradiated, i.e. zapped with

radiation.)

• Boil the water, and while it is boiling put the first 6 ingredients

in a blender.

• Add boiled water last.

• Close the cover well, and blend.

Some people like this drink hot, while others prefer it cold. It is

good either way but it may need to be stirred often to keep it from

separating.

All ingredients can be adjusted to suit individual needs. For

example if you are just starting on coconut oil add 1 teaspoon and

gradually increase the amount over time (every 4-5 days) to minimize

die-off reactions. The number of eggs can be increased or decreased,

along with any other ingredients.

Note 1: Buy virgin or extra virgin cold or expeller-pressed coconut

oil that is unrefined, and not bleached or deodorized.

Another option for breakfast is eggs and good bacon that doesn't

contain nitrates, sulphites, sugar, etc.

Bee

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/25/2008 9:06:58 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

kg2bc@... writes:

Well, that's where I'm at today. Took the last 60MG yesterday.

Calling the doc later today to find out what the next steps are. He

mentioned DMARDs and biologic DMARDs. He also mentioned anti

inflammatories which we're both a bit cautious about as I have a

history of GI bleeding (Illiac and duodenal due to fortunately mild

Crohns - is there an autoimmune thing going on here?). The

Prednisone certainly did it's trick with the pain and stiffness. I

could actually convince myself that I'm OK now (if I don't look at my

hand) but I know better than that. Maybe starting to get wise with

age.

Hi Bob, Welcome

I have a history of Crohn's and have just been diagnosed with RA at 64. My

immune system apparently is attacking my thyroid also at this point.

I don't know what set off my immune system this time, but it is going a

little crazy.

Right now, I'm on 4 Mtx a week and Arava each day. I took my Mtx this

morning and still haven't started feeling icky from it. It will probably hit

tomorrow.

On October 1st, I see my rheum again and we make look at one of the

biologics. I also see my GI today.

It seems any spare time I have is filled with MD appointments.

dd

**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel

deal here.

(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

[Guest guest]

Hi Bob,

Sorry to hear of your recent troubles, and new diagnosis.

You will find this a very supporting and caring site with a broad fund of

knowledge and experience!

I read the post here on behalf of a good friend with RA and no computer, and

marvel at the imput and warm responses from everyone.

I just thought, as a retired doc, I should make a quick posting to check that

you are tailing down your pred  gradually on a schedule advised by your doc? If

not please check with your doc urgently: Sudden stopping from 60mg is likely to

cause a very unpleasant rebound flare in your symptoms. Also I am sure you will

have been prescribed omeprazole or similar, to protect somewhat against gastric

side effects of the steroid?

Good luck,

UK

From: fullwave2 <kg2bc@...>

Subject: [ ] New Guy Here

Date: Monday, 25 August, 2008, 1:36 PM

Hi All. New to the group as I was recently diagnosed with RA and in

the " seeking information " phase. Sorry if this is a long post but

need to dump a bit.

First, I'm a 59 year old male and looking back now, probably have

been plagued with this ailment for a while. Other medical issues may

have masked or confused the underlying issue of RA but that's all

water under the bridge. Things started coming unraveled several

months back when I apparently experienced a significant flare up with

my neck and shoulders that may have also inflammed the arteries. I

ended up in the emergency room after a couple of immobile days

suffering at home. They sent me off with a prescription for

Prednisone, Celebrex and pain killers with instructions to see my

doc. Of course after a couple days on the Prednisone I was feeling

like a new man so who needs to see a doctor, right?

