new to the group

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I wonder if you can go back to something that worked before after taking a

break? I guess the doctor would mention that if it was a possibility.

ez

[Guest guest]

Judi,

If he's getting disfigurement in his toes, I think you should call the

rheumy's office and relay that fact. Perhaps then he could see him

sooner. Or if you can look online and maybe find an email address for

him and then email him. That's how I got in earlier to see a rheumy for

the first time. Or at the least, you could ask them to notify you in

case of a cancellation.

Sue

On Wednesday, August 20, 2008, at 10:03 PM, Judi wrote:

>

> My name is Judi and my husband was recently diagnosed with RA. He has

> an appt with a rheumatologist in October. So far, Aleve is keeping

> most of his pain under control. He is starting to get some

> disfigurement in his toes, which is of great concern to me.

[Guest guest]

Toni:

Heya from one paramedic to another!

I know what you mean about the IV meds... Boy do I!!!

since I was burned so badly that I have just about no useable skin left, (I've

only had my left foot grafted so far), and since I have massive scarring and

contractures, and take injectable pain medications, I have a port... They can

find access on me, but it's like... Sending a miracle out on a wing and a

prayer...?

I can't do the IV DMARDs, SARDs, biologics or TNFs either. Make me deathly ill.

I'm talking like end up in ICU on a vent kind of ill... And with my port, well,

I am always watching for infection. Right now, I'm battling cepticemia, and do

you want to guess where I got it? If you said my port... You're right.

--

Dodge

A skeptic is a person who, when he sees the handwriting on the wall,

claims it's a forgery.

Read my blog at:

http://jumpthis.wordpress.com

---- aclavern33@... wrote:

=============

I actually have asked many of the docs I have seen. Some gave me the same

response is that they are coming up with new meds. Then I had another doc

that his response is that we tweak the cocktail...rotate the meds.

I have been on just about all the meds with the exception of the IV meds. I

declined taking those because I have horrible Venous access....I would have

to have a line or port implanted for that. I am NOT doing that.

I have a daughter that has a blood disorder that has just about exhausted

all of her venous access and will have to have a port placed sometime in the

very near future. In her case with the rest of infection...ports are reserved

the sickest of the sick. She goes to hematology/oncology infusion clinic and

treatment center in our local medical center. I am a former paramedic so I

too am all too familiar with the risk.

But I have been on ALL the injectables except for kineret. I decline that

after Humira burned like acid...I was told that kineret would be like a daily

dose of Humira.

I think it a matter of how bad your disease is...and how far you will go and

how much you can tolerate when balancing disease and side effects from the

treatment.

Toni

[Guest guest]

Welcome Judi:

This is a great group, and you will learn a lot here.

--

Dodge

A skeptic is a person who, when he sees the handwriting on the wall,

claims it's a forgery.

Read my blog at:

http://jumpthis.wordpress.com

---- Judi <judiinjax@...> wrote:

=============

Hi all,

My name is Judi and my husband was recently diagnosed with RA. He has

an appt with a rheumatologist in October. So far, Aleve is keeping

most of his pain under control. He is starting to get some

disfigurement in his toes, which is of great concern to me. He thought

for years that it was osteoarthritis and did not see a doctor until

the foot pain was so constant that he decided he had better do

something about it.

[Guest guest]

Judi,

Sorry to hear about your hubby. Try call the rheumatlolgist but

better than that see if your referring doctors office will call. I

know ny rheummy has told a couple of her patients if their doctor

had called she would have worked them in sooner. It certainly is

worth trying.

Good luck,

Shirley

>

> Hi all,

>

> My name is Judi and my husband was recently diagnosed with RA. He

has

> an appt with a rheumatologist in October. So far, Aleve is keeping

> most of his pain under control. He is starting to get some

> disfigurement in his toes, which is of great concern to me. He

thought

> for years that it was osteoarthritis and did not see a doctor until

> the foot pain was so constant that he decided he had better do

> something about it.

