Help!

[Guest guest]

Thank you for replying. It is so great to know that I am not alone and making these health issues up in my head. I live in Lancaster Ohio. What dr. do you recomend and do you know the average price? Thanks again Ilenaauntsisnj <auntsisnj@...> wrote: Ilena,I am so very sorry to hear you're having such a tough time. I know how hard this is, and my husband was not supportive either. After I had the explant he was supportive, but beforehand he was a monster. I felt like he was in

charge of what I did with my body and it made me very angry. I remember while I was contemplating implants, he said that a bad boob job would still look better than the way I looked in my natural state, and honestly that's what made me decide to get them. When I started getting sick (which was only a few weeks after implanting) he said I was being neurotic, and not to blame the implants. What you need to know is that the right surgeon can make you look very good after explant - I am very happy with my results and so are many others. I'm speechless about the wrinkled nutsack comment - and I would recommend thinking solely of what is best for yourself. No one but YOU has to live inside that body of yours, and no one but YOU should decide what's best for your body. Once I got tough with my husband, he fell into line, but when I was weak he walked all over me. I told him I was getting my implants removed with or without

him, and he found out about my impending surgery while I was in my car driving to Ohio to meet with Dr. Feng (because every time I tried to bring up the subject, he would fly into a rage). I don't know for sure why some women get the rash, but I would imagine it's because of the toxins inside the implants. It seems to happen to quite a few women.Sis >> I have had my saline implants since 1995. I started experiencing > health problems in 1999. I never thought it could be my implants > since everyone said saline is safe. Now that I have had every medical > test in the world and i am normal I still feel bad. I have a horrible > rash that looks like open sores on my arms and they will not get > better. I have been dx with impetigo,

MRSA, etc. I found a pic of > someones arms that look like mine and i cried. I felt such a relief. > I thought i was going crazy. I am constantly tired thyroid problems > etc. My husband doesnt understand and said if i get my implants out > he doesnt want to see a wrinkled nutsack on my chest! I have cried > for days over that. I have a capsularlly contracture I am in alot of > pain in my shoulder and neck. Not to mention a huge ball on my left > side. Does anyone know why the rash occurs. Please let me know. I > am so thankful for this site. You all have helped me when i feel so > alone. thanks ilena>

Shape in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today!

[Guest guest]

Ohio--you've got Dr. Lu Feng on your doorstep then. I'd go with her. She's tops in her field. www.drfeng.com PattyBeauti Javins <ilena_01@...> wrote: Thank you for replying. It is so great to know that I am not alone and making these health issues up in my head. I live in Lancaster Ohio. What dr. do you recomend and do you know the average price? Thanks again Ilenaauntsisnj <auntsisnjlycos> wrote: Ilena,I am so very sorry to hear you're having such a tough time. I know how hard this is, and my husband was not supportive either. After I had the explant he was supportive, but beforehand he was a monster. I felt like he was in charge of what I did with my body and it made me very angry. I remember while I was contemplating implants, he said that a bad boob job would still look better than the way I looked in my natural state, and honestly that's what made me decide to get them. When I started getting sick (which was only a few weeks after implanting) he said I was being neurotic, and not to blame the implants. What you need to know is that the right surgeon can make you look very good after explant - I am very happy with my results and so

are many others. I'm speechless about the wrinkled nutsack comment - and I would recommend thinking solely of what is best for yourself. No one but YOU has to live inside that body of yours, and no one but YOU should decide what's best for your body. Once I got tough with my husband, he fell into line, but when I was weak he walked all over me. I told him I was getting my implants removed with or without him, and he found out about my impending surgery while I was in my car driving to Ohio to meet with Dr. Feng (because every time I tried to bring up the subject, he would fly into a rage). I don't know for sure why some women get the rash, but I would imagine it's because of the toxins inside the implants. It seems to happen to quite a few women.Sis --- In , "ilena_01" <ilena_01@...>

wrote:>> I have had my saline implants since 1995. I started experiencing > health problems in 1999. I never thought it could be my implants > since everyone said saline is safe. Now that I have had every medical > test in the world and i am normal I still feel bad. I have a horrible > rash that looks like open sores on my arms and they will not get > better. I have been dx with impetigo, MRSA, etc. I found a pic of > someones arms that look like mine and i cried. I felt such a relief. > I thought i was going crazy. I am constantly tired thyroid problems > etc. My husband doesnt understand and said if i get my implants out > he doesnt want to see a wrinkled nutsack on my chest! I have cried > for days over that. I have a capsularlly contracture I am in alot of > pain in my shoulder and neck. Not to mention a huge ball on my left > side.

Does anyone know why the rash occurs. Please let me know. I > am so thankful for this site. You all have helped me when i feel so > alone. thanks ilena> Shape in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today!

Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with FareChase.