My job took me to Brazil a couple times this year and upon returning

from my last trip with bronchitis which I attributed to the burning

sugarcane fields, I had the return of the neck and shoulder pain, but

now further complicated with pain around the sternum area which made

it extremely painful to cough, sneeze, yawn and breath deeply. The

company doc called it costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage)

and recommended Aleve. Then over the course of the next 6 weeks or

so I started adding to the list of symptoms. Extreme stiffness and

pain in my knees and hips in the morning but making it difficult to

get out of a chair after sitting for more than a few minutes. Then

this ugly nodule decided to take up residence on my right index

finger. It was getting rather large. Forgot to mention, I also have

Hypothyroidism and take Levothyroxine. Being stubborn, I self-

diagnosed this as a reaction to the Levo so cut back my dosage to

half of the .75 mcg I was taking. Stupid, huh? Don't worry. After

later blood tests I corrected that thinking.

No change after self doctoring and the joints and stiffness getting

worse I finally came to my senses and called the doc. Of course he

was on vacaiton so waited until his return a week later.

Fortunately for me I have an excellent doctor. That is when I let

him do his job. He did the clinical evaluation and ordered up the

blood work. Bottom line, a very high SED rate and something about

ANA but no RF. Still, he declared me RA and put me on a 5 day run of

60MG of Prednisone.

Well, that's where I'm at today. Took the last 60MG yesterday.

Calling the doc later today to find out what the next steps are. He

mentioned DMARDs and biologic DMARDs. He also mentioned anti

inflammatories which we're both a bit cautious about as I have a

history of GI bleeding (Illiac and duodenal due to fortunately mild

Crohns - is there an autoimmune thing going on here?). The

Prednisone certainly did it's trick with the pain and stiffness. I

could actually convince myself that I'm OK now (if I don't look at my

hand) but I know better than that. Maybe starting to get wise with

age.

So that's me. The name is Bob. I'll probably lurk a bit more than I

post. I'm an avid reader and will digest as much as I can and will

post when I have questions. Thanks for listening.

Bob

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the welcome and for the heads up on the Prednisone. I

thought too that it was a bit odd that he had me just stopping it

without weaning. His response was that while it was a large burst of

Prednisone it was only for a short period (5 days) and he didn't

expect that I would experience a rebound effect. He did though say

to contact him immediately if I did start having issues. Of course

I'm walking on eggshells wondering if that " twinge " is withdrawal. I

guess we'll see.

I am on Aciphex already so hopefully that may hold off any gastric

surprises.

Thanks again.

Bob

>

> Hi Bob,

> Sorry to hear of your recent troubles, and new diagnosis.

> You will find this a very supporting and caring site with a broad

fund of knowledge and experience!

> I read the post here on behalf of a good friend with RA and no

computer, and marvel at the imput and warm responses from everyone.

> I just thought, as a retired doc, I should make a quick posting to

check that you are tailing down your pred  gradually on a schedule

advised by your doc? If not please check with your doc urgently:

Sudden stopping from 60mg is likely to cause a very unpleasant

rebound flare in your symptoms. Also I am sure you will have been

prescribed omeprazole or similar, to protect somewhat against gastric

side effects of the steroid?

> Good luck,

>

> UK

>

>

[Guest guest]

Bob and group;

WELCOME to the group; AS far as groups go I can't say this is the

best its my first support group, however; What a group! EVeryone

here is so kind and caring as you will see. Our moderator says long

posts are welcome so go for it. She just ask that we make

paragraphs since she has to read them all first. I try to figure out

where to separate the paragraphs. If I am not for sure I guess

haaaaaaaaa.

I have RA, fibro and other illnesses. I have been in a lot of pain

but as I read the posts I realized there were other meds to try. I

went to my rheumys and said my pain is pretty bad I need something

else. I was and on plaqunile and sulfasalzine. It does nothing to

help my RA pain. She put me on prednisone and decied to let me take

humira. I start the humira injections the 28th. ( a few days from

now) The prednisone is great but I am weaning off it now.

Its scary sometimes what RA does to people as I have seen in the

post. Sure it could mess with other parts of our body. I didnt think

of that till I read here. I hope your arteries are back to normal.

I have read wonderful stories too. I read where some can return to

life as a normal person. They write it with emotion how great they

feel. I love to hear this.