>

> I plan to go to the dr. appt with him as there is a good chance I

will

> need the rheumy for psoriatic arthritis. I was told about 10 years

ago

> that I " probably " had it. Have been fortunate to not have had any

> problems since then other than some aching if my feet get cold.

>

> We have both been trying to read as much as possible about RA so

that

> we know what questions to ask. I appreciate being able to be part

of

> this list as I feel that the ones who are dealing with the disease

> give better advice than doctors who have not lived with the

challenges

> that you face daily.

>

> Judi

>

[Guest guest]

,

Welcome to our group. Sorry, I have not been where you are, so I

can't give you any advice about your question. I do hope you get

some good responses.

I am always pleased to see new members post. To me it means more

insight. Everyone here has been so kind to offer advice and support

to me.

Hope you have a good day,

Shirley

>

> Hi Everyone! My name is and I have RA now for 7 years. I have

been

> on all types of pills and nothing has help. Within the last year I

> tried Enbrel and did well. Then one day it stop working. Then on

to

> Humria and that lasted 4 months. After several months of flare ups

my

> doctor switch me to Remicade. I have been on this medicine for 3

months

> and seems to be working. My question to my doctor is what happens

when

> there is no more choices. He just replies that they are always

coming

> up with medicine. I just can't lose faith and not get up.

>

> Thanks, for listening to me and allowing me to join your group.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy

It would be a good idea for your husband to see a podiatrist too, as they

can help with orthotic insoles etc, to help relieve pressure in his foot.

in NZ

[Guest guest]

He did go to see a podiatrist but that was before the RA diagnosis. He

was told the pain was from a pinched nerve and was given a steroid

shot in his foot. It did help with most of the pain at the time.

I will have to suggest that he go back. I had told him that he

probably needed inserts but I don't think they discussed it at the

last appt.

I will also tell him to see about getting in earlier to the rheumy.

Part of his problem is that he works nights and sleeps days so the

days and times he can go to a new doctor are pretty limited. He could

work around it if he choose to but he is a bit stubborn at times.

Thank you for the warm welcome from all. I am very glad to have found

this group.

Judi

>

> Hi Judy

>

It would be a good idea for your husband to see a podiatrist too, as

they can help with orthotic insoles etc, to help relieve pressure in

his foot.

>

> in NZ

>

[Guest guest]

Joanna and group;

WElcome to our group sweety. I have met some of the kindest and

understanding people here in this group. I am sure there is something

else your doctor can do for you.

I am starting Humira injections after my TB test. I am taking

plaqunil and sulfazaline which does nothing for the pain. So I told my

RA doctor after about 7 months i cant take the pain. She now has me on

prednisone till I start the injections.. I take Lyrcia for fibro and

it really works for me.

I hope you find the cocktail good for you.

gentle hugs

Clora

[Guest guest]

Hi Joanna,

I would like to welcome you to the group. You have went through so

much, and now dealing with RA and Fibro. I'm not familiar with the

Amnitriptyline or Azulifidine. I hope one is to stop the progression

of the disease, it's so very important. You will find lot's of

informatin and friendship. You are blessed with your baby girl. My

first grandchild will be three in March, and she is a Godsend. Take

care, and know I'm here if you need a shoulder, Tawny

>

> Hi everyone,

> I just wanted to introduce myself. I've looked into a lot of online

> discussion groups for RA but this is the first one I've ever posted

to.

> I think the encouragement and support shown by everyone is

wonderful.

> I'm 28 years old and was diagnosed with RA and Fibromyalgia last

month

> after an MRI. I've had problems for the last couple of years. I was

> diagnosed with endometriosis after I had my daughter, Janet, who

will

> be three next month. I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 27.

My

> doctors suspected I had RA but the blood tests came back clear

though I

> was severly anemic and had to undergo, blood and iron tranfusions,

even

> after the hysterectomy. My hands, wrists and elbows hurt no much

but I

> was just prescribed pain meds and basically told they could do

nothing.

