Guest guest Posted October 13, 2003 Report Share Posted October 13, 2003 Hi, I dont get o the computer much. this is the first message I've ever left on one. Im 38 years old with four children and 8,6,3 and 2 year old. I am a stay at home mom and home school my two older children. I recently was told by my family internist that I had a positive rhuematoid factor. I had gone in to see him two months prior complaining of strange symtoms consisting of swelling in my hands and feet, wrist and ankles. My symptoms seemed to come and go and they were accompanied by extreme fatigue, redness, heat. My Dr. gave me prscription for Motrin and sent me on my way. I was smart enough to begin my own research and went to see a Rheumatologist. The new Dr. gave me an injection of prednisone, a rx for prednisone, an anti-inflammatory (Mobic), pain pills and started me on mexathrethate. I continue to have quite as bit of pain. I understand this is the early stages of my treatment. I'm hoping that after a month or so on the mexatrethate I'll be feeling better and continue with my active life. Is this anyone's experience with this medication? When I read the info out there on this disease it feels a bit glim and when I have a flare up I feel like I'd just rather die now. I dont mean to be so dramatic but I have young children who need hus and constant monitoring. They need their mommmy to pick them up and want to be carried down the stairs. My little 2 year old is a very active boy who like to climb---all over me..I feel like I have no one to talk to. I know my husband loves me dearly but I feel like I must wear on him complaining and not being there like I have always been. I'm looking for a friend who may have a similar lifestyle that perhaps can offer some words of encouragement. Are there any? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2003 Report Share Posted October 13, 2003 Welcome to the group, ! Sorry to hear about your RA diagnosis. I'm glad you sought out a rheumatologist. There is much hope. Try to hang on. We have many people here who successfully manage their RA with methotrexate (MTX). It may take several weeks before you notice a difference. The prednisone should help you through until the MTX has a chance to start working. How much MTX and prednisone are you taking? Caring for four young children as you are would be difficult under any circumstances, but having RA, too, is an extra big challenge. I hope you start to feel better very soon. We have a lot of people here who can appreciate your situation and try to support you, so please come to talk anytime you need or want to. [ ] just diagnosed with RA > Hi, I dont get o the computer much. this is the first message I've > ever left on one. Im 38 years old with four children and 8,6,3 and > 2 year old. I am a stay at home mom and home school my two older > children. I recently was told by my family internist that I had a > positive rhuematoid factor. I had gone in to see him two months > prior complaining of strange symtoms consisting of swelling in my > hands and feet, wrist and ankles. My symptoms seemed to come and go > and they were accompanied by extreme fatigue, redness, heat. My Dr. > gave me prscription for Motrin and sent me on my way. I was smart > enough to begin my own research and went to see a Rheumatologist. > The new Dr. gave me an injection of prednisone, a rx for prednisone, > an anti-inflammatory (Mobic), pain pills and started me on > mexathrethate. I continue to have quite as bit of pain. I > understand this is the early stages of my treatment. I'm hoping > that after a month or so on the mexatrethate I'll be feeling better > and continue with my active life. Is this anyone's experience with > this medication? When I read the info out there on this disease it > feels a bit glim and when I have a flare up I feel like I'd just > rather die now. I dont mean to be so dramatic but I have young > children who need hus and constant monitoring. They need their > mommmy to pick them up and want to be carried down the stairs. My > little 2 year old is a very active boy who like to climb---all over > me..I feel like I have no one to talk to. I know my husband loves > me dearly but I feel like I must wear on him complaining and not > being there like I have always been. I'm looking for a friend who > may have a similar lifestyle that perhaps can offer some words of > encouragement. Are there any? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2003 Report Share Posted October 13, 2003 Hi , welcome! Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, I too was diagnosed with Having Rheumatoid Arthritis in March of this year and I am only 24 years old with 2 girls (ages 6 and 2). I can relate to the hard times you go through. Although my husband understands at times, its so hard to explain what you go through with your children. I am currently on Methotrexate and for me its been about 2 months since I've been taking it. I believe it can take several months for this medication to start working. I am also on a medication called Trilisate. Prior to Trilisate I was taking Bextra (and it worked wonders for me) but since my medical insurance does not cover Bextra, I had to seek another pain reliever. Good luck , Liz. cathy111889 <cathy111889@...> wrote: Hi, I dont get o the computer much. this is the first message I've ever left on one. Im 38 years old with four children and 8,6,3 and 2 year old. I am a stay at home mom and home school my two older children. I recently was told by my family internist that I had a positive rhuematoid factor. I had gone in to see him two months prior complaining of strange symtoms consisting of swelling in my hands and feet, wrist and ankles. My symptoms seemed to come and go and they were accompanied by extreme fatigue, redness, heat. My Dr. gave me prscription for Motrin and sent me on my way. I was smart enough to begin my own research and went to see a Rheumatologist. The new Dr. gave me an injection of prednisone, a rx for prednisone, an anti-inflammatory (Mobic), pain pills and started me on mexathrethate. I continue to have quite as bit of pain. I understand this is the early stages of my treatment. I'm hoping that after a month or so on the mexatrethate I'll be feeling better and continue with my active life. Is this anyone's experience with this medication? When I read the info out there on this disease it feels a bit glim and when I have a flare up I feel like I'd just rather die now. I dont mean to be so dramatic but I have young children who need hus and constant monitoring. They need their mommmy to pick them up and want to be carried down the stairs. My little 2 year old is a very active boy who like to climb---all over me..I feel like I have no one to talk to. I know my husband loves me dearly but I feel like I must wear on him complaining and not being there like I have always been. I'm looking for a friend who may have a similar lifestyle that perhaps can offer some words of encouragement. Are there any? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2003 Report Share Posted October 13, 2003 Hi there! Sorry about the reason you found your way to this group--but WELCOME! It's a wonderful support system, and I don't know how I would've gotten through those first several months after my diagnosis last year without these amazing people...so you're in the right spot First, I must say, you're already inspirational to me for being a mother to four little ones! What an adventure--and joy, and of course challenge! I am also a stay at home mom, to my one-and a half year old son. I'm 31 (almost 32) years old, and I was diagnosed a few months after my baby's birth. My guy is also big, like your two year old (over 30 punds), so wow--I hear you regarding the climbing all over, and the stair carrying! One of the hardest things about this disease is the frustration over not being able to just be a 'normal mom.' I used to cry when my wrists hurt too bad to pick Mattias up each time I wanted to--it just broke my heart! I can also relate to trying to find a balance between expressing yourself and letting yourself be supported by your husband, but also not wanting to wear them out with this stuff...it's a tough act! There are many folks here who know MUCH more about the different meds, and methotrexate in particular, so I'll let them address that, but I just wanted you to know that you are heard, and you are in good company. Speaking only for myself, I can say, it's been almost exactly a year since I was diagnosed, and while I've had a few flares (especially when stressed and not eating right), over the last several months my RA has been extrememly manageable, and has not been negatively impacting my ability to mother my son...so take care of yourself, hold positive thoughts and intentions for your body, and continue to work closely with your care providers...wishing you the VERY best, keep us posted, and hug those kids! You are one strong woman! Camille. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2003 Report Share Posted October 13, 2003 Hi - Chin up! This disease sucks, but we have to get through it. As you said, for the kids. I am 31 (next week) and have 5 kids; 8, 7, 6, 4, and 2. It has taken two years for me to get a dx and I have been miserable for the majority of those 2 years. I too came to this board looking for other mommies with young kids who could tell me I would live through this. You will, and your kids will be stronger. On the days you are sick from the metho, they can bring their school books to you. I'm sure you already have great kids who help with the little ones. Just try to do the very best you can. This is not something mommies should ever have