new meds

[Guest guest]

Hi Janie,

I am currently using Dovonex, Halog and Beta-Val to treat Psoriasis; and

Arava, Plaquenil, methotrexate, folic acid, colchicine and prednisone for

Arthritis. After having double hip and double knee replacement surgeries

during the summer of 1998, I am now able to walk unaided with only a cane.

Sincerely, Bill

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/8/00 12:53:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

wereid@... writes:

<< Plaquenil, methotrexate, folic acid, colchicine and prednisone for

Arthritis. >>

Bill, haven't had any surg. for arthritis, but am on the same meds you are on

and doing just great. Most of the time. I am so thankful, though I can't do

Nursing any more and have to be careful in my bending or twisting of my

knees. I have them injected with cortisone when I really need it, which

isn't frequently. Good luck to you. Betty in Va.

[Guest guest]

Hi Betty,

In 1997, a year before my surgery, I received cortisone injections

in my knees. which had been recommended to be replaced in 1996.

Later, in March 1998 I hit my hip getting out of my car in the garage.

When the pain would not go away, I had my hips x-rayed, which

showed that PA had spread to my hips so much that in April 1998

I faced the need to have both double hip and knee replacement

surgeries; in which I felt blessed to survive and recover.

Some suggestions if you are thinking about having these

operations are 1) consider having a bone density test; 2) consider

having a calcium serum blood test; and 3) consider water therapy

exercises. Best Wishes to you, Bill in DC

[Guest guest]

Janie,

I am taking MTX because it has stopped the progression of PA. Celebrex was

added to make it better for me when getting up in the morning and to help out

with the stomach. Clebrex has helped with the pain associated with the

tendons and joints. They various meds over the past 20+ years did not stop

the damage as MTX has. I still have tendon and muscle pain, in fact it is

now my biggest problem. The joints look better and the severe joint pain has

been reduced. The skin has improved with MTX, just reddish in former scale

areas, not anything like the scaling that I have had. I also use Tylenol

when the muscle/tendon pain gets real bad. Since I started MTX I have had

very little trouble with my legs and feet. Prior to that I never knew if I

would be able to walk one day to the next. I still have " bad days " every few

days, but as I said it is primarily the muscle/tendon problem.

Hope this helps, best of luck in your search for meds......Bob in VA

[Guest guest]

Hi Ro, I'm also on MTX 7.5mg weekly, Vioxx 25mg daily, Folic Acid, and Enbrel. It has taken me 4 months to get the benefit of Enbrel but I can tell a significant difference now. Hang in there, relief will come. I'm weaning the MTX, it's been cut in half now and I'm doing better than I did on the MTX/Vioxx combo. I just hope it keeps on working. I noticed ankle swelling when I started Vioxx and it gets worse when it's that time of month since being on Enbrel, also no period since September and I was like clock work, just spotting is all I get. Hope this helps. Cassie

[Guest guest]

It was very hard on my liver. I had to stop using it. RC

[ ] New meds

> Hi all

> A couple of weeks ago I saw my RD. He was very concerned about the

tingling

> and numbness in my hands, amongst other symptoms. I have started taking

> Salazopyrin (aka sulfasalazine. These, I beleive are immune supressents. I

> would be interested to hear from anyone who has been or is on these. What

> sort of experiences have people had? What side-effects have you

experienced?

[Guest guest]

I have started taking Salazopyrin (aka sulfasalazine). These, I

believe are immune suppressants. I would be interested to hear from

anyone who has been or is on these. What sort of experiences have

people had? What side-effects have you experienced?

,

I've been taking Sulfasalazine for 6 years now. Any side effects I

might have had went away in 2 or 3 weeks after my body adjusted to

the medicine, but everyone is different. Actually Sulfa. has always

been my " base " PA medicine, that is, everything else I've taken from

Indocin to MTX to whatever's next has been added to the Sulfa. (3000

mg. a day).

I do remember reading that a minority of people have problems with

sulfur based medications, but I don't remember why. Good luck, Jim

[Guest guest]

> > Hi all

> > A couple of weeks ago I saw my RD. He was very concerned about the

> tingling

> > and numbness in my hands, amongst other symptoms. I have started taking

> > Salazopyrin

I took sulfa for a couple of months and had tingling sensations in the

hands as well. But worst was the head aches and nausea as soon as I

tried to move up to full dose. I'm hon half dose now, and have added

chlorokin phosphate and am trying the combo.