Dont feel bad Bod, I love to self diagnose too, But I am usually

wrong haaaaaaa. My RA went that fast too. For a year in a half it

was quiet and not so bad. Than in a few weeks it started everywhere

like yours did. Knees, back, shoulders extreme pain. I hope the

humira works as good as the prednisone. My rheumy said I cant stay

on prednisone cause of my other illnesses. I don't have the nodules

yet and I pray I dont.

Shirly, dodge, doreen, leanne, Barbara and many more here are my

best buddies, I read all their post sometimes my heart breaks for

them or sometimes they tickle me to giggles haaaaaaaaa. Last night

before I went to sleep I prayed for my group. I ask God to help and

give them strength to get through the bad days and to take their

pain away. I know he hears me and don't want us to suffer.

You want information haaaaaaaaa. You will get it here everyone

posts or ask what is going on. Just ask and many will try to answer

with their knowledge. Our moderator will post interesting

information she finds about RA. I dont understand it but I guess

some of the group do here haaaaaaaaaa.

So you travel. That was my dream to travel around the world. I

wanted to join the navy when I was a young girl but my dad talked me

out of it. My dad was a navy army man. He was in 2 wars. world war

1 and the korean war. Fourteens years in the service, he said he

traveled around the world twice. I figured he knew what he was

talking about so I didnt become a wave. ( thats what the call navy

women). He passed on in 99.

I read every post. A lot of times I let the group answer. Cause I

cant tyype a lot of times cause of the pain. You lucked out, My

pain is low today haaaaaaaaaaa. So you get the long response

haaaaaaa. I cant wait to read the posts. I check every hour for more

posts. I usually get about 5 at a time. Sometimes about 20 will show

up and I get real excited haaaaaaaa.

Well I will close before everyone stops reading and gets bored haaa.

Unless they already have haaaaaaaa. I love you all. My deepest

prayer is for a cure for RA and Fibromyalgia. And for God to

protect my family. God bless you all.

Gentle hugs to everyone

Clora

[Guest guest]

Bob;

WOW 60 MG of prednisone. Ten mg made me feel like a new woman. I wish

I could just take the 10 mg from now on. Well I would probable get

immuned to it anyway lol.

hugs

Clora

[Guest guest]

Clora,

Thanks for the response and for your words of support. Also thanks for

the advise on the paragraphs. I'll try to do better.

My GP called and wants me to see a Rheumy. I pretty much expected that

was coming. He just prescribed Celebrex for now but said I should get

started on one of the DMARDs but wants the Rheumy to manage that. I

guess that's understandable. Just hoping that I don't have to wait

until November to see one.

Was a bit strange how the trips to Brazil seemed to trigger the flare

up. Could just be a coincidence but the fact that I came back sick

made me wonder if a virus triggered the flare up. I guess it's

possible but probably doesn't matter. Just hoping that the coughing I

came back with wasn't an indication of some pleural involvement.

Particularly since I seem to be prone to the dreaded " nodules " .

I've been to quite a few places in the last 15 years. Some pretty

exotic but they do come with their risks healthwise. China, India and

South America are just a few. Starting a project in Mexico near Mexico

City next month. I'm hear to tell you that long flights and RA do not

mix well. Ugh....

The Prednisone did such a great job in dealing with the pain and

stiffness I wasn't looking forward to coming off of it. Made me

realize just how much pain I was living with. In the last 2 months it

felt like I had aged 10+ years. On the Prednisone I could actually get

out of bed normally without having to painfully roll on to my side,

then gingerly hang my legs off the bed and slowly push my upper body up

into a sitting position. It there for a while then try to stand,

slowly straightening my legs and hips. Then waiting a bit to see if I

could walk safely. On the Prednisone I could just get out of bed

normally. I'm realistic enough to know that the painful way might and

probably return soon if I don't get things managed.

I'm rambling a bit. It's a relief to share with others that

understand. My wife of 38 years is very supportive but I've already

put her through quite a bit with Hypothyrodism and Crohn's. Guess she

didn't know what she signed up for back in 1970 when she said yes but

fortunately we both took to heart, " for better or worse and for

sickness and in health " .