to get. It's just too debilitating because of the sheer volume of things you can no longer do. My kids open all of the jars for me. The 2 year old knows I will hold him if he climbs up, so he will drag me to the couch, sit me down, and scramble onto my lap. It's hysterical! The best money spent in our house is that spent on a house keeper every week. I take less medicine if I'm not scrubbing toilets and dishes and mopping floors. PLEASE email me any time. I know how you feel about needing someone who understands. My dear hubby is very supportive, but still doesn't get it. I went from being active and gone all the time to a home body becasue of this illness. He thought for a long time that I was just lazy. The kids are all out pulling weeds. . . I'd better go make sure I still have flowers! Best wishes to you and ((((hugs!)))) lissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 14, 2003 Report Share Posted October 14, 2003 , I read your posting and my heart goes out to you. I am also newly diagnosed, I am 27 years old, and I was just thinking about starting a family this year. I have contimplated all of the things that you've said about having a family and them needing you to be there to play with, and take care of them. It's very worrying thinking that pain may interfere with all of it. But I am not discouraged, I think that the thought of not having all of it is worse than the thought of maybe not being as active in all of it. I had a severe flare with my early diagnosis that lasted about 4 months, it came on very suddenly and it felt like the damage was being done and that it wouldn't get any better. I had started celebrex and plaquenil and vitamin supplements (fish oil, cosamin ds, multi-vitamins and calcium-which i reccomend due to increase risk of osteoporosis due to disease and prednisone) I can say that i haven't had much pain in about 6 months now, only very occasional morning aches but they go away rather quickly. I am a pharmacist and I work on my feet long days full time and I can relate to fatigue of the disease but know that not all cases of rheumatoid are fast and severe in progression. I have an older friend who has had rheumatoid for over 20 years and is a nurse, she manages her arthritis now with only nsaids as needed. There are many new medications that are being used for rheumatoid, methotrexate is usually where most md's start, it's a trial and error process with dosing and side effects. It may take a while before you are on a dose that works for you, and if it isn't helping there are other medicaitons that can be tried. Hang in there, I have been where you are, It's a scary place. My husband and I have only been married one year and we've had a lot to deal with, I know how you feel about having to burden your family with the disease but dont be afraid to have a melt down, It definately helped me to deal with it and get on with life. god bless, shannon >From: " cathy111889 " <cathy111889@...> >Reply- > >Subject: [ ] just diagnosed with RA >Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2003 05:11:52 -0000 > >Hi, I dont get o the computer much. this is the first message I've >ever left on one. Im 38 years old with four children and 8,6,3 and >2 year old. I am a stay at home mom and home school my two older >children. I recently was told by my family internist that I had a >positive rhuematoid factor. I had gone in to see him two months >prior complaining of strange symtoms consisting of swelling in my >hands and feet, wrist and ankles. My symptoms seemed to come and go >and they were accompanied by extreme fatigue, redness, heat. My Dr. >gave me prscription for Motrin and sent me on my way. I was smart >enough to begin my own research and went to see a Rheumatologist. >The new Dr. gave me an injection of prednisone, a rx for prednisone, >an anti-inflammatory (Mobic), pain pills and started me on >mexathrethate. I continue to have quite as bit of pain. I >understand this is the early stages of my treatment. I'm hoping >that after a month or so on the mexatrethate I'll be feeling better >and continue with my active life. Is this anyone's experience with >this medication? When I read the info out there on this disease it >feels a bit glim and when I have a flare up I feel like I'd just >rather die now. I dont mean to be so dramatic but I have young >children who need hus and constant monitoring. They need their >mommmy to pick them up and want to be carried down the stairs. My >little 2 year old is a very active boy who like to climb---all over >me..I feel like I have no one to talk to. I know my husband loves >me dearly but I feel like I must wear on him complaining and not >being there like I have always been. I'm looking for a friend who >may have a similar lifestyle that perhaps can offer some words of >encouragement. Are there