[Guest guest]

Ilena,

I used Dr. Feng in the Cleveland area, can't remember the name of

the town but it was a couple of miles from Beachwood (where my hotel

was).

Sis

> >

> > I have had my saline implants since 1995. I started experiencing

> > health problems in 1999. I never thought it could be my implants

> > since everyone said saline is safe. Now that I have had every

> medical

> > test in the world and i am normal I still feel bad. I have a

> horrible

> > rash that looks like open sores on my arms and they will not get

> > better. I have been dx with impetigo, MRSA, etc. I found a pic

> of

> > someones arms that look like mine and i cried. I felt such a

> relief.

> > I thought i was going crazy. I am constantly tired thyroid

> problems

> > etc. My husband doesnt understand and said if i get my implants

> out

> > he doesnt want to see a wrinkled nutsack on my chest! I have

> cried

> > for days over that. I have a capsularlly contracture I am in

alot

> of

> > pain in my shoulder and neck. Not to mention a huge ball on my

> left

> > side. Does anyone know why the rash occurs. Please let me know.

> I

> > am so thankful for this site. You all have helped me when i feel

> so

> > alone. thanks ilena

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Shape in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel

today!

>

[Guest guest]

,

When I first started taking methotrexate in Aug. 2006, my hair fell out, I was

throwing up, and I had blisters in my mouth. My rheumatologist prescribed folic

acid (daily) for the blisters in my mouth, as well as the vomitting. It worked

within a month. Talk to your doctor about it. The skin reactions that you're

having might be due to sun exposure, but you should talk to your doctor about

all of these symptoms. You're in my prayers, I hope you find some relief soon.

Jenn

<nms_1073@...> wrote:

I was diagnosed with RA about 6 weeks ago, and started taking

Methotrexate, I feel progressively worse as time goes on. I explained

to my doctor when I saw him, 2 weeks ago, that I felt like I was in

more pain than before, and that I was having other symptoms such as

severe fatigue, boils, rashes, blisters in my mouth, and headache. He

said that the Methotrexate would make me feel worse before I would feel

better, and increased the dosage that I am on. I have now missed a

total of 3 weeks of work due to the fact that I am either too sick or

to weak to go in. I cannot keep doing this! Has anyone else

experienced this with this drug? Does it indeed get better? I fell

worse now than I did when I started.

Help!

[Guest guest]

Give your Rheumatologist a call and let him know about the month

blisters. Those are most likely caused by the MTX(methotrexate). The

fatigue and the rest are probably just from the RA. How much MTX does

he have you on?? And did he put you on a Folic Acid supplement?

Usually a Rheumatologist will start off with a lower dose of MTX and

gradually increase it. 2-3 pills of 2.5mg to start, that is a once a

week dose of 5-7.5 mg. MTX can go up to 25 mg once a week, but none

of us started there. If you are on more than a starting dose, you

really need to talk to him about his " it will get worse before it gets

better' attitude.

No, even MTX shouldn't have side effects like this right off from the

start. I am shocked a doctor would do this.

[Guest guest]

,

I was on MTX. I started with the pills. I was like you. I could not tolerate

the drug. I had all the side effects and they kept getting worst. I finally

had drug induced pneumonitis which my rheummy dismissed and my family doctor

was very angry and stopped the meds.

My family doc also saw all the sores and that I was dehydrated from all the

vomiting and diarrhea it was causing.

My rheummy like yours was treating my lab results and not listening to me.

My suggestion is find another doc if you can. Or get more forceful and make

him listen.

You should also be on folic acid which they claim helps with the side

effects. There is also Leucovorin which is a much strong version of the folic

acid

that is used as well. I tried both and they did nothing for me.

I even tried taking the injectable form of MTX and still it was horrible. It

basically cost me my job because I was out for months messing around trying

to follow doctors orders.

You can also try taking the MTX on a Friday nite when you do not have to go

to work the next day so you are sleeping through the worst of it. It works

for some people. It did not work for me. I was worst the next morning!

Good luck

Toni

**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest

products.

(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

Are you taking folic acid, ? If you are taking the oral form of

methotrexate, you might also consider switching to injections.

Not an MD

On Nov 20, 2007 9:45 PM, <nms_1073@...> wrote:

> I was diagnosed with RA about 6 weeks ago, and started taking

> Methotrexate, I feel progressively worse as time goes on. I explained

> to my doctor when I saw him, 2 weeks ago, that I felt like I was in

> more pain than before, and that I was having other symptoms such as

> severe fatigue, boils, rashes, blisters in my mouth, and headache. He

> said that the Methotrexate would make me feel worse before I would feel

> better, and increased the dosage that I am on. I have now missed a

> total of 3 weeks of work due to the fact that I am either too sick or

> to weak to go in. I cannot keep doing this! Has anyone else

> experienced this with this drug? Does it indeed get better? I fell

> worse now than I did when I started.

