New here...

[Guest guest]

Hi Group,

I just wanted to introduce myself and ask a few questions. I am

somewhat new to RA and I'm still in the " getting the right drug combo "

phase. At least I hope it is just a phase...

My name is Jill. I am 37 years old and live in NY (long Island). I am

happily married, with no children... but 2 little chihuahuas that are

the lights of my life. I know it sounds pathetic, but I really love my

dogs. Unfortunately, one of my dogs has kidney failure, and while

she's holding on, I know that it is only a matter of time. We give her

daily subQ fluids (a needle inserted into her neck and I release

100mls of a saline type solutions... kinda like doggie dialysis to

clean out her kidney). Anyway, I hear the RA can be flared from

stress, and if that is so, it could be why my RA has gotten worse over

the last 2 months (when she came down with kidney failure). Or... I

could just be getting worse because it is just naturally progressing.

Anyway, I'll back up a little...I was diagnosed with RA this past

July. My rheummy put me on one anti-inflamatory after another with the

hopes that it would put out the fire... but to no avail. It is clearly

getting progressively worse, and I'm not sure if this is a normal rate

of progression or not. But regardless, I AM getting worse. So at my

last appointment the doc decided to bring out the big guns. I was

given the option of mtx or enbrel. I chose mtx. I have been on it now

for 3 weeks. During this time, I continued to get worse. So much so,

that I called him to get some relief (whether that meant a different

NSAID or pred)... because what I was on, was not working. He said that

it can take a month for the mtx to kick in, so he put me on one of

those 5 day packs of pred. I used that once before and it was a god

send. So I was glad to get it again because I needed some relief. So,

now I am done with the pred, but I feel pretty good. Last time I took

pred, it was able to tide me over for a good 5 weeks. I don't think it

is going to last that long this time because it is creeping back a

little quicker... but what are you gonna do? How long did it take you

all on mtx, to start to feel better? I really want it to kick in

before the pred wears off. We'll, see. Also, I am having issues with

the mouth sores that I hear happens from the mtx (oddly enough I was

getting them alot before the mtx, and rheummy thought it could be from

the NSAID I was on, so he switched it... but I'm still getting them

and I think it might have to do with the mtx now... but who knows?)

I've heard that there is a medication to reduce the mouth sores... is

anyone on that and if so, what is it called and does it help? and

please tell me it doesn't cause yet another side effect... like, you

won't get mouth sores but you will wet the bed. These drugs are crazy,

I hate to add another to the darn mix...

Another question... There are 2 people in my family that had RA. My

mom's cousin had it, but it spontaneously went into remission after 18

months. She did move from NY to FL, and is not sure if that had

anything to do with it... but that's one. The other family member is

my grandfather. He had " something " that he refered to as " rheumatism "

back in the day. My mom said he was in his 40's and she remembers him

barely being able to move. He had to stop working, it was so bad. Then

she said he decided to try exercising to loosen up the joints. Within

a few months, it all went away. We are not sure if it was RA, but it

kinda sounds like it (he passed away in 1986). So.... I guess I am

wondering if any of you have similar stories. Are there family members

with RA? Anyone know of people with went into remission? I am

soooooooo praying that it will happen to me (but not counting on it).

Well, this is getting long. Glad I found this group and look forward

to sharing info.

Wishing everyone pain-free days!

Take care,

Jill