Hello All

[Guest guest]

hi, Kim! a quick fix for your hands is to pick up a pair of elastic

gloves, with the finger-tips cut off. I wear my daily at

work...computer input all day long. Some of us have special ordered

these from different websites, but I have seen them at my pharmacy. On

the aisle with the ACE elastic bandges, knee brace bandages, and such.

gentle hugs! Marcia

--- Kim on <hockim2@...> wrote:

> Deborah,

>

> Thank you for the information. I am impatiently waiting for my

> appointment on Wednesday with the rheumatologist. Does it take a

> long time for the medications to work? I really want to get back on

> track for the summer. Right now, I am limited to some degree in what

> I do. It seems like when I use my hands, they swell further and

> cause more pain, but I don't have a choice. I have to use my hands.

>

> Kim

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: Deborah Bargad

> Rheumatoid Arthritis

> Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2008 4:55 AM

> Subject: Re: Hello all

>

>

> Dear Kim- The disease itself needs to be curbed by a biologic.

> Remicade or Rituxan. You will be put on Methotrexate too which will

> slow down the RA cell division. Getting your disease under control

> quickly is essential to avoid damage which you already aware of. You

> will find chronic fatigue and Fibromyalgia are common with RA. You

> should advocate for yourself also. Be a proactive participant in

> your care. I would find the Arthritis Foundation's Local Chapter

> Office in your state. Go to www.arthritisfoundation.org for more

> information. Since it is your first visit, The standard pain meds

> are all you can use. Ask your doctor for Prescription strength

> Ibuprofen 800mg and take 2 or 3 tablets. You can also ask for a few

> days worth of Darvocet but it does cause nausea so be sure to take it

> with food. Once you stop the inflammation cascade that causes you to

> have pain and swelling, you will feel better. Once you get on a

> biologic, you should see improvement quite quickly. I know I did. I

> have been on remicade for many years and it still works for me. Your

> RA factor and Your Sed Rate are important players in your blood work.

> Once you start feeling better your Sed Rate should start to go down.

> Do not work the part of your body during a flare. Use Ice or Heat

> depending on what feels better to you. Good Luck. Email anytime.

> Yours, Deborah. RA since 1994.

>

>

>

> On Wed, May 21, 2008 at 11:56 AM, Kim on

> <hockim2@...> wrote:

>

> Hi all,

>

> I am fairly familiar with RA. My mother-in-law has had it her

> entire

> adult life and is now crippled with it. I've heard about her

> various

> treatments and seen the toll it has taken on her. Unfortunately,

> now

> I'm getting an even closer view of RA as I was finally diagnosed

> two

> weeks ago and have quickly developed symptoms. My husband's

> terminology is, " It hit fast and hard. "

>

> I have not seen the rheumatologist yet. There is only one within

> 30

> miles and he deals with all the autoimmune diseases in our area.

> Originally, my appointment was set up for July, but a

> cancellation

> will allow me to get in next Wednesday. I just have a couple of

> questions:

>

> How did you manage pain while waiting for the meds to kick in? My

>

> regular dr. didn't give me any pain medication. She gave me

> Prednisone (10 mg/day) and Ambien because I wasn't sleeping for

> more

> than an hour at a time for almost two weeks. I am taking 800 mg

> of

> Advil at a time, but it doesn't seem to be helping. I am still

> having shooting pains all over my body.

>

> Do any of you have neck involvement with your RA? I've had neck

> problems for years that was resolved after neck surgery. Now,

> after

> more than a year of feeling better, my neck is acting up again.

> It

> is stiff and sore and causing daily headaches. It is much worse

> when

> it is rainy.

>

> Are there any questions that you wished you had asked your dr.

> but

> didn't?

>

> Thank you for any information.