(aka sulfasalazine. These, I beleive are immune supressents.

I don't think they are. They're shulphur-something, and it has been in

use longer than penicillin, but with much the same use. I have a friend

who took something like it for Acne (!) A person can be allergic to

salazopyrine just like penicillin and the allergy causes shock. But if

you're OK after a few week I think you're out of trouble.

I

> > would be interested to hear from anyone who has been or is on these. What

> > sort of experiences have people had? What side-effects have you

> experienced?

I must say that although I cannot take the full dose and the lesser

amount does not suffice to take the pain/swelling/tiredness away but

manages to reduce it, I'm happy with them. I have better circulation

and feel on the whole rather well ,(in comparison). Also I think they

are quite harmless to use for prolonged periods of time

///Theresa

[Guest guest]

hi sarah

I took salazapyrin for 10 weeks with great results and was feeling relatively

pain free. Then i develpoed a measle like rash all over my body which was a

severe reaction to the sulphur. I had to stop immediately

and now am on methotrexate.I have been told by my rhuemy that I must NOT take

anything with sulphur again as the next reation will be worse. So

that also means Celebrex ect

hope this works for you because any relief is welcome

sheryn in australia

Boorman wrote:

> Hi all

> ... I have started taking Salazopyrin (aka sulfasalazine)...What

> sort of experiences have people had? What side-effects have you experienced?

[Guest guest]

I have not heard of this new medicine. What possible side effects can there be?

Just wondering as I do not know of any that is really safe including my

Celebrex. Sure wish they could come out with something that would not have

dangerous side effects.

Good luck to you and your new medicine. I hope it works. I know that with that

Low in the Gulf of Mexico my Celebrex is not working as good. I live on the west

coast of Florida and have been in pain all day. In places I did not know I was

having problems with. I sure wish I could have just regular arthritis. It cannot

be this painful in so many places. Of course like they always say. The grass is

not greener on the other side.

Michele Dutson <Dutson1@...> wrote:

Hi all just wanted to let u know, I have recently been given by Rheumy,

apparently the newest drug for PA, this is called Leflunomide and also there

is a new cream out for the P, this is Dovobet. The Cream is only suppose to

be used for short-term and it has only just come out by a company called

Leo.

I used to be methotrexate and Cyclosporine but they no longer make any

difference, apparently been on them too long, so hopefully this new drug

works, once it kicks in of course. Which is taking a long time.

I also have had joint replacement in all of my fingers now, and in some had

the joint taken out altogether. Not much fun but wot the heck.

It is likely that an op will have to be done on my feet, toes, and I was

wondering if anyone out there has had anything similiar done.

I would be grateful to hear from anyone with any advice.

Thanx

Shell Dutson

_________________________________________________________________

Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 07/11/2002 2:15:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

sunnie33971@... writes:

> What possible side effects can there be? Just wondering as I do not know of

> any that is really safe including my Celebrex

Well, I don't really think any of our meds are truly safe. Not to cause

panic, but MTX can cause cancer, enbrel (they suspect) may be related to an

increase of MS and other things, celebrex and vioxx can cause heart problems,

NSAIDS can cause liver and stomach problems - and let's not get started on

steriods.

I think we just need to think about picking the lesser of the evils - PA? or

drugs that let us lead a somewhat normal life?

[Guest guest]

Hi Medisme,

You sound like we could be sisters, last time I stubbed my toe I got

cellutitis, the time before that a bone infection. The Dr's have said I am

coming to

the point of having to stop the MTX and nothing else to replace it due to

natural reduced immunity and postitive TB test. I guess we all have to make our

own choices for the quality of life available to us. You are not alone, we are

all in there together,

Gentle Hugs,

Carol M.

[Guest guest]

HI, i took lyrica for about week or two. but i felt very stoned and out of

control from it and when i threw a temper tantrum at work,(so out of

character for me) i got off it immediately and went back to the neurontin. i

am not

a fan of lyrica.

[Guest guest]

Hi Mandy,

I have been readingup on Lyrica because I was on baclofen but my Dr changed

me to Lyrica EXCEPT it has been 2 weeks and I need some sort of authorization

from my insurance or something.. Anyways, I have read that it can make you feel

" stoned " along with other side effects. That may be why you feel strange.

