Guest guest Posted August 9, 2000 Report Share Posted August 9, 2000 Hi I am new to this list, but not new to arthritis. I've dealt with it for the past 17 or 18 years. Not as long as some of you I'm sure. After reading some of your posts, I realize that I'm doing pretty well. Still, I sometimes feel like I am falling apart bit by bit. Like an old car that keeps needing parts. *g* Even the doctors think I've had a lot of surgeries for my age (44). Anyway, someone mentioned Arava. I have been on it for almost 3 months now. I have started to decrease my prednisone. I have been on a low dose (10 mg) for many years, with fluctuations in the amount when I flare. It's the prednisone that is wreaking havoc with my body. So far I have dropped one mg of Prednisone. I know that doesn't seem like much, but it's one-tenth of my regular dose. The docs are hoping that the Arava will take over for the Prednisone. So am I. I have been on Celebrex as well but didn't find much help there. Also, the usual first attempts of gold and Anaprox and such. I also just started using Vioxx - although I don't take that every day. I find it's far better than any pain killer at relieving pain because of the anti-inflammatory in it. Anyone here on Ultram? I was on it for a while. Then I started reading the horror stories of addiction. *shudder* It IS hard to get off of. It's great at controlling pain but it seems to me that you can get habituated to it so very quickly. It just takes more and more to do the same amount of pain killing. I have heard of people on doses of 20 tabs a day. That's scary. The most I ever took was 6 and that wasn't every day. But it's dang hard to drop off the stuff. Ok, I have probably gone on a little too long for a newbie. *g* Jenna FREE SPIRIT - Starlight Writers Publications THE GUARDIANS OF GLEDE - SWP Editors Choice Award; SWP Stellar Award; WordWeaving Award of Excellance THE GREEN PUMPKIN - CrossroadsPub.com; furt Award Nominee Homepage: www.geocities.com/jennakayfrancis ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2000 Report Share Posted August 10, 2000 Welcome Jenna. I was on Ultram after my knee replacements and didn't have any problem with it. I was very surprised to read the reports about it being addictive. It really was a great pain pill. I take Vicodan now. I don't worry about addiction with pain meds because I relate them to a diabetic needing insulin. I can relate to feeling like an old car. I wish they would come up with an oil can for us!!! Any reduction in Prednisone, no matter how small is significant. It is better to reduce it very slowly. a ----- Original Message ----- From: JennaKay Francis <triskelion@...> < egroups> Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2000 12:45 AM Subject: Re: [ ] newbie > Hi I am new to this list, but not new to arthritis. I've dealt with it > for the past 17 or 18 years. Not as long as some of you I'm sure. After > reading some of your posts, I realize that I'm doing pretty well. Still, > I sometimes feel like I am falling apart bit by bit. Like an old car that > keeps needing parts. *g* Even the doctors think I've had a lot of > surgeries for my age (44). Anyway, someone mentioned Arava. I have been > on it for almost 3 months now. I have started to decrease my prednisone. > I have been on a low dose (10 mg) for many years, with fluctuations in > the amount when I flare. It's the prednisone that is wreaking havoc with > my body. So far I have dropped one mg of Prednisone. I know that > doesn't seem like much, but it's one-tenth of my regular dose. The docs > are hoping that the Arava will take over for the Prednisone. So am I. > > I have been on Celebrex as well but didn't find much help there. Also, > the usual first attempts of gold and Anaprox and such. I also just > started using Vioxx - although I don't take that every day. I find it's > far better than any pain killer at relieving pain because of the > anti-inflammatory in it. > > Anyone here on Ultram? I was on it for a while. Then I started reading > the horror stories of addiction. *shudder* It IS hard to get off of. > It's great at controlling pain but it seems to me that you can get > habituated to it so very quickly. It just takes more and more to do the > same amount of pain killing. I have heard of people on doses of 20 tabs a > day. That's scary. The most I ever took was 6 and that wasn't every > day. But it's dang hard to drop off the stuff. > > Ok, I have probably gone on a little too long for a newbie. *g* > > Jenna > > > > FREE SPIRIT - Starlight Writers Publications > THE GUARDIANS OF GLEDE - SWP Editors Choice Award; SWP Stellar Award; > WordWeaving Award of Excellance > THE GREEN PUMPKIN - CrossroadsPub.com; furt Award Nominee > Homepage: www.geocities.com/jennakayfrancis > > ________________________________________________________________ > YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! > Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! > Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: > http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. > > > > Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/ > http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/ > Our chat room: www.delphi.com/RheumatoidArth1/start > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2000 Report Share Posted August 10, 2000 a, I was also very surprised to hear about Ultrams' addictive capabilities. Stunned in fact. When I first started taking it, I was assured it was a non-addictive pain