>

> Kim

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

This is the first I have heard of using rubber gloves. How do they help with RA. My hands hurt so bad. I have neuropathy in them and my feet. I also have fibromyalgia. It is hard to know just what is working on me at any given time. When I was first diagnosed I could't get out of bed for a few days. I gradually got to the point I could use a walker. If there is anyone that has anything they know that might help me, I would apreciate you help. I see in the messages back and forth, very good advise. Thanks Jo NellMarcia Stoyle <marciastoyle@...> wrote: hi, Kim! a quick fix for your hands is to pick up a pair of elasticgloves, with the finger-tips cut off. I wear my daily atwork...computer input all day long. Some of us have special orderedthese from different websites, but I have seen them at my pharmacy. Onthe aisle with the ACE elastic bandges, knee brace bandages, and such. gentle hugs! Marcia--- Kim on <hockim2stny (DOT) rr.com> wrote:> Deborah,> > Thank you for the information. I am impatiently waiting for my> appointment on Wednesday with the rheumatologist. Does it take a> long time for the medications to work? I really want to get back on> track for the summer. Right now, I am limited to some degree in what> I do. It seems like when I use my hands, they swell further and> cause more pain, but I

don't have a choice. I have to use my hands.> > Kim> > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Deborah Bargad > Rheumatoid Arthritis > Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2008 4:55 AM> Subject: Re: Hello all> > > Dear Kim- The disease itself needs to be curbed by a biologic. > Remicade or Rituxan. You will be put on Methotrexate too which will> slow down the RA cell division. Getting your disease under control> quickly is essential to avoid damage which you already aware of. You> will find chronic fatigue and Fibromyalgia are common with RA. You> should advocate for yourself also. Be a proactive participant in> your care. I would find the Arthritis Foundation's Local Chapter> Office in your state. Go to www.arthritisfoundation.org for

more> information. Since it is your first visit, The standard pain meds> are all you can use. Ask your doctor for Prescription strength> Ibuprofen 800mg and take 2 or 3 tablets. You can also ask for a few> days worth of Darvocet but it does cause nausea so be sure to take it> with food. Once you stop the inflammation cascade that causes you to> have pain and swelling, you will feel better. Once you get on a> biologic, you should see improvement quite quickly. I know I did. I> have been on remicade for many years and it still works for me. Your> RA factor and Your Sed Rate are important players in your blood work.> Once you start feeling better your Sed Rate should start to go down.> Do not work the part of your body during a flare. Use Ice or Heat> depending on what feels better to you. Good Luck. Email anytime.> Yours, Deborah. RA since 1994.> > > > On

Wed, May 21, 2008 at 11:56 AM, Kim on> <hockim2stny (DOT) rr.com> wrote:> > Hi all,> > I am fairly familiar with RA. My mother-in-law has had it her> entire > adult life and is now crippled with it. I've heard about her> various > treatments and seen the toll it has taken on her. Unfortunately,> now > I'm getting an even closer view of RA as I was finally diagnosed> two > weeks ago and have quickly developed symptoms. My husband's > terminology is, "It hit fast and hard."> > I have not seen the rheumatologist yet. There is only one within> 30 > miles and he deals with all the autoimmune diseases in our area. > Originally, my appointment was set up for July, but a> cancellation > will allow me to get in next Wednesday. I just have a couple of > questions:>

> How did you manage pain while waiting for the meds to kick in? My> > regular dr. didn't give me any pain medication. She gave me > Prednisone (10 mg/day) and Ambien because I wasn't sleeping for> more > than an hour at a time for almost two weeks. I am taking 800 mg> of > Advil at a time, but it doesn't seem to be helping. I am still > having shooting pains all over my body.> > Do any of you have neck involvement with your RA? I've had neck > problems for years that was resolved after neck surgery. Now,> after > more than a year of feeling better, my neck is acting up again.> It > is stiff and sore and causing daily headaches. It is much worse> when > it is rainy.> > Are there any questions that you wished you had asked your dr.> but > didn't?> > Thank you for any information.> > Kim >

> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Hi again Kim,

When I first got RA I was in the hospital

with pneumonia and because of my weakened condition my RA was able to take

control. My rheumatologist prescribed 40 mg Prednisone daily while

waiting for the DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) to take

effect. It took me almost a year and several increases in medication

before I could finally get off Prednisone but at first it was sufficient to

allow me to struggle out of bed to go to the bathroom. Prednisone is

usually the fastest-acting source of relief for RA problems but it also has bad

side effects so we usually try to get off it as soon as we reasonably

can. Ibuprofen is the best OTC medication I know about as an

anti-inflammatory and I think that is usually a major constituent of Advil but

here are enough different kinds of Advil you have to look each one up to be

sure. When I had pericarditis because of my RA (inflammation around my

heart) my cardiologist had me use both Prednisone and Ibuprofen and told me to

wean off the Prednisone first when I got better and then wean off the

Ibuprofen. I guess the same advice may be best for you. You may

need to increase the Prednisone to get the amount of relief you seek, but

remember that there are bad side effects to almost any medication so the less

the better.

Some people are affected by weather,

possibly because of the low pressure that usually accompanies rain rather than

the rain itself. I don’t have that problem so I’m not speaking

from experience. God bless.

Harold

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of Kim on

Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 7:56

AM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject:

Hello all

Hi all,

I am fairly familiar with RA. My mother-in-law has had it her entire

adult life and is now crippled with it. I've heard about her various

treatments and seen the toll it has taken on her. Unfortunately, now

I'm getting an even closer view of RA as I was finally diagnosed two

weeks ago and have quickly developed symptoms. My husband's

terminology is, " It hit fast and hard. "

I have not seen the rheumatologist yet. There is only one within 30

miles and he deals with all the autoimmune diseases in our area.

Originally, my appointment was set up for July, but a cancellation

will allow me to get in next Wednesday. I just have a couple of

questions:

How did you manage pain while waiting for the meds to kick in? My

regular dr. didn't give me any pain medication. She gave me

Prednisone (10 mg/day) and Ambien because I wasn't sleeping for more

than an hour at a time for almost two weeks. I am taking 800 mg of

Advil at a time, but it doesn't seem to be helping. I am still

having shooting pains all over my body.

Do any of you have neck involvement with your RA? I've had neck

problems for years that was resolved after neck surgery. Now, after

more than a year of feeling better, my neck is acting up again. It

is stiff and sore and causing daily headaches. It is much worse when

it is rainy.

Are there any questions that you wished you had asked your dr. but

didn't?

Thank you for any information.

Kim

[Guest guest]

www.wisdomking.com sells 3/4 length edema compression gloves. They work amazingly providing support. Ice your hands whenever possible and avoid using them as much as possible because when you are flaring, thats when your joints get damaged. try taping them or using ace bandages to support/immobilize them especially at night. Hopefully meds will take effect with a few days once a biologic is in your system. I got relief in a few days on remicade. Hugs, Deborah

On Sun, May 18, 2008 at 1:42 PM, Kim on <hockim2@...> wrote:

Deborah,

Thank you for the information. I am impatiently waiting for my appointment on Wednesday with the rheumatologist. Does it take a long time for the medications to work? I really want to get back on track for the summer. Right now, I am limited to some degree in what I do. It seems like when I use my hands, they swell further and cause more pain, but I don't have a choice. I have to use my hands.

Kim

----- Original Message -----

From: Deborah Bargad

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2008 4:55 AM

Subject: Re: Hello all

Dear Kim- The disease itself needs to be curbed by a biologic. Remicade or Rituxan. You will be put on Methotrexate too which will slow down the RA cell division. Getting your disease under control quickly is essential to avoid damage which you already aware of. You will find chronic fatigue and Fibromyalgia are common with RA. You should advocate for yourself also. Be a proactive participant in your care. I would find the Arthritis Foundation's Local Chapter Office in your state. Go to www.arthritisfoundation.org for more information. Since it is your first visit, The standard pain meds are all you can use. Ask your doctor for Prescription strength Ibuprofen 800mg and take 2 or 3 tablets. You can also ask for a few days worth of Darvocet but it does cause nausea so be sure to take it with food. Once you stop the inflammation cascade that causes you to have pain and swelling, you will feel better. Once you get on a biologic, you should see improvement quite quickly. I know I did. I have been on remicade for many years and it still works for me. Your RA factor and Your Sed Rate are important players in your blood work. Once you start feeling better your Sed Rate should start to go down. Do not work the part of your body during a flare. Use Ice or Heat depending on what feels better to you. Good Luck. Email anytime. Yours, Deborah. RA since 1994.