> Help!

[Guest guest]

Dennis,

When I was on MTX I was up to 5mg of folic acid per day plus leucovorin on

the day I took the MTX. Nothing really worked and the side effects never

really got better. I decided the side effects were not worth going through for

any benefits the drug had...which by the way I was too sick to really tell the

difference.

Toni

_Re: help! _

( /message/106654;_ylc=X3oDMTJyMXRtcDdkBF\

9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzEwMTQ3OARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjE0OTgEbXNnS

WQDMTA2NjU0BHNlYwNkbXNnBHNsawN2bXNnBHN0aW1lAzExOTU2NjY4MDU-)

Posted by: " betnden@... " _betnden@... _

(mailto:betnden@...?Subject= Re:%20help!) _galaxiexl68 _

(galaxiexl68)

Wed Nov 21, 2007 8:08 am (PST)

, I'm not sure about this, but I was having trouble with some of the

same symptoms you have. As a result of replies on this board, I started

taking as much as 5 mg of Folic Acid instead of one and everything calmed

down. MTX seems to flush Folic Acid from your body faster than you can

re-generate it. You might ask your Rheumy about this and maybe it will help

you. I know it helps me, and I'm now taking 2-3 mg of Folic acid. This is

one of the great values of this group.

Dennis in eastexas

[ ] help!

>I was diagnosed with RA about 6 weeks ago, and started taking

> Methotrexate, I feel progressively worse as time goes on. I explained

> to my doctor when I saw him, 2 weeks ago, that I felt like I was in

> more pain than before, and that I was having other symptoms such as

> severe fatigue, boils, rashes, blisters in my mouth, and headache. He

> said that the Methotrexate would make me feel worse before I would feel

> better, and increased the dosage that I am on. I have now missed a

> total of 3 weeks of work due to the fact that I am either too sick or

> to weak to go in. I cannot keep doing this! Has anyone else

> experienced this with this drug? Does it indeed get better? I fell

> worse now than I did when I started.

> Help!

**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest

products.

(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

, I'm not sure about this, but I was having trouble with some of the

same symptoms you have. As a result of replies on this board, I started

taking as much as 5 mg of Folic Acid instead of one and everything calmed

down. MTX seems to flush Folic Acid from your body faster than you can

re-generate it. You might ask your Rheumy about this and maybe it will help

you. I know it helps me, and I'm now taking 2-3 mg of Folic acid. This is

one of the great values of this group.

Dennis in eastexas

[ ] help!

>I was diagnosed with RA about 6 weeks ago, and started taking

> Methotrexate, I feel progressively worse as time goes on. I explained

> to my doctor when I saw him, 2 weeks ago, that I felt like I was in

> more pain than before, and that I was having other symptoms such as

> severe fatigue, boils, rashes, blisters in my mouth, and headache. He

> said that the Methotrexate would make me feel worse before I would feel

> better, and increased the dosage that I am on. I have now missed a

> total of 3 weeks of work due to the fact that I am either too sick or

> to weak to go in. I cannot keep doing this! Has anyone else

> experienced this with this drug? Does it indeed get better? I fell

> worse now than I did when I started.

> Help!

[Guest guest]

I never had any additional side effects; I just felt terrible. My

Rheumy said that it would take about 3 months to start feeling better.

I am also taking Plaquinel. It has been about 3 months and I do feel

better. My joint pain is almost gone and muscle pain is mostly gone (I

have Fibro too). I still feel fatigued but not as bad.

>

> I was diagnosed with RA about 6 weeks ago, and started taking

> Methotrexate, I feel progressively worse as time goes on. I

explained

> to my doctor when I saw him, 2 weeks ago, that I felt like I was in

> more pain than before, and that I was having other symptoms such as

> severe fatigue, boils, rashes, blisters in my mouth, and headache.

He

> said that the Methotrexate would make me feel worse before I would

feel

> better, and increased the dosage that I am on. I have now missed a

> total of 3 weeks of work due to the fact that I am either too sick or

> to weak to go in. I cannot keep doing this! Has anyone else

> experienced this with this drug? Does it indeed get better? I fell

> worse now than I did when I started.

> Help!

>

[Guest guest]

Are you taking folic acid with it?

Also I couldn't tolerate the pills but am doing better on the injections.

Good luck, my rheumie said it would take 2mo. for it to kick in.

Joy

<nms_1073@...> wrote:

I was diagnosed with RA about 6 weeks ago, and started taking

Methotrexate, I feel progressively worse as time goes on. I explained

to my doctor when I saw him, 2 weeks ago, that I felt like I was in

more pain than before, and that I was having other symptoms such as

severe fatigue, boils, rashes, blisters in my mouth, and headache. He

said that the Methotrexate would make me feel worse before I would feel

better, and increased the dosage that I am on. I have now missed a

total of 3 weeks of work due to the fact that I am either too sick or

to weak to go in. I cannot keep doing this! Has anyone else

experienced this with this drug? Does it indeed get better? I fell

worse now than I did when I started.

