Re: time frame advice needed

[Guest guest]

,

It is good that you have found this support group, but not good that

you needed to.

I understand what you are saying about your thumbs. Mine also turned

and I can not apply even pressure with my thumbs.

As far as time, well it is different for everyone. Your meds were just

upped two weeks ago, so I think it is a little soon to see a big

difference, but your doctor may be looking at a different time frame.

It wouldn't hurt to give the office a call and ask when you should

expect results. It does sound like your rheummy is taking and

aggressive approach with your treatment by the drugs that you are

already on.

I believe depression is a result of many things for RA patients. We

are fatigued, we are in pain, (even when trying to rest) and mostly

coming to terms with the disease. It is very hard to relearn how to do

what we have just done naturally or practiced over years. I am not

aware of depression with these drugs, but it is important to let your

doctor know.

Don't let the depression conquer you though. It's OK if you need help

with it. Most RA patients take some form of anti-depressent or use

yoga or other methods of relaxation for physical and mental health.

I hope that you are getting good results from your meds soon and that

you are feeling much better.

Shirley

>

> Hi,

> I'm and I came down with RA suddenly in April 2008. I have

been

> on Plaquinal, MTX and Embrol - two weeks ago my doctor upped my

> Methotrexate from 4 to 8. I am a musician (violist) - it is

sometimes

> painful and always exhausting to practice. I had to redo my

technique

> to accomodate my right thumb that is now bending in a different

> direction. All of this has gotten me very depressed. Am I

expecting

> too much too soon? Do these drugs depress you? Is it the tiredness?

> Thanks,

>

>

[Guest guest]

and group;

I am so sorry to hear all this happend to you. Thats is really weird

it happen that you play the violen. I love to listen to a real

violen. I am truly sorry.

This is somthing you really need to talk to your rheumy about. That is

only my opinion I am not a MD.

gentle hugs

Clora

***************************************************

> Hi,

> I'm and I came down with RA suddenly in April 2008. I have

been

> on Plaquinal, MTX and Embrol - two weeks ago my doctor upped my

> Methotrexate from 4 to 8. I am a musician (violist) - it is sometimes

> painful and always exhausting to practice. I had to redo my technique

> to accomodate my right thumb that is now bending in a different

> direction. All of this has gotten me very depressed. Am I expecting

> too much too soon? Do these drugs depress you? Is it the tiredness?

> Thanks,

>

>

[Guest guest]

and group;

I am so sorry to hear all this happend to you. Thats is really weird

it happen that you play the violen. I love to listen to a real

violen. I am truly sorry.

This is somthing you really need to talk to your rheumy about. That is

only my opinion I am not a MD.

gentle hugs

Clora

***************************************************

> Hi,

> I'm and I came down with RA suddenly in April 2008. I have

been

> on Plaquinal, MTX and Embrol - two weeks ago my doctor upped my

> Methotrexate from 4 to 8. I am a musician (violist) - it is sometimes

> painful and always exhausting to practice. I had to redo my technique

> to accomodate my right thumb that is now bending in a different

> direction. All of this has gotten me very depressed. Am I expecting

> too much too soon? Do these drugs depress you? Is it the tiredness?

> Thanks,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group. Talk to your Rheumy or PC doctor.

Depression can happen as a result of this disease but not because of

it. Did that make sense? RA doesn't cause depression - the limitations

placed on our lives can cause it. Fatigue is part of the disease

process, unfortunately, but talk to your doctors. There are things out

there that can help you with the depression and fatigue. It sounds

like you have a severe case of RA for the onset to have only happened

7 months ago and to have joint deformation already, but it also sounds

like your Rheumy has you on a good combination of drugs.

I (personally) did better with Sulfasalazine instead of Plaquenil.

I've started MTX injections instead of pills two weeks ago - seems to

be more effective. I don't have insurance, so I haven't been able to

try any biologics yet - but hope to soon.

I can't stress this enough - if you are unhappy with the way you are

feeling, contact your Rheumy - there are different combinations of

drugs out there and it seems as if they all can be tailored to the

individual patient and their needs. Best of luck to you. I don't think

you are expecting too much too soon (IMHO).......Doreen

>

> Hi,

> I'm and I came down with RA suddenly in April 2008. I have

> been on Plaquinal, MTX and Embrol - two weeks ago my doctor upped

> my Methotrexate from 4 to 8. I am a musician (violist) - it is

> sometimes painful and always exhausting to practice. I had to redo

> my technique to accomodate my right thumb that is now bending in a

> different direction. All of this has gotten me very depressed. Am

> I expecting too much too soon? Do these drugs depress you? Is it

> the tiredness?

> Thanks,

>

>