On Wed, May 21, 2008 at 11:56 AM, Kim on <hockim2@...> wrote:

Hi all,I am fairly familiar with RA. My mother-in-law has had it her entire adult life and is now crippled with it. I've heard about her various treatments and seen the toll it has taken on her. Unfortunately, now I'm getting an even closer view of RA as I was finally diagnosed two weeks ago and have quickly developed symptoms. My husband's terminology is, " It hit fast and hard. " I have not seen the rheumatologist yet. There is only one within 30 miles and he deals with all the autoimmune diseases in our area. Originally, my appointment was set up for July, but a cancellation will allow me to get in next Wednesday. I just have a couple of questions:How did you manage pain while waiting for the meds to kick in? My regular dr. didn't give me any pain medication. She gave me Prednisone (10 mg/day) and Ambien because I wasn't sleeping for more than an hour at a time for almost two weeks. I am taking 800 mg of Advil at a time, but it doesn't seem to be helping. I am still having shooting pains all over my body.Do any of you have neck involvement with your RA? I've had neck problems for years that was resolved after neck surgery. Now, after more than a year of feeling better, my neck is acting up again. It is stiff and sore and causing daily headaches. It is much worse when it is rainy.Are there any questions that you wished you had asked your dr. but didn't?Thank you for any information.Kim

[Guest guest]

I got my compression gloves from CVS. Walgreens may also sell them.

Vicki

----- Original Message ----From: Deborah Bargad <dbargad@...>Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Monday, May 26, 2008 4:24:43 PMSubject: Re: Hello all

www.wisdomking. com sells 3/4 length edema compression gloves. They work amazingly providing support. Ice your hands whenever possible and avoid using them as much as possible because when you are flaring, thats when your joints get damaged. try taping them or using ace bandages to support/immobilize them especially at night. Hopefully meds will take effect with a few days once a biologic is in your system. I got relief in a few days on remicade. Hugs, Deborah

On Sun, May 18, 2008 at 1:42 PM, Kim on <hockim2stny (DOT) rr.com> wrote:

Deborah,

Thank you for the information. I am impatiently waiting for my appointment on Wednesday with the rheumatologist. Does it take a long time for the medications to work? I really want to get back on track for the summer. Right now, I am limited to some degree in what I do. It seems like when I use my hands, they swell further and cause more pain, but I don't have a choice. I have to use my hands.

Kim

----- Original Message -----

From: Deborah Bargad

rheumatoid_arthriti sgroups (DOT) com

Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2008 4:55 AM

Subject: Re: [rheumatoid_ arthritis] Hello all

Dear Kim- The disease itself needs to be curbed by a biologic. Remicade or Rituxan. You will be put on Methotrexate too which will slow down the RA cell division. Getting your disease under control quickly is essential to avoid damage which you already aware of. You will find chronic fatigue and Fibromyalgia are common with RA. You should advocate for yourself also. Be a proactive participant in your care. I would find the Arthritis Foundation's Local Chapter Office in your state. Go to www.arthritisfounda tion.org for more information. Since it is your first visit, The standard pain meds are all you can use. Ask your doctor for Prescription strength Ibuprofen 800mg and take 2 or 3 tablets. You can also ask for a few days worth of Darvocet but it does cause nausea so be sure to take it with food.

