[Guest guest]

Kathy B.--we're in Myrtle Beach, SC!

changing the world, one word at a time.

[Guest guest]

Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 10:17:49 -0500 (EST)

From: k.j.choate@...

Subject: Individual.com - News From a Friend!

>The following message was attached:

>BOSTON (AP) _ A drug used to relieve the symptoms of advanced

>rheumatoid arthritis also appears to slow or stop the progression

>of the disease when given in its early stages, a study concludes.

>The latest work shows that the drug, called Enbrel, works better

>than the standard treatment in these patients and carries fewer

>side effects

>>snip<<

>The main drawback is cost _ dlrs 10,000 to dlrs 12,000 a year.

This exact same article was in our paper last night. However, the last

sentence was left out. When I mentioned it at my docs appointment today he

said it cost about 20 thousand dollars! So my question is, how do users of

this pay for it -- really good insurance? I will bring it up to my rheumy

when I see him in a couple weeks.

Kossart

/Celine Kossart

kozys@...

[Guest guest]

,

I believe the price is 1200 a month, but I've heard of pharmacies

that charge 1000. a month. My insurance covers all of it. I have

BCBS.

a

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

From: /Celine Kossart <kozys@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2000 7:21 PM

Subject: Re: [ ]

> Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 10:17:49 -0500 (EST)

> From: k.j.choate@...

> Subject: Individual.com - News From a Friend!

>

> >The following message was attached:

>

> >BOSTON (AP) _ A drug used to relieve the symptoms of advanced

> >rheumatoid arthritis also appears to slow or stop the progression

> >of the disease when given in its early stages, a study concludes.

> >The latest work shows that the drug, called Enbrel, works better

> >than the standard treatment in these patients and carries fewer

> >side effects

>

> >>snip<<

>

> >The main drawback is cost _ dlrs 10,000 to dlrs 12,000 a year.

>

>

> This exact same article was in our paper last night. However, the last

> sentence was left out. When I mentioned it at my docs appointment today

he

> said it cost about 20 thousand dollars! So my question is, how do users

of

> this pay for it -- really good insurance? I will bring it up to my rheumy

> when I see him in a couple weeks.

>

> Kossart

>

>

> /Celine Kossart

> kozys@...

>

>

>

>

> Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

> http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/

> Change subscription options:

>

[Guest guest]

paul,

I have been on Enbrel since 4/00 & it costs approximately $1200.00 per month,

my copay is $12.00 per month. I have UnitedHealthcare of Florida. I work

for UnitedHealthcare and I know that they had criteria that you had to meet

before they would even dispense it. I noticed results from Enbrel with 2

weeks, more energy, less joint pain, more of my " old self " , however now that

it has been over 6 months, i sometimes feell that the effects aren't as

strong as they first were. I still take all of my old meds in addition to

the Enbrel. Traveling with Enbrel can also be a little tricky as Enbrel

needs to remain at a certain temperature. The injections are not to o bad

as it is administered sub q, not im, but it still is not my most favorite

time!!!!!!!!

Best of luck & feel good days,

Blabs out............................................................

[Guest guest]

i just started using enbrel in october. my dr had to send medical necessity

to my insurance. they pick it up except my $20 co-pay. but of coarse now my

insurance is changing at the beginning of the year. so it will cost me $75 a

mo now!!!but i guess i should not complain too much. i ususally feel much

better, but i have been fighting the flu or a cold this week. i told my dr

yesterday that i feel better, she said you have never said that here in 7

years!!! you have really suffered. do you think it is the drug? yes i do,

didn't want to admit it for awhile but it is really helping!! for now anyway.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

This note is regarding your statement about difficulty traveling with

Enbrel. I traveled by car to southeast Missouri last fall and dreaded

worrying about keeping the temperature cool enough for my Enbrel. Well, the

local druggist gave me the styrofoam container the Enbrel is shipped in from

Seattle -- sort of the same as a beer cooler. The chemical ice packs that

came with the container last longer than ice. Everything worked out fine.