Help!

[Guest guest]

When I started take Mtx I had a hell of a time getting used to it. I did

lose some hair, had diarrhea for 2-3 days after I tokk the doseage. The Dr

gave me folic acid to help but it didnt help much but it also help protect

the liver.I did finally get used to it and now I don't have ant trouble with

it. I also tae Embrel weekly to help.

Heidi M

On 11/21/07, Joy <jhoorm01@...> wrote:

>

> Are you taking folic acid with it?

> Also I couldn't tolerate the pills but am doing better on the injections.

> Good luck, my rheumie said it would take 2mo. for it to kick in.

> Joy

>

> <nms_1073@... <nms_1073%40>> wrote:

> I was diagnosed with RA about 6 weeks ago, and started taking

> Methotrexate, I feel progressively worse as time goes on. I explained

> to my doctor when I saw him, 2 weeks ago, that I felt like I was in

> more pain than before, and that I was having other symptoms such as

> severe fatigue, boils, rashes, blisters in my mouth, and headache. He

> said that the Methotrexate would make me feel worse before I would feel

> better, and increased the dosage that I am on. I have now missed a

> total of 3 weeks of work due to the fact that I am either too sick or

> to weak to go in. I cannot keep doing this! Has anyone else

> experienced this with this drug? Does it indeed get better? I fell

> worse now than I did when I started.

> Help!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

When I started MTX, I had these symptoms but the Dr. told me the

fatigue was a big symptom of the RA and that as the MTX got in my

system they would ease up. As far as the other symptoms I think it is

due to not enough folic acid. He also increased my Folic Acid to 4

pills for about 2 months then he reduced it to 2 pills a day. After

taking 4 pills of the Folic Acid the symptoms disappeared. I would

think that you increasing the MTX without increasing the Folic Acid

would make you have increased side effects because there would not be

enough Folic Acid to fight against the MTX side effects.

I eventually had to come of the MTX because after being on it only 5

months it started causing damage to my liver. So it is important you

make sure your Dr. does the blood work at every visit and checks your

liver numbers which tells if there is possible damage going on. After

coming off the MTX it continued to cause my liver numbers to go crazy

up to 6 months after stopping the drug until my liver repaired itself.

I don't understand why your Dr. did not increase your Folic Acid, that

is very important in order to prevent side effects from it.

>

>

> [ ] help!

>

>

> >I was diagnosed with RA about 6 weeks ago, and started taking

> > Methotrexate, I feel progressively worse as time goes on. I explained

> > to my doctor when I saw him, 2 weeks ago, that I felt like I was in

> > more pain than before, and that I was having other symptoms such as

> > severe fatigue, boils, rashes, blisters in my mouth, and headache. He

> > said that the Methotrexate would make me feel worse before I would

feel

> > better, and increased the dosage that I am on. I have now missed a

> > total of 3 weeks of work due to the fact that I am either too sick or

> > to weak to go in. I cannot keep doing this! Has anyone else

> > experienced this with this drug? Does it indeed get better? I fell

> > worse now than I did when I started.

> > Help!

>

[Guest guest]

I agree with you Toni,

I would seek another Rheumatologist if yours is not listening and

monitoring you closely. All of these drugs are very dangerous and even

more so if your Dr. is not checking you closely. I guess I am lucky my

Dr. really keeps check of everything and if I tell him of a new

symptom he orders all the test possible to check and make sure there

is nothing else going on. He is very thorough and that is important.

You don't have to settle for that one Dr. you keep checking until you

find the one that helps you and takes you seriously and takes this

disease seriously.

>

> ,

> I was on MTX. I started with the pills. I was like you. I could not

tolerate

> the drug. I had all the side effects and they kept getting worst. I

finally

> had drug induced pneumonitis which my rheummy dismissed and my

family doctor

> was very angry and stopped the meds.

>

> My family doc also saw all the sores and that I was dehydrated from

all the

> vomiting and diarrhea it was causing.

>

> My rheummy like yours was treating my lab results and not listening

to me.

> My suggestion is find another doc if you can. Or get more forceful

and make

> him listen.

>

> You should also be on folic acid which they claim helps with the side

> effects. There is also Leucovorin which is a much strong version of

the folic acid

> that is used as well. I tried both and they did nothing for me.

>

> I even tried taking the injectable form of MTX and still it was

horrible. It

> basically cost me my job because I was out for months messing

around trying

> to follow doctors orders.

>

> You can also try taking the MTX on a Friday nite when you do not

have to go

> to work the next day so you are sleeping through the worst of it. It

works

> for some people. It did not work for me. I was worst the next morning!