Once you stop the inflammation cascade that causes you to have pain and swelling, you will feel better. Once you get on a biologic, you should see improvement quite quickly. I know I did. I have been on remicade for many years and it still works for me. Your RA factor and Your Sed Rate are important players in your blood work. Once you start feeling better your Sed Rate should start to go down. Do not work the part of your body during a flare. Use Ice or Heat depending on what feels better to you. Good Luck. Email anytime. Yours, Deborah. RA since 1994.

On Wed, May 21, 2008 at 11:56 AM, Kim on <hockim2stny (DOT) rr.com> wrote:

Hi all,I am fairly familiar with RA. My mother-in-law has had it her entire adult life and is now crippled with it. I've heard about her various treatments and seen the toll it has taken on her. Unfortunately, now I'm getting an even closer view of RA as I was finally diagnosed two weeks ago and have quickly developed symptoms. My husband's terminology is, "It hit fast and hard."I have not seen the rheumatologist yet. There is only one within 30 miles and he deals with all the autoimmune diseases in our area. Originally, my appointment was set up for July, but a cancellation will allow me to get in next Wednesday. I just have a couple of questions:How did you manage pain while waiting for the meds to kick in? My regular dr. didn't give me any pain medication. She gave me Prednisone (10 mg/day) and Ambien because I wasn't sleeping for more than an hour at a time for almost two

weeks. I am taking 800 mg of Advil at a time, but it doesn't seem to be helping. I am still having shooting pains all over my body.Do any of you have neck involvement with your RA? I've had neck problems for years that was resolved after neck surgery. Now, after more than a year of feeling better, my neck is acting up again. It is stiff and sore and causing daily headaches. It is much worse when it is rainy.Are there any questions that you wished you had asked your dr. but didn't?Thank you for any information.Kim

[Guest guest]

Dear Kim- I have Hyperthyroidism. It is common in people with auto immune disorders. I am taking Proplythioriacil or PTU. Go see an endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid disorders. You need answers and a prompt and efficient and reliable diagnosis as well as a plan for your pain. Hyper thyroid will give you a rapid heartbeat, Palpitations, dizziness and chest pain. I would demand to see an endocrinologist right away and also a referral to a different Rheumatologist if he isnt proactive about putting you on a biologic. Borderline symptoms dont mean you dont have RA. I had buckets of blood taken for nearly a year before my RA factor turned up positive. Its a good sign that he took more blood. He is also NOT an endocrinologist so you need to see one asap. After your new blood work comes back, see what the RD says. In the meantime, every day you go without proper treatment if you do indeed have RA or any number of connective tissue disorders is another day you lose ground. Borderline sed rate or borderline RA factors dont mean you shouldnt try aggressive treatment options. Learn what your blood tests mean. Just go to www.google.com and type in " standard blood tests for RA " should help you alot. Keep us informed and as I said before advocate for yourself. You have to do the work yourself so you can go to the doctor and not get pooh poohed by them. They will opt for the least invasive approach if you let them. If the RD had your hands or your feet right now, he would be running for a biologic. You may also have a thyroid node or Goiter which can be either hot (active or cold (inactive). I have two. One on my right side and another very large one on my left side they found by accident on a CT scan. You should have a diagnostic test of your neck. Good Luck, Deborah

On Thu, May 22, 2008 at 9:05 PM, Kim on <hockim2@...> wrote:

Thank you all again for all the advice.

I've had a difficult couple of weeks. Friday I was in so much pain that nothing was working. I took baths, Advil, used ice, but nothing was successful. I was up all night and started having chest pain and dizziness early in the morning. When I started having diarrhea I woke my husband up and we went to the hospital. My blood pressure was extremely high, but my heart was okay except for my fast heart rate (100+) which I've had for almost a year.

The er dr. was concerned about my thyroid and added it to the bloodwork. My regular dr. called me Monday to say that I had hyopthyroidism and that I had to start medication. Wednesday I had my first appointment with the rhematologist. He said that my symptoms didn't fit hypothyroidism, but they did fit hyperthyroidism. Also, he wasn't sure about the arthritis because my bloodwork was borderline and my symptoms were pretty good that day. He ended up doing a lot of bloodwork. That night, my regular dr. called me again and said that my thyroid test came back and was at the other end of the spectrum, but on the lower end of normal. There was such a discrepancy in the two thyroid test that they didn't know what was going on. I have no clue what is going on, but I'm still in pain and am frustrated.