> I was then send to a pain doctor because my gynocologist was

worried

> about me taking the pains med, the same meds he had prescribed. The

> pain doctor send my to a rheumatologist and then the MRI's were

> ordered. I've been taking lyrica, cymbalta, amnitriptyline, Lortab

10,

> Naproxyn, Darvocet, and just started Azulifidine. I've been able to

> taper off the amount of the pain meds but still have to take them

most

> days. I'm sure everyone could do without my whole medical history

but I

> wanted to introduce myself and tell my story. Thanks for listening.

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm allergic to Plaqunil, which I found

out in 2002 when I was given it after getting Malaria. So the Doc put

me on the Azulifidine which is the same as sulfazaline. It's making

me feel pretty ill so far but I'm going to stick it out in the hopes

it works and the side effects lessen. The lyrica does seem to help

for the fibro as well. Let me know how the Humira injections work

because that's the next thing the doc wants to put me on. I hope it

works for you.

Joanna

>

> Joanna and group;

>

> WElcome to our group sweety. I have met some of the kindest and

> understanding people here in this group. I am sure there is

something

> else your doctor can do for you.

>

> I am starting Humira injections after my TB test. I am taking

> plaqunil and sulfazaline which does nothing for the pain. So I told

my

> RA doctor after about 7 months i cant take the pain. She now has me

on

> prednisone till I start the injections.. I take Lyrcia for fibro

and

> it really works for me.

>

> I hope you find the cocktail good for you.

>

> gentle hugs

> Clora

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Joanna - I have RA/FMS too and had a complete hysterectomy in 1999

due to endometriosis/adenomyosis, so I know what you are going

through. I take Neurontin, Sulfasalazine (azulifidine), Methotrexate,

and am taking part in a clinical study with Tocilizumab(TCZ). I had

been going to a Pain Management doctor for over a year before he

referred me out to a Rheumatologist. Its unfortunate that people look

at someone who is overweight and automatically think " if they'd only

lose the weight " - a lot of time was wasted before getting the proper

treatment. I continued with the pain management doctor until I could

no longer afford him - I have no insurance - and I changed primary

care physicians back to our old one who is very good about working

with the Rheumy.

Anyway, please don't apologize for the length of your posts. We are

all here for you for as little or as much as you want to share. The

only thing that our Moderator () asks is that you try to only

leave one reply at the bottom of your posts - unless of course you

are starting a new topic, then there wouldn't be anything under your

post. *lol* Ok, I'll shut up now. Welcome to the group.....Doreen

>

> Hi everyone,

> I just wanted to introduce myself. I've looked into a lot of online

> discussion groups for RA but this is the first one I've ever posted

> to. I think the encouragement and support shown by everyone is

> wonderful. I'm 28 years old and was diagnosed with RA and

> Fibromyalgia last month after an MRI. I've had problems for the

> last couple of years. I was diagnosed with endometriosis after I

> had my daughter, Janet, who will be three next month. I had a

> complete hysterectomy when I was 27. My doctors suspected I had RA

> but the blood tests came back clear though I was severly anemic and

> had to undergo, blood and iron tranfusions, even after the

> hysterectomy. My hands, wrists and elbows hurt no much but I

> was just prescribed pain meds and basically told they could do

> nothing.

> I was then send to a pain doctor because my gynocologist was

> worried about me taking the pains med, the same meds he had

> prescribed. The pain doctor send my to a rheumatologist and then

> the MRI's were ordered. I've been taking lyrica, cymbalta,

> amnitriptyline, Lortab 10, Naproxyn, Darvocet, and just started

> Azulifidine. I've been able to taper off the amount of the pain

> meds but still have to take them most days. I'm sure everyone could

> do without my whole medical history but I wanted to introduce

> myself and tell my story. Thanks for listening.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Joanna,

Welcome to the group. I have learned so much from the members here and have

always been made to feel welcome

Heidi M

On Sun, Aug 31, 2008 at 9:43 PM, Joanna <jmh0280@...> wrote:

> Hi everyone,

> I just wanted to introduce myself. I've looked into a lot of online

> discussion groups for RA but this is the first one I've ever posted to.