>

> Good luck

>

> Toni

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi

just my two cents...But, if you take meds to feel better....and then

you feel worse.....it seems like it is not

to your benefit to continue the meds ? ?

plus, just wondering....but, if you were only diagnosed six weeks

ago....isn't that very, very fast to be

prescribed methotrexate ? ? ? What if this is just a passing

episode and you might feel better in

a few months without ? What about trying meds with less side effects

first ? Can you explore any of

these questions with you physician ?

If not, perhaps this is not the right physician to care for you ? ?

best wishes,

nancy

> <<mailto:nms_1073%40>nms_1073@...> wrote:

>I was diagnosed with RA about 6 weeks ago, and started taking

>Methotrexate, I feel progressively worse as time goes on. I explained

>to my doctor when I saw him, 2 weeks ago, that I felt like I was in

>more pain than before, and that I was having other symptoms such as

>severe fatigue, boils, rashes, blisters in my mouth, and headache. He

>said that the Methotrexate would make me feel worse before I would feel

>better, and increased the dosage that I am on. I have now missed a

>total of 3 weeks of work due to the fact that I am either too sick or

>to weak to go in. I cannot keep doing this! Has anyone else

>experienced this with this drug? Does it indeed get better? I fell

>worse now than I did when I started.

>Help!

[Guest guest]

,

If the physician is reasonably sure that the diagnosis is RA,

prescribing MTX immediately is wise.

Not an MD

On Nov 21, 2007 8:18 PM, <nancynfoster@...> wrote:

> hi

>

> just my two cents...But, if you take meds to feel better....and then

> you feel worse.....it seems like it is not

> to your benefit to continue the meds ? ?

>

> plus, just wondering....but, if you were only diagnosed six weeks

> ago....isn't that very, very fast to be

> prescribed methotrexate ? ? ? What if this is just a passing

> episode and you might feel better in

> a few months without ? What about trying meds with less side effects

> first ? Can you explore any of

> these questions with you physician ?

>

> If not, perhaps this is not the right physician to care for you ? ?

>

> best wishes,

> nancy

>

>

>

> > <<mailto:nms_1073%40>nms_1073@...> wrote:

> >I was diagnosed with RA about 6 weeks ago, and started taking

> >Methotrexate, I feel progressively worse as time goes on. I explained

> >to my doctor when I saw him, 2 weeks ago, that I felt like I was in

> >more pain than before, and that I was having other symptoms such as

> >severe fatigue, boils, rashes, blisters in my mouth, and headache. He

> >said that the Methotrexate would make me feel worse before I would feel

> >better, and increased the dosage that I am on. I have now missed a

> >total of 3 weeks of work due to the fact that I am either too sick or

> >to weak to go in. I cannot keep doing this! Has anyone else

> >experienced this with this drug? Does it indeed get better? I fell

> >worse now than I did when I started.

> >Help!

[Guest guest]

hi,

not questioning your knowledge <G>, but, just wonder about docs who

are so quick to prescribe the

" big gun " meds without waiting to see if a patient improves with less

toxic meds or without meds at all....

also wonder if feeling worse on a med like MTX is better than a bit

of stiffness in the morning or

even decreased ROM in a joint or two ? ?

again, just my own two cents....I've always resisted Rx for my

" possibly rheumatoid " arthritis (that's what the

rheumatologist often calls it) since it began in early 1996.....the

only real problems I have ended up with so far

are R wrist and R elbow problems with decreased ROM and flexibility

in both....but, I could have been taking

meds for that 11 years that either made me feel worse....or didn't

work....so, not a bad trade-off thus far...

best regards,

nancy

>,

>

>If the physician is reasonably sure that the diagnosis is RA,

>prescribing MTX immediately is wise.

>

>

>Not an MD

>

>On Nov 21, 2007 8:18 PM,

><<mailto:nancynfoster%40verizon.net>nancynfoster@...> wrote:

> > hi

> >

> > just my two cents...But, if you take meds to feel better....and then

> > you feel worse.....it seems like it is not

> > to your benefit to continue the meds ? ?

> >

> > plus, just wondering....but, if you were only diagnosed six weeks

> > ago....isn't that very, very fast to be

> > prescribed methotrexate ? ? ? What if this is just a passing

> > episode and you might feel better in

> > a few months without ? What about trying meds with less side effects

> > first ? Can you explore any of

> > these questions with you physician ?

> >

> > If not, perhaps this is not the right physician to care for you ? ?

