New Member

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with RA in '88, however since that time we strongly

suspect there is/was a PA connection. Either way, my path would have

been the same - that is the AP protocol as outlined and explained in

http//www.roadback.org.

I too had the worst of the arthritis in my hands, fingers, toes and

knees. I am not cured as yet but all of my labs are inching toward

normal. (In fact my CRP is normal)

I began the AP two years ago and had a very rough time of it, in terms

of my body reacting to the AP " working " .

I myself felt that the usual drugs such as methotrexate, celebrex, etc,

were not for me. I did not want to treat symptomatically, instead my

goal was and is to eject the rheumatoid out of my body. This I believe

(in my case) can be done, is being done.

Do read all of the information in the Road Back, the " histories " section

was particularly helpful and inspiring to me when I was most in need of

help and inspiration.

K

Attwood wrote:

> Hi everyone. I am considering antibiotic treatment for my psoriatic

> arthritis. I have been taking 25mg methotrexate (injected for last 2

> weeks) weekly and 1g daily salasopyrin for over a year and my PA

> continues to get worse. I also take 175mg Indocid (I'm allergic to

> celebrex & VIOXX). My CRP is 48 and ESR/SED is 15.

>

> The PA is in my fingers, toes, knees and occasional flares in my

> lower back.

>

> I am interested in hearing from anyone with similar symptoms who has

> tried antibiotic treatment.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

....increased inflammation, pain, swelling. I would have massive " flares "

which seemed to target one single area of my body for a number of

straight days, for example, I had one zone in and around the collar bone

that was terribly inflamed and the touch of cloth on it would send me to

tears nearly. Night times were most intense - would be unable to lift

the sheets due to collarbone or neck or shoulders in such pain. On the

worst of days or nights I medicated myself with narcotics, although I

did so sparingly. Also used prednisone, low dose cyclical (3-5

milligrams daily for four days then off for three days and then back to

the low dose again for 4.) This I did on and off for several months. It

was a matter of needing to walk that drove me to use the prednisone for

that short period of time. I found that when I had been off the naproxyn

for 6-8 months that when I started to use it again it had regained its

effectiveness. I still take the naproxyn to this day and have not

touched the narcotics or the pred for a long time.

One other important aspect to mention as far as the AP " reaction " months

(or herxheimer reaction, I think it's called) is concerned. That is

fatigue, For 18 months I could not get enough rest. I would keel over at

mid-afternoon to bed for a 2 hour nap/rest. Without this I could not

make it through to bedtime. The very first symptom to exit from my daily

life was the fatigue. At the 18 months mark on the Ap I realized I could

get through the day without napping. Then the surge of " my old self "

energy returned and has yet to wane.

Today I have the vestiges of RA/PA, but all of the acute symptoms have

stopped. I have no deformity.

K

Tamra Chase wrote:

> What was your very rough time in terms of the body reacting to the AP

> working? I am seeing an Alternative Dr. who is interested in

> Clindamycin IV's for 5 days then Mino. I am terrified of needles. Does

> anyone know how the IV's are administered? Through the arm or hand?

>

> Tamra

>

>

> Re: rheumatic New member

>

> Hi,

> I was diagnosed with RA in '88, however since that time we strongly

> suspect there is/was a PA connection. Either way, my path would have

> been the same - that is the AP protocol as outlined and explained in

> http//www.roadback.org.

> I too had the worst of the arthritis in my hands, fingers, toes and

> knees. I am not cured as yet but all of my labs are inching toward

> normal. (In fact my CRP is normal)

> I began the AP two years ago and had a very rough time of it, in terms

> of my body reacting to the AP " working " .

> I myself felt that the usual drugs such as methotrexate, celebrex, etc,

> were not for me. I did not want to treat symptomatically, instead my

> goal was and is to eject the rheumatoid out of my body. This I believe

> (in my case) can be done, is being done.

> Do read all of the information in the Road Back, the " histories " section

>

> was particularly helpful and inspiring to me when I was most in need of

> help and inspiration.