At night I would store the ice packs in the freezer and keep the Enbrel in

the refrigerator -- at the motel -- and be ready to take off again the next

morning. I returned to California by train with my little " beer cooler " of

Enbrel. Oddly enough, my regular pharmacist had never mentioned how Enbrel

was shipped all over the world!

Patsy

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

From: Auntblabbie2000@... [mailto:Auntblabbie2000@...]

Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2000 10:07 PM

egroups

Subject: Re: [ ]

paul,

I have been on Enbrel since 4/00 & it costs approximately $1200.00 per

month,

my copay is $12.00 per month. I have UnitedHealthcare of Florida. I work

for UnitedHealthcare and I know that they had criteria that you had to meet

before they would even dispense it. I noticed results from Enbrel with 2

weeks, more energy, less joint pain, more of my " old self " , however now

that

it has been over 6 months, i sometimes feell that the effects aren't as

strong as they first were. I still take all of my old meds in addition to

the Enbrel. Traveling with Enbrel can also be a little tricky as Enbrel

needs to remain at a certain temperature. The injections are not to o bad

as it is administered sub q, not im, but it still is not my most favorite

time!!!!!!!!

Best of luck & feel good days,

Blabs out............................................................

Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/

Change subscription options:

[Guest guest]

last night i think i had what you all call a " flare " . this was very scary. i

could feel my spine twisting inside my body like a pretzel. i could feel it

pushing me down . i kept telling myself to try and fight it, i layed in bed

and even my jaw started to move. that had never happened before. i skipped my

last dose of enbrel because i had the flu. thought i'd feel better if i did

an injection, but i was afraid to. i called my rheumi at 10:30 last night and

still no reply. i took a tylenol 3 to try and relax and sleep. which it did.

i had a very strange feeling in my head. felt very dizzy and i'm glad it's

over. i still don't know whether to do my shot. i have a little stuffy nose

but no fever. well better get off line so hopefully she can call. thanks for

listening.

[Guest guest]

has anyone else ever felt like that? like you have no control over your body?

like your soine acts like the " domino " effect?

[Guest guest]

Sorry to hear about that scary episode, Kathy! Hope you and your doctor can

figure out what's going on and that you feel better very soon. Please let us

know what's happening.

I saw in your previous post that you've been feeling much better since

you've been on Enbrel. That's such good news.

Hang in there,

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

From: <kringlemom@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Saturday, December 02, 2000 8:15 AM

Subject: Re: [ ]

> last night i think i had what you all call a " flare " . this was very scary.

i

> could feel my spine twisting inside my body like a pretzel. i could feel

it

> pushing me down . i kept telling myself to try and fight it, i layed in

bed

> and even my jaw started to move. that had never happened before. i skipped

my

> last dose of enbrel because i had the flu. thought i'd feel better if i

did

> an injection, but i was afraid to. i called my rheumi at 10:30 last night

and

> still no reply. i took a tylenol 3 to try and relax and sleep. which it

did.

> i had a very strange feeling in my head. felt very dizzy and i'm glad it's

> over. i still don't know whether to do my shot. i have a little stuffy

nose

> but no fever. well better get off line so hopefully she can call. thanks

for

> listening.

[Guest guest]

Hello all

Wondering if anyone has tried NAET (Nambudripads Allergy Elimination

Technique) for their RA - or any other syndromes? I personally know 5 people

who have gotten total relief from their allergies from this technique. One

of my friends at her visit read an article about RA and its notion was that

people with RA just have TONS of allergies and that is the way their bodies

react to them - instead of runny noses or watery eyes - it's joint pain. She

asked the practicioner and he said he had treated a " few " patients with " RA

or arthritis " and had good results.

As I read about how people have had such good results with changing their

diets it makes me wonder if this wouldn't be something to try?