> >

> > best wishes,

> > nancy

> >

> >

> >

> > >

> <<mailto:nms_1073%40><mailto:nms_1073%40>nms_1073@...>

> wrote:

> > >I was diagnosed with RA about 6 weeks ago, and started taking

> > >Methotrexate, I feel progressively worse as time goes on. I explained

> > >to my doctor when I saw him, 2 weeks ago, that I felt like I was in

> > >more pain than before, and that I was having other symptoms such as

> > >severe fatigue, boils, rashes, blisters in my mouth, and headache. He

> > >said that the Methotrexate would make me feel worse before I would feel

> > >better, and increased the dosage that I am on. I have now missed a

> > >total of 3 weeks of work due to the fact that I am either too sick or

> > >to weak to go in. I cannot keep doing this! Has anyone else

> > >experienced this with this drug? Does it indeed get better? I fell

> > >worse now than I did when I started.

> > >Help!

>

[Guest guest]

Unfortunately, Doctors have to start at the beginning with treating

RA and methotrexate is the first in a long line of medications

available. It sounds like you are having a hard time with it but

most likely, as your body adjusts, the side effects will lessen.

They did for me. With regards to fatigue and pain, methotrexate may

not be helping but you have to give it time to work. Don't despair,

there are many other medications to try. The doctors here in

Australia have to satisfy a critea before trialling the next

medication. It sounds crazy but because government fund the drugs

they have to show a period of 3 months usage and failure before they

try the next one and if you are unfortunate and get down the list of

medications, they go back and try 2 or more together. Anyway there

are lots of options available in the future. Don't give up and keep

letting your rheumy know how you are feeling. If it gets too bad for

you, he may do something sooner.

Regards

(Western Australia)

>

> I was diagnosed with RA about 6 weeks ago, and started taking

> Methotrexate, I feel progressively worse as time goes on. I

explained

> to my doctor when I saw him, 2 weeks ago, that I felt like I was

in

> more pain than before, and that I was having other symptoms such

as

> severe fatigue, boils, rashes, blisters in my mouth, and

headache. He

> said that the Methotrexate would make me feel worse before I would

feel

> better, and increased the dosage that I am on. I have now missed

a

> total of 3 weeks of work due to the fact that I am either too sick

or

> to weak to go in. I cannot keep doing this! Has anyone else

> experienced this with this drug? Does it indeed get better? I

fell

> worse now than I did when I started.

> Help!

>

[Guest guest]

,

I started on the small stuff, and worked my up to the " big gun " meds. It took

almost a year to find a day when I felt that my pain was less. But then again,

maybe I just got used to it. I wish my rheumatologist would've started me on

the hard stuff right away, I missed so much of my life. As for your right wrist

and elbow: I have that too. My ROM is very limited with my right arm, and it

drives me crazy. Also, I agree with you, the side effects from MTX are worth

it, I didn't feel that way when I first started it, but once enbrel was added, I

was able to walk without a cane. I'm not doing cartwheels yet, but I'm getting

my life back. I've had to be off all meds because of illness, and I notice the

difference. Just my opinion on the subject.

By the way, are you left handed?

Jenn

<nancynfoster@...> wrote:

hi,

not questioning your knowledge <G>, but, just wonder about docs who

are so quick to prescribe the

" big gun " meds without waiting to see if a patient improves with less

toxic meds or without meds at all....

also wonder if feeling worse on a med like MTX is better than a bit

of stiffness in the morning or

even decreased ROM in a joint or two ? ?

again, just my own two cents....I've always resisted Rx for my

" possibly rheumatoid " arthritis (that's what the

rheumatologist often calls it) since it began in early 1996.....the

only real problems I have ended up with so far

are R wrist and R elbow problems with decreased ROM and flexibility

in both....but, I could have been taking

meds for that 11 years that either made me feel worse....or didn't

work....so, not a bad trade-off thus far...

best regards,

nancy

>,

>

>If the physician is reasonably sure that the diagnosis is RA,

>prescribing MTX immediately is wise.

>

>

>Not an MD

>

>On Nov 21, 2007 8:18 PM,

><<mailto:nancynfoster%40verizon.net>nancynfoster@...> wrote:

> > hi

> >

> > just my two cents...But, if you take meds to feel better....and then

> > you feel worse.....it seems like it is not

> > to your benefit to continue the meds ? ?

> >

> > plus, just wondering....but, if you were only diagnosed six weeks

> > ago....isn't that very, very fast to be

> > prescribed methotrexate ? ? ? What if this is just a passing

> > episode and you might feel better in

> > a few months without ? What about trying meds with less side effects

> > first ? Can you explore any of

> > these questions with you physician ?

> >

> > If not, perhaps this is not the right physician to care for you ? ?