> I think the encouragement and support shown by everyone is wonderful.

> I'm 28 years old and was diagnosed with RA and Fibromyalgia last month

> after an MRI. I've had problems for the last couple of years. I was

> diagnosed with endometriosis after I had my daughter, Janet, who will

> be three next month. I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 27. My

> doctors suspected I had RA but the blood tests came back clear though I

> was severly anemic and had to undergo, blood and iron tranfusions, even

> after the hysterectomy. My hands, wrists and elbows hurt no much but I

> was just prescribed pain meds and basically told they could do nothing.

> I was then send to a pain doctor because my gynocologist was worried

> about me taking the pains med, the same meds he had prescribed. The

> pain doctor send my to a rheumatologist and then the MRI's were

> ordered. I've been taking lyrica, cymbalta, amnitriptyline, Lortab 10,

> Naproxyn, Darvocet, and just started Azulifidine. I've been able to

> taper off the amount of the pain meds but still have to take them most

> days. I'm sure everyone could do without my whole medical history but I

> wanted to introduce myself and tell my story. Thanks for listening.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

HELLO JOANNA & WELCOME TO THIS RA GROUP. IT'S SOOOOOOO AWESOME!!  U WILL FEEL

GREAT AFTER TALKONG TO PEOPLE W/ THE SAME ISSUES AS YOURSELF & IT'S GREAT TO

TALK TO OTHERS WHO CAN HELP.. GOD BLESS,MELYNDAGAMEZ 9/2/08 9:25P.M.CENTRAL

Re: [ ] New to the Group

Hi Joanna,

Welcome to the group. I have learned so much from the members here and have

always been made to feel welcome

Heidi M

On Sun, Aug 31, 2008 at 9:43 PM, Joanna <jmh0280@...> wrote:

>  Hi everyone,

> I just wanted to introduce myself. I've looked into a lot of online

> discussion groups for RA but this is the first one I've ever posted to.

> I think the encouragement and support shown by everyone is wonderful.

> I'm 28 years old and was diagnosed with RA and Fibromyalgia last month

> after an MRI. I've had problems for the last couple of years.. I was

> diagnosed with endometriosis after I had my daughter, Janet, who will

> be three next month. I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 27.. My

> doctors suspected I had RA but the blood tests came back clear though I

> was severly anemic and had to undergo, blood and iron tranfusions, even

> after the hysterectomy. My hands, wrists and elbows hurt no much but I

> was just prescribed pain meds and basically told they could do nothing.

> I was then send to a pain doctor because my gynocologist was worried

> about me taking the pains med, the same meds he had prescribed. The

> pain doctor send my to a rheumatologist and then the MRI's were

> ordered. I've been taking lyrica, cymbalta, amnitriptyline, Lortab 10,

> Naproxyn, Darvocet, and just started Azulifidine. I've been able to

> taper off the amount of the pain meds but still have to take them most

> days. I'm sure everyone could do without my whole medical history but I

> wanted to introduce myself and tell my story. Thanks for listening.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ren,

So nice to meet you, welcome to the group. I hope it will be as good

for you as it is for many of us.

Your diagnosis is not what anyone wants, but knowing what it is

allows you and your doc to form a battle plan.

Hopefully you have great success with the MTX. I didn't know how

much it helped, even with my lower back, until it got completely out

of my system.

I pray you have a good day,

Shirley

--- In , " recoverynotes " <Arirenna@...>

wrote:

>

> Afternoon everyone,

> I'm and new to the group. I had tests and was diagnosed

with RA

> a few weeks ago. At first thought my trigger fingers, stiffness in

> hands and tingling was caused by my knitting too much. Also was

getting

> ready to have carpal tunnel surgery thinking my numbness and

tingling

> in hands were due to that. Then my legs and feet developed pitting

> edema and that is when I realized I had something more than

problems in

> my hands. I had noticed some stiffness and mild pain off and on in

my

> knees last year but at 58 thought it was just age related.