I just got off the web site and read many amazing testimonials. I think I

will call next week and make an appointment. I'll keep you posted.

LaVina

[Guest guest]

This is precious !!!!!!!!!

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

From: J <michaeljj52@...>

Carrell2000@... <Carrell2000@...>;

EDeyarmin@... <EDeyarmin@...>; Jenniminn@...

<Jenniminn@...>; Nannymcq@... <Nannymcq@...>;

bacala@... <bacala@...>; Kao219@... <Kao219@...>;

dondez@... <dondez@...>; patsix21@...

<patsix21@...>; Dusty@... <Dusty@...>;

alice@... <alice@...>; H@...

<H@...>; Marcia@... <Marcia@...>

Date: Friday, December 08, 2000 6:34 PM

Subject: Fw: FW:

>

>--------- Forwarded message ----------

>From: " Jefferson, " <jjefferson@...>

> " Saunders, Penny " <psaunders@...>, " Rock,

> Bridgett " <BRock@...>, " Quezada-Hoffman,

> Heidi " <hhoffman@...>,

> " 'lauralidy@...' " <lauralidy@...>,

> " 'fireland@...' " <fireland@...>,

> " 'michaeljj52@...' " <michaeljj52@...>,

> " 'laurie4901@...' " <laurie4901@...>

>Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2000 16:14:03 -0600

>Subject: FW:

>Message-ID: <69BAEA2E0803D41180AB005004257B70148CC2@sdt-babybear>

>

>

>

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

>From: Jamros [mailto:MJamros@...]

>Sent: Friday, December 08, 2000 4:02 PM

>'hage.jennifer@...'; 'rjamros@...';

>'beckyjanssens@...'; 'chill@...';

>'kato55412@...'; 'jjefferson@...'; Warren

>Subject:

>

>

>> >You are my Sunshine....

>> >Like any good mother, when found out that another baby was on

>the

>> >way,

>> >she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, , prepare

>for a

>> >new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going to be a girl,

>> >and

>> >day after day, night after night, sang to his sister in

>Mommy's

>> >tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before

>he

>> >even

>> >met her.

>> >

>> >The pregnancy progressed normally for . In time, the labor pain

>> >came.

>> >Soon it was every five minutes, every three ...every

>> >minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and

>herself

>> >in

>> >hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long

>> >struggle, 's little sister was born. But she was in very

>serious

>> >condition.

>> >

>> >The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to

>> >tell

>> >the parents, " There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst. "

>> > and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot.

>> >They

>> >had fixed up a special room in their house for their new

>> >baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral

>,

>> >however, kept begging his parents to let him see his

>> >sister.

>> >

>> > " I want to sing to her, " he kept saying. Week two in intensive care

>> >looked

>> >as if a funeral would come before the week was over. kept

>> >nagging

>> >about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive

>> >Care.

>> > made up her mind, though. She would take whether they

>liked

>> >it

>> >or not! If he didn't see his sister right then, he may Never see her

>> >alive.

>> >She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU.

>He

>> >looked like a walking laundry basket But the head nurse recognized him

>as

>> >a

>> >child and bellowed, " Get that kid out of here now! No children are

>> >allowed. "

>> >

>> >The mother rose up strong in , and the usually mild-mannered lady

>> >glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm

>line.

>> > " He is not leaving until he sings to his sister! " towed

>to

>> >his

>> >sister's bedside.

>> >He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment,

>he

>> >began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old,

>sang:

>> > " You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies

>are

>> >gray--- " instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate

>began

>> >to

>> >calm down and become steady. " Keep on singing, , " encouraged

>> >

>> >with tears in her eyes " You never know, dear, how much I love you,

>Please

>> >don't take my sunshine away. "

>> >As sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing

>> >became

>> >as smooth as a kitten's purr. " Keep on singing, sweetheart!!! " " The

>other

>> >night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms... "

>> >'s little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed

>to

>> >sweep over her. " Keep on singing, . Tears had now conquered

>the

>> >face of the bossy head nurse. glowed. " You are my sunshine, my

>> >only

>> >Sunshine. Please don't, take my sunshine away... "

>> >The next, day...the very next day...the little girl was well enough to

>go

>> >home!

