Guest guest Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Hi, I've been lurking for a few weeks and have decided it's time to introduce myself. My name is Vicki and I am 39. I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis for 3 years. I have been taking MTX for two years . I am now going to start Humira. I just have to wait for the dr to get everything ready. Question: does Humira have any side effects and how well do you think it works? I am so tired and sick of being in pain. Will Humira help with fatigue? I live in Minnesota and it is pretty humid right now. Does the humidity cause anyone discomfort? I have to have the air on because my joints swell and hurt during humid spells. Thanks, Vicki --- USFamily.Net - $8.25/mo! -- Highspeed - $19.99/mo! --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 It's stressful waiting to find out if it's approved. I'm participating in a study for humira since July, so the humira I've used the last month cost me nothing, I still have 2 months of the study left. Just got a phone call that my insurance company approved humira...I'm so relieved! The weather really effects me too. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maggie http://www.4HockeyFans.com http://www.4FloridaHockey.com MSN: Maggies1429 AOL: Maggies85 Vicki wrote: I haven't heard from my doc yet if he has set up the Humira script. I know the insurance co said it has to have prior authorization. How often do you generally take Humira? Vicki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Welcome, Vicki, I have been taking Humira for about a year and a half now and have had few flares. Since I am only taking Humira and nothing else like MTX I have been told that the remission would not be 100%, but pretty close. You should read for yourself the side effects and then decide. I know there is an increased chance of lymphoma, but for me my current quality of life and lack of deformity and pain is worth it. I have not have any side effects. Humira does burn when being injected, I won't lie to you it hurts like Hell! Some people find icing the area prior and leaving the shot out for about a half an hour helpful. I am still fatigued, but I have other medical issues too! As for the weather, I used to think it was the humidity but I bought a temp./ humidity gauge for indoor and outdoor so that I can really see what's going on! I think for me it is a change of weather, some mention barometric pressure but I do not own a barometer! Good luck, > Hi, > I've been lurking for a few weeks and have decided it's time to introduce > myself. My name is Vicki and I am 39. I have been diagnosed with > rheumatoid arthritis for 3 years. I have been taking MTX for two years . I > am now going to start Humira. I just have to wait for the dr to get > everything ready. > > Question: does Humira have any side effects and how well do you think it > works? I am so tired and sick of being in pain. Will Humira help with > fatigue? > > I live in Minnesota and it is pretty humid right now. Does the humidity > cause anyone discomfort? I have to have the air on because my joints swell > and hurt during humid spells. > > Thanks, > Vicki > > > --- http://USFamily.Net/dialup.html - $8.25/mo! -- http://www.usfamily.net/ dsl.html - $19.99/mo! --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Humidity bothers me intensely. Why? Well the pressure in the air feels like a low pressure front moving in. There is so much moisture in the air. I can feel a storm coming as the pressure starts to shift. Its hard living on the coast since things move in and out with such intensity. Anyway, hopefully humidity wont be too ever lasting since winter is moving in. Welcome to the group. Deborah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2005 Report Share Posted December 1, 2005 Generally, if you go to thr web site og the drug company you are trying to find an assitance program for, you will find information about that drug companys assitance program. Look under insurance, and usually there will hbe information or a 1-800 number that you can call, these progrms are out there, I use them myself, sometimes you just have to spend some time on the phone. Another place to start is whatever government agency handles food stamps or welfare in your area, they might also have something, that is where i found information for the assitance program for ultracet that i use. Be aware that these program are based on household income, but many times it is much higher than you would thing it would be. Contact me at bizzare48@... if i can be of help, i use many of these programs Sherrie <scorn720@...> wrote: Ther are some web site that can help you get free meds they are on this web site some where I was looking for them but I haven't found them yet I will keep looking for it and get back to you Sherrie>> how do I get around losing my health insurance coverage while > unemployment?