I have had some better days. Usually cool, dry days are good. Rainy, stormy days are very bad. The day I saw the rhematologist, I had very little pain and only mild inflamation. I think he is thinking fybromyalgia instead of ra, but I'm wondering if it could be both. My fingers, toes, and wrists are so sore.

Does anyone have any ideas on the thyroid? I looked up the symptoms and I don't fit hypothyroidism, but I was curious, so I looked up the hyperthyroid sypmtoms. I fit 90% of them. What about the ra? If my tests are borderline what does that mean?

Thanks.

Kim

----- Original Message -----

From: Harold Van Tuyl

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Monday, May 26, 2008 4:07 PM

Subject: RE: Hello all

Hi again Kim,

When I first got RA I was in the hospital with pneumonia and because of my weakened condition my RA was able to take control. My rheumatologist prescribed 40 mg Prednisone daily while waiting for the DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) to take effect. It took me almost a year and several increases in medication before I could finally get off Prednisone but at first it was sufficient to allow me to struggle out of bed to go to the bathroom. Prednisone is usually the fastest-acting source of relief for RA problems but it also has bad side effects so we usually try to get off it as soon as we reasonably can. Ibuprofen is the best OTC medication I know about as an anti-inflammatory and I think that is usually a major constituent of Advil but here are enough different kinds of Advil you have to look each one up to be sure. When I had pericarditis because of my RA (inflammation around my heart) my cardiologist had me use both Prednisone and Ibuprofen and told me to wean off the Prednisone first when I got better and then wean off the Ibuprofen. I guess the same advice may be best for you. You may need to increase the Prednisone to get the amount of relief you seek, but remember that there are bad side effects to almost any medication so the less the better.

Some people are affected by weather, possibly because of the low pressure that usually accompanies rain rather than the rain itself. I don't have that problem so I'm not speaking from experience. God bless.

Harold

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of Kim onSent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 7:56 AMRheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Hello all

Hi all,I am fairly familiar with RA. My mother-in-law has had it her entire adult life and is now crippled with it. I've heard about her various treatments and seen the toll it has taken on her. Unfortunately, now I'm getting an even closer view of RA as I was finally diagnosed two weeks ago and have quickly developed symptoms. My husband's terminology is, " It hit fast and hard. " I have not seen the rheumatologist yet. There is only one within 30 miles and he deals with all the autoimmune diseases in our area. Originally, my appointment was set up for July, but a cancellation will allow me to get in next Wednesday. I just have a couple of questions:How did you manage pain while waiting for the meds to kick in? My regular dr. didn't give me any pain medication. She gave me Prednisone (10 mg/day) and Ambien because I wasn't sleeping for more than an hour at a time for almost two weeks. I am taking 800 mg of Advil at a time, but it doesn't seem to be helping. I am still having shooting pains all over my body.Do any of you have neck involvement with your RA? I've had neck problems for years that was resolved after neck surgery. Now, after more than a year of feeling better, my neck is acting up again. It is stiff and sore and causing daily headaches. It is much worse when it is rainy.Are there any questions that you wished you had asked your dr. but didn't?Thank you for any information.Kim

[Guest guest]

Beth and the group

Welcome Beth, your in luck. I got the link from a friend about this group. They

are great. I have learned so much from everyone. I have RA. among other illness.

The RA had me down worse than the others as far as day to day living. I looked

for people to chat with about my condition and a friend gave me this link as i

said.

 

Wow MTX did that. I take MTX, I will have to keep my eye open for those kinds of

problems. I think my doctor is going to put me on prednisone. I heard it helps a

lot. This is why all of us dont get meds like we want the doctors are afraid of

the side effects I bet.

