Guest guest Posted July 12, 2002 Report Share Posted July 12, 2002 My sociology teacher gave me a good pause to think giving a story of how silly the townspeople thought it was that the Indians did a rain dance and thought that could bring rain in the midst of a drought. At church on Sunday the congregation all prayed for rain. Terry Long <pawpawto3@...> wrote: If I thought that would work, I would even pay them to do it. Terry M B <bestofmarys57@...> wrote: Hey Terry have you considered getting some of the local indians to do a good old fashioned rain dance...couldn't hurt. Hopefully your parched land will be replenished with rain soon. Keep cool, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2002 Report Share Posted July 12, 2002 We have been praying for rain & I know that when the time is right our lord will have it rain. Terry imaganeer <imaganeer@...> wrote: My sociology teacher gave me a good pause to think giving a story of how silly the townspeople thought it was that the Indians did a rain dance and thought that could bring rain in the midst of a drought. At church on Sunday the congregation all prayed for rain. Terry Long <pawpawto3@...> wrote: If I thought that would work, I would even pay them to do it. Terry M B <bestofmarys57@...> wrote: Hey Terry have you considered getting some of the local indians to do a good old fashioned rain dance...couldn't hurt. Hopefully your parched land will be replenished with rain soon. Keep cool, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2002 Report Share Posted November 9, 2002 Hi Jenn, I'm somewhat in the same situation you are. I'm 31 and was diagnosed 10 yrs ago with PA. I also don't have any children and would like to hopefully conceive children soon. My fingers are really bad with the deformities, they don't really look like a nornal hand anymore although they are still functional. I started 10 years ago on MTX which did my arthritis very little good if any. It may have helped the psoriasis on my scalp but that wasn't my main concern then, it was the arthritis I was trying to stop. Anyways, you say you are on remicade and MTX. Have you had any improvement from the remicade and/or MTX? I am also on Remicade and arava but I haven't seen any improvement and I will be going for my 4th infusion on 11/27/02. Also, I haven't been able to become pregnant in the past 11 years and we used no birth control whatsoever. I haven't been to see a fertility doctor mainly because I have PA and would need to most likely stop all meds which I tried to do when I stopped taking MTX about 2 yrs ago because I felt it wasn't doing me any good anyways and I wasn't getting any worse so why keep taking it. I wanted to get pregnant and I was advised to NOT become pregnant while on MTX because " your baby will come out looking like a monster. " Those were the exact words my doctor used. Well I stopped MTX for almost a whole year and still couldn't get pregnant, then about 6 months ago I had a bad flare and now here I am. So for me too, getting pregnant will not be an easy thing. Anyways, welcome to the group!! We all got to stick together with this " gift " we've been blessed with and just hope they find something that will help all of us. Good luck to you- Kathleen in CA [ ] new to group Hello My name is Haracopos and I just joined your group. I'm 29 years old and was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis about a year ago. I had suffered (and self-treated with massive amounts of Aleve) for about a year before that. I currently am taking remicade and methtrexate to control my symptoms. Right now (knock massive amounts of wood), I'm living symptom-free, but worrying all the time about living with PA for the rest of my life. Most specifically, becoming pregnant. My fiance and I are planning to get married with the next year and will be making 'making babies' our top priority right after that. Although I've read some posts about how pregnancy itself alleviets the symptoms of PA, I was wondering what you do (besides the obvious of course) when you are trying to become pregnant. Do you go off your meds entirely ... are there certain ones that are safer than others? I also have polycystic ovarian syndrome, so becoming pregnant will not be a quick and/ or easy thing. I've never had the opportunity to speak (either through e-mail or any other means) with anyone else who has this condition. And everyone I see at my rheumotologist's office is not exactly in the same life stage as I am, so I'm very excited to join this community. Jenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2002 Report Share