Re: I'm new...

April 9, 2001

Verna.......You are at the RIGHT group! This group is so supportive and

helpful. My hubby is 31 and has RA for about 2 years now. Vioxx didnt work

for him. He is on: Prednisone (trying to ween down and off), Celebrex,

Folic Acid, Arava, Methotrexate, a multi vitamin.......uh, I think thats

all. Metho didnt work alone so the DR added Arava into it. He seems to be

at a limbo stage right now. The rain, storms, the weather changes all

bother him the day before anything hits. All his joints are

affected.....not always the same ones tho. Like Saturday we were getting

rain. His knees were killing him. He dont say much. He feels he has to

try and keep moving so that this dont get the best of him....I am sure at

times thats very hard for him to do.

You will find much help here. Take care, (Joe's wife)

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

From: <vjbear73@...>

< >

Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2001 11:49 PM

Subject: [ ] I'm new...

> Hello all,

>

> I'm new to this group, newly diagnosed with RA. I have so many

> questions, and I hardly know where to start. I don't want to bug you

> all at once. I feel like I have a good dr. (a rheumatologist) but so

> far she has not been real generous with information about this. She

> kind of told me that was her diagnosis, based on blood-work, etc, but

> then didn't tell me much about it. Where can I find out more, a RA

> class for Dummies?

>

> Also, I have a question about Vioxx? Does it cause problems with

> blood pressure? I went for a heart exam - cardiolyte stress test &

> echocardiagram. I have mitral valve prolapse. Anyway, at the

> beginning of the test, before I ever got on the tread mill, my BP was

> 173/100. That is about what it has been running lately. LOTS of

> stress, we just moved from Kansas to Michigan, family stuff, etc. etc.

>

> I realize I'm rambling so I'll stop. I just need help understanding

> all this. Am I in the right place? I just found this group on the

> internet.

>

> verna

>

April 9, 2001

Welcome, Verna!

Yes, this is the right place for you! Ask all the questions you like -

that's what we are here for. We have people here who, like you, have been

newly diagnosed and others who have been dealing with RA for many, many

years.

Yes, apparently Vioxx (rofecoxib) can contribute to or cause high blood

pressure. Are you on it already? Here are a couple of links that should

help:

http://pslgroup.com/dg/1d922a.htm

http://www.ahcpub.com/ahc_root_html/hot/sponsored/cox-2_quick_consult.html

Hope you like it here!

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

From: <vjbear73@...>

< >

Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2001 10:49 PM

Subject: [ ] I'm new...

> Hello all,

>

> I'm new to this group, newly diagnosed with RA. I have so many

> questions, and I hardly know where to start. I don't want to bug you

> all at once. I feel like I have a good dr. (a rheumatologist) but so

> far she has not been real generous with information about this. She

> kind of told me that was her diagnosis, based on blood-work, etc, but

> then didn't tell me much about it. Where can I find out more, a RA

> class for Dummies?

>

> Also, I have a question about Vioxx? Does it cause problems with

> blood pressure? I went for a heart exam - cardiolyte stress test &

> echocardiagram. I have mitral valve prolapse. Anyway, at the

> beginning of the test, before I ever got on the tread mill, my BP was

> 173/100. That is about what it has been running lately. LOTS of

> stress, we just moved from Kansas to Michigan, family stuff, etc. etc.

>

> I realize I'm rambling so I'll stop. I just need help understanding

> all this. Am I in the right place? I just found this group on the

> internet.

>

> verna

>

April 9, 2001

Verna: You are indeed hooked up to the right group. It has been a remarkable

help to me. I am 59 been dx'd with RA since 1994. I did take the vioxx and

it helped the pain but tore up my stomach. I do take it occasionally. I am

currently taking 15 mg. of Prednisone daily, and 15 mg. of Methotrexate each

weekend. I take Lortab for my pain, as the ultram no longer worked. Over

the years I have taken many other medicine but right now this seems to be the

right combination for me. As for info, and Rainey Sue are the brains of

this group. You will get more accurate information from them and genuine

concern and understanding from this group. You can vent when you are upset

or just as questions. I really feel a bond to everyone in the group although

I don't post much, but I read each and every post. Hope you are having a

pain free day. Keep your chin up. Will chat with you soon.

