Re: Hi everyone I'm a newbie!

[Guest guest]

You really do need to take the folic acid! If it constipates you, take

a stool softener or eat prunes.

Sue

On Jun 7, 2009, at 2:49 PM, dulainee wrote:

> It seems the time has come where I need to seek other information

> from the one's who really have the experience.

> I was diagnosed with RA in June 2008. and since then its been a

> battle of medications with the end list being, Voltaren, vicodin,

> prednisone daily and mtx injection once a week. The problem is the

> nausea lasts for about 3days, is this normal? I've told the doc and

> she justs shrugs her shoulders and says " yes, are you taking the

> folic acid? " NO it constipates me I think.

> Is this it? I still feel only 50% good on a good day!!!

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the Group; I'm fairly New here too.  Hope you will enjoy this Group -

as much as I do.      judy in ga./ usa; in my upper 50's.  Wishing You the Best

in Health and Pain-free!

From: dulainee <ptissmaze14@...>

Subject: [ ] Hi everyone I'm a newbie!

Date: Sunday, June 7, 2009, 2:49 PM

It seems the time has come where I need to seek other information from the

one's who really have the experience.

I was diagnosed with RA in June 2008. and since then its been a battle of

medications with the end list being, Voltaren, vicodin, prednisone daily and mtx

injection once a week. The problem is the nausea lasts for about 3days, is this

normal? I've told the doc and she justs shrugs her shoulders and says " yes, are

you taking the folic acid? " NO it constipates me I think.

Is this it? I still feel only 50% good on a good day!!!

I did use the Enbrel but my insurance stopped paying and I cant afford 700.00 a

month plus,plus, plus!!!! Thats why she switched me to mtx.

Lately I've had very bad feet pain just in walking and standing, so I sought out

buying new shoes. I was soo excited when I finally put on a pair that didn't

hurt, there called Earth shoes, FABULOUS!!!! !

What about homeopathic treatments? Any advice? The doctor laughed when I told

her I stopped eating red meat and am watching the high fructose corn syrup

intake, anybody hear of this?

Any feed back would be nice to hear, I tired of watching what I say around

friends, I feel like they think thats all I have to talk about and frankly,

being limited, thats all I do have. thanks Newbie.

[Guest guest]

MTX makes me very nauseous as well. From what I understand, Enbrel has a

patient help program. You may want to look into it to see if you would get the

assistance you need to get back on Enbrel. Humira has one as well. I only have

a partial response to MTX and Humira really did offer me what I needed to at

least be able to function. Before, I had an even harder time walking so I

wouldn't know what I would do if I couldn't take it anymore. The only real

downside to these meds is all of the resulting infections due to the compromised

immune system.

Lori

http://home.comcast.net/~queenstitcher/

http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com

[Guest guest]

Welcome Newbie,

I switched to mtx injections, and I really don't have stomach problems.

I still have fatigue, and I believe that is a part of the disease and

the meds. You really need to stay folic acid, its very important.

There are programs to help pay for the biologic meds, if you qualify? I

didn't have insurance for awhile, and I was able to receive humira for

awhile.

Its hard for family and friends to understand how we feel. This disease

is in our life 24-7, so it hard not to talk about. I'm glad you have

joined this group, you will find great support and information. If

there is a way for you to get the biologic med, we can help you out, I'm

sure.

Take care, and looking forward to getting to know you,

Tawny

>

> It seems the time has come where I need to seek other information from

the one's who really have the experience.

> I was diagnosed with RA in June 2008. and since then its been a battle

of medications with the end list being, Voltaren, vicodin, prednisone

daily and mtx injection once a week. The problem is the nausea lasts for

about 3days, is this normal? I've told the doc and she justs shrugs her

shoulders and says " yes, are you taking the folic acid? " NO it

constipates me I think.

> Is this it? I still feel only 50% good on a good day!!!

> I did use the Enbrel but my insurance stopped paying and I cant afford

700.00 a month plus,plus, plus!!!! Thats why she switched me to mtx.

> Lately I've had very bad feet pain just in walking and standing, so I

sought out buying new shoes. I was soo excited when I finally put on a

pair that didn't hurt, there called Earth shoes, FABULOUS!!!!!

> What about homeopathic treatments? Any advice? The doctor laughed when

I told her I stopped eating red meat and am watching the high fructose

corn syrup intake, anybody hear of this?

> Any feed back would be nice to hear, I tired of watching what I say

around friends, I feel like they think thats all I have to talk about

and frankly, being limited, thats all I do have. thanks Newbie.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you sue I try those.

newbie

Re: [ ] Hi everyone I'm a newbie!

You really do need to take the folic acid! If it constipates you, take

a stool softener or eat prunes.

Sue

On Jun 7, 2009, at 2:49 PM, dulainee wrote:

> It seems the time has come where I need to seek other information

> from the one's who really have the experience.

> I was diagnosed with RA in June 2008. and since then its been a

> battle of medications with the end list being, Voltaren, vicodin,

> prednisone daily and mtx injection once a week. The problem is the

> nausea lasts for about 3days, is this normal? I've told the doc and

> she justs shrugs her shoulders and says " yes, are you taking the

> folic acid? " NO it constipates me I think.