Posted December 4, 2002 Welcome Kirsten! Isn't it awful to be so young and feel so old! I am 27 and have had PA for about a year. Sometimes the old ladies pass me up in the grocery store aisles! I live in Northern Indiana, but have relatives in Indianapolis. In fact, my sister-in-law is a speech pathologist in Indy. I can't remember which hospital she works at. This group is a wonderful place to vent, get support, and have your questions answered. Good luck in your quest for relief! I wish you many pain-free days ahead! Meredith [ ] New to Group > > I apologize for the late introduction... I posted a question yesterday > before I'd read most of the postings. I didn't realize what a close nit > community you all are. I was so pleasantly surprised to hear how much > support and information is shared here. > My history in a nutshell... > Diagnosed with Psoriasis at a young age (a genetic gift from Mom!). > Joint pain intermittent all my life (family often thought I was just lazy). > Big increases in primarily knee pain as I reached my 20's. > Knee pain has gotten MUCH worse in the past 4-5 years. > Innumerable medications and 1 knee surgery later... I finally got the > diagnosis of PA (after ruling out all the usual- lupus, gout, lyme disease, > etc. etc. etc.). > So now at 30 years old, I could hardly walk on Thanksgiving Day, haven't > gone more than a week without pain in nearly 5 years, and I wonder why I'm > also dealing with psych. issues! ly, at this point I'd worry about me > if I didn't have psych. issues! > On a personal note... I live in Indianapolis and have a wonderful supportive > family. A boyfriend who is slowly learning what living with this disease is > like (and is so far willing to take this journey with me), and dog who has > enough energy for the both of us! I'm a Speech Language Pathologist working > in a hospital- so I'm running the hospital all day and have a unique > perspective on the effects of disease. While I see how relatively fortunate > I am, I also see the slippery slope I'm on (with medications and physical > compensations and such). > So anyway, that's me. > > Better get back to work now. > I look forward to " meeting " you all! > Kirsten Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2002 Report Share Posted December 4, 2002 HAHA... isn't that the truth! Reason #549 why I hate grocery shopping! Kirsten > Welcome Kirsten! > Isn't it awful to be so young and feel so old! I am 27 and have had PA for > about a year. Sometimes the old ladies pass me up in the grocery store > aisles! > I live in Northern Indiana, but have relatives in Indianapolis. In fact, my > sister-in-law is a speech pathologist in Indy. I can't remember which > hospital she works at. > This group is a wonderful place to vent, get support, and have your > questions answered. > Good luck in your quest for relief! > I wish you many pain-free days ahead! > Meredith > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2002 Report Share Posted December 4, 2002 Hi Meredith an all Why not order your groceries online? That way you can lounge in a hot bath while some some fit young lads carry all the heavy stuff to your door and the old ladies look on in envy... Crispin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2003 Report Share Posted March 28, 2003 In a message dated 3/28/2003 6:19:35 PM Eastern Standard Time, atybug@... writes: > The > next 2 drugs he may try if this doesn't work are Imuran or > Minocyclene. Anyone with experiences with these drugs out there that > could give me any info, I would greatly appreciate it. > I tried Mincyclene. Didn't do anything but give me yeast infection..ick! My rheumy didn't want to put me on it, but I talked her into trying it. Stayed on it for several months, but no luck. Oh, well. Smile, Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2003 Report Share Posted March 28, 2003 Alison, Welcome, I started on oral Mtx, so I went thru the route of being really sick for 2 days after taking the meds. I was started on Mtx and Plaquenil at the same time by my Internist. I was already taking Celebrex. None of this had immediate help, I then saw my Rheumy, he put me on 25mg of injectable MTX, 1 mg of Folic Acid and 10mg of Pred. Approximately 10 days after I started the Pred I was beginning to feel better. I was told that the Pred would help me until the MTX took affect. I took 10 mg for 60 days, then went down to 9......2 weeks down to 8mg..... I am down to 6 mg. The first drop of mg of Pred was very,very difficult. But my Dr. said I needed to give it a good try. I have gone back and forth a little, (with