Jan in SC

April 9, 2001

Verna,

Please let me welcome to this wonderful family. We have the best people

anywhere on this internet. The wealth of information here is remarkable, the

things that doctors never give you,like stuff for real every day living. If

you have a problem or question about this lousy disease or just about things

in general, chances are someone here has been there, done that, got a shirt

or all of the above. And if by some slim chance, we don't have someone on

the board, our knowledgeable leaders will do their darndest to get some

information for you.......

But apart from the business at hand, you will find a genuine sense of

belonging here. You can be going thru some type of personal or medical

turmoil & just knowing that you are NOT ALONE gives me more comfort than I

can express in words & that I feel we owe to the moderators of our list.

They give tirelessly to all of us & ask very little in return. The more you

post,the more you get back tenfold from the wonderful people here. To me,

this board has opened up my world in words I can's express. Sometimes due to

medical problems you can only read & that is OK too, when you are able, you

post. We try not to judge anyone here. We are just a nice bunch of people

who are bound together by this string called RA, or whatever else they are

calling it this week. Even if you don't have a definitive dx of RA, some

symptoms may point to it, others may not, we are here for each other.

So welcome, you are home now for whatever any of us can do for you........

Gentle, tender, welcoming angel hugs

Debs in FL

April 9, 2001

Hi, Verna!

Where in Michigan? I'm from Saginaw. I'm 47 and have had

RA -for twenty some years. You'll like this group - good

info and good people.

Welcome!

April 9, 2001

Verna,

Yes, you are in the right place. You have found a group of wonderful,

knoledgeable and caring people. Everyone is willing to help.

Yes, Vioxx can cause blood pressure problems. I would definatly discusss this

issue with your doctor.

Feel free to ask any and all the questions you have.

Kim M

Purchase AVON online!

http://www.youravon.com/kmeyers/

passcode=Avon

(you will be prompted for this when registering)

740-452-4697

______________________________________________________

Get Paid... With Your Free Email at

http://www.zwallet.com/index.html?user=kmeyers

April 9, 2001

hi vera, i'm kathy 41 i have inflammatory spondyloarthropy. i am currently on

enbrel, buspar. i have taken many different types of drugs before arava

relafan vioxx naprosyn, medrol packs. gonna switch and try the remicade, i

just found out my insurance will pay 100%. home on disability since december

and my job is moving to tucson in june without me. so unsure what is going to

happen next. just recovering from stomach bleeds from the meds. the people

here are wonderful and will help you whenever they can or help you find what

you need.

kathy

April 9, 2001

Hi Vera,

Welcome to the group, you will find wonderful people here and a lot of

help. I took Vioxx and had to stop. My blood pressure went so high, it

was a terrible time. It was about a year ago. If you have any blood

pressure problems be very careful. I had a terrible time convincing my

doctors that it was raising my blood pressure. So you need to watch it.

People have had strokes that have been related to vioxx.

Hope this helps you a little. I also have RA plus a bunch of other stuff.

Everybody here will help you.

Me Mom

----------

> From: vjbear73@...

>

> Subject: [ ] I'm new...

> Date: Sunday, April 08, 2001 11:49 PM

>

> Hello all,

>

> I'm new to this group, newly diagnosed with RA. I have so many

> questions, and I hardly know where to start. I don't want to bug you

> all at once. I feel like I have a good dr. (a rheumatologist) but so

> far she has not been real generous with information about this. She

> kind of told me that was her diagnosis, based on blood-work, etc, but

> then didn't tell me much about it. Where can I find out more, a RA

> class for Dummies?

