Guest guest Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 Dear , You have worked miracles since August, that's why you think it was only yesterday! You are both very blessed to have each other because you came through the despair and misery of depression with new insights and awareness. Yes, as a person who was HCV positive for 32 years, I can sing the blues! But there's light at the end of the tunnel: I beat the virus and am no longer depressed! May your husband find the same benefit, and may you grow even closer in the coming six months. We will be here if you need to ask questions or want to vent... Make sure he drinks one gallon of water every day, stock up on toilet tissue and kleenex, and be sure to get time away from each other. People on treatment get very cranky, LOL. God bless, Suzy > Hello everyone! It has been a while since I last posted, I've only had time to lurk. I just wanted to thank everyone for the comfort I find in reading the posts and for all of the information I needed that I found here. > > My husband is starting treatment tomorrow. He found out that it was active back around the first of August. Looking back, August seems like yesterday but at the same time, all the paperwork that I have had to fill out makes it seem like an eternity ago. > > Since August, we have been through paperwork, denial, paperwork, depression, paperwork, hospitalization for depression, paperwork, Zoloft (made him human again), paperwork, marriage counseling, paperwork, LOTS OF KLEENEX (mainly for me), research for treatment funding assistance, paperwork and lo and behold.....TREATMENT FINALLY GETS TO START TOMORROW!!! > > We have been through a lot because he took it really hard. I had to dig deep and find strength that I never knew I had to keep moving forward. One thing that was never my strong point was patience and I had to dig real deep to find that. I had to get all of the paperwork stuff done and everything around the house while still trying to be supportive. My tears came from not knowing how to pull him out of the depression he seemed to want to get deeper into. I learned that there is a fine line that separates being supportive and being enabling. I don't think that I ever crossed that line to enable him but it was really hard not to. Depression is one of those things that is easy to let slide to a point of being enabling but tough love, encouragement and support to him paid off through time. > > He is better now, even better than before he found out that it was active. He isn't depressed, he communicates with me better than he ever did before, he seems to love me more and be more appreciative of the things that I do for him on a daily basis, he no longer takes the little things in life for granted and he is excited to be starting treatment. Right now, I couldn't ask for more and I am grateful for everything. > > I know we still have a little ways to go but I know that we can get through this. This has been a big challenge and it has made us both stronger people. He will only have to go through treatment for six months because he has genotype 2b. When I think of the next six months as a whole it is overwhelming so one day at a time is all that we can do. > > Thank you all for the support and information. I wish you all the very best! > > Sincerely, > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 26, 2005 Report Share Posted March 26, 2005 Best to only start one thing at a time so you know whats working or whats causing a problem. FWIW, I would do HNI enzymes then probiotics, then the fish oil (what brand are you goig to use - many of them are tainted with Mercury and PCB's). Why the chromium? Most of our kids need a broad spectrum mineral supp. Toe wlaking is often associated with impaction in the bowels, share more about his stomach problems Mandi in Uk (Dorset) Hi, I was thinking of starting Alfie who is four with cod liver oil 3000mg a spoon of fish oil, chromium and probiotics and digestive enzymes a kids brand with four enzymes. He talks but does not look at people or socialise outside the family. He is agressive and shouts and hits strangers. Toe walks and has endless stomach problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 > > > Hi, I was thinking of starting Alfie who is four with cod liver oil > 3000mg a spoon of fish oil, chromium and probiotics and digestive > enzymes a kids brand with four enzymes. This is a lot of things to start with. I would choose one of them, start it, and see what happens. If you start too many things at once, you won't know what helps, what does not help, and what might cause problems. >>Toe walks and has endless stomach problems. Toe walking can be a sign of constipation http://www.danasview.net/constip.htm Enzymes can be helpful for constipation and other stomach problems. Dana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2006 Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 Hi! Angie here. It's been a long time since I've written here, but thought I'd suggest a couple things that worked for me. Drink Gatorade Propel. The flavor stayed good throughout my 48 week treatment. French toast was one of the few things I could eat when nothing else was palatable. Oh and one other thing... late night TV sucks!!!! Good Luck!!! Work Like You Don't Need The MoneyLove Like You've Never Been HurtDance Like No One Is Watching Always Me Starting Treatment Hi all, Well, after being diagnosed a year ago with type 3 I'm finally starting pegintron with rebetol for 6 months starting Feb 20. Any last minute advice for what to expect? From what I hear from you all the side effects can differ but my specialist keeps refering to "panting"? Anyone experience that one? Also any suggestions for to help combat the more common side effects