New member and newly diagnosed

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My name is , I am 34 years old and recently diagnosed with RA.

I am trying to find out more about RA. My rheumatologist started me

on Prednisone 8 weeks ago, I am continuing that and just started

Methotrexate and Folic Acid also. The Methotrexate makes me so

nervous, it has so many warnings and stuff. I have so many

questions, but I'll save them for later.

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group. A site I like for general information about RA and related diseases is http://www.arthritisinsight.com/medical/disease/ The main page at that site has links to a lot of other information that you may find useful. Warning labels are frightening. I haven't read the warning label for aspirin lately but I'll bet that is frightening also. The warnings point out all things that have happened while a patient was taking the medicine whether or not the medicine was responsible for the problem. They are written by lawyers to try to protect the company from lawsuits like what is happening to Vioxx. The problems (if real) occur to only a very few of the people who take the medicines and most are easily reversible by stopping the medicine. Untreated RA almost always leads to permanent joint damage. I prefer to take my chances with a possible, usually reversible, problem instead of a likely, irreversible, problem but everyone has to decide for themselves. Please feel free to post any questions you have. God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: sibhusky2002

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 2:59 PM

Subject: New member and newly diagnosed

Hi, My name is , I am 34 years old and recently diagnosed with RA. I am trying to find out more about RA. My rheumatologist started me on Prednisone 8 weeks ago, I am continuing that and just started Methotrexate and Folic Acid also. The Methotrexate makes me so nervous, it has so many warnings and stuff. I have so many questions, but I'll save them for later.