> Personals Single? There's someone we'd like you to meet. Lots of someones, actually. Personals Personals Let fate take it's course directly to your email. See who's waiting for you Personals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Hi Beth, I can sympathize with that pain. Years ago I felt much the same and it took quite some time to get a diagnosis of RA then a longer time to figure out how to control the pain. Thankfully I did learn what works for me and have been doing well for years however just recently I had a friend ask if I would experiment, I agreed and for 2 weeks I quit doing what I know works for me and tried something different. After 3 days I was suffering, after 8 days I was back to limping, day 10 I had a panic attack when finally the pain was past my pain tolerance (which is high) and I said enough. I have panic attacks when I'm forced to stay still, I was this night because the joints in my foot hurt more than a broken foot would and my crutches were in the closet, I couldn't get to them. This experience reminded me just how far I've come. Reminded my children. My oldest son said to me, mom, I almost forgot how bad your arthritis was and then he said the sweetest thing. He said, Mom lots of people get arthritis so bad but not many are as determined as you to find out why and get better. I wonder sometimes if it's my children that give me the strength and determination each day to continue my search for total recovery. I relayed this story to you because I want you to realize, the pain you are in is not necessarily going to continue. Through working with your doctor and testing things on your own you may find a time when you feel almost like your old self. At that time you just continue on with whatever brought you back to this pain free state. Good luck and god speed in finding a solution. Dorey www.LivingWithRheumatoidArthritis.com -----Original Message----- From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of b_hovey1 Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 6:48 PM Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: New Member I have just joined your group and am looking forward to the help and expert advice you all have been giving. I just had my first visit with my Rheum. Dr. She is having me go thru several more tests but she is pretty sure that I have RA. I have been suffering on and off for the past year and a half. This most recent flare up has lasted almost 2 weeks. The first week, my primary Dr would not give me anything for the pain. I have days that I can not get out of bed without crying from the pain. Is this normal? How long due flare ups last? I hate having this control my life right now. But it seems the more that I let this get to me, the more pain and discomfort I have. Every morning, I try to get up to go to work but the pain seems to have a mind of its own. I have also had kidney stones in the past and that pain I could deal with compared to what I am currently feeling. The kidney pain was localized compared to the all over pain that I am currently having. My hands, elbows, knees, feet and hips just plain old hurt. Currently, they have me on just anti-inflam. drugs but they aren't working to well. I have been advised to just give them some time. Thanks for listening. I look forward to talking to all of you in the future. Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Dear Beth- What you are experiencing is normal. Hopefully you can start on a biologic drug like Remicade. The idea here is to prevent or slow down the progession of the disease. RA is a parasite and you are the host. Fight Fight Fight. RA will control you if you let it. You can take back your body in a good measure with the right meds. It is frustrating. RA demands respect so try to find a way to live in harmony with it. Try to manage your disease with biologics, thereby lowering your inflammation and your pain. You should be able to get out of bed without pain. You need an aggressive protocol there. Demand Quality of life by your doctors and have them start you on something to stop the progression and alleviate your pain. Hang in there, we are all in the same boat honey. You are not alone. Gentle hugs, Deborah On 1/30/06, b_hovey1 <ehovey4@...> wrote: I have just joined your group and am looking forward to the help andexpert advice you all have been giving. I just had my first visit with my Rheum. Dr. She is having me go thru several more tests butshe is pretty sure that I have RA. I have been suffering on and offfor the past year and a half. This most recent flare up has lastedalmost 2 weeks. The first week, my primary Dr would not give me anything for the pain. I have days that I can not get out of bedwithout crying from the pain. Is this normal? How long due flareups last?I hate having this control my life right now. But it seems the more that I let this get to me, the more pain and discomfort I have. Everymorning, I try to get up to go to work but the pain seems to have amind of its own. I have also had kidney stones in the past and thatpain I could deal with compared to what I am currently feeling. The kidney pain was localized compared to the all over pain that I amcurrently having. My hands, elbows, knees, feet and hips just plainold hurt. Currently, they have me on just anti-inflam. drugs butthey aren't working to well. I have been advised to just give them some time.Thanks for listening. I look forward to talking to all of you in thefuture.Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Welcome to the group. I very suprised that your doctor wont give you something for pain. Have you expressed to your doc how much pain you're in??? This disease does take over your life. Anybody who looks at me and didnt know me would think I was perfectly fine. Yet if the saw me on the days I flare they would thik I was a very old lady. This is a great group. Keep your head up. Ronnieb_hovey1 <ehovey4@...> wrote: I have just joined your group and am looking forward to the help and expert advice you all have been giving. I just had my first visit with my Rheum. Dr. She is having me go thru several more tests but she is pretty sure that I have RA. I have been suffering on and off for the past year and a half. This most recent flare up has lasted almost 2 weeks. The first week, my primary Dr would not give me anything for the pain. I have days that I can not get out of bed without crying from the pain. Is this normal? How long due flare ups last? I hate having this control my life right now. But it seems the more that I let this get to me, the more pain and discomfort I have. Every morning, I try to get up to go to work but the pain seems to have a mind of its own. I have also had kidney stones in the past and that pain I could deal with compared to what I am currently feeling. The kidney pain was localized compared to the all over pain that I am currently having. My hands, elbows, knees, feet and hips just plain old hurt. Currently, they have me on just anti-inflam. drugs but they aren't working to well. I have been advised to just give them some time.Thanks for listening. I look forward to talking to all of you in the future.Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 You need to be seeing a rheumatologist if you have anything that might be RA because few other doctors really know how to treat or diagnose it. In the meantime or as an early treatment doctors often use Prednisone that is a corticosteroid. This does not do much to slow the joint damage that usually comes from untreated or undertreated RA but it usually does wonders for the symptoms. Also it usually works fast while most RA medicines take several weeks to several months to become effective. Long-term use of Prednisone is not good but many of us use it till we have been on RA medications long enough for them to be effective. I hope you get some better treatment soon. God bless. ---- b_hovey1 <ehovey4@...> wrote: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Welcome to the group. I’ve had RA since December 2001 and I’m a retired chemist. Your initial treatment sounds pretty typical but I’ve never heard of that particular reaction to Methotrexate. I think it is possible that just the RA by itself can upset the immune system so maybe it’s just coincidence that your fever came after the Methotrexate dose. Working in the hospital you might pick up almost anything anyway. I hope you will be seeing the doctor soon because you need to be on a DMARD to reduce the likelihood of permanent joint damage. The anti-inflammatories do well for controlling symptoms but they don’t do much for joint damage. I hope you get some medication that is both good for stopping or at least slowing joint damage and has manageable side effects. God bless. From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of Gleason Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2006 3:16 PM Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: New member Hi to all, I am the newest member of this group. My name is , and I live in West Virginia. I am a Critical Care Nurse. I was just diagnosed w/ RA in January. To be honest, I haven't dealt w/ RA since nursing school several years ago. True, I have seen a few patients that have had it, but we have a high turnover in the ICU so I didn't get familiar with their situations. My rheumatologist started me on prednisone, ibuprofen, Tylenol #3's and methotrexate. The prednisone and ibuprofen have gotten my pain under control, now I only have to take a #3 once in a while for my hands. I forgot to mention that I have the most pain in both my hands, my feet, knees and both shoulders. Hands are definitely the worse. I am starting to get nodule already. I have a problem w/ the methotrexate, though. I also have very bad asthma and get bronchitis frequently. Well, 2 days after taking my first dose of methotrexate my temp shot up to 102, and was admitted for bronchitis. Since then the RA nurse told me not to take it u ntil I see the doc again. What do you guys think about this? I am certainly worried about my immune status w/ my asthma and the MD said methotrexate was the safest for me. Sorry about the rambling. I hope everyone is doing well. in WV __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Dear - MTX is an immuno suppressant and can lower your resistance. You might want to give Arava a try instead. There are other Immunosuppresants that may work better. I would advocate for a biologic like remicade to help with your disease progression. There is also cyclosporine which though not used much anymore might be indicated for someone who cant tolerate a DMARD. Hugs, Deborah On 4/29/06, Gleason <gleasongirl76@...