> >

> > best wishes,

> > nancy

> >

> >

> >

> > >

> <<mailto:nms_1073%40><mailto:nms_1073%40>nms_1073@...>

> wrote:

> > >I was diagnosed with RA about 6 weeks ago, and started taking

> > >Methotrexate, I feel progressively worse as time goes on. I explained

> > >to my doctor when I saw him, 2 weeks ago, that I felt like I was in

> > >more pain than before, and that I was having other symptoms such as

> > >severe fatigue, boils, rashes, blisters in my mouth, and headache. He

> > >said that the Methotrexate would make me feel worse before I would feel

> > >better, and increased the dosage that I am on. I have now missed a

> > >total of 3 weeks of work due to the fact that I am either too sick or

> > >to weak to go in. I cannot keep doing this! Has anyone else

> > >experienced this with this drug? Does it indeed get better? I fell

> > >worse now than I did when I started.

> > >Help!

>

[Guest guest]

At 11:51 AM 11/22/2007, you wrote:

>,

>I started on the small stuff, and worked my up to the " big gun "

>meds. It took almost a year to find a day when I felt that my pain

>was less. But then again, maybe I just got used to it. I wish my

>rheumatologist would've started me on the hard stuff right away, I

>missed so much of my life. As for your right wrist and elbow: I have

>that too. My ROM is very limited with my right arm, and it drives me

>crazy. Also, I agree with you, the side effects from MTX are worth

>it, I didn't feel that way when I first started it, but once enbrel

>was added, I was able to walk without a cane. I'm not doing

>cartwheels yet, but I'm getting my life back. I've had to be off all

>meds because of illness, and I notice the difference. Just my

>opinion on the subject.

>By the way, are you left handed?

I am right-handed....so, the elbow restricted ROM does drive me nuts

! However, I have noticed over time

that I have literally become left-handed ! ! Didn't think that was

possible as an adult ! ! I still write with

my right hand, but, my left hand has become my dominant hand for

everything else ! Amazing how the body

can adapt

I've never done the meds...you may have missed that in my previous

post...too stubbornly " Yankee " and afraid

of side effects...but, can't complain so far...as you said, you get

used to some discomfort and I am surprised how

much unconscious accommodation occurs and at least I don't have to

deal with side effects since I only take

one 200 mg motrin a day

best,

nancy

[Guest guest]

Hi TIffany!

I can imagine on your end its very hard. When I

became ill at 28 and was diagnosed and disabled by the

age of 30 with Fibromyalgia/myofascia pain syndrome,

then inflammatory arthritis the last two years, I did

become a different person. Somedays, I still don't

know who I am. I went through the normal stages of

anger and denial. I read books on chronic illness and

how you need to mourn the person you used to be

versus the person you are now. My mom used to say

" she's not even the same person anymore " . I think

through the challenges I face, and the obstacles I

have had to overcome that I am stronger now and a

better person for it. I used to be kind of grumpy to

people because I had this constant pain for 24 hours a

day, and with the FMS some days my skin even hurts. I

finally realized though that its not anyone elses

fault that I am in pain and I go out of my way now to

not yell at anyone and I try to be as pleasant as

possible. I was hypersensitive at times too. When

someone would try to get me out to do something and I

knew I couldn't do it that day, but they thought it

would make me feel better I'd get really offended.

Sometimes, we feel very isolated and that no one

understands. I am sure you are doing the best you can

with the circumstances! And I am sure you aren't

saying all the wrong things. I'm not sure if you have

tried the arthritis foundations website but they have

had some great articles on family members/caregivers

coping with those with chronic illness. I will check

my bookshelves as well and try to find the information

I have on ways to help one through times like this.

It's just a stage we go through and sometimes the pain

gets the better of us. Journaling is a really great

tool for getting the feelings out. I have a life

coach now to help me deal with everything I have going

on. Welcome to the group you will find a lot of

support here I promise:)

--- tcvalentine98 <tcvalentine98@...> wrote:

>

> Hi, my name is and I am new to the group.

> My sister is the one

> with RA. I feel lost as to how to best support her.

> She is on

> Methadone and Enbrex. I know her whole life has

> changed and everyday

> my heart aches for her. My problem is that she is

> so hypersensative to

> everything I say. She says I'm not very supportive.

> I call her all

> the time and try to say really encouraging words but

> I guess they come

> out wrong or,I feel, no matter what I say it is not

> right. I have even

> tried not saying any comments but just making

> encouraging sounds and

> she says then we are " not connecting. " I feel so

> sad. I feel like I

> have lost my sister and then feel angry at myself

> because what she is

> going through is so very awful. It's like I am

> talking with a new

> person and don't know how to help. What do I do?

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Looking for last minute shopping deals?

Find them fast with Search.

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[Guest guest]

Hi , welcome.

I'm new to the group because I'm newly diagnosed. Wow, I see myself in

your sister to a degree. I'm still adjusting to this intrusion on my

life and dealing with a lot of emotions. I suspect I will be doing so

for some time.

The people around me are being very supportive but I frequently hear

my inner voice screaming " but you don't understand! " . And, when I'm

feeling a lot of pain or fatigue I find myself impatient and

thoughtless to those around me. Maybe your sister is in a similar

place as me?