 

Its good to hear from the group

Everyone take care please

Clora

 

From: ccbethonthefarm <ccbethonthefarm@...>

Subject: [ ] Hello All

Date: Friday, July 25, 2008, 5:46 PM

My name is Beth. I stumbled upon this while signing up for another

Group. I am 42 yrs old and was diagnosed with RA when I was 17.

I have been on many different drugs throughout this time. I have had

both knees replaced (one so long ago that has already been revised). I

have also had my right foot reconstructed.

Currently the RA is behaving itself on the current meds. However, I am

dealing with a leg ulcer. Left leg was left with with venous stasis

after dealing with an ulcer for 2 yrs. That ulcer came about after a

biopsy site didn't heal due to the MTX and prednisone I was on.

I am always looking for new info and hopefully can share some helpful

things as well.

[Guest guest]

HI BETH, WELCOME TO THE RA GROUP IT'S AWESOME!!

I'M A 38YR.OLD WHO WAS DX AT THE AGE OF 5.I TOO HAVE BEEN ON WAY TOO MANY DRUGS

THROUGHOUT MY LIFE.

I ALSO HAVE HAD BOTH KNEES REPLACED & THE LEFT ONE WAS DONE TWICE.MY RIGHT FOOT

ALSO WAS RECONSTRUCTED DUE TO IT TURNING INWARD & MUCH ADDED PAIN!!

DO U MIND IF I ASK WHAT MEDS U TAKE, I'D APPRECIATE IT!GOD BLESS,MELYNDA 7/25/08

9:48P.M.CENTRAL

[ ] Hello All

My name is Beth.  I stumbled upon this while signing up for another

Group.  I am 42 yrs old and was diagnosed with RA when I was 17.. 

I have been on many different drugs throughout this time.  I have had

both knees replaced (one so long ago that has already been revised)..  I

have also had my right foot reconstructed.

Currently the RA is behaving itself on the current meds.  However, I am

dealing with a leg ulcer.  Left leg was left with with venous stasis

after dealing with an ulcer for 2 yrs.  That ulcer came about after a

biopsy site didn't heal due to the MTX and prednisone I was on.

I am always looking for new info and hopefully can share some helpful

things as well.

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Melynda and group,

I have been on MTX and prednisone since my college days!  Close to 20 yrs I

guess.  Also take Celebrex, folic acid and calcium supplements.  I have a great

rheumatologist.  he is expensive though.  He doesn't accept any health

insurance.  I do have great health insurance and they will cover 80% for drs out

of network.  I was taken off Humira due to some serious upper respiratory

infections.  Although it is rare, he had a patient develop TB while on Humira. 

I don't think he was willing to take even the slightest chance. 

 

It's funny, although I only take 5mg of prednisone...any time we try to take it

away...I experience a flare.  I call it part of my cocktail.  You just can't

mess with it.  I do know the long term effects of prednisone are not good.  I

guess I'll cross that bridge when I get there!  Right now am able to live life

without a great deal of pain, take care of my kids (I'm divorced and have 10 yr

old twin boys), and hold down a job (I am a 3rd grade teacher...this year makes

#19!!)

 

Just reading about the pain some of you are in right now.  I beleive it is

really hard for anyone to understand it unless they have lived with it.  It is

pain like no other.

 

I am glad to be here and hope you all have a great Saturday!

Hugs,

Beth

 

 

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group Beth!

Lori

http://home.comcast.net/~queenstitcher/

http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com

[Guest guest]

Mylenda and Group

 

You got that right Mylendia, no one knows unless the have the pain of RA.  I

have a hard time explaining to my oldest my pain. She is convinced its my

weight.

 

I cant wait to get on prednisone. I have heard it helps a lot of people. I

wonder what other side effect are. I know weight gain is one side affect. Some

one said lower doses help keep the side affects down. I want to start out big on

predisone lol . And than cut down.

 

I read every email I get from our group. Thanks for the idea about a gym .