>

> Also, I have a question about Vioxx? Does it cause problems with

> blood pressure? I went for a heart exam - cardiolyte stress test &

> echocardiagram. I have mitral valve prolapse. Anyway, at the

> beginning of the test, before I ever got on the tread mill, my BP was

> 173/100. That is about what it has been running lately. LOTS of

> stress, we just moved from Kansas to Michigan, family stuff, etc. etc.

>

> I realize I'm rambling so I'll stop. I just need help understanding

> all this. Am I in the right place? I just found this group on the

> internet.

>

> verna

>

April 10, 2001

verna

Welcome. You came to the right place if you haven't noticed by now.

I have RA and FMS and Vioxx causes my blood pressure to go through the

roof. Celebrex works ok for me

Ohio - Terry

April 10, 2001

Hello All, I just wanted to say to all the new people coming into this group

that I have found this group to be the very best of all of the arthritis

groups that I have looked into on the 'net. I haven't really talked to that

many people in the group on a personal level, but I include all of you in my

prayers at night and I think that is one of the best souls I have ever

come in contact with. Sometimes I wonder if she is really " real " or an

acutal angel here on earth...and I do not say this lightly...she has helped

me so much over these last few months and she is a great asset to this group

and to human kind...but enough mushy stuff. I would like to say thanks to

all who help me and others in so many ways. If I can ever be of any

assistance to any of you in any way at all, please let me know and I will try

my best to help.

Ever Grateful,

Dixie (Sharon in NC)

April 10, 2001

Dixie,

Just by being you & being here on this board, you are helping people you

don't even know. Just be yourself here, like the rest of us & our moderators

take very good care of us........No problem too little, too big, never face a

problem by ourselves even though miles separate all of us. I used to

consider myself a newbie, I have only been around for less than 6 months, but

you tend to lose you newbie status real fast the more you get involved.

Sometimes, we don't feel like getting involved or just feel inadequate in

getting involved due to our own personal situation at the time or just for

lack of information. That is where our moderators come in. If they don't

know the answer, the move every Internet article they can to get the answer

for you.......Just sit back and enjoy your new home & family. We are always

here for you & usually someone is on line 24/7/365. Your new family welcomes

& loves with open arms & unconditionally.......We are a full service board

here, talk, tell jokes, complain,NOTHING offends us.

Gentle, tender, welcoming angel hugs,

Debs in FL

April 10, 2001

Hi Verna,

You have definately found the right group to join. I've been diagnosed with RA

for about 4 years. I am presently on Vioxx (25 mg) and Hydroxychloro (200 mg

twice a day). This combination has been working for me so far, though this past

week has been a struggle for me. I also take Hydroco/apap10 for pain if needed.

P

April 10, 2001

Debs,

sounds like you should be in advertising. you described this group so

perfectly.

shelly

April 10, 2001

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

From: vjbear73@...

Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2001 11:49 PM

Subject: [ ] I'm new...

Hello all,

I'm new to this group, newly diagnosed with RA. I have so many

questions, and I hardly know where to start. I don't want to bug you

all at once. I feel like I have a good dr. (a rheumatologist) but so

far she has not been real generous with information about this. She

kind of told me that was her diagnosis, based on blood-work, etc, but

then didn't tell me much about it. Where can I find out more, a RA

class for Dummies?

Also, I have a question about Vioxx? Does it cause problems with

blood pressure? I went for a heart exam - cardiolyte stress test &

echocardiagram. I have mitral valve prolapse. Anyway, at the

beginning of the test, before I ever got on the tread mill, my BP was

173/100. That is about what it has been running lately. LOTS of

stress, we just moved from Kansas to Michigan, family stuff, etc. etc.

I realize I'm rambling so I'll stop. I just need help understanding

all this. Am I in the right place? I just found this group on the

internet.

verna

April 10, 2001

Hi Verna. I've been on vioxx for 3 months, and haven't had any problems with my

pressure. It definitely can affect your BP, and my doctor wanted to see me 4

weeks after starting it to watch my pressure. I'm lucky, many people have had

to stop taking it because it raised their pressure. Welcome to our group.

You'll learn more here about RA than anywhere else.

a