Re: RA &Work

[Guest guest]

,

It bothers me to know your not taking anything for RA., but you are doing great

to keep up with all your doings.  Why did you not want to take Methrotrexate?  

Could you take a smaller dose if side effects were bad?   I know it is difficult

dealing with the drs, but thier will be difference with another one as well.  At

least that is what I am finding.

I have taken Methrotrexate for more than 15 years.  My blood word is now showing

sign of Lupus but my Rheumy didn't want to change my medicine..    I asked about

a pain pill and he wanted me to try Flexeril (a muscle relaxer).  I had tried it

over 15 years ago and couldn't take it then because it just wiped me out and I

couldn't fucntion.   Now  it is like a complete different drug.  I feel better

when I get up in AM, like I can do this or that today.  But still not back to

where I had been previously with my treatment. 

I went to another dr and he done bloodwork and he also said that Methrotrexate

was No 1 drug for any of the autoimmune diseases.  He did find that I was

vitamin D deficient.  He gave me a prescription for pain but when I went to get

it filled they told me it would increase my chances for seizures.   Also he

doesn't do lab work once a month like my original rhemuy does.  I think that is

importatnt so that liver changes can be caught before damage is done.

So now I am  trying to decide if I really want to change or go back to first

one, where getting the monthly lab work is much easier.  Just this week I have

add 5 mg prednisone and the stiffness in my hands is getting much better.   

Anyway didn't mean for this to be so long but want to share with you my

experience.

Hope you get something soon to stop the progression, because RA does need to be

treated early as possible.  It is difficult to get the right combo of medicines

but I was pain free for many years.

 

 

Re: RA & Work

Posted by: " Massey " renandstimpy3@...   triviaplace

Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:26 pm (PDT)

I currently am working a full time job. It wasn't easy to find something knowing

what I have to go through everyday just to get up and get myself there. I then

work my butt off at my job I am constantly walking, giving direction, and making

sure my individuals stay in line and not getting into trouble. Its not easy to

keep up with them somefimes, I give them everything I got then come home and

take care of 2 kids aged 4 and 6 along with my boyfriend who is blind. some days

are easier then others. I am far from being in remission but I'm not on any RA

drugs either, I gave them up when enbrel stopped working for me and I have

noticed the deformities already setting in and I have since changed insurance

through work to hopefully find a new Rheumy who is willing to work with me and

take care of me properly. My old one would not even change me from the enbrel

and wanted to put me on MTX knowing my first time around on it made me sick and

at that point I

couldn't work. I am 3 years into having RA and I'm trying to make the best of

what time I have before the progression gets to much for me then I will be off

to the SSI/SSDI office in order to make sure my family is taken care of.