Being there for her, staying in contact, listening to her are all

great ways to support her. Maybe she just needs to get through the

stages of finding herself in this to show you appreciation for your

support.

Know that your concern about how to support her *is* part of

supporting her. Please continue to be patient and hopefully things

will become a little easier for both of you!

Kim

--- In , " tcvalentine98 " <tcvalentine98@...>

wrote:

>

>

> Hi, my name is and I am new to the group. My sister is the one

> with RA. I feel lost as to how to best support her. She is on

> Methadone and Enbrex. I know her whole life has changed and everyday

> my heart aches for her. My problem is that she is so hypersensative to

> everything I say. She says I'm not very supportive. I call her all

> the time and try to say really encouraging words but I guess they come

> out wrong or,I feel, no matter what I say it is not right. I have even

> tried not saying any comments but just making encouraging sounds and

> she says then we are " not connecting. " I feel so sad. I feel like I

> have lost my sister and then feel angry at myself because what she is

> going through is so very awful. It's like I am talking with a new

> person and don't know how to help. What do I do?

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Sheba,

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. It is just nice to

know a little about what she is going through but unable to verbalize to

me. I thought it had a lot to do with her fatigue and pain but it is

nice to know that her impatients isn't all about me doing something

wrong. I will take your advice and keep in close contact and try to

listen more constructivly (i.e. not with just ideas trying to help).

Hang in there...I'm proud of you for everyday you get up and face life

with this new diagnosis.

> >

> >

> > Hi, my name is and I am new to the group. My sister is the

one

> > with RA. I feel lost as to how to best support her. She is on

> > Methadone and Enbrex. I know her whole life has changed and everyday

> > my heart aches for her. My problem is that she is so hypersensative

to

> > everything I say. She says I'm not very supportive. I call her all

> > the time and try to say really encouraging words but I guess they

come

> > out wrong or,I feel, no matter what I say it is not right. I have

even

> > tried not saying any comments but just making encouraging sounds and

> > she says then we are " not connecting. " I feel so sad. I feel like I

> > have lost my sister and then feel angry at myself because what she

is

> > going through is so very awful. It's like I am talking with a new

> > person and don't know how to help. What do I do?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

Thank you for your words of understanding and for sharing your story. I

am guilty of not always knowing that what I am asking her to do is too

much. I have great hope that I will get better at this. It is just all

so new. I will go to the Arthritis Foundation web site. I love the

idea that this is a process and will get better as I learn. I get the

grumpiness and why she may feel this way better through your story,

also. I will try and react with compassion and not defensiveness. Hang

in there....I know that none of your journey is in vain and you will be

able to help more people like me and my sister.

>

> >

> > Hi, my name is and I am new to the group.

> > My sister is the one

> > with RA. I feel lost as to how to best support her.

> > She is on

> > Methadone and Enbrex. I know her whole life has

> > changed and everyday

> > my heart aches for her. My problem is that she is

> > so hypersensative to

> > everything I say. She says I'm not very supportive.

> > I call her all

> > the time and try to say really encouraging words but

> > I guess they come

> > out wrong or,I feel, no matter what I say it is not

> > right. I have even

> > tried not saying any comments but just making

> > encouraging sounds and

> > she says then we are " not connecting. " I feel so

> > sad. I feel like I

> > have lost my sister and then feel angry at myself

> > because what she is

> > going through is so very awful. It's like I am

> > talking with a new

> > person and don't know how to help. What do I do?

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

________________________________________________________________________\

____________

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> Find them fast with Search.

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>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

THere is a doc 20 minutes north of san fransisco that has experience treating

patients with mold exposure. His name and number is

Dr Camp

415-383-9903

His first appointment is $325 which is cheap compared to other mold Docs.

Tell him Elias sent you. let me know if you need some more help. God Bless!!

p.s. what type of mold were you exposed to?

michalvictoria <michalvictoria@...> wrote:

Folks,

My last place developed mold. I moved in September, to a place that seemed

" safe " , then as

soon as the rains came, I started developing all the symptoms. And my hair is

falling out

again. With an air purifier and a dehumidifier it is better, but I know I have

to move again.

Because I have been ill for so long, I have been low-income, and have been

living with mold

for years and years-out of one frying pan into another fire!

Here is my question: when renting, how can I be sure the next place will be

" safe " ? Please

keep in mind I am existing on disablility, and have to get a landlord to agree

to take my Sec.

8.(thank god I'm charming

What should I look for? What should be on my checklist?

Secondly, can anyone recommend some " mold doctors? " I live in Northern

California, but I'm

willing to find a way to travel for the right doctor.

PS-Just to head you off at the pass, I have no family or friends that are able

to have me stay

with them.