Thanks again. I suspect I'll be checking in here regularly.

Cheers.

Bob

[Guest guest]

> WOW 60 MG of prednisone. Ten mg made me feel like a new woman. I wish

> I could just take the 10 mg from now on. Well I would probable get

> immuned to it anyway lol.

My GP's approach was to shock the immune system with the 5 days of 60MG

a day. Worked great but felt like I was drinking a LOT of coffee.

Jittery to say the least and it was beginning to wreck havoc on my

stomach.

has me spooked a bit on the possibility of a rebound effect. I

guess I'll know soon.

[Guest guest]

Will you please let us know how that worked and how you feel in the next

days/week? I think my immune system needs a shock for sure. a

[ ] Re: New Guy Here

> WOW 60 MG of prednisone. Ten mg made me feel like a new woman. I wish

> I could just take the 10 mg from now on. Well I would probable get

> immuned to it anyway lol.

My GP's approach was to shock the immune system with the 5 days of 60MG

a day. Worked great but felt like I was drinking a LOT of coffee.

Jittery to say the least and it was beginning to wreck havoc on my

stomach.

has me spooked a bit on the possibility of a rebound effect. I

guess I'll know soon.

[Guest guest]

Bob and group;

Haaaaa it looks like I am in the mood for posting today. No promblem

Bob. Your very welcome. I tend to ramble too so don't feel bad. And

our moderator says long posts are welcome. So we are doing ok

with our posts.

I seriously doubt your illness was due to going to other countries.

Like I said before daddy was in 2 wars and he was in many countries

and lived to be 73. He worked hard as long as i knowed him. I don't

know why we become afflicted but its the worlds fault not ours. My

grandmother had RA and large nodules on her hands. I guess it

skipped a generation and I got it. They havent proved its genetic

yet either.

My husband is very supportive with me. He wants me to exercise so I

want to try the water exercise when I get a big enough swimming

suit. I am in to much pain to do much of anything right now. Its not

as bad as it was. I whined to the group about my pain and before I

knew it. I was at my rheumys telling her I need something better for

this pain. The group jumped right in and gave me so much kindness I

was in shock. I was expecting to get fussed at for complaining.

gentle hugs everyone

Clora

ps.

I did read a lot where people got some really bad worms from

drinking bad water in some countries. So we never know do we?

[Guest guest]

It does have a genetic component; they just don't know what triggers it.

Sue

On Monday, August 25, 2008, at 02:45 PM, CLORA wrote:

> They havent proved its genetic yet either.

[Guest guest]

Welcome to are group, although I woundln't want any body too come here

because of having ra....Im glad your getting into a rheumy quickly

because the earlier your treat the ra there finding better you be in

the long run...If that what it is. I was just diagnosed this

year...best wishes diane

[Guest guest]

Bob,

Welcome to the Group. I hope it is a helpful for you as it has been

for me and others. It is the best place that you will ever find to

complain. People hear do listen and understand.

I hope you are getting into a rheumatologist really soon. The sooner

the better, damaged can be slowed down and some people experience

remission. That seems to be the goal for all of us. I tend to blame

everything on my RA, forgetfulness, stupid moments, aging and on and

on. That makes me feel better, I have an excuse!

Just one thing that you might want to ask your doc about. My old GP

(the quack) allowed me to take Levothyroxine. My new one, that I

just love, will not let me. She said there are two drugs that she

insist on brand name, Synthroid and Cumadin. My neighbor and another

friend said both of their doctors told them the same.

Good luck with your RA drugs and treatment.

Shirley

>

> Hi All. New to the group as I was recently diagnosed with RA and

in

> the " seeking information " phase. Sorry if this is a long post but

> need to dump a bit.