> wrote: Hi to all, I am the newest member of this group. My name is , and I live in West Virginia. I am a Critical Care Nurse. I was just diagnosed w/ RA in January. To be honest, I haven't dealt w/ RA since nursing school several years ago. True, I have seen a few patients that have had it, but we have a high turnover in the ICU so I didn't get familiar with their situations. My rheumatologist started me on prednisone, ibuprofen, Tylenol #3's and methotrexate. The prednisone and ibuprofen have gotten my pain under control, now I only have to take a #3 once in a while for my hands. I forgot to mention that I have the most pain in both my hands, my feet, knees and both shoulders. Hands are definitely the worse. I am starting to get nodule already. I have a problem w/ the methotrexate, though. I also have very bad asthma and get bronchitis frequently. Well, 2 days after taking my first dose of methotrexate my temp shot up to 102, and was admitted for bronchitis. Since then the RA nurse told me not to take it u ntil I see the doc again. What do you guys think about this? I am certainly worried about my immune status w/ my asthma and the MD said methotrexate was the safest for me. Sorry about the rambling. I hope everyone is doing well. in WV __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 dear group, in rain do your legs hurt lot. dose depression come with your illness.' i have have RA Sence 12 years old. the doctor has me on mthax and presion and a vitemen and chozplame for sleep to help me sleep better. i take remiced for RA GOING on 20th one in june hard at times to keep faith in one day they fine a cures. i take the chopzpam pills 4 at night to relax my body. but stress makes it hurt worse,' what do you think. angela ~SigsByDarlene~ *HUGS* TOTAL! give angelafromky more *HUGS* Get hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Hi , Yes rain , damp and cold stress , depression & over activitivty some others that I cannt think of right now make it worse to me . I keep taking my meds and try to get plenty of rest I use ice at night and usealy wind up getting more than normal serrode shots , and yes it's hard for me to keep faith to but I have a couple of kids that I live for and some real good friends . Allso I try to get my mind on something else usealy something on this computer to try and think about other things . This is just my account and the way i try to deal with it . angelafromky@... wrote: dear group, in rain do your legs hurt lot. dose depression come with your illness.' i have have RA Sence 12 years old. the doctor has me on mthax and presion and a vitemen and chozplame for sleep to help me sleep better. i take remiced for RA GOING on 20th one in june hard at times to keep faith in one day they fine a cures. i take the chopzpam pills 4 at night to relax my body. but stress makes it hurt worse,' what do you think. angela ~SigsByDarlene~ *HUGS* TOTAL! give angelafromky more *HUGS* Get hugs Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 welcome Helen P NW Ohio Gleason <gleasongirl76@...> wrote: Hi to all, I am the newest member of this group. My name is , and I live in West Virginia. Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2¢/min with Messenger with Voice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Wow , that was a pretty bleak message. Im sorry to hear all of that. As far as rain hurting, I can never tell. People that have OA in one knee orelbow or something, always tell me about how they can feel it when it rains, and ask if I can too. Honestly, I dont want to get in to it with them, but I can never tell if it's the rain, or just RA. As for the depression, YES> and this is coming from someone who was known as a very chipper person. I've had it since 23/24, and am now 32. I initially had hoped that the depression was an initial stage, and once you've accepted that you have the disease, the depression would wane. Nope, somedays it just HURTS, and that's sad. And then there's the fact that your life is different, more restricted, and more physically challenging than the healthy people you know. And that that may not ever completely change, depending on what they come up with. I think it would be abnormal NOT to be deperessed about that. Gosh, in fact, I wrote this to offer support, and I think I just depressed myself!! I guess, the question is, How often are you down? Is it an occasional feeling, or is it consistant? Hopefully, there are enough good days, and good things to pull you through the crap ones. In the meantime,....well, I dont know. Im was going to say something cleche' like look at all the good things they've come up with, or we could always have worse situations, but I think I'll just shut up and leave it with....we understand. Hang in there . (wow, I should seriously think about a career as a councilour....or not.) --- angelafromky@... wrote: > dear group, > in rain do your legs hurt lot. > dose depression come with your illness.' > i have have RA Sence 12 years old. > the doctor