Dr. advice). On my last visit to my Rheumy. He said that he has done a number of studies and Prednisone 10mg and under is not as damaging as once thought (My Rheumy is an Associate Professor at Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, CA). He said some people just need to stay on their dosage between 5mg-10mg that keeps them comfortable. He also told me, that if I have an event that may be stressful, exciting, etc. that I can take 10mg for a few days to build up/ reduce pain and be able to enjoy the quality of life. I also do this when my toes swell into sausages, it really helps. I think it took 6 months for the MTX to really work for me. Hope this helps. Gentle Hugs & Prayers, Carol M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2003 Report Share Posted March 29, 2003 " at first and now he has moved it to 35mg. IM weekly. I'm on 10mg of pred. a day. " Welcome to the group. Sorry I have not tried either Imuran or Minocyclene. I have been on MTX for over a year. It didn't do anything for me. Now as of January MTX along with Enbrel is working fairly well. You can go to <www.enbrel.com> and check to see if they a program you can get on, since you do not have insurance. Another place to try is <www.psoriasis.org>. This is the " National Psoriasis Foundation " (NPF). They also have programs for people without insurance. I hope you get the help you need. I am sure other members on this group can point out other places to go, to try to get more help. Stay in touch, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2003 Report Share Posted March 29, 2003 Using the Google Alert program inputting " minocycline rheumatoid arthritis " ,comes up with the following links. 1) Hotline - MINOCYCLINE FOR TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS ... In the January 15, 1995 issue of the ls of Internal Medicine, investigators in the MIRA (Minocycline in Rheumatoid Arthritis) Trial Group reported the ... http://www.rheumatology.org/research/hotline/0195minocycline.htm 2) Minocycline in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis Minocycline in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis : by drdoc on-line. ... The Minocycline in rheumatoid arthritis study (Tilley et al. ... http://www.arthritis.co.za/minocycline_in_tra.htm 3) Minocycline for rheumatoid arthritis Minocycline for rheumatoid arthritis. Reference. ... Minocycline in rheumatoid arthritis: a 48 week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. ... http://www.infopoems.com/POEMs/JC059502.htm 4) Minocycline in Rheumatoid Arthritis, ls 24 Apr 98 Minocycline in Rheumatoid Arthritis. ... This experience complements reports of other studies of minocycline for treating rheumatoid arthritis (19, 20, 22). ... http://www.acponline.org/journals/annals/15jan95/minocyc.htm 5) Clinical Trial Shows Minocycline is Safe and Effective for ... .... Findings of the Minocycline in Rheumatoid Arthritis (MIRA) Trial are reported in the January 15 issue of ls in Internal Medicine. ... http://www.niams.nih.gov/ne/press/1995/01_14.htm 6) Rheumatoid Arthritis ... Clinical Trials about Antibiotherapy for certain arthritic conditions: Minocycline in rheumatoid arthritis. A 48-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. ... http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/normap/RA.htm 7) MINOCYCLINE CURES RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS 7989. MINOCYCLINE CURES RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. Gabe Mirkin, MD. An exciting study from the University of Nebraska shows that the antibiotic ... http://www.drmirkin.com/joints/7989.htm 8) Postgraduate Medicine: Antibiotics for rheumatoid arthritis? .... This practice would seem reasonable (although the Food and Drug Administration has not approved minocycline for rheumatoid arthritis), but it is more likely to ... http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/1999/04_99/alarcon.htm 9) Minocycline is Effective in Mild- to Moderate Rheumatoid ... .... Minocycline in active rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum. 1994;37:629-36. ... Minocycline in rheumatoid arthritis. ... http://www.med.ufl.edu/rheum/mino.html 10) Minocycline in rheumatoid arthritis. A 48-week, double-blind, ... Minocycline in rheumatoid arthritis. ... OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of minocycline in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. ... http://www.compkarori.com/arthritis/pi15001.htm 11) Treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis with minocycline or ... Treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis with minocycline or placebo: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled t. ... http://www.compkarori.com/arthritis/pi15002.htm 12) Rheumatoid-Arthritis Drug Found ... Doctors haven't proved, or disproved, that an infection causes rheumatoid arthritis. And early studies of minocycline showed only a modest effect, discouraging... http://www.tldp.com/issue/178/Rheumatoid%20Arthritis%20Drug.html 13) title ... Previous studies had linked minocycline to improvements in rheumatoid arthritis, though two large studies in patients with advanced disease showed the drug ... http://www.unmc.edu/News/ODELL.HTM 14) For more information, contact: UNMC study published in leading arthritis, rheumatology journal; minocycline viable treatment for early stages of rheumatoid arthritis. ... http://www.unmc.edu/News/minocycline.htm 15) EARLY TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS BETTER ... Six prospective double blind studies show that the antibiotic, minocycline helps treat rheumatoid arthritis, provided the antibiotic is started within the ... http://www.drmirkin.com/joints/1196.html 16) Antibiotic Treatment ... org. Minocycline In Treatment Of RA An assessment of the use of minocycline to treat rheumatoid arthritis, by drdoc. New Treatments ... http://arthritis.about.com/cs/antibiotic/ 17) SERO NEGATIVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS ... My doctor said it was likely that I had rheumatoid arthritis and prescribed aspirin ... took a summary of the 1995 National Institute of Health minocycline study to ... http://www.rheumatic.org/david.htm 18) RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS ... At this time I began to research rheumatoid arthritis on the Internet and came ... was a chance, however slim, I would ask for this minocycline and clindamycin. ... http://www.rheumatic.org/judy2.htm 19) Drug Company Denies Harvard Rheumatoid Arthritis Researcher 7/13 ... adults with rheumatoid arthritis, supported by the National Institutes of Health and published in 1995, found, however, that minocycline significantly reduced ... http://www.mercola.com/2002/jul/13/ra_researcher.htm 20) Research URLS ... Minocycline in rheumatoid arthritis. A 48 ... Radiographic results from the Minocycline in Rheumatoid Arthritis (MIRA) Trial. Bluhm GB ... http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/6412/research.htm 21) Antibiotic Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis ... The preliminary results of the clinical trials, known now as MIRA or Minocycline in Rheumatoid Arthritis, were promising and the NIH requested grant ... http://arthritis.about.com/library/weekly/aa072998.htm 22) Postgraduate Medicine: Symposium:Rheumatologic Diseases ... Treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis with minocycline or placebo: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. ... http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/1998/02_98/grem.htm 23) Tetracyclines in Rheumatoid arthritis ... I see the minocycline as having a mild to medium disease modifying activity in RA. ... For an update on the use of minocycline in RA go to my minocycline page. ... http://www.arthritis.co.za/tetrex.htm 24) NIH Guide: PILOT STUDY: INTRAVENOUS ANTIBIOTICS FOR RHEUMATOID ...joint destruction in inflammatory arthritis, has recently ... small open trials oral minocycline appeared to improve outcome in rheumatoid patients (Breedveld ... http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AR-94-006.html 25) s Hopkins Arthritis ACR 2000 Highlights on Early Rheumatoid ... Abstract #1894 Early Sero-Positive Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Treatment: A 2-Year, Double-Blind Comparison of Minocycline and Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) O ... http://www.hopkins-arthritis.som.jhmi.edu/edu/acr2000/ra-earlyra.html 26) Antibiotic Provides Significant Improvement in Early Rheumatoid ...Case studies previously linked the antibiotic minocycline to improvements in rheumatoid arthritis, though two large studies in patients with long-standing ... http://www.docguide.com/dg.nsf/PrintPrint/69BC771AAD85C82E8525654B006 F34A7 27) Rheumatoid Arthritis HQ ... DrMirkin - minocycline and rheumatoid arthritis (301-942-7900, DrMirkin.com); Rheumatoid arthritis - what is it, causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis ... http://www.rheumatoidarthritishq.com/3alternativetreatments.html 28) Minocycline (Minomycin) .... A number of studies have been performed in North America, Europe, and in Israel on the efficacy of Minocycline in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. ... http://www.rheumatology.org.nz/nz09005.htm 29) Minocycline ... When used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, minocycline is a slowly acting medication-taking months to show maximum benefit. Most ... http://www.midwestarthritis.com/html/minocycline.htm 30) Rheumatoid Arthritis ... Neb; Omaha, Neb; et al) Treatment of Early Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis with Minocycline: Four Year Followup of a Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial. ... http://www.mdbrowse.com/Speciality/Medicine/RheumatoidArthritis.