> I have been taking prednisone prescribed by my Rheumologist which

I

> first saw three weeks ago. That really got rid of the swelling in

my

> legs and feet. Two weeks ago he added Methrotrexate three pills

once a

> week. So far I've been tolerating it well.

> I've been reading the posts the last week or so and am grateful

you

> all are here and am learning much by your sharing. It has been

helping

> reading all your supportive posts to each other. Really helps to

know I

> am not alone in living a day at a time with this disease. Today am

> having difficulty in my hands so will type a short note here to

> introduce myself.

> Hope you all have a decent day and are staying dry, it's raining

like

> crazy here in Illinois.Thanks for reading and saying hello to you

> all...Ren

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome ,

I'm sorry to hear you were diagnosed with RA, it can be a little

overwhelming. You have found a great place for information and

friends, Tawny

--- In , " recoverynotes " <Arirenna@...>

wrote:

>

> Afternoon everyone,

> I'm and new to the group. I had tests and was diagnosed with

RA

> a few weeks ago. At first thought my trigger fingers, stiffness in

> hands and tingling was caused by my knitting too much. Also was

getting

> ready to have carpal tunnel surgery thinking my numbness and

tingling

> in hands were due to that. Then my legs and feet developed pitting

> edema and that is when I realized I had something more than

problems in

> my hands. I had noticed some stiffness and mild pain off and on in

my

> knees last year but at 58 thought it was just age related.

> I have been taking prednisone prescribed by my Rheumologist which

I

> first saw three weeks ago. That really got rid of the swelling in

my

> legs and feet. Two weeks ago he added Methrotrexate three pills

once a

> week. So far I've been tolerating it well.

> I've been reading the posts the last week or so and am grateful

you

> all are here and am learning much by your sharing. It has been

helping

> reading all your supportive posts to each other. Really helps to

know I

> am not alone in living a day at a time with this disease. Today am

> having difficulty in my hands so will type a short note here to

> introduce myself.

> Hope you all have a decent day and are staying dry, it's raining

like

> crazy here in Illinois.Thanks for reading and saying hello to you

> all...Ren

>

[Guest guest]

Ren and group;

Welcome to our humble group REN. We have a bunch of very nice people

here. There is a lot of good information you will read about here.

gentle hugs

Clora

>

> Afternoon everyone,

> I'm and new to the group. I had tests and was diagnosed with

RA

> a few weeks ago. At first thought my trigger fingers, stiffness in

> hands and tingling was caused by my knitting too much. Also was

[Guest guest]

Brad and group;

Welcome Brad, I am so sorry of your pain. I know exactly how you

feel. It hurts so bad. You came to the right place. This is a

caring and kind group. I hope you feel better

kind gentle hugs

Clora

,

> My name is Brad from Wisconsin, I'm 35 years old, and I was

diagnosed

> with RA in November of 2007, so I'm a newbie to this cranky old

> malaise we share. I decided to join this group at this point

because

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Brad and welcome.  I'm pretty organic and hippy myself.  My kids get all

organic food and I'm giving my newborn donated breast milk because I think

that's even better than the organic formula we use too.  I also check all the

kids' shots and make sure they don't get combo vaccines with high levels of

aluminum, or vaccines w/o a proven safety record.

 

That said, I *love* and believe in Enbrel.  I feel that for the type of RA that

I have (and I believe there are several, if not many, subtypes grouped under the

" RA " heading) it is absolutely the drug for me.  Sure, the side effects,

although rare, can be scary.  What made the difference for me, was feeling it

start working within a few days and the amazing quality of life that it affords

me.  That quality of life, makes the risks well worth the (small) gamble. 