killer. I thought, great, finally, something I can take and not have to worry about the repercussions. Then I found a whole message board about the addiction and withdrawal some people had gone through. I quizzed my doc and he said that yes, new studies show that it is highly addictive. Figures. Jenna FREE SPIRIT - Starlight Writers Publications THE GUARDIANS OF GLEDE - SWP Editors Choice Award; SWP Stellar Award; WordWeaving Award of Excellance THE GREEN PUMPKIN - CrossroadsPub.com; furt Award Nominee Homepage: www.geocities.com/jennakayfrancis ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2003 Report Share Posted July 22, 2003 Peg: there are many of us in our 50's, 60's and even 70's. Hopefully your " call " will encourage our seniors to answer. on 7/21/2003 9:44 PM, pegsanborn at hsanborn2@... wrote: > I would love to > hear whether there are others as " mature " as I. Peg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2003 Report Share Posted July 22, 2003 Hi Peg, You're right. Easy does it, but do it. When we transition into CRON, it maybe helps to NOT make such a big deal out of it IMO. Eating is quirky. It's like stuttering...the harder a person tries to stop, the more they stutter. (Incidentally, Viktor l called this "paradoxical intention," a fascinating concept to which many "dieters" can relate.) Transitioning gradually into CRON, as you propose, is probably quite helpful in achieving long-term success. Suz ----- Original Message ----- From: pegsanborn Sent: Monday, July 21, 2003 6:44 PM Subject: [ ] Newbie I am a 70-year-old very fit newcomer, a student of cr since the first Walford book but lacking consistency. I hope the group knowledge will help me achieve that consistency and I think it is not too late, particularly if cr is done gently and gradually. I would love to hear whether there are others as "mature" as I. Peg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2003 Report Share Posted July 22, 2003 In a message dated 7/21/2003 6:54:37 PM Pacific Daylight Time, fskelton@... writes: com Would you be kindenough to help me find "Getting Started" or "CR Made Easy" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2003 Report Share Posted July 22, 2003 Sorry--my laptop sends at will. I have been unable to Google the getting started reference and would appreciate an assist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2003 Report Share Posted July 22, 2003 Sure: we have many other newbies lately so for all newbies - Just go to the home page at: / Click on " files " in the left hand margin. Then click on the " CR Made Easy " file. on 7/22/2003 8:57 AM, hsanborn2@... at hsanborn2@... wrote: > In a message dated 7/21/2003 6:54:37 PM Pacific Daylight Time, > fskelton@... writes: > >> com > > Would you be kindenough to help me find " Getting Started " or " CR Made Easy " > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 ----- Original Message ----- From: daydreamer2578 Rheumatoid Arthritis >She also didnot respond well to the malaria drug (I forget what it's called) Plaquenil. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2005 Report Share Posted June 1, 2005 How long have you had RA? S. > Hello > Thought I would join an RA group since I feel as I need to find more > info out there to assist me with my RA. I am currently on Enbrel wkly > and Prednisone, and Vicodin. Tried MTX and all DMRS with no help. I am > currently waiting to start Remicade TX. So far my disease has crippled > me to not work, or in all sense-live. Most of my days are spent in > bed. I have a wonderful husband and three young ones. Just wanting to > connect with anyone out there that may be or has been where I am right > now. Thanks > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2005 Report Share Posted June 1, 2005 Depending on financial situation and insurance there may be places that help with medications or even provide free medications. I don't know anything about them because I'm not eligible and I'm not even sure the web sites are still active. Financial assistance https://www.pparx.org/Intro.phphttps://www.helpingpatients.org/Intro.php http://www.needymeds.com http://www.themedicineprogram.com Http://www.rxassist.org http://www.medicationfoundation.com/ http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Prescription_Drug_Patient_Assistance_Programs.htm http://www.qdrug.com/sf/ http://www.freemedicineprogram.com http://www.rheumatology.org/public/acrast.asp?aud=pat I have hypothyroidism as well as RA and the hypothyroidism is well controlled with Levothyroxine. I really don't know what symptoms come with the hypothyroidism because I never identified anything wrong when my doctor found out I had it through a regular blood test. My RA is pretty well controlled with Methotrexate and Remicade. Welcome to the group and God bless. ----- Original Message ----- From: daydreamer2578 Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Monday, May 30, 2005 6:38 PM Subject: Newbie Hello everybody,My mom has had RA for a little over a year now and has been gettingprogressively worse, even with the methotrexate therapy. She also didnot respond well to the malaria drug (I forget what it's called) shewas first given. Her doctor wants her to start on enbril, but herinsurance will only cover a small portion of it and it looks like itwill be prohibitively expensive for her, especially since she justhad to quit her job because she was no longer physically able to doit.I have been reading through the information on the