Guest guest Posted August 2, 2005 Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 If you would like some relief there is something that I have used on my hands to help. It is called DMSO and is for horses. They usually sell this at feed stores. Only thing is they can not sell it to you if you say you are going to use this on yourself. I found that this helped my hands when I rubbed it on a horses leg that was sore. What was left I just rubbed into my hands. Be careful this can blister some people's skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2005 Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 Hang in there, Sharon! Sierra > Almost exactly a year after the major flare that caused my initial > diagnosis with RA, I am flaring bad again. It coincided almost > exactly with the onset of our moonsoon season. Last time it over four > months. Last year I didn't make the connection with the monsoon > because I was under so much stress from my husband's West Nile > illness. > > I woke up a week ago with everything swollen and painful again. My > hands and wrists are the worst. This time it is my left hand instead > of my right hand that is so bad. My left ring finger wants to curl > into my palm. It takes an hour or so in the morning to get it > straight enough to function. The more I use my hands, the better > they feel, though. It hurts at first but by mid day I am usually a > lot better. Hope it doesn't last as long this time. I have an appt > with my rheumy this afternoon. I am on 10mg of methotrexate a week > and 1000mg of naproxen a day. Usually that keeps me functioning > pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2005 Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 Hang in there, Sharon! Sierra > Almost exactly a year after the major flare that caused my initial > diagnosis with RA, I am flaring bad again. It coincided almost > exactly with the onset of our moonsoon season. Last time it over four > months. Last year I didn't make the connection with the monsoon > because I was under so much stress from my husband's West Nile > illness. > > I woke up a week ago with everything swollen and painful again. My > hands and wrists are the worst. This time it is my left hand instead > of my right hand that is so bad. My left ring finger wants to curl > into my palm. It takes an hour or so in the morning to get it > straight enough to function. The more I use my hands, the better > they feel, though. It hurts at first but by mid day I am usually a > lot better. Hope it doesn't last as long this time. I have an appt > with my rheumy this afternoon. I am on 10mg of methotrexate a week > and 1000mg of naproxen a day. Usually that keeps me functioning > pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2005 Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 Hi Sharon, is it also hot and humid where you are, which could set off a flare. My other question is, you mention your husband had the West NileVirus......was this from mosquito bites, could mosquito's have something to do with your flare? I wonder Just some food for thought. Dorey www.LivingWithRheumatoidArthritis.com ----- Original Message ----- From: " Sharon Wertz " <sbwertz@...> <Rheumatoid Arthritis > Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 6:44 AM Subject: Flaring again > Almost exactly a year after the major flare that caused my initial > diagnosis with RA, I am flaring bad again. It coincided almost > exactly with the onset of our moonsoon season. Last time it over four > months. Last year I didn't make the connection with the monsoon > because I was under so much stress from my husband's West Nile > illness. > > I woke up a week ago with everything swollen and painful again. My > hands and wrists are the worst. This time it is my left hand instead > of my right hand that is so bad. My left ring finger wants to curl > into my palm. It takes an hour or so in the morning to get it > straight enough to function. The more I use my hands, the better > they feel, though. It hurts at first but by mid day I am usually a > lot better. Hope it doesn't last as long this time. I have an appt > with my rheumy this afternoon. I am on 10mg of methotrexate a week > and 1000mg of naproxen a day. Usually that keeps me functioning > pretty well. > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2005 Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 I was sure DMSO was now available for human use in the US. ----- Original Message ----- From: slidin2astop@... Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 11:31 AM Subject: Re: Flaring again If you would like some relief there is something that I have used on my hands to help. It is called DMSO and is for horses. They usually sell this at feed stores. Only thing is they can not sell it to you if you say you are going to use this on yourself. I found that this helped my hands when I rubbed it on a horses leg that was sore. What was left I just rubbed into my hands. Be careful this can blister some people's skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Hi Sharon- I always feel like I have the flu when a flare comes on, and stress is a big trigger. I remember when they were trying to diagnose me, when I first got sick, the doctor asked if I had any mosquito or tick bites. I think its all inter related. Yours, Deborah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Went to my rheumy today. He said the drop in barometric pressure can cause a flare like this. He said I will be a better weather predictor than the weather channel! LOL He took new x-rays and plans an MRI this winter. He increased my MTX from 4 to 5 pills a week and put me on a six day course of methylprednisolone. I have a very high Rh factor which he says can indicate an aggressive form of the disease, but at the same time I have a normal sed rate. Go