> K

>

> Attwood wrote:

>

> > Hi everyone. I am considering antibiotic treatment for my psoriatic

> > arthritis. I have been taking 25mg methotrexate (injected for last 2

> > weeks) weekly and 1g daily salasopyrin for over a year and my PA

> > continues to get worse. I also take 175mg Indocid (I'm allergic to

> > celebrex & VIOXX). My CRP is 48 and ESR/SED is 15.

> >

> > The PA is in my fingers, toes, knees and occasional flares in my

> > lower back.

> >

> > I am interested in hearing from anyone with similar symptoms who has

> > tried antibiotic treatment.

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi, I have had many IV's of cleosin, and the needle they used was

very small...Hardly felt it...I have had both the hand and the arm

used for the IV's. It was a great boost to the system..I did have

them after I started the Minocin...

Barb

[Guest guest]

You might talk to the nurse about using a butterfly needle. This is used

for children, I believe, and is easier for many adults as well.

(RA 25+ years, AP since Nov. 97)

rheumatic Re: New member

> Hi, I have had many IV's of cleosin, and the needle they used was

> very small...Hardly felt it...I have had both the hand and the arm

> used for the IV's. It was a great boost to the system..I did have

> them after I started the Minocin...

> Barb

>

>

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tamra,

You can get an anaesthetic cream called Emla cream which anaesthetises your

arm. If you put it on about an hour before the IV you won't feel anything at

all. My daughter had clindamycin IVs for two and a half years and I don't think

she would have had a single one if it weren't for the Emla cream. It's by

prescription

here in Australia.

If you can't get IVs then clindamycin can be taken orally - 1200mg in a single

dose once a week on a day you're not taking minocycline.

Chris.

>What was your very rough time in terms of the body reacting to the AP

>working? I am seeing an Alternative Dr. who is interested in

>Clindamycin IV's for 5 days then Mino. I am terrified of needles. Does

>anyone know how the IV's are administered? Through the arm or hand?

>

>Tamra

[Guest guest]

Diet wise - (he has gone from 157 lbs last week to 145 upon release

from MSK) I am trying to give him plenty of raw greens, some fruits,

and good protein leaving most carbs out of his diet.

Jan this sounds good but I would add Spirulina...to the juices..to

everything...it will give the protein in a highly usable form....probably

stabalize the weight loss without overburdening the system with food.....and go

from some fruits to lots of fruits...fruit juices....again mixing in the

spirulina.....

MSK reccommends

a heavy refined diet loaded with sugars and white fours etc. this is

to try to increase weight.

Are they trying to kill him or heal him?

I need help, and I need information quickly, thank you for any help

you might give. God Bless, Jan

Jan I appreciate your urgency and I think this is exactly the kind of energy

you need to help your loved one. One thing that strikes me funny in this group

is the lack of emotional and spiritual communications about what is happening

with a person and how that might have led to a cancer or how it might create an

obsticle to its cure.

If there is anything more I can do or share please do not hesitate to ask

either in the group or in private email.

Regards,

Mark Sircus Ac., OMD

Flor De Ouro

http://200.165.133.53/sircus

[Guest guest]

Hello....... I am a new member as well. My son is 4.5 years and has just been

diagnosed with mild Asperger's with features of Semantic-Pragmatic Disorder.

We're tired, but finally relieved to have gotten the diagnosis. It's

interesting....he was always a bit quirky as a little kid, loved doors, the

" concept " of open and close, loved steering wheels and steering himself around,

but I would say true " age-of-onset " was a bit after 3 when he began talking to

himself in silly voices (almost echoing stuff) one day. It drove us crazy!

CRAZY! He began (suddenly) to have a difficult time with yes/no questions, and

usually would echo the last word or few words of his speech or of yours.

Learned his letters somehow (but HOW??!!) by the age of 20 months, was

memorizing books and reading them with the same inflection he had heard them by

2.5, and memorizing Duvall's bedtime stories (videos) at around the same

age. NO fine or gross motor skills issues......rode a bike early; boogie boards,

catches a ball well, likes to hit a wiffle ball, climb trees, etc.. No real

sensory issues either, although he did for a couple of months become repulsed if

you were eating and had food on your face.......would kind of scrunch up his

face, sort of gag, and say..... " Oh, Mommy.....you need a napkin. " Definitely has

semantic-pragmatic issues.......had to teach him how to ask and answer the " why "

question. The other day, we were in the car late at night......I turned around

to see if he was sleeping and he said, " Mommy, what are you looking at me to see

if I am? " My husband and I just laughed. Excited about being a part of this

group.Please respond......do any of you have a son like mine? Does this sound

familiar? D. O'Grady

TheGirlsNY@... wrote:Hi everyone,

I am a new member and just wanted to introduce myself.

