Re: new to your group

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Althea!

Sorry that you are having such a difficult time. Yes, unfortunately,

your story is fairly typical.

Have you told your rheumatologist just how you are feeling? You seem to

be getting good, aggressive treatment, but it doesn't sound as if it is

working very well for you. Maybe an adjustment or change of meds will be

necessary.

If I were you, I would call the rheumatologist and tell him/her what you

told us.

[ ] new to your group

> Hello, My name is Althea and I am looking for a RA group that can

> help me understand if what I am feeling is normal to a person with

> Rheumatoid Arthritis.

> I was diagnosed back in 1997 and have been through a regimen of

> doctors. I take Methotrexate and Remicade for my major symptoms and

> also - Skellaxin, Vioxx and Lortab.

>

> I get up in the morning but am so sore that I don't get far. My neck

> shoulders and arms just ache. I get severe numbness in my arms and

> hands if I try to use them too much. This used to happen if I had

> them over my head but now happens if I just bend my elbow.

>

> Recently, - the last 2 months - my feet have started giving me lots

> of problems. When I go to stand up they hurt hurt hurt - almost like

> trying to walk on eggshells. After I walk for about 20-30 steps they

> start to ease up but if I sit down for 5 minutes it starts over.

>

> Last week on Monday, I had my Remicade treatment and since then I

> have been so tired. I can't seem to stay awake. At the moment I

> just want to go lay down and sleep but I feel like I am sleeping my

> life away.

>

> I would really like to converse with someone who has RA and see if I

> am " normal " to what the disease is supposed to feel like.

>

> I appreciate any and all help that you can give me.

>

> God bless,

> Althea

[Guest guest]

Sorry to know you are going through so much. Sometimes, it helps just being able

to vent everything you have been keeping inside because no one know what you are

going through.

As for some advice, I have none to give expect, maybe, it would be good for

your moral to find something you can and love to do just because it pleases you.

We all need some satisfaction out of life otherwise it is not worth living it.

Stay in touch.

buckswheat1 <buckswheat@...> wrote:

Like so many others, I too have RA (diagnosed 2 years ago). I'm a 53

year old female living in NW Florida and am diabetic with the

neurophy that goes along with it, have CHF (congestive heart failure

and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. I have taken the

MTX which started an allergic reaction to all steroids (have ulcers

in throat and mouth when taking these meds, making it difficult to

eat/drink), plaquenil caused problems with my eyesight, and so the

only medication I'm on is Arava and Remicade on a 6 week basis. The

RA said Enbrel and Humira would not help me as much as the Remicade

does and I do tend to believe him as he is a very caring specialist

in this field. Unfortunately there isn't a lot that can be done for

me except to learn to live with the pain. The Remicade helps but

begins to wear off in 5-6 weeks. Hands, wrists, and knees are the

worst. I have Lortab to take for pain but truthfully it doesn't

help. I also smoke and don't want to stop as it's my " crutch " from

the pain. I was disabled by social security - after a 6 year

battle - last October, so I don't feel guilty about no longer having

an income (if you want to call it that). Thank goodness for a super

husband who does provide but doesn't understand all I'm going

through. I want to break down and cry but what good will that do?

Any suggestions you may have would be very welcome. Thanks for

listening to me! Sharon