figure. He said the steroids should get me through the monsoon and we will see if I go back to my normal state where I am about 95 percent pain free. Sharon > Hi Sharon, is it also hot and humid where you are, which could set off a > flare. > > My other question is, you mention your husband had the West > NileVirus......was this from mosquito bites, could mosquito's have something > to do with your flare? I wonder > > Just some food for thought. > > Dorey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Actually, I use an MSM gel that I got at the feed store. I used it on my horse and my hands felt better! MSM is a DMSO derivitive. Sharon > If you would like some relief there is something that I have used on my > hands to help. It is called DMSO and is for horses. They usually sell this at > feed stores. Only thing is they can not sell it to you if you say you are > going to use this on yourself. I found that this helped my hands when I rubbed > it on a horses leg that was sore. What was left I just rubbed into my hands. > Be careful this can blister some people's skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 I vaguely remember that DMSO has caused problems because it will carry whatever is on the surface of the skin through the skin where it could cause problems. As long as the skin is clean there might not be a problem but I think some people have had trouble because of using DMSO. This is a vague memory so check it out before using DMSO. God bless. ----- Original Message ----- From: slidin2astop@... Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 11:31 AM Subject: Re: Flaring again If you would like some relief there is something that I have used on my hands to help. It is called DMSO and is for horses. They usually sell this at feed stores. Only thing is they can not sell it to you if you say you are going to use this on yourself. I found that this helped my hands when I rubbed it on a horses leg that was sore. What was left I just rubbed into my hands. Be careful this can blister some people's skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 you mention your husband had the West > NileVirus......was this from mosquito bites, could mosquito's have something > to do with your flare? Both my husband and I had west nile last summer from mosquito bites. He got the severe encephalitis form of the disease and I had the mild flu-like form. He almost died and the stress threw me into full blown RA from a latent mild form I had had for thirty years. I spent fourteen days in his hospital room 24/7, sleeping in a recliner. We had a huge outbreak here and intensive care was overloaded. By staying in his room we were able to keep him in the elevated care isolation ward with all kinds of monitors and video cameras instead of moving him to another hospital with a larger intensive care ward. Needless to say I was STRESSED. I woke up one morning with every joint I own inflamed. The doctor doesn't think my west nile infection caused the outbreak, but says it is possible. He said severe stress is a common trigger for RA. Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 What an ordeal for you both, but thankfully you both made it through, now just to get the RA under control. Dorey ----- Original Message ----- From: " Sharon Wertz " <sbwertz@...> <Rheumatoid Arthritis > Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 9:38 PM Subject: Re: Flaring again you mention your husband had the West > NileVirus......was this from mosquito bites, could mosquito's have something > to do with your flare? Both my husband and I had west nile last summer from mosquito bites. He got the severe encephalitis form of the disease and I had the mild flu-like form. He almost died and the stress threw me into full blown RA from a latent mild form I had had for thirty years. I spent fourteen days in his hospital room 24/7, sleeping in a recliner. We had a huge outbreak here and intensive care was overloaded. By staying in his room we were able to keep him in the elevated care isolation ward with all kinds of monitors and video cameras instead of moving him to another hospital with a larger intensive care ward. Needless to say I was STRESSED. I woke up one morning with every joint I own inflamed. The doctor doesn't think my west nile infection caused the outbreak, but says it is possible. He said severe stress is a common trigger for RA. Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Interesting - I've been doing really good but on Monday had a flare and I'm still feeling a bit under the wire - like flu symptoms - thought I had a fever last night - but only slightly - just very tired - but the temp here is increasing to the high 90's for the next few days - so I guess I'll blame it on the weather. I also took my Humira shot on Monday - does anyone else feel like this after they take a shot? I know when I was on Remicade I felt very sleepy after my infusions but by the next day felt like wonder women - thinking it must be the high humidity right now - I've also noticed I get flares when the barometer drops - does it drop only if the weather drops or does the barometer drop when there is also a high temp increase? Anyone know? I seem to feel flare-ups either way, when the temp goes up or down 20 degrees or more within 24 hours. That's Oregon for ya! I'm working but wish I was home sleeping dbargad@... wrote: Hi Sharon- I always feel like I have the flu when a flare comes on, and stress is a big trigger. I remember when they were trying to diagnose me, when I first got sick, the doctor asked if I had any mosquito or tick bites. I think its all inter related. Yours, Deborah Start your day with - make it your home page Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 I get flares when the barometer drops...which is very often in FL! I think it's true that we can predict the weather with our joints hehe. Yesterday I had a shot of either placebo or humira....I went to bed and couldn't sleep. My scalp felt sensitive to the touch. When I woke up this morning, my right hand did not hurt as much as yesterday....but it's hurting this afternoon. We had some bad weather come thru awhile ago. The shot did burn going in! The study nurse had the injection sitting out maybe a half an hour before she gave it to me. It felt a little bit tingly for the first 45 minutes. I hope this works! I need a nap too. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maggie http://www.4HockeyFans.com http://www.4FloridaHockey.com MSN: Maggies1429 AOL: Maggies85 sunshine wrote: Interesting - I've been doing really good but on Monday had a flare and I'm still feeling a bit under the wire - like flu symptoms - thought I had a fever last night - but only slightly - just very tired - but the temp here is increasing to the high 90's for the next few days - so I guess I'll blame it on the weather. I also took my Humira shot on Monday - does anyone else feel like this after they take a shot? I know when I was on Remicade I felt very sleepy after my infusions but by the next day felt like wonder women - thinking it must be the high humidity right now - I've also noticed I get flares when the barometer drops - does it drop only if the weather drops or does the barometer drop when there is also a high temp increase? Anyone know? I seem to feel flare-ups either way, when the temp goes up or down 20 degrees or more within 24 hours. That's Oregon for ya! I'm working but wish I was home sleeping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 If the shot burns, it is humira. IF they left it out, it is humira. I live in Maine and we get lows from canada and I can feel it coming in by the time it hits the ohio valley. Its humid here, and that just does me in. Good luck with your trial. I do think you are getting the good stuff.!! Deborah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 Thanks Deborah! I don't know if it's coincidence or not, but the last two days the stiffness in my hands and fingers has almost gone away. They told me it takes a couple weeks or more before you feel better with Humira...so who knows. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maggie http://www.4HockeyFans.com http://www.4FloridaHockey.com MSN: Maggies1429 AOL: Maggies85 dbargad@... wrote: If the shot burns, it is humira. IF they left it out, it is humira. I live in Maine and we get lows from canada and I can feel it coming in by the time it hits the ohio valley. Its humid here, and that just does me in. Good luck with your trial. I do think you are getting the good stuff.!! Deborah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 I don't know if it is the prednisone or just the phase of the moon and the depth of the Thames, but I am MUCH better this morning after just one day on the prednisone. I woke up with the swelling completely gone in my left hand and able to straighten my ring finger for the first time in ten days. I took six pills yesterday and am supposed to take five today. No side effects so far. Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 YEAH!!!! It sounds like it might be working already for you!!! I had a little flare earlier this week, but back to feeling great again on Humira! And I didn't miss any work, as the flare wasn't as bad as in the past where I'd lose a few days of work. I was just more tired, and might have had a 24 hr bug, as I'm fine now. Here's a web site for Bristol Meyers - someone asked what the new med was that was going thru approval now - I think this is it - as my doc said this was the drug mfg. - she had heard had great outcomes - sounds good - I think they are only going to find better meds for us sufferers in the future - as they already have better meds in the past 5 years than people ever had in the past 20 years. My rheumy is on the board of rheumatologists so I do think she is a very smart lady - it never hurts to read up on what is going on thru the pipeline as it gives us hope and optimism which is such an important part of this disease. We all it doesn't help to stress out about it http://www.bms.com/news/press/data/fg_press_release_5074.htmlMaggie <meshouse@...> wrote: Thanks Deborah! I don't know if it's coincidence or not, but the last two days the stiffness in my hands and fingers has almost gone away. They told me it takes a couple weeks or more before you feel better with Humira...so who knows. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maggie http://www.4HockeyFans.com http://www.4FloridaHockey.com MSN: Maggies1429 AOL: Maggies85dbargad@... wrote: If the shot burns, it is humira. IF they left it out, it is humira. I live in Maine and we get lows from canada and I can feel it coming in by the time it hits the ohio valley. Its humid here, and that just does me in. Good luck with your trial. I do think you are getting the good stuff.!! Deborah Start your day with - make it your home page Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 I think so Sunshine, but I don't wanna get my hopes up just yet :-) Here's the other study my doctor had mentioned, it's for CDP870 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=13761 http://www.nektar.com/content/cdp870 That was for the 52 week study I didn't want to do. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maggie http://www.4HockeyFans.com http://www.4FloridaHockey.com MSN: Maggies1429 AOL: Maggies85 sunshine wrote: Here's a web site for Bristol Meyers - someone asked what the new med was that was going thru approval now - I think this is it - as my doc said this was the drug mfg. - she had heard had great outcomes - sounds good - I think they are only going to find better meds for us sufferers in the future - as they already have better meds in the past 5 years than people ever had in the past 20 years. My rheumy is on the board of rheumatologists so I do think she is a very smart lady - it never hurts to read up on what is going on thru the pipeline as it gives us hope and optimism which is such an important part of this disease. We all it doesn't help to stress out about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 I just got back from four days up in the mountains. The six day regimine of steroids did the trick for me. Within two days the swelling and pain in my left hand was gone. Hope it lasts through the monsoon season. I fell Friday morning and sprained my left ankle pretty badly. But one thing about taking the steroids and anti-inflammatories. The sprain cleared up and I was walking again on it without pain in two days. It is still swollen and black and blue, but it doesn't hurt. I'm still keeping it wrappedl, though. We put on a horse show up there this weekend. The kids did really well. But I am REALLY tired. I was working sixteen hour days trying to recondition our jumps, get the arena in good shape (we've had a loooot of rain!), etc. I was hobbling around on that danged ankle trying to repair jumps all day Friday. But it was worth it. I don't know if I could have got it all done without the steroids, though. My left hand was pretty much non functional last week. We had a bad storm down here while I was gone and lost more limbs from my big elm. The poor thing is looking pretty sad. It is thirty five years old, and took a real beating this year. I am going to have to hire an arborist to come out and cut some of the broken limbs out of the top of the tree. It is 30 feet tall and we can't reach the broken limbs to cut them off. Neither my husband or myself are up to climbing up there and doing it. It's hard when you are accustomed to being very active and athletic and suddenly find you can't do a lot of the stuff you have taken for granted for so many years. Even though I am 62, I can still climb up and repair the roof, etc. Before last year and the RA I would have been up in that tree with a chain saw! Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Hi Diane - I'm sorry to hear you are having such a hard time of things. I suppose its possible to have a flare with any combination of meds. Don't ignore the symptoms. Call your Rheumy if you're having troubles in between visits. Personally, I didn't have any luck with the Plaquenil in the beginning and my Rheumy put me on Sulfasalazine. I did try Enbrel, but ended up with a double ear and sinus infection after just 7 weeks, so I've been afraid to try it again. I'm glad to hear you're doing your medrol dose pack - that will help to calm things down. Let your Rheumy know how you've been feeling. It can take a long time to find the right combination of meds, but I'd say if you've been on this combo for 6 months or more and are not seeing any relief, then something else needs to happen. Have you tried Methotrexate? There are also other biologics besides Enbrel that have given others better results. Best of luck to you. Praying you will have pain free days ahead..... Doreen Hi group. i dont post to much..But I am again at my whits in..I have been on my forth medication regiman since being diagnosed in may of 2008..I have been on plaquinil and enbrel since this may..I am feeling awful but had beenn ignoring the symptoms because endrel is suppose to be the wonder drug...I see my rheumy thursday....I had my blood work drawn and seen the results already..My lab confirmed that I am most likely in aflare..My sedrate last time was 12 and now it is 65(normal less than 20)..I am so frustrated and the lab work just confirmed my fear..I have my medrol dose pak and started taking it and I am geting relief..My guestion is should this be happening on the enbrel? when I go see him thurday what should I ask or suggest? I dont know right now if it is time to switch again or wait and see a ittle long how enbrel will work? thanks group..I know you might be more informative than what my mind is telling me.. diane in ohio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 thanks doreen, I just came back from the rheumy,he said the same thing I am in a flare wich can happen. I have tried mtx orally and by injections..He is not giving up on the enbrel yet..We our adding asulfadine(sp). See how a toelerate that and if it is effective...he also mention many more biologics including remicade infusions...But we will give this a try first..I am not ready yet give up on the enbrel...He also gave me depomedrol injection since the medrol pak wasnt cutting it...thanks diane in ohio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Hi Diane: I was so sorry to read that you are in bad flare. I hope the addition of the new meds, helps you. I love your spirit, and know you won't give up. All we can do is forge ahead, and try to find the right " cocktail " of meds. to give us relief. I so pray you will feel better soon. Take care, and know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you many pain free days ahead. Try to get as much rest as you can. Hugs, Barbara From: clampert5 <nuttynurse25@...> Subject: [ ] Re: Flaring again Date: Thursday, October 1, 2009, 6:00 PM thanks doreen, I just came back from the rheumy,he said the same thing I am in a flare wich can happen. I have tried mtx orally and by injections.. He is not giving up on the enbrel yet..We our adding asulfadine(sp) . See how a toelerate that and if it is effective... he also mention many more biologics including remicade infusions... But we will give this a try first..I am not ready yet give up on the enbrel...He also gave me depomedrol injection since the medrol pak wasnt cutting it...thanks diane in ohio __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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