My name is Kim, I live in New York and my 10 year old son has just been

diagnosed with Asperger's. I have done a lot of research and reading over

the past week and joined this group to learn from all of you.

Luckily we always knew " something " was wrong and have been trying to get him

into a private school to meet his needs. We should have the Board of Ed.'s

decision any time now.

Thank you all in advance for your wisdom and advice.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/26/2003 7:47:44 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

noelty5@... writes:

> Hello....... I am a new member as well. My son is 4.5 years and has just

> been diagnosed with mild Asperger's with features of Semantic-Pragmatic

> Disorder.

Welcome to the group! I have a 4.5 yr old as well that was diagnosed with AS

and then by someone else the next month Auditory Processing disorder.... In

doing my own research and observing, I think he has traits of AS but

definitely fits all the criteria of Semantic-Pragmatic disorder and

ADD-Inattentive, but then again these can be a component of AS (or so I've

been told). Just curious what type of doctor dx the Semantic-Pragmatic?

Johanna

[Guest guest]

jOHANNA.....an excellent developmental pediatrician who is an expert in the

field. He actually said that a speech therapist would probably only have

diagnosed the SPD, and that maybe a less informed doctor would diagnosis ADD,

but that he had no doubt it was mild AS with SPD features. I tend to agree with

him, and AS itself seems to run in my husbands family at varying levels. What's

your son like? Dennise

sjparvin@... wrote:In a message dated 4/26/2003 7:47:44 PM Pacific Daylight

Time,

noelty5@... writes:

> Hello....... I am a new member as well. My son is 4.5 years and has just

> been diagnosed with mild Asperger's with features of Semantic-Pragmatic

> Disorder.

Welcome to the group! I have a 4.5 yr old as well that was diagnosed with AS

and then by someone else the next month Auditory Processing disorder.... In

doing my own research and observing, I think he has traits of AS but

definitely fits all the criteria of Semantic-Pragmatic disorder and

ADD-Inattentive, but then again these can be a component of AS (or so I've

been told). Just curious what type of doctor dx the Semantic-Pragmatic?

Johanna

[Guest guest]

Hey Aj.

Ralph Moss is a strong supporter of this type of

therapy. He recommends Dr. in New York as

well as Dr. in Springfield Illinois. I cut and

paste the follwing clip fo info. By the way,he also

thinks the IAT clinic (Bahamas) is worth a look as

well for Hodgkins. I'm glad you joined the group. Keep

us updated on your decisions and progress.

Marty

As to alternative clinics, my choice is Dr.

, MD of 36 East 36th St., Manhattan. You

should try to get into his clinical trial of enzymes,

etc. that is being conducted at Columbia University.

More information is avaiable on this by calling his

office at 212-213-3337.

What can you recommend in regard to the Kelley method?

Actual question: I have been diagnosed with small cell

lymphoma. I am interested in Dr. Nicolas

approach and in my research came across

Wolcott and his metabolic typing. He has a support

program which you mentioned briefly the the " Moss

Report " I received. Do you feel this program is

reputable? I notice you seem to recommend Jack

to people. Do you feel that 's program would be

more effective? Thank you for any feedback you can

offer.

I certainly do recommend Dr. , although his

program is very difficult to get into. I also

recommend Dr. . His program is excellent in both

the quality of the supplements and in his insightful

tests and diagnoses. His current information is:

Dr. Jack

Springfield, IL

Phone: 217-525-6843

Fax: 217-525 6844

Website: www.metabolicmap.com

Email: customerservice@...

I know that Mr. Wolcott was associated with Dr. Kelley

in some capacity and has long experience with this

method. In general, I am uneasy about cancer patients

being cared for by laypeople.

