Guest guest Posted July 15, 2002 Report Share Posted July 15, 2002 Hi and Dylan, welcome to the board. While I did not use the DOCband, many of our members here have, and for the most part they are all very happy with the correction they have received. My twins wore the STARband, which is very similar to the DOCband, and they didn't mind wearing thier bands at all! Most kids seem to forget that they are even wearing anything on their heads, it just becomes a part of them. For the first few days Dylan will probably only wear it for a few hours at a time, and then an hour off to help him get adjusted to it and also to check for any areas where the band might need an adjustment. He will eventually work his way up to 23 hours a day, with one hour off to clean the band and let it dry. He will also sleep in his band. I think the first night my twins wore their bands to bed, they fussed for awhile, but it was smooth sailing after that. It really is a lot harder for us as parents to adjust to all of this than it is for the kids. It always amazes me how resilient the babies are. How soon some correction will be seen varies. Since Dylan is so young and still has a lot of growth spurts headed his way, I would think you should see some correction relatvely quickly! Who do you have for insurance? Maybe someone here also has the same company and can share with you their experiences in dealing with them. Good luck , be sure to keep us posted onhow things are going! And again, welcome to the group! Niki Kaylie & Danny (STAR grads) Phila., PA > Hi, My name is and my son, Dylan, who is 5 months, is going to > get a DOC band in the next few weeks. His head is really flat from > sleeping on his back ,etc and we just found out that he needs to get > the Band. I would really appreciate any other parent's experiences > with the Band. I hope it is covered by insurance *(I am waiting to > find out and praying!). Do the babies like it? can they sleep,do they > wear it 24 hours a day? How long does it take to see a big > difference, etc? > > Thank you so much! > > > > ejohalloran@h... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2002 Report Share Posted July 15, 2002 Hello and welcome! You are fortunate to be getting a good early start - that's great! At five months you should get some really good correction and probably really quickly too! Babies typically wear the band 23 hours a day. They get to be out for 1 hour for bathing and for cleaning the band. Most babies adjust to the bands very quickly and many of them never even seem to notice it is there at all! Sleeping in the helmet was never an issue for and I've heard only a few stories of the band causing any sleep disruptions at all - these situations usually improved in short order. Since your baby is so young you may notice improvement rather quickly. Some people have noticed improvement in just 2 weeks, for others it took 4-6 weeks. It really depends on growth spurts - how many and how quick. As far as insurance goes I wish I could say that the bands are usually covered with no problems, however, this has not always been our experience here. Some cover with no problems at all - others take months of fighting and appealing to get coverage - others appeal and ultimately still get denied. I will keep my fingers crossed that your insurance co will cov!er the band with no problems at all. If not, hang with us - we can help you out with that as well! Best of wishes to you and your baby - please keep us posted!! Marci (mom to ) Oklahoma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2002 Report Share Posted July 16, 2002 Hi welcome!! My daughter Mya is flat on her right side with misaligned ears and she wears a DOC band. SHes been wearing hers for 4 months. She is about to get a 2nd one. babies seem to do well in them. With Mya she was fine since day one. Never seemed to notice it at all. SHe started in it at 9 months old. Now that shes a year old she does flick the velcro at times and sometimes she yanks on the band but the only time she does that is when she is outside and starts to sweat. this is my cue to dry her off. Otherwise she could care less about it. The DOC band is required to stayon for 23 hours a day only taking it off to bathe the baby and clean the band. ALso you can take it off to towel dry the babys head and the band if the baby is sweating alot through out the day. We saw a change with in a week it wasnt huge but it was noticable. Now after 4 months the difference is tremendous. Her ears are still off but the flat part looks so much better, Good luck to you and let us know if you have any more questions. The people here are so nice and theres always someone who can answer your questions. Christi mom to MYA (DOC band 3/6/02) > Hi, My name is and my son, Dylan, who is 5 months, is going to > get a DOC band in the next few weeks. His head is really flat from > sleeping on his back ,etc and we just found out that he needs to get > the Band. I would really appreciate any other parent's experiences > with the Band. I hope it is covered by insurance *(I am waiting to > find out and praying!). Do the babies like it? can they sleep,do they > wear it 24 hours a day? How long does it take to see a big > difference, etc? > > Thank you so much! > > > > ejohalloran@h... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2002 Report Share Posted July 16, 2002 Hi & Welcome to our group! We're glad you have found us! What insurance provider do you have? Some insurances do cover the bands, some do not. Some will later cover the band after originally denying it after parents have appealed. Most babies don't care for a second that the band is on their head. Everyone kept telling me this, but I thought for sure that my daughter would hate it! Well thankfully she didn't care for a second it was on her head, I on the other hand, had a difficult time for the 1st week or 2 of her wearing it! I hated seeing her in it. Abby slept thru the night as usual, no problems sleeping in it at all. Your lucky to be getting your son treated so young yet! He should get great & fast improvement while in the DOCband. Have you scheduled the casting yet? What location will you be going to? Babies wear the bands 23 hrs a day...they get a one hour break out of it, during this time, parents clean the band and bathe the baby. You will probably notice a difference in Dylan's headshape after just a couple weeks (not guaranteed) being that he's so young yet. BUT, improvement depends on growth spurts, so it's hard to tell. Each baby is different. Welcome again to our group! We look forward to hearing more from you & Dylan. Debbie abby's mom DOCGrad MI > Hi, My name is and my son, Dylan, who is 5 months, is going to > get a DOC band in the next few weeks. His head is really flat from > sleeping on his back ,etc and we just found out that he needs to get > the Band. I would really appreciate any other parent's experiences > with the Band. I hope it is covered by insurance *(I am waiting to > find out and praying!). Do the babies like it? can they sleep,do they > wear it 24 hours a day? How long does it take to see a big > difference, etc? > > Thank you so much! > > > > ejohalloran@h... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2002 Report Share Posted July 17, 2002 Hi Welcome to the group. My son is also called Dylan and he had the DOCband too. He adjusted to the band straight away and he was 8 months old. Your son is a great age to get correction. Dylan sleeps for 12 hours and no problems. The first week we had to have an adustment as Dylan had a red mark that did not disapear within the hour but after the OT shaved that spot no problems. Also my Dylan has had great correction so far with the DOCband. Wishing you luck and feel free to ask any questions. Take care Kerry - Marcus (3) Dylan (17months) Calgary,AB >From: " elysium172002 " <ejohalloran@...> >Reply-Plagiocephaly >Plagiocephaly >Subject: New to Board >Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2002 19:13:38 -0000 > >Hi, My name is and my son, Dylan, who is 5 months, is going to >get a DOC band in the next few weeks. His head is really flat from >sleeping on his back ,etc and we just found out that he needs to get >the Band. I would really appreciate any other parent's experiences >with the Band. I hope it is covered by insurance *(I am waiting to >find out and praying!). Do the babies like it? can they sleep,do they >wear it 24 hours a day? How long does it take to see a big >difference, etc? > >Thank you so much! > > > >ejohalloran@... > _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2002 Report Share Posted July 23, 2002 , Hi and welcome to the group! You have probably already gotten a ton of responses about the band, I just wanted to say welcome and share a little of our experience with the DOC band. wore his from 5-8 months, did not mind it a bit, slept in it fine, we went in weekly for fittings since he was growing so rapidly at that time. Good luck and keep us posted! ' Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Hi. I am new to this group and not exactly sure how it works. I have been taking xolair shots since January 2004. Since I am on other asthma meds, it is hard for me to tell if the xolair is effective. I would like to know more about other people's experience. Has anyone gotten off of other asthma meds? Is that the goal? I have a ton of questions, but I'll just ask those for now. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Welcome to the group! I have been on Xolair for eight months. I used to take (on average) 7 meds a day, depending on whether or not I was in a flare. I am off everything except for antihistamines about three times a week. My doc even took me off the allergy shots. I love Xolair. Most people start to notice improvement in different ways, but one indicator is if you have increased symptoms 2-3 days before you are due for your next round of shots. Of course, not needing your rescue meds as often is a good indicator also. Best of luck, Addy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 I know what you mean about fear of side effects. It took me two weeks to start methotrexate after I filled the Rx. At one point I put the tabs on a plate, studied them for a while, then put them back in the bottle. I was supposed to start with four tabs, but only took two. After a month, I felt confident enough to take three. Despite all of my fears, I am tolerating the med very well. Next time, I will take all four. Be aware that doing nothing has side effects, too. My mom has chosen to not treat her RA, and her joints have become severely damaged. She is having difficulty walking. At 62, she has given