> Is this it? I still feel only 50% good on a good day!!!

[Guest guest]

Lori I sorry to hear about all the infections you have to deal with as well as

the diease. Thank you for your advice about the insurance, its a battle thats

for sure, I will try it out, your quickness in responding to me has given me

energy and reason, Thank you again.

Newbie

Re: [ ] Hi everyone I'm a newbie!

MTX makes me very nauseous as well. From what I understand, Enbrel has a

patient help program. You may want to look into it to see if you would get the

assistance you need to get back on Enbrel. Humira has one as well. I only have a

partial response to MTX and Humira really did offer me what I needed to at least

be able to function. Before, I had an even harder time walking so I wouldn't

know what I would do if I couldn't take it anymore. The only real downside to

these meds is all of the resulting infections due to the compromised immune

system.

Lori

http://home.comcast.net/~queenstitcher/

http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com

[Guest guest]

I'm not sure about the other biologics, but Humira does also have a program to

help with copays for those with insurance. It's very easy to get into and

definitely worth checking into.

Lori

http://home.comcast.net/~queenstitcher/

http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Newbie! We like to go on a first name basis here. I'm Doreen. Welcome to the

group. I'm sorry you are having to deal with all of this RA stuff like the rest

of us. We are all in the boat together, though, so you've come to the right

place.

You NEED to take your folic acid. I take 1mg every day except the day of MTX. If

you are having troubles with constipation, I would think it was more than likely

caused by the pain medication. Either way, I have found Miralax to be THE best.

I put a dose in with my morning coffee. It doesn't have any flavor, it doesn't

get thick, no cramping or bloating and it helps my constipation alot. After the

first three or so days of taking it, I find that I only have to take it now if

I'm really struggling again. Its good stuff!

Google " Enbrel " and call them. They have wonderful patient assistance programs

and they should be able to help to get you back taking it again. I don't think

your doctor should have laughed at you for not eating red meats anymore and

watching your HFCS intake. We all have to take care of our bodies and if

eliminating or watching your intake of these things makes you feel better, I say

GO FOR IT! I (personally) don't have much faith in homeopathic remedies when it

comes to RA. Perhaps they have something that will help to ease the symptoms,

but there is no cure anywhere. We just have to do the best we can.

I know how you feel about friends that don't understand. Check out

www.butyoudontlooksick.com - look for the " Spoon Theory " . Sometimes it helps our

loved ones to read that - then they can maybe understand a bit more.

Best of luck to you. Welcome to the group.....Doreen

It seems the time has come where I need to seek other information from the

one's who really have the experience.

I was diagnosed with RA in June 2008. and since then its been a battle of

medications with the end list being, Voltaren, vicodin, prednisone daily and mtx

injection once a week. The problem is the nausea lasts for about 3days, is this

normal? I've told the doc and she justs shrugs her shoulders and says " yes, are

you taking the folic acid? " NO it constipates me I think.

Is this it? I still feel only 50% good on a good day!!!

I did use the Enbrel but my insurance stopped paying and I cant afford 700.00 a

month plus,plus, plus!!!! Thats why she switched me to mtx.

Lately I've had very bad feet pain just in walking and standing, so I sought

out buying new shoes. I was soo excited when I finally put on a pair that didn't

hurt, there called Earth shoes, FABULOUS!!!!!

What about homeopathic treatments? Any advice? The doctor laughed when I told

her I stopped eating red meat and am watching the high fructose corn syrup

intake, anybody hear of this?

Any feed back would be nice to hear, I tired of watching what I say around

friends, I feel like they think thats all I have to talk about and frankly,

being limited, thats all I do have. thanks Newbie.

[Guest guest]

Hi--What style of the Earth shoe did you purchase?

Thank you, kathy

>

> It seems the time has come where I need to seek other information from

the one's who really have the experience.

> I was diagnosed with RA in June 2008. and since then its been a battle

of medications with the end list being, Voltaren, vicodin, prednisone

daily and mtx injection once a week. The problem is the nausea lasts for

about 3days, is this normal? I've told the doc and she justs shrugs her

shoulders and says " yes, are you taking the folic acid? " NO it

constipates me I think.

> Is this it? I still feel only 50% good on a good day!!!

> I did use the Enbrel but my insurance stopped paying and I cant afford

700.00 a month plus,plus, plus!!!! Thats why she switched me to mtx.

> Lately I've had very bad feet pain just in walking and standing, so I

sought out buying new shoes. I was soo excited when I finally put on a

pair that didn't hurt, there called Earth shoes, FABULOUS!!!!!

> What about homeopathic treatments? Any advice? The doctor laughed when

I told her I stopped eating red meat and am watching the high fructose

corn syrup intake, anybody hear of this?

> Any feed back would be nice to hear, I tired of watching what I say

around friends, I feel like they think thats all I have to talk about

and frankly, being limited, thats all I do have. thanks Newbie.

>