--- Gubi <gubisara@...> wrote:

> Hello Aj,

>

> No, I don't have any experience with Dr. Kelley

> Metabolic Protocol.

> I only know he achieved quite a high rate of success

> with his Protocol.

> I would assume you have read the following, but I'll

> give it just in case,

> also for the benefit of other members:

>

> http://www.drkelley.com/CANLIVER55.html

>

> Best wishes and complete recovery,

> Gubi

>

> [ ] New member

>

>

> > Hi all, I've just joined this group and would like

> to hear from

> > anyone who is currently following the Dr Kelley

> Metabolic Protocol. I

> > am male, 31 years old and live in London.

> >

> > I originally had Hodgkins Grade 1A (right side of

> neck) back in 1997,

> > for which I had 20 days' radiotherapy. All was

> well until Jan 2003...

> > after my annual check up/blood tests, which were

> fine, I had a

> > precautionary x-ray because I had a persistent

> cough (1 year or

> > more).... this showed " spots " on my lungs. Anyway

> after lots of tests

> > and a biopsy the experts concluded I had relapsed

> HD, at least stage

> > 3.

> >

> > At the point where the chap said " We are starting

> you on chemo " I

> > politely declined and arranged to go back in 3

> months during which I

> > would investigate the alternatives. I had already

> made a contingency

> > plan to start Dr Kelley's programme.

> >

> > Anyway, so far it is going well, but it's early

> days. I would love

> > to hear from anyone who has any experience with

> this programme.

> >

> > Cheers,

> >

> > Aj

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hello Aj,

No, I don't have any experience with Dr. Kelley Metabolic Protocol.

I only know he achieved quite a high rate of success with his Protocol.

I would assume you have read the following, but I'll give it just in case,

also for the benefit of other members:

http://www.drkelley.com/CANLIVER55.html

Best wishes and complete recovery,

Gubi

[ ] New member

> Hi all, I've just joined this group and would like to hear from

> anyone who is currently following the Dr Kelley Metabolic Protocol. I

> am male, 31 years old and live in London.

>

> I originally had Hodgkins Grade 1A (right side of neck) back in 1997,

> for which I had 20 days' radiotherapy. All was well until Jan 2003...

> after my annual check up/blood tests, which were fine, I had a

> precautionary x-ray because I had a persistent cough (1 year or

> more).... this showed " spots " on my lungs. Anyway after lots of tests

> and a biopsy the experts concluded I had relapsed HD, at least stage

> 3.

>

> At the point where the chap said " We are starting you on chemo " I

> politely declined and arranged to go back in 3 months during which I

> would investigate the alternatives. I had already made a contingency

> plan to start Dr Kelley's programme.

>

> Anyway, so far it is going well, but it's early days. I would love

> to hear from anyone who has any experience with this programme.

>

> Cheers,

>

> Aj

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the info guys. For anyone who is interested, the

update to " One Answer to Cancer " by Dr Kelley, entitled " Cancer:

Curing the Incurable Without Surgery, Chemotherapy, or Radiation " is

available from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-

/0970429002/qid=1052383002/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-6348322-9955217?

v=glance & s=books

Some interesting articles:

http://www.cmbm.org/conferences/ccc2000/transcripts2000/008.html

http://www.ralphmoss.com/html/cach377.shtml

http://www.megahealth.co.uk/newsarticlesandreports/theconnectionbetwee

ncancerhealingandpregnancy.htm

http://home.earthlink.net/~radiologist/tf/040802.htm

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone, I'm glad I found this group. I am 39 and have been diagnosed

with PA for the last 10 years. Originally it was in my thumbs (which now

have limited mobility) and spread to my toes on the left foot (two next to

the big one hammertoed and were surgically straightened and fused). My

middle finger on my left hand has little if any flexibility on the middle

joint. I cant make a fist without giving someone " the finger " . I have

learned to live with this for most of the time with just Motrin for an

occasional flare up. In the last 2 months though it has gotten bad with my

pinky and ring fingers hurting. This is especially trying with my 1 year old

daughter. Trying to change and dress her with those tiny buttons can be

frustrating. I'm a freelance photographer and stay home dad for 2 weekdays.

