Re: Patsy to Roger

September 8, 2009

Hi ,

I just read your nice note. My first symptoms were in my feet also, Found I

could not play tennis any more. I am so sorry that it hit you so young. I was

60 when it hit hard although I had symptoms earlier. My hands and feet have

always been the worst problem, although I have had knee and shoulder surgery.

I read somewhere that the first year is the worst. I don't suppose that is

true for everyone, but so far it was for me. Enbrel gave me back my life, but I

got a massive lung infection after several years and had to go off Enbrel. I

take Arava now. I am doing well, but it took months to kick in. I also take

Plaquinil (sp).

Good luck to you. You might want to consider seeing an orthopedic doctor who

specializes in feet. A male friend of mine who has RA got his feet straightened

out by a foot specialist who is also a MD.

Hope you are better soon!

Sincerely,

Patsy

________________________________

From: rogertyndall <rogertyndall@...>

Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 4:28:31 PM

Subject: [ ] New Member

Hello

Hello Patsy

Hello Barbara,

Thank you all for your sweet letters to me. I was so surprised to get them so

fast. Ok I will try and answer some questions for you. Yes I have had an ex-ray.

It looked a little like a small piece of bone was chipped off. My Doc gave me

oral prednisone. You know 60 mgs for 3 days then you cut back, etc. Because I

also have pain in my tendon he was afraid it could cause it to break if he gave

me a shot there. It got a little better for a short while and now it is back

where it was. There is a big knot on the rear of my heal. It is very red and it

really hurts. I also got a cortisone shot in my left shoulder. I can't lift it

up very much. It was only better for a few days as well. I think it could be

something wrong with my tendons??? I have reflux sometimes even though I

take my nexium. I always take another nexium if needed. I have not told my doc.

Thanks for wishing me a pain free day. Oh that would be a treat huh. I have doc

visit scheduled for

the 22nd. Hope I can last that long. , Patsy, and Barbara, please tell me

about your RA. How long you have had it etc. Mine started in my feet. I can

remember note being able to let the bed sheets touch my toes. Oh that was

terrible. Like I said I am a new member. I really have not had time to look at

this group very much. I will put my pic on here later. I'm 49 years old now.

Sometimes I feel 90. I hate walking in public with people and you just can't

keep up with them. I guess I will close for now. I can hardly wait to hear from

you all again. God Bless!!

Morehead City NC

September 9, 2009

Hi Patsy,

Thank you for your advice. I will see my Rheumatologist on the 22nd. He is

really a good Dr. He is one of the speakers at the RA meeting they have every

year. He also works with Duke university. I think maybe one of my problems is

that the Humira is not working as well anymore. I have been on it from the

start. Before that I was on Embrel. On my next appointment I will discuss my

options with him. My foot x-ray was done by another doctor in his office. I am

not sure that he had a chance to see the x-ray yet. I was only 35 when I was

diagnoised. It sorta seems like I have always had RA. I have always been on

prednisone as well. Now I am finally having trrouble with my weight. It is so

hard for me to loose weight. I;m hungry all the time. Any I want to thank you

Patsy. It sure feels good to hear from people that understand what I feel. Look

forward to hearing from you again..

________________________________

From: Patsy <pab91101@...>

Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 9:32:04 PM

Subject: [ ] Re: Patsy to