any? > > _________________________________________________________________ Concerned that messages may bounce because your Hotmail account has exceeded its 2MB storage limit? Get Hotmail Extra Storage! http://join.msn.com/?PAGE=features/es Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2005 Report Share Posted December 11, 2005 Welcome, e! Sorry about your illness and RA diagnosis. For information, a good place to start is a's site: http://arthritissupport.info/ Did your rheumatologist do a anti-CCP test? It can be used to help solidify the RA diagnosis. Furthermore, anti-CCP antibodies may be linked to more aggressive disease. Not an MD I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Just Diagnosed with RA > Hi all! I was officially diagnosed with RA about a month ago but > have been suffering with the pain of RA for about 6 months. I am > trying to get more information on RA, how it will affect me in the > future, and what I can expect in the coming months. > > > Just to give a little background....for the past 3 years I have run > a marathon annually. I always had some aches and pains associated > with training, but nothing too seroius. In June I started to notice > swelling, heat and pain in my wrists, fingers and elbows, but > started the marathon training in early July anyways. At the same > time I was finishing up planning on my August wedding. The pain > persisted, worsened and spread to my feet, ankles and shoulders as > the days went on...I had to stop training and running all together. > I figured it was stress related and would go away after the wedding > was over. I went to 2 different doctors in July and August until > one referred me to a Rheumatologist. The Rheumatologist had me take > several blood tests to see if I tested positive for Lupus or the RA > factor and a couple other things. All the blood work came back > normal but the Rheumatologist said that it was obvious to her that I > had RA, by looking at my hands, eventhough the RA factor was not > present in my blood yet. > > I have been taking Plaquinil and one other medication for about a > month now. I must admit I forget to take it sometimes. I know it > takes awhile for the medication to get in the system. I still seem > to be having " bad " days and some " okay " days. > > Anyways....sorry for the long post. Any information would be > wonderful. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2005 Report Share Posted December 12, 2005 Thanks for your help! I will have to check out the websites this evening. > > Welcome, e! Sorry about your illness and RA diagnosis. > > For information, a good place to start is a's site: > > http://arthritissupport.info/ > > Did your rheumatologist do a anti-CCP test? It can be used to help solidify > the RA diagnosis. Furthermore, anti-CCP antibodies may be linked to more > aggressive disease. > > > > Not an MD > > I'll tell you where to go! > > Mayo Clinic in Rochester > http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester > > s Hopkins Medicine > http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org > > > [ ] Just Diagnosed with RA > > > > Hi all! I was officially diagnosed with RA about a month ago but > > have been suffering with the pain of RA for about 6 months. I am > > trying to get more information on RA, how it will affect me in the > > future, and what I can expect in the coming months. > > > > > > Just to give a little background....for the past 3 years I have run > > a marathon annually. I always had some aches and pains associated > > with training, but nothing too seroius. In June I started to notice > > swelling, heat and pain in my wrists, fingers and elbows, but > > started the marathon training in early July anyways. At the same > > time I was finishing up planning on my August wedding. The pain > > persisted, worsened and spread to my feet, ankles and shoulders as > > the days went on...I had to stop training and running all together. > > I figured it was stress related and would go away after the wedding > > was over. I went to 2 different doctors in July and August until > > one referred me to a Rheumatologist. The Rheumatologist had me take > > several blood tests to see if I tested positive for Lupus or the RA > > factor and a couple other things. All the blood work came back > > normal but the Rheumatologist said that it was obvious to her that I > > had RA, by looking at my hands, eventhough the RA factor was not > > present in my blood yet. > > > > I have been taking Plaquinil and one other medication for about a > > month now. I must admit I forget to take it sometimes. I know it > > takes awhile for the medication to get in the system. I still seem > > to be having " bad " days and some " okay " days. > > > > Anyways....sorry for the long post. Any information would be > > wonderful. Thanks! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.