>> >Woman's Day Magazine called it " The Miracle of a Brother's Song. "

>> >The medical staff just called it a miracle.

>> > called it a miracle of God's love!

>> >

>> >

>> >NEVER GIVE UP ON THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE.

>> >LOVE IS SO INCREDIBLY POWERFUL.

>> >Please send this to all the people that have touched your life

>> >in some way. Life is good.

>> >Have a Wonderful Day!

>> >

>> >

>> >When you receive this e-mail just recite the following prayer.

>> >That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is the

>power

>> >of

>> >prayer at work.

>> >Just send this to (4) people and see what happens on the fourth day.

>> >Do not break this, please. There is no cost, but lots of rewards.

>> >Let's continue to pray for one another.

>> >

>> >PRAYER:

>> >May today there be peace within you. May you trust God that you are

>> >exactly

>> >where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite

>possibilities

>> >that are born of faith.

>> >May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the Love

>that

>> >has been given to you.

>> >May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.

>> >Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the

>freedom

>> >to

>> >sing, dance, and to bask in the sun.

>> >It is there for each and every one of you.

>> >Send this to (4) or more people and witness the awesome power of

>prayer.

>

>

>

>

> Jamros

>Secretary

>Ramsey Medical Society

>(612) 362-3704

>mjamros@...

[Guest guest]

,

It is good to see your posts. I love your sense of humor and the compassion

you show to others on the list. Hope you are doing okay.

Pat

[Guest guest]

i belive this is the proper way to raspberry.

snicker... so hahahaha

rhoda

--- Matsumura <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote:

> ,

>

> I very much enjoyed reading how you spent your day!

> I think you should not

> hesitate to share the fact that you are recovering

> so well. We all need to

> hear happy tales and success stories, too.

>

> Although I like the snow, I don't like the bitter

> cold and gray skies, so

> I'm giving raspberries to the Florida and Arizona

> dwellers along with you.

>

> I believe you've been watching too much CNN. I am

> guilty of the same, but I

> haven't gone so far as to contemplate becoming a

> judicial groupie (and isn't

> Souter too old for you?). It is extremely

> interesting, but I best not say

> more for fear of saying too much on the topic and

> getting myself into

> trouble with the group again.

>

> Enjoy today as well,

>

>

>

>

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

> From: <k.j.choate@...>

> < egroups>

> Sent: Monday, December 11, 2000 7:17 PM

> Subject: Re: [ ] Blizzard Warning!

>

>

> > This is a beautiful day if you don't have to

> drive. It

> > is still snowing like mad in Saginaw, Michigan (

> of

> > Simon and Garfunkel and Country & Western fame).I

> had an

> > unexpected surprise at lunch - a friend who was

> upset

> > that she forgot my surgery date and wanted to

> " take care

> > of me " made me a fabulous quiche and dropped it

> off at

> > lunch time-even in all of this snow. I think she

> was

> > surprised that I was not an invalid. I didn't have

> the

> > heart to tell her I had been out quite a bit and

> had

> > gone to the store so I was prepared for the storm.

> Had

> > some for dinner with fresh fruit. It was great.

> Almost

> > did the perfect afternoon -made my decaf- listened

> to

> > Bocelli and Celine Dion and Irish Tenors-

> > Christmas Music - wrote a few cards and worked on

> my

> > homily for Wednesday. The closest thing I came to

> legal

> > work was to listen to the oral arguments with the

> > Supremes. (Have gotten more and more impressed

> with

> > Justice Souter - he could adopt or marry me

> anytime.