Mandy <summersetghosthunter@...> wrote:

My pain doc started me on a new med thursday. They put me on Lyrica,

has anyone else taken it. I'm feeling very strange and am wondering if

it's just the medicine.

TTFN- Deb

---------------------------------

Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not radically different. Just

radically better.

[Guest guest]

That must be it I feel like I have to think to move my arms, I

couldn't turn a doorknob today. I felt like a complete idiot and got

adjetated since I couldn't get it to work on the first try. That

usually doesn't happen to me. I hope this feeling goes away soon. I

understand about waiting for your insurence company. I had to wait

two days for them to aprove my celebrex.

> My pain doc started me on a new med thursday. They put

me on Lyrica,

> has anyone else taken it. I'm feeling very strange and am

wondering if

> it's just the medicine.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> TTFN- Deb

>

> ---------------------------------

> Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not radically

different. Just radically better.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have been feeling a little scared of taking Lyrica after everything I' ve read

about it. I was on baclofen for 2 weeks and it seemed to work fine except I fell

and so the Doc felt it was not good for me but since I am still waiting for my

insurance to approve lyrica I have been taking the baclofen. I am tired if my

left hand tingling every time I move my head and the baclofen helps relieve the

tinging. I just take it once a day instead of twice. My Doc is not a fan of

neurotin at all. He said some of his patients were on neurotin and had some bad

side effects. I think with any of these medicines there are side effects, it is

just how your body responds.

BLEECKERST10012@... wrote:

HI, i took lyrica for about week or two. but i felt very stoned and

out of

control from it and when i threw a temper tantrum at work,(so out of

character for me) i got off it immediately and went back to the neurontin. i am

not

a fan of lyrica.

[Guest guest]

I just seem to have trouble with depth perseption and response time.

luckly i don't have to drive a lot or i wouldn't be able to take the

stuff. as it is now i time my doses so i'm driving as it wears off

and not just after i take it.

> HI, i took lyrica for about week or two. but i felt very

stoned and out of

> control from it and when i threw a temper tantrum at work,(so out

of

> character for me) i got off it immediately and went back to the

neurontin. i am not

> a fan of lyrica.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Mandy,

It's the medication. It even says in the side effect section that it may

make you feel 'high'. Please be careful the first few days on the

medication. I hope it helps in the long run. Lyrica was made to replace

Neurontin. If you continue to have problems with Lyrica ask to try

Neurontin. It's suppose to help reduce nerve pain.

New Meds

My pain doc started me on a new med thursday. They put me on Lyrica,

has anyone else taken it. I'm feeling very strange and am wondering if

it's just the medicine.

[Guest guest]

i am not a fan of neurontin either but it had the least amount of side

affects of the nerve medications. and it very much helped with the nerve pain.

before my surgery i was taking 2400 mg a day. i had heard about neurontin from

this group. my doctor did not tell me about it and i had to demand it from

my doctor. but it really did help. good luck, marsha

[Guest guest]

Thank's, It's been about three days and i'm already starting to feel

better. Hopefully tonight goes beter than last night. I seemed to

have more trouble about three hours after I take it.

>

> i am not a fan of neurontin either but it had the least amount of

side

> affects of the nerve medications. and it very much helped with the

nerve pain.

> before my surgery i was taking 2400 mg a day. i had heard about

neurontin from

> this group. my doctor did not tell me about it and i had to

demand it from

> my doctor. but it really did help. good luck, marsha

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am taking Lyrica for a damaged nerve L5-S1. I had laminectomy and there was a

bone spur compressing nerve and caused nerve kink. I am very sensitive to pain

meds, etc. but am tolerating this pretty well. I am only taking one 75mg.

tablet 2 times a day. I tried taking 2 at a time and was totally bombed out of

my skull, spent day on sofa in stupor. I have been told my condition could last

a year, much pain down leg and back, pretty depressed about this.

PD

[Guest guest]

I have been on Lyrica for six months and I havn't

noticed any side affects. I have noticed a lot of

tingling in my feet and legs. The zdr. said that that

was due to my nerve ends regenerating. Who knows? I

was on Neurontin before the Lyrica and didn't notice

anything. I guess that it is different strokes for

different folks.