 

For some genetic/environmental/combo reason, our immune systems are broken, and

I feel we need Western medicine's treatment regimens.  I also take supplements

of flax oil, fish oil, and tumeric, plus the usual calcium and multi, but I

wouldn't want to turn my back on a class of drugs that has been shown to be

enormously useful.  Of course as you get going, you need the partership of a

good rheumatologist who will listen to, and address your concerns without just

saying " take this, " and leaving you with a lot a fears about side effects.

 

ps - where in Wisconsin are you?  I saw a fertility doctor at Froedert who

helped us have our first son.  I have fond memories of that hospital, especially

that first ultrasound which was so miraculous.

 

very best wishes, Kate F

[ ] New to the group

Hi everyone,

My name is Brad from Wisconsin, I'm 35 years old, and I was diagnosed

with RA in November of 2007, so I'm a newbie to this cranky old

malaise we share. I decided to join this group at this point because

I am at a pivotal moment in my treatment. I am a treehugging, nature-

loving, organic locavore type who is strongly against taking anything

worse than ibuprofen. Though I accept the validity of it, I distrust

the medical community and tend to desire alternative therapies for

the managing of my own treatment. My first bloodtest in November had

an RA factor of 1:120. I began taking glucosamine/ chondroitin/ MSM

supplements along with added calcium and salmon oil supplements. I

also took ibuprofen on an as-needed basis. I still take all of these

though my ibuprofen intake has increased a bit (about 1200mg a day

now). Last week, my RA factor was tested at 1:320. The rheumy now

is saying I should really start DMARDs. I understand the benefits of

taking them and what they do, but it is because they also can cause

organ damage and suppress the immune system that I do not wish to

take them. I do not want to trade one problem for a host of others.

I am currently seeking a proven method of alternative therapy that

can mask the synovial fluid in my joints so that my immune system

doesn't think of it as foreign. Has anyone ever heard of anything

that could do that? I just don't want to screw my body up with all

these toxic DMARDs.

Thanks,

Brad

[Guest guest]

Hi...

I really identified with your post, although I wouldn't call myself a tree

hugger the situation is very simular and I've done a lot of reading since I was

diagnosed with RA along the same lines as you are investigating. Being that RA

is a progressive desease the breakthroughs that have come about recently are all

focused on medication for treatment. While there is a lot you can do to improve

your condition like range of motion excersies, modified phyical activites, and

dietary supplements I haven't come across anything that actually treats the

desease. Some are having limitied success with vegiterian diets but again they

seemed to be focused on treating the symptoms and not the desease. Since this is

a " progressive " disorder the decisions we make now can and will effect the

quality of life we will have later. Your RA factor is just a tad bit higher than

mine and is going up, like mine, so to quote my Rheumatologist, " it's my

experience that your Rheumatoid Arthritis is likely to be

more progressive than not. " Which means DMARD's my not be an option for you. I

don't mean to be harsh, but that's the reality. For a long time I just wanted it

to go away, finally I came to the conclusion that it's not going away. I found

ibuprofen to be very hard on my system, and it's not really a long term solution

so I swtiched to extra strength tylonol which I rarely take now because the MTX

I take once a week has given me my life back to some degree.

By the way, this is a great group and they have lots and lots of information and

experience. posts terrific articles all the time with the only drawback

being that you have to read them, I wish she'd just highlite the good parts for

me. And there's a lot of support here.

Hope this helps,

Stan

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " Brad Berg " <blueworld_of_fire@...>

Hi everyone,

My name is Brad from Wisconsin, I'm 35 years old, and I was diagnosed

with RA in November of 2007, so I'm a newbie to this cranky old

malaise we share. I decided to join this group at this point because

I am at a pivotal moment in my treatment. I am a treehugging, nature-

loving, organic locavore type who is strongly against taking anything

worse than ibuprofen. Though I accept the validity of it, I distrust

the medical community and tend to desire alternative therapies for

the managing of my own treatment. My first bloodtest in November had

an RA factor of 1:120. I began taking glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM

supplements along with added calcium and salmon oil supplements. I

also took ibuprofen on an as-needed basis. I still take all of these

though my ibuprofen intake has increased a bit (about 1200mg a day

now). Last week, my RA factor was tested at 1:320. The rheumy now

is saying I should really start DMARDs. I understand the benefits of

taking them and what they do, but it is because they also can cause

organ damage and suppress the immune system that I do not wish to

take them. I do not want to trade one problem for a host of others.