> > Attractive and what an intellect..to my mind, he

> is the

> > fairminded conscience on this panel. Ever hear of

> a

> > judicial groupie?!LOL) I even had a nap and my

> little

> > Persian, Clancy curled up with me and purred. Of

> course,

> > I should have been cleaning and baking and doing

> other

> > things but oh well. Just thought I'd check in.

> Please

> > take it easy- don't overdo - those in the

> blizzard. For

> > those in sunny Florida - I am not quite sure how

> to

> > write and spell * RASPBERRIES * LOL. I don't mind

> the

> > snow but I want SUN. I probably shouldn't say this

> out

> > loud and I don't mean to rub it in to those who

> are not

> > feeling good - but I am amazed I feel this well

> this

> > soon after the surgery. (After the miserable and

> painful

> > and scary last year I have had... I think I

> deserve it

> > but that isn't always the case... as people here

> know

> > too well)

> >

> > Hugs and Warmth to those who need them,

> > Later,

>

>

>

>

>

> -------------------------- eGroups Sponsor

>

> Our websites:

> http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

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>

>

_______________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

-

Thanks for the reply. All right its out- I am a news

junkie. As for Souter - well that is why I said marry or

adopt- bet their medical insurance is decent . You can

tell how boring my social life has been. My sidewalks

and porches are cleared and driveway is plowed - but

street still looks crummy - does this make sense. I am

supposed to be able to drive this week but I think I

better wait. I feel pretty good but still couldn't push

if I got stuck...

Hugs,

[Guest guest]

Yes, I can tell you are addicted to the news, . There are worse things.

Jerry Springer would be one (I apologize in advance to any JS fans or

relatives in our group). I had to control myself the other night. I had

" Spin Room " on, my laptop in the room, and I was poised to send an email to

the show. I changed my mind at the last minute.

My kids think my interest in politics is SO funny. My middle child,

(13), has gone to great lengths to make up false news reports to tell me

when I haven't heard or seen any updates for a few hours. He has upset me

more than once with his fabrications!

Great benefits or not, Souter has too much pressure and lousy hours these

days. You don't need that added stress.

I'm happy that you're feeling well enough to drive. I think you are wise to

have decided to wait a bit until the roads are clearer. No sense getting

stuck somewhere and hurting yourself, or, worse yet, finding yourself at the

mercy of a weirdo (been there, done that!).

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

From: <k.j.choate@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2000 12:30 PM

Subject: Re: [ ]

> -

>

> Thanks for the reply. All right its out- I am a news

> junkie. As for Souter - well that is why I said marry or

> adopt- bet their medical insurance is decent . You can

> tell how boring my social life has been. My sidewalks

> and porches are cleared and driveway is plowed - but

> street still looks crummy - does this make sense. I am

> supposed to be able to drive this week but I think I

> better wait. I feel pretty good but still couldn't push

> if I got stuck...

>

> Hugs,

[Guest guest]

,

I love the 'Spin Room' . By that time at night, I am ready to relax and

that show does the trick. I am a news junkie - the last month has been

great for someone like me.

Pat

[Guest guest]

Hello Again, =^;^=

My Isabella is also an indoor kitty. She's now 4 years old. She was such an

adorable kitten! And very spoiled! I hope Riley is better soon. Yogurt, huh?

I wonder if Bella would eat yogurt. I let her try anything she wants. Her

first human food was meat from a Burger King whopper. One day I was out with

a friend and we brought back doughnuts. I dropped the bag in the hall and ran

to the bathroom. When I came out, all I could see was my kittens behind

sticking out of the doughnut bag! It was so funny!

I love the name Riley. Always have. =^;^=

~Rainy Sue

[Guest guest]

Rainy Sue:

I have three beloved kitties and I love them to pieces.