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2003 Report Share Posted March 30, 2003 An article on a small group of subjects conducted by the Univ. of Memphis a few years ago suggested that clondemycin [i think that's the right name], an antibiotic, cleared up p lesions & helped with pa. Wish I still had the article. Sylvia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2003 Report Share Posted March 31, 2003 Fran, Don't know how much help I can give, but I think all of us in this group have been exactly where you are at one time or another. It sounds like you have had a lot of surgery, and you do know how hard it is to fight back from the anestetic, weakness, and all the yuck that goes along with recovery. Unfortunately, PA is the same battle, only it is ongoing. When I was first started on MTX orally, I could barely walk across the room without crying or having to stop to take a break. I started taking 7 pills, and am now taking 25mg injected. The pills really made me sick. I vomited, and felt like a prisoner in a sick body. The injections are much, much easier, I don't get sick from them. But it seems like it took almost 6 months for the MTX to take affect. My Rheumy put me on 10mg of Prednisone to " bridge " until the MTX kicked in. Pred really helped with my pain and energy. I was able to get out and do things again. I am now able to walk on the treadmill, do water exercises , and Yoga. I gained a lot of weight with the Pred, but now that I am more active, I am loosing it fast. The Prednisone really helped get me back in the fight. I know there are side affects, but I am 55 and am more looking for quality of life, than gutting out a fight I cannot win. E-mail me if you need to talk one on one Gentle Hugs & prayers, Carol M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2003 Report Share Posted March 31, 2003 Fran, I understand--more than that, I can honestly empathize--with you. I have had PA for 38 years, and managed it via the methotrexate therapy regimen for 22 years. There are all sorts of things to be said regarding the philosophical/psychological approach to fighting/living with PA; to each his own. My approach has been via the precepts of zen Buddhism, which I advocate for no-one but myself (and others so inclined, of course); the principal concepts--again, for me--have been along the " living with " line, especially given that PA presupposes that we are already fighting with ourselves: That's what autoimmune disorders are, and adding additional " fighting, " or struggling against a part of oneself is probably not going to be fruitful. From the medical perspective, the most helpful thing has been having an understanding Internist and Pain Management doctor. Between the three of us, we have arrived at a regimen of meds, exercise, etc., that keep me as good as I can be. That includes a pain med (Avinza) that works very well for me, like Dorothy's oil can applied to the Tin Man's joints in the Wizard of Oz. Yes, it would be better not to have to take a narcotic. But taking one is far preferable to the alternative (floating in a hot tub all day, every day, and still being in excruciating pain). Good pain control has been the key that unlocks my front door, allows me to go to work full-time, and have some semblance of a normal life. I hope, and trust, that you will find the right combination of mental precepts and medical assistance that will make your days as least unpleasant--and make some days just peachy, too--as mine are. Take care. D. > I have been recently diagnosed with PA. I also have OA and have had > my knees replaced and a shoulder reconstructed. My Rheumy has put me > of Folic Acid, MTX, and I am scheduled to start Remicade infusions as > soon as a central line is inserted for the infusions. I have been > monitoring your chat board for a couple of weeks. I need to hear > from someone who is controlling this disease with the meds, exercise, > Diet, and modifications to their life style with out becoming a > invalid or hermit. I am so depressed. I have trouble