I know some great exercises, but right now I am in to much pain to move. I am

not kidding. Lori , I have wondered about yoga. When I get something for pain I

will look into it. thanks

 

Thanks Group for all your information.  When I hear someone is suffering I say a

prayer right than. I enjoy all your emails. As I said those with children to

raise my heart goes out to you.  I will lose weight I know a lot of you will be

sending ideas. I dont know what carbs are. I will google it. lol. I got an idea

what they are.

hugs everyone

Clora

 

[Guest guest]

Clora, if you don't know what carbs are, you'd better not get diabetes,

LOL. Carbohydrates are things with sugar in them or starchy foods that

turn into sugar once we chew them up, such as bread, potatoes, pasta,

and rice. I try not to eat anything white, since I have diabetes.

Prednisone is great for causing weight gain, so you might not want to

wish for it too much if you want to lose weight.

Sue

On Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 03:35 PM, Clora wrote:

>  

> Thanks Group for all your information.  When I hear someone is

> suffering I say a prayer right than. I enjoy all your emails. As I

> said those with children to raise my heart goes out to you.  I will

> lose weight I know a lot of you will be sending ideas. I dont know

> what carbs are. I will google it. lol. I got an idea what they are.

> hugs everyone

> Clora

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[Guest guest]

Hi Beth:

Welcome to our group, and glad you found us. You will gets lots of

support and information here.

Sorry to hear about your leg ulcer, and I hope it begins to heal soon.

I am sure it is very painful.

Wishing and praying for you to have pain free days.

Hugs, Barbara

>

> From: ccbethonthefarm ccbethonthefarm@...

> Subject: [ ] Hello All

>

> Date: Friday, July 25, 2008, 5:46 PM

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> My name is Beth. I stumbled upon this while signing up for another

> Group. I am 42 yrs old and was diagnosed with RA when I was 17.

> I have been on many different drugs throughout this time. I have had

> both knees replaced (one so long ago that has already been revised). I

> have also had my right foot reconstructed.

>

> Currently the RA is behaving itself on the current meds. However, I am

> dealing with a leg ulcer. Left leg was left with with venous stasis

> after dealing with an ulcer for 2 yrs. That ulcer came about after a

> biopsy site didn't heal due to the MTX and prednisone I was on.

>

> I am always looking for new info and hopefully can share some helpful

> things as well.

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[Guest guest]

Leela and I are Master Practitioners in a technique called BEST.

(Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique)

We live in the desert north of Lancaster/Palmdale about 80 miles from Los

Angeles California.

We became practitioners when BEST removed all of Leela's fibromyalgia pain.

Before treatment she was taking 4-6 Vicodin per day, just to get through the

day.

As practitioners, we see miracles everyday. It is amazing what our minds can do

to our body, and easily as amazing what our minds can keep our body from doing.

Healing takes place naturally. We don't have to do anything to kick it into

gear. If healing isn't taking place, our body is reacting to something else that

it considers a higher priority.

When our subconscious believes we are threatened, it puts our body into survival

mode. Digesting food is not a priority. Healing is not a priority. Once we calm

down out of that survival mode, our body will heal from anything.

So far, we have witnessed two tumors going away. Five cases of high blood

pressure and diabetes going away. And, unknown numbers of chronic pain and

suffering, simply becoming unnecessary. Simple things like losing weight are

easy.

We applauded when Dr. Oz -from Oprah fame- and Dr. Dean Onish spoke before the

senate committee on healthcare and told the world that a majority of the money

we spend on disease could be saved if we would simply make some lifestyle

changes.

They both said, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic pain

could be eliminated by simple lifestyle changes.

Diagnosing symptoms can't work because the underlying cause of the symptoms

isn't solved by drugs or procedures.

http://www.pmri.org/publications/Dr%20Ornish%20Senate%20testimony%20revised%20Fe\

b%2026%202009.pdf

It is a very cool thing to be living now and able to help folks heal and choose

vibrant energy, strength, and flexibility for the rest of their life.

Dennis Corby