Re: Drugs and taking care of yourself

[Guest guest]

Once you start Remicade, the Rheumi's suggest you never stop it. The rebounds are too hard on our bodies. Obviously, if you have an allergic reaction- you will have to go off it.

I've done many posts on the benefits I've received from the Remicade, and for me it has been excellant.

Right now, I am in flair, but we had some serious family issues recently, and the added stress has taken it's toll.

I don't suggest that anyone start treatment on Remicade, unless you've exhausted all the other choices. If one of the lesser medications will work for you, then that is the level you want to be at.

I say it everytime this comes up, but it is imperative that we eat right, -- get rid of the processed foods, hydrate, and learn to exercise in ways that our bodies can handle. If shortness of breath hits you when you try to exercise, talk to your pulmonologist-- it could be that you desaturate when you exercise. Supplemental oxygen may be helpful.

If you are dehydrated, then your muscles and ligaments can't function the way they should, and your joints aren't being supported by the synovial fluid. So you have more pain.

If you are adding toxins from the food you're eating-- that will add insult to injury. Sugars, sweets, etc-- all wreek havoc on our neuropathy, so try cutting back, or cutting them out of your diet-- see if you feel better.

As far as the drugs-- my experience has been that even with all the immunosuppressants Ive been on-- that weight gain has been an issue. Whether it's the drugs, or that the sarc is messing with my hormones and pituatary- and I know it is- along with my thyroid- weight continues to be a problem.

Coming back to basics in taking care of what we can-- making small changes to see how our bodies react-- can make a world of difference in your pain levels. With sarc, it seems like any change has to be in baby steps- so for those of you that could run the treadmill day after day, try walking on it for 5 or 6 min at 1mph.

Take care,

Tracie

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