doing house > work, some of the simplest self care, and I am slowly becoming a > prisioner in my own home. HELP!!!!!!!!! FRAN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2003 Report Share Posted April 1, 2003 > > I am scheduled to start Remicade infusions as soon as > a central line is inserted for the infusions. What on earth is a " central line " ??? I had four Remicade infusions before switching to Humira, and each time the nurse simply inserted a needle into a vein in my hand (as she did with the other people who were in the same room with me receiving infusions at the same time), and taped it down until the infusion was completed and then removed the needle afterwards. -- Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2003 Report Share Posted April 2, 2003 If Remicade doesn't work, get Enbrel. Enbrel has worked wonders for. I was once just like you, but now......well I am not limping :-) Thanks, " need to hear from someone who is controlling this disease with the meds, exercise, Diet, and modifications to their life style with out becoming a invalid or hermit. " ===== in Atlanta, GA -------------------- Moderator two cents: I've been on Enbrel for over two years now and started when on 40mg of Oxycontin twice a day for pain. Now I take just the anti-inflammatory on good days and today climbed some stairs for the first time in over five years without holding onto the handrails. Might be the great weather or it might be the Enbrel putting me into a mild remission of sorts. PA cycles thru the year so maybe just a good time for me but I plan to get stuff done while I have the chance. PatB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2003 Report Share Posted April 4, 2003 > Hello everyone... I'm actually just excited to find > a support group somewhat related to psoriasis. > I don't have PA but have suffered from P for 3 years > now and I'm 27. Always looking for people to chat > with about the disease. nursz2b, You are of course welcome to participate in our PA forum, but I would suggest that you might be better served by joining one of the many on- line forums dealing specifically with psoriasis. Some examples are the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF - You ARE a member aren't you? ;-) forum at http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/ and the forum at psoriasis_support/ Best wishes, -- Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2003 Report Share Posted April 28, 2003 Now I'm not on TRT...but I have read a lot about it. From what I've read it's very common to feel great the first few weeks on it, and then your body stops making T altogether. So, in order to maintain an adequate level of T, you have to adjust your dosage upwards. I think your doctor should be checking your level and adjusting tweaking the dosage he's prescribed for you. The goal of T therapy is to raise the level up to where you feel better. I'm 42 and just tested out at 285. Which puts me in the bottom 5% of men my age. Your 230 isn't just low, it's low for a 90 year old man. Jerry > For someone who has the time to read all of this, I'm trying to find > out what I should expect regarding HRT. > > I'm 46 years old. At age 40, I tested for borderline low testosterone > at about 290, AFTER losing about 70 pounds (diet and exercise) over 6 > months, going from 210 to 140 at 5'6 " . After going through the usual > tests, whatever reason for the low level couldn't be determined. The > doc thought it was basically a life long deficiency (smaller penis > and testicles, sparse pubic hair, but heavy beard and normal body > hair, low libido, low metabolism, etc.) The doc prescribed Androderm > which I used for about 5 months. Eventually, I developed allergic > skin reactions (red welts, itchiness) and I could no longer use it, > although it made me feel great. I then started bi-weekly injections > which I did for 3 months. I experienced headaches, moodiness and > extreme highs and lows, and it was discontinued. > > By age 42, I had gained back all the weight I lost and more. After > the sudden death of my mother in 2002, I basically lost it and after > 6 months of misery went to a new doctor who prescribed Celexa for > depression. I explained my past with HRT, and asked for a new > testosterone test. Done by the same lab as 1996, it had dropped even > further, down to about 230. Naturally, I was experiencing all of the > classic symptoms, including depression (although I had a good > reason). So, in addition to Celexa, I began using 2.5g Androgel, > which was much better than the patch - no itching or welts). > > The problem? I