> First, I'm a 59 year old male and looking back now, probably have

> been plagued with this ailment for a while. Other medical issues

may

> have masked or confused the underlying issue of RA but that's all

> water under the bridge. Things started coming unraveled several

> months back when I apparently experienced a significant flare up

with

> my neck and shoulders that may have also inflammed the arteries.

I

> ended up in the emergency room after a couple of immobile days

> suffering at home. They sent me off with a prescription for

> Prednisone, Celebrex and pain killers with instructions to see my

> doc. Of course after a couple days on the Prednisone I was

feeling

> like a new man so who needs to see a doctor, right?

> My job took me to Brazil a couple times this year and upon

returning

> from my last trip with bronchitis which I attributed to the

burning

> sugarcane fields, I had the return of the neck and shoulder pain,

but

> now further complicated with pain around the sternum area which

made

> it extremely painful to cough, sneeze, yawn and breath deeply.

The

> company doc called it costochondritis (inflammation of the

cartilage)

> and recommended Aleve. Then over the course of the next 6 weeks

or

> so I started adding to the list of symptoms. Extreme stiffness

and

> pain in my knees and hips in the morning but making it difficult

to

> get out of a chair after sitting for more than a few minutes.

Then

> this ugly nodule decided to take up residence on my right index

> finger. It was getting rather large. Forgot to mention, I also

have

> Hypothyroidism and take Levothyroxine. Being stubborn, I self-

> diagnosed this as a reaction to the Levo so cut back my dosage to

> half of the .75 mcg I was taking. Stupid, huh? Don't worry.

After

> later blood tests I corrected that thinking.

> No change after self doctoring and the joints and stiffness

getting

> worse I finally came to my senses and called the doc. Of course

he

> was on vacaiton so waited until his return a week later.

> Fortunately for me I have an excellent doctor. That is when I let

> him do his job. He did the clinical evaluation and ordered up the

> blood work. Bottom line, a very high SED rate and something about

> ANA but no RF. Still, he declared me RA and put me on a 5 day run

of

> 60MG of Prednisone.

> Well, that's where I'm at today. Took the last 60MG yesterday.

> Calling the doc later today to find out what the next steps are.

He

> mentioned DMARDs and biologic DMARDs. He also mentioned anti

> inflammatories which we're both a bit cautious about as I have a

> history of GI bleeding (Illiac and duodenal due to fortunately

mild

> Crohns - is there an autoimmune thing going on here?). The

> Prednisone certainly did it's trick with the pain and stiffness.

I

> could actually convince myself that I'm OK now (if I don't look at

my

> hand) but I know better than that. Maybe starting to get wise

with

> age.

> So that's me. The name is Bob. I'll probably lurk a bit more

than I

> post. I'm an avid reader and will digest as much as I can and

will

> post when I have questions. Thanks for listening.

> Bob

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome from the other newbie Bob. I hope you have a good doctor who can

help you. This is no fun! I was diagnosed about a year ago, probably had

it for a while before that.

R

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

From: " fullwave2 " <kg2bc@...>

Sent: Monday, August 25, 2008 8:36 AM

< >

Subject: [ ] New Guy Here

Hi All. New to the group as I was recently diagnosed with RA and in

the " seeking information " phase. Sorry if this is a long post but

need to dump a bit.

First, I'm a 59 year old male and looking back now, probably have

been plagued with this ailment for a while. Other medical issues may

have masked or confused the underlying issue of RA but that's all

water under the bridge. Things started coming unraveled several

months back when I apparently experienced a significant flare up with

my neck and shoulders that may have also inflammed the arteries. I

ended up in the emergency room after a couple of immobile days

suffering at home. They sent me off with a prescription for

Prednisone, Celebrex and pain killers with instructions to see my

doc. Of course after a couple days on the Prednisone I was feeling

like a new man so who needs to see a doctor, right?