up driving and lives as a near shut-in. At least with med side effects you can stop the drug or make adjustments in dosage. The kinds of problems caused by fear of treatment are irreversible. Sierra > Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with RA on March 31 of this year and I'm > still having trouble accepting it as childish as that sounds. I just > turned 38, I've never been one to take any meds and generally I take > care of myself. The doctor has put me on plaquenil and again I'm > embarassed to say I haven't started them yet-I'm so scared of side > effects and then what if they don't work and I have to take something > scarier. My rheumy doc said this is a normal reaction but I still > feel like an idiot-only I can take care of myself. Anyhow, I just > wanted to introduce myself and I hope I will learn some much needed > info from this group and get and lend support to others. Dar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Welcome, Dar! You're having a normal reaction. An RA diagnosis is not easy to accept. Many people here led very physically active, independent lives and were good to their bodies, yet still developed RA. It's a shock. I urge you to begin your medication, since early, aggressive treatment with DMARDs like Plaquenil leads to a better outcome in RA. Best not to let the inflammation build and get out of control. Learn all you can about your disease and work closely with your physician, and you will be taking care of you. I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] New to Board > Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with RA on March 31 of this year and I'm > still having trouble accepting it as childish as that sounds. I just > turned 38, I've never been one to take any meds and generally I take > care of myself. The doctor has put me on plaquenil and again I'm > embarassed to say I haven't started them yet-I'm so scared of side > effects and then what if they don't work and I have to take something > scarier. My rheumy doc said this is a normal reaction but I still > feel like an idiot-only I can take care of myself. Anyhow, I just > wanted to introduce myself and I hope I will learn some much needed > info from this group and get and lend support to others. Dar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 I know what you mean to be scared about taking meds. We want to be informed about what you are putting in your body and when you look at the list of side effects you wonder is it really worth it. I have pretty much been that way through all of it. I ask my Rheumy how many pts she has had on this drug and what the response is with the drug. I know that everyone is individual and can have different experiences but I like to get an idea of what she has seen. I also then weigh where I am at with my disease process. If I am very painful and I can see the disfigurement of the disease process I usually feel, what have I got to lose. I do know that with routine blood tests many things can be picked up if there is to be a problem. I am 43 years old with RA. I am currently on Arava every other day as I am being tapered off of it due to being in a remission like state. I had the option if I wanted to try the tapering and I thought what the heck, lets do it. I am also on Enbrel injecting 2x/wk. I am still doing great. When I see my Rheumy again which to be honest I can't remember when it is, she will taper the Arava again to 2x/wk. My blood work looks excellent. I have gone off of the Vioxx due to a lot of what I have been reading about studies on it and causing heart problems. I think just getting as much info about the drug is the most helpful. It is a scary thing though, don't get me wrong. Terri [ ] New to Board > Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with RA on March 31 of this year and I'm > still having trouble accepting it as childish as that sounds. I just > turned 38, I've never been one to take any meds and generally I take > care of myself. The doctor has put me on plaquenil and again I'm > embarassed to say I haven't started them yet-I'm so scared of side > effects and then what if they don't work and I have to take something > scarier. My rheumy doc said this is a normal reaction but I still > feel like an idiot-only I can take care of myself. Anyhow, I just > wanted to introduce myself and I hope I will learn some much needed > info from this group and get and lend support to others. Dar. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 I know how you feel. I feel the same about the drugs. I hate having to take them. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I have seen the disabling effects of RA because my mom has it. She didn't have the drugs we have today, and she is a mess. No joints in her hands and feet, very painful even with the tons of drugs she takes now, and very disfigured. Because I know what RA can do to your body, I never hesitated to take the drugs (even though I never used to take anything for any reason). I know it sucks to have to take them, but believe me the alternative is way worse. Waiting to start medication even a few months can get you some form of permanent joint damage. One other thing, you should expect that the medication will work and eventually not be enough and you will need other drugs. This is very common, although it doesn't happen for everyone. I could not wait to get on one of the biological drugs because I know how effective they are at stopping the progression of the disease. I am thankful that now that I am on Humira it is helping me a lot and I may be able to get off prednisone and reduce the dose of methotrexate. I accept that I am dependant on these drugs. I will never accept letting RA win. It's a hard point to get to, but the faster you get there the better for your health. It might be a good idea to seek the counseling of a therapist who has experience with people with chronic illness because this permeates all aspects of your life. The up side for me is that having RA made me take a good hard look at myself and my life. I have made many changes over the past year and I am much happier now than I ever was before. I'm a better person and a better mother. I'm healthier too because now I make myself eat right and exercise. I may get mad about having RA, but overall I really do see it as a positive. Jennie > Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with RA on March 31 of this year and I'm > still having trouble accepting it as childish as that sounds. I just > turned 38, I've never been one to take any meds and generally I take > care of myself. The doctor has put me on plaquenil and again I'm > embarassed to say I haven't started them yet-I'm so scared of side > effects and then what if they don't work and I have to take something > scarier. My rheumy doc said this is a normal reaction but I still > feel like an idiot-only I can take care of myself. Anyhow, I just > wanted to introduce myself and I hope I will learn some much needed > info from this group and get and lend support to others. Dar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Jennie, I could've written your post (below); it was almost eerie to read how much we have in common--everything you wrote! S. > I know how you feel. I feel the same about the drugs. I hate > having to take them. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I have seen the > disabling effects of RA because my mom has it. She didn't have the > drugs we have today, and she is a mess. No joints in her hands and > feet, very painful even with the tons of drugs she takes now, and > very disfigured. > > Because I know what RA can do to your body, I never hesitated to > take the drugs (even though I never used to take anything for any > reason). I know it sucks to have to take them, but believe me the > alternative is way worse. Waiting to start medication even a few > months can get you some form of permanent joint damage. > > One other thing, you should expect that the medication will work and > eventually not be enough and you will need other drugs. This is > very common, although it doesn't happen for everyone. I could not > wait to get on one of the biological drugs because I know how > effective they are at stopping the progression of the disease. I am > thankful that now that I am on Humira it is helping me a lot and I > may be able to get off prednisone and reduce the dose of > methotrexate. > > I accept that I am dependant on these drugs. I will never accept > letting RA win. It's a hard point to get to, but the faster you get > there the better for your health. It might be a good idea to seek > the counseling of a therapist who has experience with people with > chronic illness because this permeates all aspects of your life. > > The up side for me is that having RA made me take a good hard look > at myself and my life. I have made many changes over the past year > and I am much happier now than I ever was before. I'm a better > person and a better mother. I'm healthier too because now I make > myself eat right and exercise. I may get mad about having RA, but > overall I really do see it as a positive. > > Jennie > > --- In , " kalylyn " <bj19662001@y...> wrote: > > Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with RA on March 31 of this year and > I'm > > still having trouble accepting it as childish as that sounds. I > just > > turned 38, I've never been one to take any meds and generally I > take > > care of myself. The doctor has put me on plaquenil and again I'm > > embarassed to say I haven't started them yet-I'm so scared of side > > effects and then what if they don't work and I have to take > something > > scarier. My rheumy doc said this is a normal reaction but I still > > feel like an idiot-only I can take care of myself. Anyhow, I just > > wanted to introduce myself and I hope I will learn some much > needed > > info from this group and get and lend support to others. Dar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Jennie, I¹m sorry you had to learn about RA by watching your mother go through it. I¹m glad so many positive things came out of it. Attitude is so very important when having RA. If you give in to it, it can destroy your life. If you fight it, you¹ll have a better life for it. You have a great attitude. a > I know how you feel. I feel the same about the drugs. I hate > having to take them. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I have seen the > disabling effects of RA because my mom has it. She didn't have the > drugs we have today, and she is a mess. No joints in her hands and > feet, very painful even with the tons of drugs she takes now, and > very disfigured. > > Because I know what RA can do to your body, I never hesitated to > take the drugs (even though I never used to take anything for any > reason). I know it sucks to have to take them, but believe me the > alternative is way worse. Waiting to start medication even a few > months can get you some form of permanent joint damage. > > One other thing, you should expect that the medication will work and > eventually not be enough and you will need other drugs. This is > very common, although it doesn't happen for everyone. I could not > wait to get on one of the biological drugs because I know how > effective they are at stopping the progression of the disease. I am > thankful that now that I am on Humira it is helping me a lot and I > may be able to get off prednisone and reduce the dose of > methotrexate. > > I accept that I am dependant on these drugs. I will never accept > letting RA win. It's a hard point to get to, but the faster you get > there the better for your health. It might be a good idea to seek > the counseling of a therapist who has experience with people with > chronic illness because this permeates all aspects of your life. > > The up side for me is that having RA made me take a good hard look > at myself and my life. I have made many changes over the past year > and I am much happier now than I ever was before. I'm a better > person and a better mother. I'm healthier too because now I make > myself eat right and exercise. I may get mad about having RA, but > overall I really do see it as a positive. > > Jennie > > >> > Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with RA on March 31 of this year and > I'm >> > still having trouble accepting it as childish as that sounds. I > just >> > turned 38, I've never been one to take any meds and generally I > take >> > care of myself. The doctor has put me on plaquenil and again I'm >> > embarassed to say I haven't started them yet-I'm so scared of side >> > effects and then what if they don't work and I have to take > something >> > scarier. My rheumy doc said this is a normal reaction but I still >> > feel like an idiot-only I can take care of myself. Anyhow, I just >> > wanted to introduce myself and I hope I will learn some much > needed >> > info from this group and get and lend support to others. Dar. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Hi a, thank you for the welcome and the advice. I know you're right. I began having a lot of pain, red and swollen joints in my right hand about last August. It continued to get worse throughout the winter. I found I was extremely tired all the time, not feeling well and just generally not good. My family doc diagnosed me with depression. Months later I told her that I wasn't depressed, it was something else. I showed her my hands yet again and that I was still so tired and she got me into a RA doc right away. I've now got pain in my hips, knees, fluid in my right elbow, and minor arthritic damage is showing in my big toe on my right side. Most of my pain is centered in my right side, but I do have some in the left but not anywhere near as bad. Some days I have difficulty walking on my foot and I can't stick it in a pair of heels anymore or anything that constricts my toes. I've got 2 aunts, one of which had severe RA, and a cousin who is now 48 and she's had it the last 12 years or so. She is also on Plaquenil and it has worked well for her although she has had to start with some other one recently too. I've recently begun really understanding that this disease will win-not me. I'm looking foward to gaining more info, support, etc. > Welcome Dar. Your reaction isn¹t childish. It is a very normal response. > When you learn more about RA, you may come to fear the result of untreated > RA rather than the side effects of the meds. > That is what makes us pop those pills and inject ourselves with meds. We¹re > all afraid of the side effects but just remember that just because a side > effect is listed, it doesn¹t mean you will get it. The manufacturer is > required to list the side effect even if it is very rare. In most cases, if > you do have a side effect, it goes away when you discontinue the meds. > Plaquenil has been used to treat RA for many years and the doctors know what > to expect. It may take a few months for plaquenil to become effective, so > the sooner you start, the sooner you¹ll know if it¹s working or it¹s time to > try something else. How did your doctor diagnose you? > a > > > > Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with RA on March 31 of this year and I'm > > still having trouble accepting it as childish as that sounds. I just > > turned 38, I've never been one to take any meds and generally I take > > care of myself. The doctor has put me on plaquenil and again I'm > > embarassed to say I haven't started them yet-I'm so scared of side > > effects and then what if they don't work and I have to take something > > scarier. My rheumy doc said this is a normal reaction but I still > > feel like an idiot-only I can take care of myself. Anyhow, I just > > wanted to introduce myself and I hope I will learn some much needed > > info from this group and get and lend support to others. Dar. > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Jennie, you have such a positive attitude. I really want to get to where you are. I've seen the effects myself. My aunt had severe RA. I think back, she's passed away now, to how disfigured her hands were and how she'd sit hunched over the table in pain and I know I'm wrong. I have thought about counselling and need to look into that. Thanks for your words, they give m e much to think about. Dar. > I know how you feel. I feel the same about the drugs. I hate > having to take them. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I have seen the > disabling effects of RA because my mom has it. She didn't have the > drugs we have today, and she is a mess. No joints in her hands and > feet, very painful even with the tons of drugs she takes now, and > very disfigured. > > Because I know what RA can do to your body, I never hesitated to > take the drugs (even though I never used to take anything for any > reason). I know it sucks to have to take them, but believe me the > alternative is way worse. Waiting to start medication even a few > months can get you some form of permanent joint damage. > > One other thing, you should expect that the medication will work and > eventually not be enough and you will need other drugs. This is > very common, although it doesn't happen for everyone. I could not > wait to get on one of the biological drugs because I know how > effective they are at stopping the progression of the disease. I am > thankful that now that I am on Humira it is helping me a lot and I > may be able to get off prednisone and reduce the dose of > methotrexate. > > I accept that I am dependant on these drugs. I will never accept > letting RA win. It's a hard point to get to, but the faster you get > there the better for your health. It might be a good idea to seek > the counseling of a therapist who has experience with people with > chronic illness because this permeates all aspects of your life. > > The up side for me is that having RA made me take a good hard look > at myself and my life. I have made many changes over the past year > and I am much happier now than I ever was before. I'm a better > person and a better mother. I'm healthier too because now I make > myself eat right and exercise. I may get mad about having RA, but > overall I really do see it as a positive. > > Jennie > > --- In , " kalylyn " <bj19662001@y...> wrote: > > Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with RA on March 31 of this year and > I'm > > still having trouble accepting it as childish as that sounds. I > just > > turned 38, I've never been one to take any meds and generally I > take > > care of myself. The doctor has put me on plaquenil and again I'm > > embarassed to say I haven't started them yet-I'm so scared of side > > effects and then what if they don't work and I have to take > something > > scarier. My rheumy doc said this is a normal reaction but I still > > feel like an idiot-only I can take care of myself. Anyhow, I just > > wanted to introduce myself and I hope I will learn some much > needed > > info from this group and get and lend support to others. Dar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2004 Report Share Posted July 5, 2004 Sierra, we sound much the same. I have filled the Rx and I even have them in a container so I don't forget to take one. I'm supposed to take 2 day but I've already decided to only start with one and see what it does to me. The word irreversible is the one that scares me most. Once the damage is there you can't turn back. I have some minor arthritic damage showing in my toe-I dread knowing what severe damage will feel like if this is minor. Thank you for understanding my fear of pills, but making me understand the importance of them. > I know what you mean about fear of side effects. It took me two weeks > to start methotrexate after I filled the Rx. At one point I put the > tabs on a plate, studied them for a while, then put them back in the > bottle. I was supposed to start with four tabs, but only took two. > After a month, I felt confident enough to take three. Despite all of > my fears, I am tolerating the med very well. Next time, I will take > all four. > > Be aware that doing nothing has side effects, too. My mom has chosen > to not treat her RA, and her joints have become severely damaged. She > is having difficulty walking. At 62, she has given up driving and > lives as a near shut-in. > > At least with med side effects you can stop the drug or make > adjustments in dosage. The kinds of problems caused by fear of > treatment are irreversible. > > Sierra > > --- In , " kalylyn " <bj19662001@y...> wrote: > > Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with RA on March 31 of this year and > I'm > > still having trouble accepting it as childish as that sounds. I > just > > turned 38, I've never been one to take any meds and generally I > take > > care of myself. The doctor has put me on plaquenil and again I'm > > embarassed to say I haven't started them yet-I'm so scared of side > > effects and then what if they don't work and I have to take > something > > scarier. My rheumy doc said this is a normal reaction but I still > > feel like an idiot-only I can take care of myself. Anyhow, I just > > wanted to introduce myself and I hope I will learn some much needed > > info from this group and get and lend support to others. Dar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.