Guest guest Posted August 6, 2000 Report Share Posted August 6, 2000 ----- Original Message ----- From: " " <magicalm@...> <RA-ORegroups> Sent: Sunday, August 06, 2000 10:21 AM Subject: Re: [RA-OR] Hello!! > Hi Roxanne. I just joined this list. My husband (Joe) was diagnosed with > this back in January of this year from his rheumatologist. He had been to > an orthopedic DR (Nov of 99) because of bad knee pain. Once there he told > the DR all his other symptoms...pain in his shoulder, hands, bottom of foot > (arch), wrists, elbows, forearm. The DR immediately said he believed he had > Lupus or RA. He sent Joe for a boat load of blood work and his RA factor > came back sky high, but also alot of other things, which the DR thought > indicated Lupus. He sent us to a VERY GOOD rheumatologist and he said it > was RA. Altho reading on the web I've learned the two diseases are pretty > close. Joe had been put into physical therapy. His muscles were in such > pain because they were trying to accomodate for the joints pain and > swelling. I would say it was about 6 weeks worth of 1 hour sessions in PT. > The DR put him on methotrexate, prednisone (for swelling), folic acid, > relafen, 1 multi vitamin every day. He has been on this regimen since Feb > and the metho has been increased twice.....he now takes 8 metho 1 time a > week. He has been having a real hard time lately with this rainy weather we > have been having in Pa. He hurts in his hands, shoulders, elbows, forearm, > palms, writsts. The pain was so great that he called his RA doctor last > week. He increased his prednisone til he goes to see him next week. He > said then they would have to add another med since the metho isnt doing it > alone. He has been on prednisone for so long. He tried weaning off but > then the swelling and pain get so bad he cant stand it so he has to increase > it. This tells me that he needs something else. > He wanted me to tell you Roxanne that the DR said it would take like 1 1/2 > months til the metho actually grabs hold. It will start lowering the > numbers in your blood work (in a good way) BUT more then likely you wont > feel it physically. He said the prednisone is what made him feel better, > faster. > Upon diagnosis Joes RA factor was 512 and the normal is less then 10. He > had a positive ANA. The protein in his urine was dangerously high....848. > You cant have alot of protein in your urine..it will shut down your kidneys > over time. Since he started his meds he has seen great improvement in his > blood levels, BUT the pain is still there. > I have never heard of CMO..what is this? > He is still working. He has decent days and very rough days. He trys to > stay busy to help keep his mind from dwelling on it. > We traced his symptoms back to probably about 2 yrs prior, when he went for > another job and they did a physical and found the protein then. We thought > nothing of that tho so we just let that go. > He wanted me to tell you that he used to get sick every week on the day he > took his metho. The DR told him to take 2 folic acid the day of and 2 the > days after and it did help! He takes it 1/2 hr before the metho though. > I am sermizing that the DR will increase the metho and add something else > also. > My husband is 31. No one in his family that we know of has/had RA. > I bought him a hand held massager that he uses now and then, along with ice, > and the DR gave him some topical ointment for the pain in his muscles, but > nothing seems to help much. I hope to learn what you all experienced, and > how you cope day to day. I hope to share our ideas and thoughts with all of > you too. I guess we are pretty new to this BUT I feel like an expert with > all the stuff I found and printed out on the web...lol > I think I said everything in my 'hello' post that I wanted to--lol I look > forward to meeting you all. > Have a great day. (and Joe) in Pa > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <booky57@...> > <RA-ORegroups> > Sent: Sunday, August 06, 2000 8:44 AM > Subject: [RA-OR] Hello!! > > > > Hello, My name is Roxanne, and I have just been diagnosed with RA > > about a month ago. Actually, I have been having problems for several > > years, but the symptoms had gotten so bad, my doctor finally decided > > to send me to a rheumatologist. It is in my hands, wrists, feet & > > ankles now, but I am afraid that it is getting into my elbows. I am > > taking low dosage of prednisone, methotrexate, celebrex, and folic > > acid, along with my high blood pressure meds. Sometimes I feel like a > > walking drug store. Has anyone heard of CMO? My husband came home > > from work and told me that a friend of his is taking it and