has me on mthax and presion and a vitemen > and chozplame for > sleep to help me sleep better. i take remiced for RA > GOING on 20th one > in june hard at times to keep faith in one day they > fine a cures. i take > the chopzpam pills 4 at night to relax my body. but > stress makes it hurt > worse,' > > what do you think. > angela > > --------------------------------- --------------------------------- ~SigsByDarlene~ --------------------------------- *HUGS* TOTAL! giveangelafromky more *HUGS* Get hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Wow , that was a pretty bleak message. Im sorry to hear all of that. As far as rain hurting, I can never tell. People that have OA in one knee orelbow or something, always tell me about how they can feel it when it rains, and ask if I can too. Honestly, I dont want to get in to it with them, but I can never tell if it's the rain, or just RA. As for the depression, YES> and this is coming from someone who was known as a very chipper person. I've had it since 23/24, and am now 32. I initially had hoped that the depression was an initial stage, and once you've accepted that you have the disease, the depression would wane. Nope, somedays it just HURTS, and that's sad. And then there's the fact that your life is different, more restricted, and more physically challenging than the healthy people you know. And that that may not ever completely change, depending on what they come up with. I think it would be abnormal NOT to be deperessed about that. Gosh, in fact, I wrote this to offer support, and I think I just depressed myself!! I guess, the question is, How often are you down? Is it an occasional feeling, or is it consistant? Hopefully, there are enough good days, and good things to pull you through the crap ones. In the meantime,....well, I dont know. Im was going to say something cleche' like look at all the good things they've come up with, or we could always have worse situations, but I think I'll just shut up and leave it with....we understand. Hang in there . (wow, I should seriously think about a career as a councilour....or not.) --- angelafromky@... wrote: > dear group, > in rain do your legs hurt lot. > dose depression come with your illness.' > i have have RA Sence 12 years old. > the doctor has me on mthax and presion and a vitemen > and chozplame for > sleep to help me sleep better. i take remiced for RA > GOING on 20th one > in june hard at times to keep faith in one day they > fine a cures. i take > the chopzpam pills 4 at night to relax my body. but > stress makes it hurt > worse,' > > what do you think. > angela > > --------------------------------- --------------------------------- ~SigsByDarlene~ --------------------------------- *HUGS* TOTAL! giveangelafromky more *HUGS* Get hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Wow , that was a pretty bleak message. Im sorry to hear all of that. As far as rain hurting, I can never tell. People that have OA in one knee orelbow or something, always tell me about how they can feel it when it rains, and ask if I can too. Honestly, I dont want to get in to it with them, but I can never tell if it's the rain, or just RA. As for the depression, YES> and this is coming from someone who was known as a very chipper person. I've had it since 23/24, and am now 32. I initially had hoped that the depression was an initial stage, and once you've accepted that you have the disease, the depression would wane. Nope, somedays it just HURTS, and that's sad. And then there's the fact that your life is different, more restricted, and more physically challenging than the healthy people you know. And that that may not ever completely change, depending on what they come up with. I think it would be abnormal NOT to be deperessed about that. Gosh, in fact, I wrote this to offer support, and I think I just depressed myself!! I guess, the question is, How often are you down? Is it an occasional feeling, or is it consistant? Hopefully, there are enough good days, and good things to pull you through the crap ones. In the meantime,....well, I dont know. Im was going to say something cleche' like look at all the good things they've come up with, or we could always have worse situations, but I think I'll just shut up and leave it with....we understand. Hang in there . (wow, I should seriously think about a career as a councilour....or not.) --- angelafromky@... wrote: > dear group, > in rain do your legs hurt lot. > dose depression come with your illness.' > i have have RA Sence 12 years old. > the doctor has me on mthax and presion and a vitemen > and chozplame for > sleep to help me sleep better. i take remiced for RA > GOING on 20th one > in june hard at times to keep faith in one day they > fine a cures. i take > the chopzpam pills 4 at night to relax my body. but > stress makes it hurt > worse,' > > what do you think. > angela > > --------------------------------- --------------------------------- ~SigsByDarlene~ --------------------------------- *HUGS* TOTAL! giveangelafromky more *HUGS* Get hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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