I recently went to a rhuemy for the first time in about 6 years here in

Michigan (Detroit area) which I'm new to. I'm really hesitant about taken

drugs with terrible side effects. I think this dates back to the first

diagnosis when I was put on prednisone. The new doc put me on Daypro and I

really haven't noticed anything. I asked him if diet affects flare ups and

he said no. I think certain foods do though. Caffeine and real salty foods

seem to hurt the next morning. Does anyone have some info on foods relating

to PA? I don't want to go on some all cabbage diet, but I am willing to give

up some things I love for the sake of me being a little more pain free. I'm

also interested if anyone has ever heard of a pretty much frozen joint (like

my middle finger) being brought back to some degree of flexibility. I got a

flat out no, better learn to live with it from the doc. Thanks for the space

to vent.

[Guest guest]

,

I am also against meds with irreversible side effects, however if I was in your

shoes (even though I hate meds) I would be on something to stop the damage. The

fact of the matter is you have seen how damaging this disease can be. You will

very likely never be able to get your middle finger back, and that would scare

me into action. Now, let me also say this... I had a few FROZEN fingers for a

few years (about 2 years to be exact). I could not move the fingers, however

there was NO Deformity. I started taking Celebrex, and the fingers completely

unfroze. I am not on MAJOR meds, but I am now on Celebrex and Azulfidine,

neither of which have real bad side effects. (I have had no side effects, except

the raising of my blood pressure and my Psoriasis is a little worse) Are you at

least on an NSAID? If not, I would suggest Vioxx or Celebrex. Ask a Dr. for a

sample and see is those fingers loosen up. I would imagine that they longer they

stay that way the less likely they are to correct themselves. Also, you need to

get an X-ray, if the X-ray shows no damage, then you will likely regain use of

those fingers.

Just my 2-cents. I truly believe you will NEVER regain use of that finger

without some kind of medical intervention. (for me all it took was a few months

of Celebrex and they have never frozen up again)

In a message dated 5/28/2003 8:20:31 AM Eastern Standard Time,

lat42kahuna@... writes:

> Thanks for the space

> to vent.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to share that with my new sausage toe, I can now flip the bird

with my foot!

I am so sorry you have this with children that young. Make sure you buy her

clothing with zippers and velcro. I have a one-yr-old niece that I keep a

lot. I don't know how you keep up with and carry a baby on a regular basis.

Good luck

Ks Di

Re: [ ] new member

> Hi everyone, I'm glad I found this group. I am 39 and have been diagnosed

> with PA for the last 10 years. Originally it was in my thumbs (which now

> have limited mobility) and spread to my toes on the left foot (two next to

> the big one hammertoed and were surgically straightened and fused). My

> middle finger on my left hand has little if any flexibility on the middle

> joint. I cant make a fist without giving someone " the finger " . I have

> learned to live with this for most of the time with just Motrin for an

> occasional flare up. In the last 2 months though it has gotten bad with my

> pinky and ring fingers hurting. This is especially trying with my 1 year

old

> daughter. Trying to change and dress her with those tiny buttons can be

> frustrating. I'm a freelance photographer and stay home dad for 2

weekdays.

> I recently went to a rhuemy for the first time in about 6 years here in

> Michigan (Detroit area) which I'm new to. I'm really hesitant about taken

> drugs with terrible side effects. I think this dates back to the first

> diagnosis when I was put on prednisone. The new doc put me on Daypro and I

> really haven't noticed anything. I asked him if diet affects flare ups and

> he said no. I think certain foods do though. Caffeine and real salty foods

> seem to hurt the next morning. Does anyone have some info on foods

relating

> to PA? I don't want to go on some all cabbage diet, but I am willing to

give

> up some things I love for the sake of me being a little more pain free.

I'm

> also interested if anyone has ever heard of a pretty much frozen joint

(like

> my middle finger) being brought back to some degree of flexibility. I got

a

> flat out no, better learn to live with it from the doc. Thanks for the

space

> to vent.

>

>

>

>

>

> Please visit our Psoriatic Arthritis Group's informational web page at:

> http://www.wpunj.edu/pa/ -- created and edited by list member

aka(raharris@...).