felt pretty darn good for the first month, and then > afterwards a big drop in sense of well-being, energy levels, libido, > etc. As a result, I gained another 20 pounds since November, up to > 220. I asked my doctor in February if Celexa and testosterone were > compatible - could be one counteracting the other? He asked me to > continue until May, and then reevaluate then. One thing I recall > about HRT when I first took it, I would have sleeping and/or morning > erections - none of that this time. > > Okay - if you made it this far (I know, too much information), my > question is: Is there anybody out there who has a similar > experience? If so, how do anti-depressants figure into this? What do > you think of Androgel - has it helped? Is 2.5g Androgel enough? Is > anyone experiencing hair loss from Androgel - at what dose level? > > Thanks for your help. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2003 Report Share Posted April 28, 2003 I'm on TRT as well, but I take clomid and/or nolvadex during the cycle, so my endogenous testosterone production doesn't get shut down. That's what some body builders do (most seem to wait until after their cycle to use the anti-estrogens to restore endogenous testosterone production). Mark >From: " octoberguy1 " <octoberguy1@...> >Reply- > >Subject: Re: New to Group >Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2003 17:46:20 -0000 > >Now I'm not on TRT...but I have read a lot about it. >From what I've read it's very common to feel great the first few >weeks on it, and then your body stops making T altogether. >So, in order to maintain an adequate level of T, you have to adjust >your dosage upwards. > >I think your doctor should be checking your level and adjusting >tweaking the dosage he's prescribed for you. The goal of T therapy >is to raise the level up to where you feel better. > >I'm 42 and just tested out at 285. Which puts me in the bottom 5% >of men my age. Your 230 isn't just low, it's low for a 90 year old >man. > >Jerry _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2003 Report Share Posted April 28, 2003 5 grams is the starting dose of Androgel... Brad > For someone who has the time to read all of this, I'm trying to find > out what I should expect regarding HRT. > > I'm 46 years old. At age 40, I tested for borderline low testosterone > at about 290, AFTER losing about 70 pounds (diet and exercise) over 6 > months, going from 210 to 140 at 5'6 " . After going through the usual > tests, whatever reason for the low level couldn't be determined. The > doc thought it was basically a life long deficiency (smaller penis > and testicles, sparse pubic hair, but heavy beard and normal body > hair, low libido, low metabolism, etc.) The doc prescribed Androderm > which I used for about 5 months. Eventually, I developed allergic > skin reactions (red welts, itchiness) and I could no longer use it, > although it made me feel great. I then started bi-weekly injections > which I did for 3 months. I experienced headaches, moodiness and > extreme highs and lows, and it was discontinued. > > By age 42, I had gained back all the weight I lost and more. After > the sudden death of my mother in 2002, I basically lost it and after > 6 months of misery went to a new doctor who prescribed Celexa for > depression. I explained my past with HRT, and asked for a new > testosterone test. Done by the same lab as 1996, it had dropped even > further, down to about 230. Naturally, I was experiencing all of the > classic symptoms, including depression (although I had a good > reason). So, in addition to Celexa, I began using 2.5g Androgel, > which was much better than the patch - no itching or welts). > > The problem? I felt pretty darn good for the first month, and then > afterwards a big drop in sense of well-being, energy levels, libido, > etc. As a result, I gained another 20 pounds since November, up to > 220. I asked my doctor in February if Celexa and testosterone were > compatible - could be one counteracting the other? He asked me to > continue until May, and then reevaluate then. One thing I recall > about HRT when I first took it, I would have sleeping and/or morning > erections - none of that this time. > > Okay - if you made it this far (I know, too much information), my > question is: Is there anybody out there who has a similar > experience? If so, how do anti-depressants figure into this? What do > you think of Androgel - has it helped? Is 2.5g Androgel enough? Is > anyone experiencing hair loss from Androgel - at what dose level? > > Thanks for your help. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2003 Report Share Posted May 15, 2003 Hi Andi...Welcome to the group! ;-) (Va.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2003 Report Share Posted May 25, 2003 Hello -- We are the same age and have the same type symptoms. My back is very painful but my main issues are the shooting pains from my toes to knees. Every joint in my body seems to be affected but it bounces around a lot too. I am particularly interested in the mouth P. What does it look/feel like? I have some really weird things go on in my mouth sometimes, eventhough I am meticulous about oral care. I get patches that are kind of like blood blisters, very weird. I'm sorry I don't know anything about SF docs but I envy you life in that beautiful city. I live in eastern Washington so we are practically neighbors considering how far away most of the regular participants of this group are. Good Luck, Cheri [ ] New to Group Hi -- I'm glad to have found this group. It wasn't around when was first diagnosed with PA several years ago (I was in a group for a time for Reiter's Syndrome). I'm a 54-year-old woman with PA primarily manifesting in the spine a la ankylosing spondylitis. I also have some other joint involvement--toes, thumbs, elbows. I have very little psoriasis, but when I do get it, it sometimes is very weird, like on my eyelids. Right now I am taking sulfasalazine, Voltaren and Ultram for pain. However, the meds do not seem to be effective at this time, and I'm in a lot of pain. I have two questions for the group: 1) anyone know of a rheumatologist in San Francisco who has a good pain management philosophy (i.e., isn't afraid you'll become an addict if you get pain meds? 2.) Anyone ever had psoriasis in the mouth (that may be my current weird manifestation)? Look forward to seeing people's posts. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2003 Report Share Posted May 25, 2003 Hi, I live just east of you in Stockton. I go to Stanford Medical Center and see Dr. Utz, in the Immunology Department. He is very understanding and reachable. It is a 2 hour drive, one way to Palo Alto for me, but I can call or E-mail him and he calls back ! He also checks with my Internist, who does the monthly blood work, check ups, etc. If you insurance covers this Med Center, I would recommend him highly. He also spends a lot of time explaining things to my husband. which helps a lot. I am 55 and have been diagnosed for about 2 years. It is starting to affect my back more now, and my shoulders & hips. I go in next week to get cortisone shot in one of my shoulders. MRI showed severe tendinities. (they used a different name, but I can't remember). Because we are so close, if you want to write direct my E-mail is Dandcmayer@.... Gentle Hugs, Carol M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 27, 2003 Report Share Posted May 27, 2003 In a message dated 5/27/2003 1:40:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time, danagiroir@... writes: > I would love to hear from > anyone who is doing well on Remicade, because this is my last hope. > Nothing else has worked for me. Welcome Dana, It's nice hearing from you. Have you tried any of the other biologics such as Enbrel or Humira? Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2003 Report Share Posted June 18, 2003 In a message dated 6/18/2003 4:31:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time, crystal@... writes: > i just wanted to let you all know my situation, so that if you have > any questions about the surgeries or mediations you can ask me! Hi crystal, Thanks for wanting to help. I have a great deal of pain in the joint that connect the thumb to the wrist on both sides. Was that one of the fusion operations you had because they said eventually I may need surgery in that area? Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2003 Report Share Posted July 14, 2003 rose wrote: > Hi rose, Consider taking a look at the " flaxseedoil2 " list also. The Budwig diet may be something you will find helpful. Les Catterall -- > Greetings, > > I'm new to this group and glad to have found a group > that is not sukced into the medical protocols as the > only " cure " for cancer. I was recently diagnosed with > papillary/follicular cancer of the thyroid and don't > want to follow the medical protocol for treatment > (total thyroidectomy and treatment with Radioactive > Iodine). I have been madly researching and it looks > like I'll have to build my own non-tocix protocol > composed of many sources. Any input would be > appreciated. > > Thanks, > rose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.