Al

--- Debra Rodebaugh <debrar65@...> wrote:

> Hi Mandy,

> I have been readingup on Lyrica because I was on

> baclofen but my Dr changed me to Lyrica EXCEPT it

> has been 2 weeks and I need some sort of

> authorization from my insurance or something..

> Anyways, I have read that it can make you feel

> " stoned " along with other side effects. That may be

> why you feel strange.

>

> Mandy <summersetghosthunter@...> wrote:

> My pain doc started me on a new med

> thursday. They put me on Lyrica,

> has anyone else taken it. I'm feeling very strange

> and am wondering if

> it's just the medicine.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> TTFN- Deb

>

> ---------------------------------

> Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not

> radically different. Just radically better.

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I seem to have gotten used to it. I was extremly tired when I

started taking it but know I'm doing much beter. The muscle relaxer

really knocks me out but I only take it at bed time so it's not a

problem. Thanks everyone for your help. I work in a hospital but I

have no experience with meds. Mandy

> > My pain doc started me on a new med

> > thursday. They put me on Lyrica,

> > has anyone else taken it. I'm feeling very strange

> > and am wondering if

> > it's just the medicine.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > TTFN- Deb

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not

> > radically different. Just radically better.

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hi guys,

I have been on lyrica since i had surgery on my back. I think it saved my

life, A few days after I had surgery I had nerve pain like i never had before.

My doctor put me on lyrica and the pain went away within minutes. At first I

couldn't tell if the lyrica was making me feel stoned since i was on a lot of

pain meds. 4 months after surgery i am off most of my pain meds and the lyrica

continues to control my nerve pain, and yes i still have pain and tingling on my

feet and legs but nothing like before.

wanessa

Mandy <summersetghosthunter@...> wrote:

I seem to have gotten used to it. I was extremly tired when I

started taking it but know I'm doing much beter. The muscle relaxer

really knocks me out but I only take it at bed time so it's not a

problem. Thanks everyone for your help. I work in a hospital but I

have no experience with meds. Mandy

> > My pain doc started me on a new med

> > thursday. They put me on Lyrica,

> > has anyone else taken it. I'm feeling very strange

> > and am wondering if

> > it's just the medicine.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > TTFN- Deb

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not

> > radically different. Just radically better.

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy, Forget the Humira. Get rid of the toxic cocktails! Why aren't you on

Minocin or talking about Antibiotic Protocol and finding out about the

Infectious Theory. It's all in the books by Henry Scammell and Dr.

MacPherson Brown. The titles are: " The New Arthritis Breakthrough " , by Henry

Scammell, " Scleroderma, The Proven Therapy That Can Save Your Life. " by Henry

Scammell and " The Road Back " , co-written by both Scammell and Dr. Brown. Those

toxic drugs suppress the immune system. What you want to do is enhance the

immune system so that it will start working on it's own again. I hate these

docs who give you a temporary feel good medicine while the meds rob you of life.

Meth, Prednisone and all the rest are just Dr. Feelgood remedies while you die

inside. It's like putting a bandaid on a cancer. Wake up. and think! Get

healthy. These illnesses have an Infectious origin. Get rid of the infection

and boost the immune system. You got a lot of research

work to do. After 18 months of being on antibiotics, resting, eating right,

thinking positively and surrounding myself with a good support group at home and

on-line, I am in remission. I was given up for dead several years ago. This

year I spent the winter traipsing thru the Caribbean and last Saturday night, my

husband and I danced the night away at my friends birthday party and I am going

on 71 in August. It can be done. Look at Lance Armstrong who was ion his

deathbed from cancer and got up to win all those trophies. Got married, had

children, is on T.V all the time and became not only a celebrity but a

millionaire. Good luck kid, ~~~~Dolores

Kathy <sunbriar@...> wrote: Hi, my DR today said to stop taking the

methotrexate (yeah) but now he wants me to try Humira. Anyone have any comments

about this med before I go get it? He said my bloodwork was showing some kidney

issues and that I may have had an issue before he even started the methotrexate

and I should stay away from celebrex, ibuprofren and aspririns for ever... I

felt no better on methotrexate and maybe even worse (not sure cause I have other

issues to deal with) but my hands still hurt and other parts too, only the pain

pills seems to help. So he says to start the humira and see if that helps. he

said if it doesnt we can just go with the pain pills alone. I also see my endo

next week, and Ill tell him all this too, cause Im not sure how my hormones are

affecting all this arthritis. kathy