Re:Pain Meds and weaning off meds

[Guest guest]

Hello I am new to the group. I was told that I had RA almost nine years ago and

was put on anti-inflammatory, pain med, and muscle relaxer by my old pcp,   He

refused to send me to a RA doc and only treat the symptoms. I continued to work

doing home nursing.  Then six years ago I had 2 discs erupt to press on the

spinal cord.    My old pcp put me on Duragsic Patchs and had to quit working.  I

lost 80 lbs. the first 6 mo. I was on the patches. I have spent the last 6 years

pretty much bedridden, while my RA and back got worse.  Two years ago I got in

to see a back surgeon only to find out that it is to late to fix my back.  I

have permanent damage that could have been fix if something had been done

sooner.  I have taken care of patients with RA and seen what is ahead.  I want

to fight the RA for as long as I can.  I have  spent the last 2 years trying to

find a new pcp because I refused to go back to my old pcp.  For the last year,

my scripts have been running out.  The patches ran out in May.  I went the last

2mo. with no prescriptions.  It was horrible, sickening, and very painful. I

finally found a new pcp two weeks ago.  My new pcp is running a bunch of tests

included one to confirm the RA, so she can send me to a RA doc.  After six years

of lying in bed wish for a different future or death at 42, I have hope that

I'll have help fighting the destruction of my body.  I would love to get my life

back as much as I can.  I have read up on some of the RA meds that are available

and the comments of people on them.  They seem like they help a lot.  Is the

results that you all have experienced?  What about side-effects?  I just want to

be able to enjoy time with my children and grandkids.  Hope all is well or

better for you all.  

- Ohio 

[Guest guest]

All I say is " Wow " .  You certainly have been through the wringer with your

old PCP.  I am glad you have a new PCP and that he is running tests etc. on

you.  I hope if you in fact have RA, that you find a wonderful Rheumy who can

begin to treat your disease aggressively.  It is a horrible shame that your

back could have been fixed for you and you have suffered so much because of a

terrible Dr.

 

You are going in the right direction for yourself.  You just have to focus on

the beginning of your new life with RA.  There are so many RA meds. that work

wonderfully for us.  It just takes time to find the ones that work best for

you.  I wish you great success in your journey to feel better.  There is

always hope, no matter what.  I just take one day at a time as that is all I

can handle.  Rest is very important, as RA is working against our body 24/7,

and that makes out so very tired.

 

There are a lot of things maybe you can't do as well as before, but I have

learned to do things in a different way.  I had a hard time pacing myself and

it took me a long time to master this.  When I wake up each day, I set a goal

for myself.  If I need to get several things done, I do pace myself, and if I

don't get it all done, I will do them tomorrow.  Before RA, I would do

everything, no matter what it took out of me.  I have learned to say no to

family and friends when I am too tired to go with them.  In the beginning, I

would go no matter what, or no matter how much pain I had.  Then I would spend

3-4 days in bed recovering from it.  I could not continue doing that anymore. 

Too much was coming out of me.

 

I pray things will go better for you now that you have a new Dr.  You so

deserve the best a Dr. can do for you.  I hope you will begin to feel better

soon.  Welcome to our wonderful group of special, caring and loving members. 

Remember, everyone here knows what you are dealing with, and the pain that comes

with RA.

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

From: Thorp <dolphinrider0304@...>

Subject: [ ] Re:Pain Meds and weaning off meds

Date: Saturday, August 7, 2010, 11:46 PM

 

Hello I am new to the group. I was told that I had RA almost nine years ago and

was put on anti-inflammatory, pain med, and muscle relaxer by my old pcp,  

He

refused to send me to a RA doc and only treat the symptoms. I continued to work

doing home nursing.  Then six years ago I had 2 discs erupt to press on the

spinal cord.    My old pcp put me on Duragsic Patchs and had to quit

working.  I

lost 80 lbs. the first 6 mo. I was on the patches. I have spent the last 6 years

pretty much bedridden, while my RA and back got worse.  Two years ago I got in

to see a back surgeon only to find out that it is to late to fix my back.  I

have permanent damage that could have been fix if something had been done

sooner.  I have taken care of patients with RA and seen what is ahead.  I want

to fight the RA for as long as I can.  I have  spent the last 2 years trying

to

find a new pcp because I refused to go back to my old pcp.  For the last year,

my scripts have been running out.  The patches ran out in May.  I went the

last

2mo. with no prescriptions.  It was horrible, sickening, and very painful. I

finally found a new pcp two weeks ago.  My new pcp is running a bunch of tests

included one to confirm the RA, so she can send me to a RA doc.  After six

years

of lying in bed wish for a different future or death at 42, I have hope that

I'll have help fighting the destruction of my body.  I would love to get my

life

back as much as I can.  I have read up on some of the RA meds that are

available

and the comments of people on them.  They seem like they help a lot.  Is the

results that you all have experienced?  What about side-effects?  I just want

to

be able to enjoy time with my children and grandkids.  Hope all is well or

better for you all.  

- Ohio