I'm New

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My name is AnneMarie from Pennsylvania and I just joined this group.

I was diagnosed with RA about 10 years ago. I was initially treated

with Rheumatrex (methotrexate), plus Plaquinil, minicycline,

prednisone. All have worked at the stages I was at. I have a tendency

to get infections, where some of these meds worked, following

infections, they stopped working. I would develope side affects and

would need another med. I've been reading some of your posts, and oh

how everything sounds like me. I have been affected by RA in my hips,

knees, wrists, fingers, shoulders, toes and even my jaw. I also have

osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis,psoriasis, syrogrens syndrome,

vasculitis, & raynauds phenomenom. I also was on Enbrel twice a week

and I was on and off it due to infections. This past February I was

started on Remicade low dose every moth. I couldn't believe the

immediate affect it had on me. The day after my first dose I started

to feel better. They have had to give me Solumedrol and Benadryl with

the doses because of my history with reactions, but so far it has

worked. I still remain on methotrexate and low dose of prednisone. I

also take folic acid. I read in one of the posts that someone had

mouth sores. I ended up with sores when I started all thses

treatments and my dr put me on folic acid and I really haven't had a

sore since.

Any way, I'm sorry for this being so long but its just that I really

don't have anyone to talk to about this who knows the pain and can

relate. I'm a 49 year old RN who now is disabled because of RA. I was

unable to walk to do my job. I need a wheelchair to go in a store and

use my chair with wheels to get around the house. It can be very

depressing. I hope to find some new friends here where I can relate

with and who can understand me or where I'm coming from. Thanks for

listening.

Hugs

AnneMarie from Pa