Re: Hanging in / Methotrexate (Yes / No / Yes / No) - Lance

[Guest guest]

Hi Lance

I haven't been on Remicade, so can't compare it with methotrexate (mtx) .

Methotrexate appears to be the one they try first, probably due to it's age

(they know everything about it!) and cheap cost. At least you know if the

mtx doesn't work, you have further options, so hang in there

I had a severe flare from Feb '05 - Sept '06 that methotrexate has finally

put into remission (along with sulphasalazine). It took 4 months for the

mtx to work though. If only they could prescribe us patience along with the

drugs! It's hard waiting for them to work or not etc. Also, they may need to

fiddle around with your dosage.

Best of luck,

P.S: Yes, my neck was stiff for a couple of months. I'm usually a

knee/elbow/right index finger/right hip person though.

[Guest guest]

Victim of tuna salad here! We really need to stay away fromsalad bars

[Guest guest]

Thanks . This bout has not been as difficult. The first time(about 6

years ago) I didn't know what I had. I thought I would never walk again. It

took a orthopedic surgeon, a podiatrist and finally a rheumatologist to diagnose

me. This neck thing is awful.

I would like to hear more about your story. How old were you when diagnosed

with Reiters? What caused it? How many bouts have you had? Any long term

affects? Stay in touch.

Harnett

[Guest guest]

Thanks for you response. I would like to hear more about your

story. How old when diagnosed? How many bouts have you had? How

did you get Reiter's?

This neck thing is awful. I am used to my feet hurting.

Thanks

Lance Bray

[Guest guest]

" I would like to hear more about your story. How old were you when diagnosed

with Reiters? What caused it? How many bouts have you had? Any long term

affects? Stay in touch. "

Hi Lance

I've had 3 bouts of Reiter's: No.1 was caused by campylobacter (the chicken

salad) in 1993 (I was 28). That flare lasted 6 or so months. The next one

was triggered by an episode of immense stress (too complicated to detail),

in 1998, and lasted 8 months. The last one (2005-2006) was again triggered

by stress (my brother was terminally ill) and lasted 20 months.

I'm really fortunate that, so far, sulphasalazine and methotrexate (and

indomethacin) have bought me remissions. The last flare though, we were

about to try a different drug and then the mtx finally kicked in. Each

flare has been worse than the previous one though and each time more joints

have been involved.

Long term effects were having to have my hip replaced last month, as

inflammation in my hip had destroyed the cartilage. It's weird, as I had an

MRI done recently of my worst knee and it is still structurally perfectly

normal! (That knee is the one I can predict a change in humidity by!)

.

[Guest guest]

Oh LAnce I didn't say the long term effects for me.

My hands are somewhat deformed. esp the middle finger on the left hand is

bent at a 90 degree angle. the right middle has problems too buit isn't

bent yet. BOth of my thumbs are out of joint.....and my little finger on

the left hand is bent somewhat...

My feet are not in good shape...the toes do not lay like they should...

I have hammertoes...the dr says some bones are deteriorating.

I have psoriatic arthritis and sjogren's also....and CFS...

Liz Kilpatrick

On the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River, Davenport,IA/Quad cities

~~~~~~

" People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but

people will never forget how you made them feel. " ~~~~~~~ Maya Angelou

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EMAIL: juliette@...

PERSONAL HOMEPAGE PAGE http://members.tripod.com/~LizK

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[Guest guest]

Wow , your case sounds very similar to mine. I assume my second

bout(the one I am fighint now) is from stress. I started a new job,

bought a brand new home and have not sold my old one yet.

The drugs you mentioned are we got me to remission. Are you in

remission now?

[Guest guest]

Hi Lance

Yes, I (most gratefully) seem to be in remission now - long may it last! The

trouble is, we can't control all of the stressful events that life throws at

us, can we?