My job took me to Brazil a couple times this year and upon returning

from my last trip with bronchitis which I attributed to the burning

sugarcane fields, I had the return of the neck and shoulder pain, but

now further complicated with pain around the sternum area which made

it extremely painful to cough, sneeze, yawn and breath deeply. The

company doc called it costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage)

and recommended Aleve. Then over the course of the next 6 weeks or

so I started adding to the list of symptoms. Extreme stiffness and

pain in my knees and hips in the morning but making it difficult to

get out of a chair after sitting for more than a few minutes. Then

this ugly nodule decided to take up residence on my right index

finger. It was getting rather large. Forgot to mention, I also have

Hypothyroidism and take Levothyroxine. Being stubborn, I self-

diagnosed this as a reaction to the Levo so cut back my dosage to

half of the .75 mcg I was taking. Stupid, huh? Don't worry. After

later blood tests I corrected that thinking.

No change after self doctoring and the joints and stiffness getting

worse I finally came to my senses and called the doc. Of course he

was on vacaiton so waited until his return a week later.

Fortunately for me I have an excellent doctor. That is when I let

him do his job. He did the clinical evaluation and ordered up the

blood work. Bottom line, a very high SED rate and something about

ANA but no RF. Still, he declared me RA and put me on a 5 day run of

60MG of Prednisone.

Well, that's where I'm at today. Took the last 60MG yesterday.

Calling the doc later today to find out what the next steps are. He

mentioned DMARDs and biologic DMARDs. He also mentioned anti

inflammatories which we're both a bit cautious about as I have a

history of GI bleeding (Illiac and duodenal due to fortunately mild

Crohns - is there an autoimmune thing going on here?). The

Prednisone certainly did it's trick with the pain and stiffness. I

could actually convince myself that I'm OK now (if I don't look at my

hand) but I know better than that. Maybe starting to get wise with

age.

So that's me. The name is Bob. I'll probably lurk a bit more than I

post. I'm an avid reader and will digest as much as I can and will

post when I have questions. Thanks for listening.

Bob

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

[Guest guest]

> I hope you are getting into a rheumatologist really soon. The sooner

> the better, damaged can be slowed down and some people experience

> remission.

Hi, and thanks for the advice and words of encouragement. I do have an

appointment with a Rheumatologist for 12 Sept which from what I read

here isn't too bad of a wait. Still walking on eggshells a bit and I

suspect more affected by coming off the Prednisone rather abruptly than

I'd like to admit. Right now just putting one foot in front of the

other.

So far the the joint pain and stiffness hasn't returned to the levels

it was and still feeling some of the positive results of the steroid

therapy. But have had a return of the costochondritis discomfort in my

chest (rib joints and cartlage). Coughing is again painful but not as

bad as it was. Overall just generally feeling squirrely from the

Prednisone withdrawal. This too shall pass.

Thanks again.

Bob

[Guest guest]

Hi Bob and welcome to the group. I'm happy to hear you went to your

doctor and quit self diagnosing. I am majorly concerned here, though.

You said you took your last 60mg dose of Prednisone yesterday - does

your doctor not having you wean off of that dosage slowly after being

on it for five days? Or was this a 5-day pred-pack where you started

out at the higher dose with 6 (or more) pills and yesterday was one

pill? My concern is that to go from 5-60mg days to nothing could

cause major problems.

Ok, the mother hen in me has gone back into the coop. Keep us posted

and best of luck to you. Again, welcome to the group.....Doreen

>

> Hi All. New to the group as I was recently diagnosed with RA and

in

> the " seeking information " phase. Sorry if this is a long post but

> need to dump a bit.

> First, I'm a 59 year old male and looking back now, probably have

> been plagued with this ailment for a while. Other medical issues

may

> have masked or confused the underlying issue of RA but that's all

> water under the bridge. Things started coming unraveled several

> months back when I apparently experienced a significant flare up

with

> my neck and shoulders that may have also inflammed the arteries. I

> ended up in the emergency room after a couple of immobile days

> suffering at home. They sent me off with a prescription for

> Prednisone, Celebrex and pain killers with instructions to see my

> doc. Of course after a couple days on the Prednisone I was feeling

> like a new man so who needs to see a doctor, right?