would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2006 Report Share Posted February 9, 2006 Thanks for all the great suggestions. I would of never thought of using a antihistamine for the flu-like symptoms, but I'll give it I try. I'll definetly ask my Dr. about the Provigil. I already have good body cream and Aveeno bath stuff that I use in the winter. I run my own business and I spend a large part of my time outside. So skin cream and moisturizers are a must. I do already drink plenty of water, about 2 litres a day, but I'll remember the Gatorade. I start with the PEG-INTRON REDIPEN on the 20th with the rebetol. I thank you all so much for your help and if I'm lucky maybe I'll only get a couple of side effects. In the meantime I'm going to just keep positive and just get through one day at a time. My brother was diagnosed over 10 years ago with type 1 (no we didn't get it from the same place). He hasn't been so lucky, he's been on treatment for years off and on and he's now on the tranplant list. But like he says, he's not ready to feel old yet. He's not letting it beat him! You go bro!! > > > > Hi all, > > Well, after being diagnosed a year ago with type 3 I'm finally > > starting pegintron with rebetol for 6 months starting Feb 20. Any > > last minute advice for what to expect? From what I hear from you all > > the side effects can differ but my specialist keeps refering > > to " panting " ? Anyone experience that one? Also any suggestions for > > to help combat the more common side effects would be appreciated. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Hi Marie: Welcome back. I hope you find MTX works well for you. I have been on it and other RA meds. for 5 years now. I feel good, so much improved since I was first diagnosed. It just takes time to find the right " cocktail " of drugs that work for you. My blood work is always good also. Hope you do get to see a Rheumy. It is so important to find the right one, and get started with an aggressive treatment of your RA. Wishing you pain free days ahead. Hugs, Barbara > > Hi dear friends its been awhile scince I posted been going to dr appt after dr appt they are not sure what to do with me we have no Ra dr here in fairbanks alaska , but my gp is starting me on mx Sunday not sure what to expect. They have a ra dr in anchorage so I will go see her in the next couple of weeks. I have read alot of the post lately and its so nice to read about people starting feeling better I hope I will jion ya soon .. Thanks marie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2009 Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 I keep reading all these posts about the pros and cons of different treatments and I'm about half scared to start anything. I have an appointment with a Rheumatologist the 21st of next month and guess I'll wait and see what he has to say. Lou [ ] STARTING TREATMENT As of Tuesday I will be starting my orencia treatment. I'm kinda scared and happy at the same time. Just wondering is there any kind of signs I need to look forward to after the treatment. If someone out there can respond to my question I would appreciate it. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2009 Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 Dear Lou, I was diagnosed with RA over 7 years ago. I started out taking steriods for treatment. After years of steriods, Mobic, Folic Acid, MTX and 1 1/2 years on Enbrel. I can say that alot of it has helped. It has slowed the disease progression down. I stay active. I walk alot, and still cut grass, and do many things I always have. I have found that I get tired a little more easier then before, but I also chalk that up to getting older. I am 50 years old. The only thing that messed me up grately was the steriod prednisone, after being on it 7 years and gaining alot of weight. It wacked out my adrenaline system. So now I take a Beta Blocker to regulate my heart rate. Needless to say I will never be able to take that wicked drug again. Out of all treatments I would advise to stay away from the prednisone. I have learned to manage my pain, through exercise and rest. This site has been so helpful to me. Don't be afraid to ask your Doctor questions. If you hurt tell him. Monitor your flare ups. And let the Doctor know when you have them, sometimes they want to see you when you get like that. I wish you the best with your treatments. This site is a world of information and so helpful. Jean Nettleton From: Lou Baldwin <txcookie@...> Subject: Re: [ ] STARTING TREATMENT Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 11:31 PM I keep reading all these posts about the pros and cons of different treatments and I'm about half scared to start anything. I have an appointment with a Rheumatologist the 21st of next month and guess I'll wait and see what he has to say. Lou [ ] STARTING TREATMENT As of Tuesday I will be starting my orencia treatment. I'm kinda scared and happy at the same time. Just wondering is there any kind of signs I need to look forward to after the treatment. If someone out there can respond to my question I would appreciate it. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 The disease is scarier than the medications. The thinking today is that it's better to treat RA aggressively from the beginning to prevent joint damage, which is permanent. Your rheumy will monitor you for side effects from the meds. Good luck! Sue On Jun 20, 2009, at 11:31 PM, Lou Baldwin wrote: > I keep reading all these posts about the pros and cons of different > treatments and I'm about half scared to start anything. > > I have an appointment with a Rheumatologist the 21st of next month > and guess I'll wait and see what he has to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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