I am currently seeking a proven method of alternative therapy that

can mask the synovial fluid in my joints so that my immune system

doesn't think of it as foreign. Has anyone ever heard of anything

that could do that? I just don't want to screw my body up with all

these toxic DMARDs.

Thanks,

Brad

[Guest guest]

Sorry, Stan. Not.gonna.happen.

Not an MD

On Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:28 AM, <stanpfister@...> wrote:

> Hi...

>

> I really identified with your post, although I wouldn't call myself a tree

> hugger the situation is very simular and I've done a lot of reading since I

> was diagnosed with RA along the same lines as you are investigating. Being

> that RA is a progressive desease the breakthroughs that have come about

> recently are all focused on medication for treatment. While there is a lot

> you can do to improve your condition like range of motion excersies,

> modified phyical activites, and dietary supplements I haven't come across

> anything that actually treats the desease. Some are having limitied success

> with vegiterian diets but again they seemed to be focused on treating the

> symptoms and not the desease. Since this is a " progressive " disorder the

> decisions we make now can and will effect the quality of life we will have

> later. Your RA factor is just a tad bit higher than mine and is going up,

> like mine, so to quote my Rheumatologist, " it's my experience that your

> Rheumatoid Arthritis is likely to be

> more progressive than not. " Which means DMARD's my not be an option for you.

> I don't mean to be harsh, but that's the reality. For a long time I just

> wanted it to go away, finally I came to the conclusion that it's not going

> away. I found ibuprofen to be very hard on my system, and it's not really a

> long term solution so I swtiched to extra strength tylonol which I rarely

> take now because the MTX I take once a week has given me my life back to

> some degree.

>

> By the way, this is a great group and they have lots and lots of information

> and experience. posts terrific articles all the time with the only

> drawback being that you have to read them, I wish she'd just highlite the

> good parts for me. And there's a lot of support here.

>

> Hope this helps,

> Stan

[Guest guest]

HA! You can't blame the man for trying, huh? LOL

*~ Kami ~*

Re: [ ] New to the group

Sorry, Stan. Not.gonna.happen.

Not an MD

. posts terrific articles all the time with the only

> drawback being that you have to read them, I wish she'd just highlite the

> good parts for me.

.

[Guest guest]

You're right about that, Kami! LOL.

Not an MD

On Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:59 AM, ~ Kami ~ <kamilleon@...> wrote:

> HA! You can't blame the man for trying, huh? LOL

>

> *~ Kami ~*

[Guest guest]

,

I wouldn't say that our immune systems are broken -- rather they are overly

tuned to the environment.  Though there's more to it obviously, I've been

thinking of my RA in terms of a food allergy.  Sounds pretty foolish, and I

laughed when a coworker first suggested it, but after a while and seeing how the

immune system responds, I began to agree it almost reacts the same way as an

allergy.  I have a number of allergies, and there seems to be a lot of

correlation.  When I eat tomatoes, potatoes or green peppers, my RA kicks it up

a notch within several hours.  I try to stay away from those foods but there are

forms of concentrated tomato and potato ingredients within most processed food

(which I fall to when veggies aren't always in the house) and I wonder if my RA

factor isn't high right now because I've been eating those foods a bit more

lately.

 

Brad

[Guest guest]

I leanred from one of President Bush's speeches is that what I have to be are

literate!

Stan

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " " <Rheumatoid.Arthritis.Support@...>

You're right about that, Kami! LOL.

Not an MD

On Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:59 AM, ~ Kami ~ <kamilleon@...> wrote:

> HA! You can't blame the man for trying, huh? LOL

>

> *~ Kami ~*