> My job took me to Brazil a couple times this year and upon

returning

> from my last trip with bronchitis which I attributed to the burning

> sugarcane fields, I had the return of the neck and shoulder pain,

but

> now further complicated with pain around the sternum area which

made

> it extremely painful to cough, sneeze, yawn and breath deeply. The

> company doc called it costochondritis (inflammation of the

cartilage)

> and recommended Aleve. Then over the course of the next 6 weeks or

> so I started adding to the list of symptoms. Extreme stiffness and

> pain in my knees and hips in the morning but making it difficult to

> get out of a chair after sitting for more than a few minutes. Then

> this ugly nodule decided to take up residence on my right index

> finger. It was getting rather large. Forgot to mention, I also

have

> Hypothyroidism and take Levothyroxine. Being stubborn, I self-

> diagnosed this as a reaction to the Levo so cut back my dosage to

> half of the .75 mcg I was taking. Stupid, huh? Don't worry.

After

> later blood tests I corrected that thinking.

> No change after self doctoring and the joints and stiffness getting

> worse I finally came to my senses and called the doc. Of course he

> was on vacaiton so waited until his return a week later.

> Fortunately for me I have an excellent doctor. That is when I let

> him do his job. He did the clinical evaluation and ordered up the

> blood work. Bottom line, a very high SED rate and something about

> ANA but no RF. Still, he declared me RA and put me on a 5 day run

of

> 60MG of Prednisone.

> Well, that's where I'm at today. Took the last 60MG yesterday.

> Calling the doc later today to find out what the next steps are.

He

> mentioned DMARDs and biologic DMARDs. He also mentioned anti

> inflammatories which we're both a bit cautious about as I have a

> history of GI bleeding (Illiac and duodenal due to fortunately mild

> Crohns - is there an autoimmune thing going on here?). The

> Prednisone certainly did it's trick with the pain and stiffness. I

> could actually convince myself that I'm OK now (if I don't look at

my

> hand) but I know better than that. Maybe starting to get wise with

> age.

> So that's me. The name is Bob. I'll probably lurk a bit more than

I

> post. I'm an avid reader and will digest as much as I can and will

> post when I have questions. Thanks for listening.

> Bob

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi Bob and welcome to the group. I'm happy to hear you went to your

> doctor and quit self diagnosing. I am majorly concerned here, though.

> You said you took your last 60mg dose of Prednisone yesterday - does

> your doctor not having you wean off of that dosage slowly after being

> on it for five days? Or was this a 5-day pred-pack where you started

> out at the higher dose with 6 (or more) pills and yesterday was one

> pill? My concern is that to go from 5-60mg days to nothing could

> cause major problems.

>

> Ok, the mother hen in me has gone back into the coop. Keep us posted

> and best of luck to you. Again, welcome to the group.....Doreen

>

Hi!

Your concerns are valid and certainly mine as well. Yes, it was cold

turkey from 60MG a day for 5 days to nothing. No weaning. I think

we're doing OK so far though. As I mentioned in a previous post (not

showing yet - my pasts must be delayed) while I'm feeling a bit

squirrely, nothing unbearable. Tingling in the feet and hands and some

return of the costochondritis symptoms but while my knees, hips and

shoulders aren't feeling as fine as they were on the Prednisone, they

haven't gone back to the pain and stiffness I was experiencing prior to

the Prednisone. Although I did have some room spinning dizziness

earlier this morning which probably went alone with a dip in blood

pressure but that too passed.

Just taking it an hour at a time for now. Thanks for your concerns.

Bob

[Guest guest]

Hi, Bob. Welcome.

For RA, it's probably more common to receive a prednisone " taper " for

a few days: day 1 - 20 mg, day 2 - 15 mg, day 3 - 10 mg, day 4 - 5 mg,

day 5 - 0 mg, rather than a prednisone " burst " as you did.