has had > > wonderful results from it. He buys it at some health food store, and > > it is about $180.00 for a months supply. If it works though it would > > be worth it. I am a bookkeeper, and this has really put a cramp in my > > life. I have an appt. with social security to see about getting on > > disability for awhile since this is limiting what I can do with my > > work. I am so glad to find a group of folks with the same problem as > > me, it helps to know I am not in a boat alone. See you later.... > > > > Roxanne > > Birmingham, AL > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2001 Report Share Posted December 30, 2001 Hi Barbara and welcome to the group. Glad to hear that your baby is already wearing the band and is almost finished. Could you share more of your story with us? Just wanted to send a word of welcome your way. Marci (Mom to ) Oklahoma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2001 Report Share Posted December 30, 2001 hello again!! i put some pictures of Korben on his file!! i hope that you get a chance to see his pictures. thank you for your time!! Barbara Mom of korben and marshall > Hi Barbara welcome to the group and hello to Korben as well. Sounds like you > and Korben are doing great and that is wonderful. If you have the ability we > would love to see some pictures of the cutie! My son wore the DOC as well and > we were originally treated in Dallas as well-what a great team of DR's they > are there. We have been graduates and are thrilled with our results. I am > glad you found us and hope you will stick around to share your experience > please be sure to post after Wednesdays appointment and let us know how it > goes and when to expect the big graduation! Keep up the good work Mom and > welcome again! > Beck Mom to brian\ > doc grad > Memphis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2001 Report Share Posted December 31, 2001 Barbara: I just checked out cutie patootie Korben's pictures. He sure is a doll! Thanks so much for sharing more of your story. I'm glad things are going so well in the DOCband thus far. Your other son, Marshall looks awefully young (and cute!) too. You must have your hands full! Be sure to keep us informed of Korben's progress. Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad MI HAPPY NEW YEAR! > > Hi Barbara welcome to the group and hello to Korben as well. Sounds > like you > > and Korben are doing great and that is wonderful. If you have the > ability we > > would love to see some pictures of the cutie! My son wore the DOC > as well and > > we were originally treated in Dallas as well-what a great team of > DR's they > > are there. We have been graduates and are thrilled with our > results. I am > > glad you found us and hope you will stick around to share your > experience > > please be sure to post after Wednesdays appointment and let us know > how it > > goes and when to expect the big graduation! Keep up the good work > Mom and > > welcome again! > > Beck Mom to brian\ > > doc grad > > Memphis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2001 Report Share Posted December 31, 2001 hello again!! well yes i do have my hands full!! My other son Marshall just turned 2. My boys are 26 months apart. But they are as close as you would expect them to be and wherever Marshall is, Korben is right behind him. Well thanks for looking at the pictures. Barbara mom of Korben and Marshall > > > Hi Barbara welcome to the group and hello to Korben as well. > Sounds > > like you > > > and Korben are doing great and that is wonderful. If you have the > > ability we > > > would love to see some pictures of the cutie! My son wore the DOC > > as well and > > > we were originally treated in Dallas as well-what a great team of > > DR's they > > > are there. We have been graduates and are thrilled with our > > results. I am > > > glad you found us and hope you will stick around to share your > > experience > > > please be sure to post after Wednesdays appointment and let us > know > > how it > > > goes and when to expect the big graduation! Keep up the good work > > Mom and > > > welcome again! > > > Beck Mom to brian\ > > > doc grad > > > Memphis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2001 Report Share Posted December 31, 2001 Barbara, Korben is adorable! Thanks for sharing the photos with the group. Marci (Mom to ) Oklahoma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2001 Report Share Posted December 31, 2001 Hi Barbara, Just wanted to say welcome to the group and it was nice of you to share your Korben with us! ' Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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