>

> Also,in August 2001,list member Jack aka Cornishpro@... began

to conduct extensive research which he publishes as the " Psoriatic Arthritis

Research Newsletter " , monthly in our email and digest format. Many thanks to

Jack. Back issues of the newsletter are stored on our PA webpage as well as

the archives of the list.

>

> Don't forget that the list archives comprise a tremendous amount of

information (Over three years of messages and answers).Feel free to browse

them at your convenience.

>

> LET'S HEAR FROM SOME OF YOU LURKERS out there! If you have a comment or

question, chances are there is a person who has been around a while who can

help you out with AT LEAST an educated guess for an answer! If not,we can

steer you in the right direction with a good website to go to,

>

> Blessings and Peace,

>

> Atwood-Stack, Founder

> Alan , Web & List Editor

> Jack , Newsletter Editor

> Pat Bias, List Editor

> Ron Dotson, List Editor

> Orin, List Editor

> , List Editor

> and any others who help in any way (thank you!)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/28/2003 10:32:04 PM Eastern Standard Time,

costello@... writes:

> I just wanted to share that with my new sausage toe, I can

> now flip the bird

> with my foot!

TOO FUNNY!!!

[Guest guest]

-Welcome Rita..nice to hear of caring support people.

Marti

[Guest guest]

, a few days ago I posted a question about eyes and no one really

responded. I don'

t know what your symproms are, but I began having floaters in one eye and

occasional light flashes after the PA seemed to have moved to my neck area - my

head and one side of my neck hurts as if I got banged around (not regular

headache feeling). Also it feels like I have something in my eye all the time.

I had my eyes tested and was told they are fine and there is no detachment of

the retina going on. I thought I had read somewhere that PA can affect the eyes,

but I don't remember how. Is this what you are feeling as well?

adriane

[ ] New Member

Hi All! My name is . I was diagnosed with a pre-arthritic

condition at age 12 due to psoriasis. Now it's really arthritis but

not disfiguring. I can still go about my day to day business and

even manage some dancing. My major symptom at 30 is arthritis in my

eyes. Does anyone else have this problem, or has anyone even heard

of it? Everyone, including my internist looks at me like I have 2

heads when I tell them. I would appreciate anyone with anything to

say responding. Thanks.

[Editor's Note: Although you didn't mention the symptoms of your " arthritis of

the eyes " , so I don't have much to go on, you might research Sjogren's Syndrome.

D.]

[Guest guest]

e,

I did find some information through the Arthritis Foundation. I

couldnt find it on the website myself, but I sent an email to their

help desk. I am including the link.

http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/1999_archives/1999_

05_06arthritis101.asp

Hope it helps. I found that at least it gave me a place to start to

ask the right questions. Good luck. Keep in touch.

> , a few days ago I posted a question about eyes and no one

really responded. I don'

> t know what your symproms are, but I began having floaters in one

eye and occasional light flashes after the PA seemed to have moved

to my neck area - my head and one side of my neck hurts as if I got

banged around (not regular headache feeling). Also it feels like I

have something in my eye all the time. I had my eyes tested and was

told they are fine and there is no detachment of the retina going

on. I thought I had read somewhere that PA can affect the eyes, but

I don't remember how. Is this what you are feeling as well?

> adriane

> [ ] New Member

>

>

> Hi All! My name is . I was diagnosed with a pre-arthritic

> condition at age 12 due to psoriasis. Now it's really arthritis

but

> not disfiguring. I can still go about my day to day business

and

> even manage some dancing. My major symptom at 30 is arthritis

in my

> eyes. Does anyone else have this problem, or has anyone even

heard

> of it? Everyone, including my internist looks at me like I have

2

> heads when I tell them. I would appreciate anyone with anything

to

> say responding. Thanks.

>

>

>

> [Editor's Note: Although you didn't mention the symptoms of

your " arthritis of the eyes " , so I don't have much to go on, you

might research Sjogren's Syndrome. D.]

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Randy, welcome!

I had very good results from MTX. The side effects were bad and I don't want to

take it again but many on this site don't seem to have such bad effects. I do

feel it prevented joint damage (I had xrays after a year and there was no joint

damage, just inflammed soft tissue and that is the goal.....to prevent joint

damage) and relieved pain to some degree.