But I know that sometimes for asthma, some patients are given 3 to 5

days of as much as 60 mg per day and then off - no weaning.

Not an MD

>

> Hi!

> Your concerns are valid and certainly mine as well. Yes, it was cold

> turkey from 60MG a day for 5 days to nothing. No weaning. I think

> we're doing OK so far though. As I mentioned in a previous post (not

> showing yet - my pasts must be delayed) while I'm feeling a bit

> squirrely, nothing unbearable. Tingling in the feet and hands and some

> return of the costochondritis symptoms but while my knees, hips and

> shoulders aren't feeling as fine as they were on the Prednisone, they

> haven't gone back to the pain and stiffness I was experiencing prior to

> the Prednisone. Although I did have some room spinning dizziness

> earlier this morning which probably went alone with a dip in blood

> pressure but that too passed.

> Just taking it an hour at a time for now. Thanks for your concerns.

> Bob

[Guest guest]

Welcome Bob,

You have found a great place for info, and to find friends who

understand. Finding out you have RA is overwhelming, but when you

find the right treatment, it get's a little easier. I had no clue

about RA, until I was diagnosed. Now, I know what my rheumy is

talking about, and what the next step is. Like you, I was dx about

six years ago, but I've had it a lot longer. Just had a quack of a

doctor, that fed me all kinds of meds, and would tell me I had

arthritis. I hope to get to know you, and if you need anything, just

email me anytime, Tawny

[Guest guest]

Hi Bob - Just wanted to say you're welcome and also let you know that

your posts aren't delayed, I get them in " Digest " form rather than a

seperate email for each post. So, I am the one that is delayed. Most

of the time, when I reply, someone has already expressed the same

thoughts. Sorry - I read all the posts, but only reply when I feel

compelled or have something to add. Hope you get to feeling better

soon........Doreen

> Hi!

> Your concerns are valid and certainly mine as well. Yes, it was

> cold turkey from 60MG a day for 5 days to nothing. No weaning. I

> think we're doing OK so far though. As I mentioned in a previous

> post (not showing yet - my pasts must be delayed) while I'm feeling

> a bit squirrely, nothing unbearable. Tingling in the feet and

> hands and some return of the costochondritis symptoms but while my

> knees, hips and shoulders aren't feeling as fine as they were on

> the Prednisone, they haven't gone back to the pain and stiffness I

> was experiencing prior to the Prednisone. Although I did have some

> room spinning dizziness earlier this morning which probably went

> alone with a dip in blood pressure but that too passed.

> Just taking it an hour at a time for now. Thanks for your concerns.

> Bob

>

[Guest guest]

hi bob welcome to the group, i've been out due to surgery but i'm back. i hope u

feel better soon.

god bless,melyndagamez 8/26/08 9:32p.m.cst.

[ ] Re: New Guy Here

Hi Bob - Just wanted to say you're welcome and also let you know that

your posts aren't delayed, I get them in " Digest " form rather than a

seperate email for each post. So, I am the one that is delayed. Most

of the time, when I reply, someone has already expressed the same

thoughts. Sorry - I read all the posts, but only reply when I feel

compelled or have something to add. Hope you get to feeling better

soon........Doreen

> Hi!

> Your concerns are valid and certainly mine as well.  Yes, it was

> cold turkey from 60MG a day for 5 days to nothing.  No weaning.  I

> think we're doing OK so far though.  As I mentioned in a previous

> post (not showing yet - my pasts must be delayed) while I'm feeling

> a bit squirrely, nothing unbearable.  Tingling in the feet and

> hands and some return of the costochondritis symptoms but while my

> knees, hips and shoulders aren't feeling as fine as they were on

> the Prednisone, they haven't gone back to the pain and stiffness I

> was experiencing prior to the Prednisone..  Although I did have some

> room spinning dizziness earlier this morning which probably went

> alone with a dip in blood pressure but that too passed.

> Just taking it an hour at a time for now.  Thanks for your concerns.

> Bob

>

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