Road BackFoundation regarding long-term antibiotic therapy for mycoplasmainfections that are reportedly common in RA and the information therelooks promising. I was wondering if any here had tried anythingalong that line and how well it worked for them. I'm also findinglots of supposed "cures" out there -- vitamin suppliments, emu oil,hydrogen peroxide IV's, etc. I'm sure most of these are shams, butif any of you have found something useful in alleviating somesymptoms, I'd be interested in hearing it.I was also wondering about any connections between RA and thyroiddisease. Most of the women in my family have Hashimoto's thyroiditisand I have encouraged my mom to start adding a small amount ofcytomel to her medications. She says that it's helped increase herenergy and alleviate some of the brain fog, but has not done much forher pain and swelling. I know that these autoimmune diseases travelin packs, can the symptoms of one aggrivate the other or can treatingone help the other?Thanks in advance for your answers,JenL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 1, 2005 Report Share Posted June 1, 2005 Thanks for the info! I forwarded it on to her, hopefully she'll find some good resources there. Glad to hear you are doing well living with this, maybe there's hope for her yet! Jen > Depending on financial situation and insurance there may be places that help with medications or even provide free medications. I don't know anything about them because I'm not eligible and I'm not even sure the web sites are still active. > Financial assistance > > https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php > https://www.helpingpatients.org/Intro.php > http://www.needymeds.com > http://www.themedicineprogram.com > > Http://www.rxassist.org > > http://www.medicationfoundation.com/ http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Prescription_Drug_ Patient_Assistance_Programs.htm http://www.qdrug.com/sf/ > > http://www.freemedicineprogram.com > > http://www.rheumatology.org/public/acrast.asp?aud=pat > > I have hypothyroidism as well as RA and the hypothyroidism is well controlled with Levothyroxine. I really don't know what symptoms come with the hypothyroidism because I never identified anything wrong when my doctor found out I had it through a regular blood test. My RA is pretty well controlled with Methotrexate and Remicade. > > Welcome to the group and God bless. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: daydreamer2578 > Rheumatoid Arthritis > Sent: Monday, May 30, 2005 6:38 PM > Subject: Newbie > > > Hello everybody, > > My mom has had RA for a little over a year now and has been getting > progressively worse, even with the methotrexate therapy. She also did > not respond well to the malaria drug (I forget what it's called) she > was first given. Her doctor wants her to start on enbril, but her > insurance will only cover a small portion of it and it looks like it > will be prohibitively expensive for her, especially since she just > had to quit her job because she was no longer physically able to do > it. > > I have been reading through the information on the Road Back > Foundation regarding long-term antibiotic therapy for mycoplasma > infections that are reportedly common in RA and the information there > looks promising. I was wondering if any here had tried anything > along that line and how well it worked for them. I'm also finding > lots of supposed " cures " out there -- vitamin suppliments, emu oil, > hydrogen peroxide IV's, etc. I'm sure most of these are shams, but > if any of you have found something useful in alleviating some > symptoms, I'd be interested in hearing it. > > I was also wondering about any connections between RA and thyroid > disease. Most of the women in my family have Hashimoto's thyroiditis > and I have encouraged my mom to start adding a small amount of > cytomel to her medications. She says that it's helped increase her > energy and alleviate some of the brain fog, but has not done much for > her pain and swelling. I know that these autoimmune diseases travel > in packs, can the symptoms of one aggrivate the other or can treating > one help the other? > > Thanks in advance for your answers, > > JenL > > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2005 Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 My regular doc is sending me to a RA doc because of lab work and pain I am having. What will the RA doc do? I am nervous. I go Thursday. Yikes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2005 Report Share Posted August 25, 2005 > My regular doc is sending me to a RA doc because of lab work and pain > I am having. What will the RA doc do? I am nervous. I go Thursday. > Yikes! Don't be nervous--you're getting the best help available for arthritis! The rheumatologist will talk to you at length and examine your joints. You're on the road to feeling better. Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2005 Report Share Posted August 25, 2005 there is nothing to be nervous about and RA doctor is only going to help you they are really gentle be sure to write down any questions you have so you don't forget what you want to ask him it is really eaasy to forget good luck with the RA and welcome to the group Sherrie > My regular doc is sending me to a RA doc because of lab work and pain > I am having. What will the RA doc do? I am nervous. I go Thursday. > Yikes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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