Good Luck with your decision. Cheri

[ ] new member

Hello. I just joined this group. I am 50 years old and have PA. I

have trememdous pain in my feet, and have recently received steroid

injections in both feet..........no relief so far. I take relefen

for the inflamation, but have resisted taking methotrexate so far.

Has anyone had good results with the methotrexate? Randy

[Guest guest]

Randy, I am almost 65 and have had these problems for a few years. The ff10

mgs. of MTX helped me very much as does the duragesic patch [25 gr]. The p is

almost all under control [not the scalp]. So I say, try the MTX. You aren't

worried about having children I trust, so it's really not scary. I say thank

gooodness for mtx!

cheri <cdyost@...> wrote:Randy, welcome!

I had very good results from MTX. The side effects were bad and I don't want to

take it again but many on this site don't seem to have such bad effects. I do

feel it prevented joint damage (I had xrays after a year and there was no joint

damage, just inflammed soft tissue and that is the goal.....to prevent joint

damage) and relieved pain to some degree.

Good Luck with your decision. Cheri

[ ] new member

Hello. I just joined this group. I am 50 years old and have PA. I

have trememdous pain in my feet, and have recently received steroid

injections in both feet..........no relief so far. I take relefen

for the inflamation, but have resisted taking methotrexate so far.

Has anyone had good results with the methotrexate? Randy

[Guest guest]

--Welcome Dick,

I know what you mean about RA and PA. I have the same experience

with friends. Kind of gripes me they always say RA is WAY worse. I

don't think that is always true at all. Good Luck with the

methotrexate-hope it helps you.

Marti

[Guest guest]

Hi Dick,

I'm new too. Dr. thinks I've had PA for 20 years and

attributed all the symptoms to something else. In the

last year things got so bad in just 6 months that I

decided to do some research and came up with PA. Never

went to a Rhuematologist before but got lucky and

found an incredible one on my first try. He is

compassionate, caring, relaxed and informed.I even

like the fact that he is about my own age. Somehow I

wouldn't feel as comfortable with a very young Dr.

Guess I should be grateful that I'm 54 instead of 20

something. Bad timing though. Just finally went back

to school again to computerize my graphic designs and

now my hands are giving out. Was hoping to get

rich.I'm very concerned about being freelance with no

insurance. Is this PA going to get outrageously

expensive?

[Guest guest]

Hi Phyl. And welcome. I think you just described my 9 yr old! Except

Hunter has being having trouble w/ his temper too. And I'd have to

add the word rigid, esp in social situations. Anyways I am a fan of

Strattera, but what works for one does not necessarily work for

anothjer. And it is a new medication. As for Paxil I have no

experience w/ it. My ds did use two meds in that same family though

w/ poor results. Why Paxil? Is he depressed, anxious, or having mood

swings? Does he suffer from OCD? It's not the first type of med that

comes to mind from your description, but there alot I do not know

about this topic. Sorry I'm not more help.

a

> Mitch was just diagnosed with Asperger. We are still waiting for

the report from

> the doctor at Sick Kids in Toronto.  He wants to start medication

(Paxil), I

> am not sure how I feel about that. Any suggestions? Mitch is a

loving,

> expressive kid, however he really struggles with social situations

and writing.

[Guest guest]

Hi Phyl

I have a son who just turned 5 he has Aspergers. I have social anxiety

disorder, Panic disorder and depression. I have been taking Paxi for 2 years

now

and it has helped me with anxiety and panic attacks when in a social

situations. Paxil is not habit forming. In my opinion I would not put your 9

year old

on Paxil. What does his doctor say? If you do decide to put him on Paxil

start with a low dosage. The thing about Paxil is you cannot miss a dose. You

also an't just stop taking it. You have to be weaned off of it. Some people

can't take Paxil because there body has a bad reaction to it. I hope this helps

you a little anyways. Paxil will help him in social encounters but it helps

with the anxiety and panic but as for me I still feel uncomfortable around

people I do not know and in a group of people. Hope this helps and good luck

with whatever you decide to do! It's not easy as you probably already know!

Take care!