Jeannette

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much, Rainy. I suppose I used the term kitten

freely. Riley is 8 months old, has been an indoor kitty

his whole life, has been checked for parasites and

fleas. Riley will eat anything that doesn't eat him

first. Unlike many cats he will beg and eat anything. I

think he has either gobbled something in too large a

quantity or has found something that was inedible and

ate it any way. Clancy and he both seem to be found of

glue on envelopes. I didn't get out to get the mylanta

or yogurt (which he loves) this weekend- so will try

tomorrow. If that doesn't work I'll take him to my vet

to see if there is a bigger problem. He makes it to the

litter box and he is eating and drinking and playing (

he thinks my trying to clean him is a game) so I don't

think its major - but I don't want him to get dehydrated

or lose weight either. I love kitties and dogs big time

- as you can tell.

[Guest guest]

Dear :

I am a cat lover too. I have 6 babies. 5 females and 1 male. I love them

all. They each have such different personalities. Glad to hear you are a

cat lover too.

My GiGi had the same thing with the worms and parasites from fleas. I nursed

her back to health. She is wonderful now. She is two years old. She was

3-4 months when I got her and she was so sick.

Nov 1st I lost my Tiger, 22 years old and it still hurts.

However, I have a new cat who came in through a cellar window and decided to

stay. She is Chicky and she is wonderful.

As you see I can talk for hours about cats. Write me and tell me about

yours. I'd love to hear about them.

Sincerely, Colletti

Anjillah@...

[Guest guest]

These cat stories are a hoot!!

Jeannette

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I got a kick out of reading about Riley who acts like a dog as far as his

appetite goes. My " Grandcat " begs for diet coke. The first time it

happened I was kittty sitting. Later I asked my son about it and he told me

that Saki the Simease does indeed need his diet coke fix. This would not be

so odd to me if our family sheepdog my kids grew up with had not been hooked

on diet pepsi/coke. Fortunately, she lived a long life or I would feel

guilty. I always intended to write to Pepsi's corporate offices in New York

and see if they wanted a dog in their commercials that enjoyed pepsi as much

as the volley ball players on the beach. (I am remembering one commercial

where the sheepdog is part of the pepsi-drinking crowd at the beach, but the

dog is not drinking pepsi.

Happy Holidays,

Patsy

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

From: k.j.choate@... [mailto:k.j.choate@...]

Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2000 5:15 PM

egroups

Subject: Re: [ ]

Thanks so much, Rainy. I suppose I used the term kitten

freely. Riley is 8 months old, has been an indoor kitty

his whole life, has been checked for parasites and

fleas. Riley will eat anything that doesn't eat him

first. Unlike many cats he will beg and eat anything. I

think he has either gobbled something in too large a

quantity or has found something that was inedible and

ate it any way. Clancy and he both seem to be found of

glue on envelopes. I didn't get out to get the mylanta

or yogurt (which he loves) this weekend- so will try

tomorrow. If that doesn't work I'll take him to my vet

to see if there is a bigger problem. He makes it to the

litter box and he is eating and drinking and playing

he thinks my trying to clean him is a game) so I don't

think its major - but I don't want him to get dehydrated

or lose weight either. I love kitties and dogs big time

- as you can tell.

Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/

Change subscription options:

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/18/00 8:09:57 PM Central Standard Time,

k.j.choate@... writes:

<< I don't drink anything

stronger or I might have a cat with a problem. >>

That would be something; drug and alcohol treatment centers for your pets

LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!

Jeannette

[Guest guest]

Patsy-

I've actually caught Riley drinking out of a coffee mug

and Diet Vernor's. Fortunately I don't drink anything

stronger or I might have a cat with a problem. Clancy is

more discriminating...He will beg and then if he doesn't

like it when he sniffs it he will pretend as if he is

burying it in his litter - fortunately it isn't usually

something I've cooked or baked or I would develop a

complex.

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much, . I hope you are having a good day today. I know you

have been enduring much pain for a long, long time now. I hope the coming

year brings you some relief.

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

From: <ANJILLAH@...>

<RA-supportegroups>

Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2000 9:49 PM

Subject: [ ]

> Congratulations

>

> Sincerely, Colletti