Re: A DX of RA?

[Guest guest]

Hi Michele.  I so know what you mean about not having to take more RA meds.  I

felt the same way when I was first diagnosed with RA almost 6 years ago.  I

started out with MTX, and Pred. Next my Rheumy added Sulfasalazine, and

Placquenil.  I take MTX in injection form as the pills made me deathly sick

24/7.  I take .8 on the needle, 10 mg. of Pred, 2 Placqenil, and

Sulfasalazine.  I take the max. dose for the last 2 drugs.  I hated to

increase the amount of daily pills I take, but all these RA meds. have put me in

a full remisson for over 1 1/2 years now.  I only had a small flare, a few days

2 months ago.  My Rheumy increased my Pred. from 5 mg to 10 mg a day, and I am

still on that dose.  I really changed the way I felt about more drugs as these

have proven to be my " cocktail " for RA and have given me my life back.  I take

a total of 11 RX meds each day, plus my MTX 1X a week, and 2 Leucovorin 12 hours

after I inject my MTX.  For many many

years I only took 2 pills a day, and as you can see I graduated to so many.  I

know if I didn't take these meds, I would be bed ridden and in a wheel chair. 

So you see I have come a long way.

 

I think you need to try and think about these meds. in a positive way.  You

have to try and find the right " cocktail " of meds. so you can get your RA under

control, get rid of your pain and suffering, and have a better life for

yourself.  I too had to retrain myself to not be upset by so many pills, but

think about what good these pills are doing me.  There is no shame in finding

the meds. to make us feel better.  If I have to take more meds. for whatever

reason, I will do so and not think about how many more I am adding.

 

I know you are very tired of hurting and suffering.  I so pray you will find

the right meds, and begin to feel better and better.  I wish you many pain free

days ahead.  It is a hard battle we fight each day, but fight we must.  I had

no idea what RA was or what it would do to me.  Thank God for this wonderful

group of caring people here.  I would be so lost without them.  When RA reared

its ugly head to me, I went from a totally functioning woman, and in 6 days, I

could not dress myself, feed myself, I could not walk, get out of bed without

help,I needed help in the bathroom.  The list goes on and on.  I was

diagnosed with RA at that time.  I was almost in a wheel chair.  So you see, I

have come far.  So, never feel badly about the number of pills you take.  It

it the key to feeling better and having a life.

 

I so hope you have a good Rheumy who really cares about you.  I love my Rheumy

and she is the best person and doctor I have ever had.

 

Please take care of yourself, rest as much as you can.  We all care about you

and how you are feeling.

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

From: guswal_co <chelybeann@...>

Subject: [ ] A DX of RA?

Date: Saturday, July 10, 2010, 8:50 PM

 

I was DX with RA last week and was put on Methotrexate 15 mg once a week. I have

been dealing with neck pain, like the bones, and muscle pain of the neck and

shoulders. When it gets really bad it goes down my back (muscle pain). I have

seen three really good PT's that can only help me so much. Then I go back to

hurting again. My neck pain causes me to get headaches. I do have joints that

start hurting for NO reason at all. I have and get no swelling. And I do have

TMJ (OA of the jaw joint) and wear a splint. I got really bad a while ago

because a PT was doing manual manipulation on my back. I flared up so bad I

could barely walk. My pain management doc gave me muscle relaxer and Celebrex.

The Celebrex REALLY helped me the muscle relaxer not at all. After a few weeks

of Celebrex and pred I am much better. My blood tests show my CRP and ESR was

high and my CCP was high (weak positive.) And one more thing I am going through

early menopause so I have trouble

sleeping at night so I am always tired. So with all that I don't know if a RA

DX is right. I look at the RA symptoms and I am just not sure I have RA. I am so

confused and tired of hurting and don't want to add another drug if I don't

really need it. I take enough already! I would appreciate any comments or

help.

Thank you! Michele in thank goodness a realive cool Littleton CO

[Guest guest]

Thanks Barbara!

It's nice to be with people that understand! I would love the find med's that

make me fell better. I would take anything that would help. Since I started

the MTX a week ago I have had a constant headache which means more drug to

control my headache. I just want a drug that doesn't make me worse and works

right way. It looks like we may have to work to find the right combination for

me. Either way looks like whatever I take will take awhile to start working.

Might have to call my Rheumy to see what to do now. I can't take MTX and have a

HA all the time. Thank goodness I have a really good Rheumy that I like.

Michele

[Guest guest]

Hi Michele.  Do you take MTX pills?  If so, do they make you sick? Perhaps

you can try the inject form.  I switched to the injection each week.  I was a

wreck and thought I could not self inject.  My Rheumy taught me how, and I have

been doing this 6 years with no problems with my stomach.  I could not stand

the 24/7 nausea I had with the pills.

 

I am so happy you like your Rheumy.  I am sure if you put a call through, your

Rheumy can answer your questions.

 

I hope you feel better soon.

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

 

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