Welcome, !

[Guest guest]

Welcome, !

Sorry about your RA diagnosis and the damage you have sustained already.

At your very next appointment, I would ask about the bruising.

Hair loss is a big problem. Things your physician might try would be to

reduce the MTX or try increasing the folic acid. I would ask about it,

too.

I have Raynaud's. I touch very cold things for only a very brief time if

my hands are bare. To hold cold drinks you could use an insulated drink

holder. Some people actually do wear gloves any time they have to reach

into a freezer. Sorry that your Raynaud's is that painful.

Keeping my entire body warm seems to be the biggest help in preventing

an attack. I wear big cotton socks year round now.

Here is some very good information on Raynaud's treatment options from

the International Scleroderma Network:

http://www.sclero.org/medical/symptoms/raynauds/treatment.html

On the management and treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon from the

University of Washington Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine:

http://www.orthop.washington.edu/arthritis/types/raynauds/07

RA and lupus can coexist, but, in the absence of an overlap syndrome of

some kind (where you don't quite make the full diagnosis for either one

but have some symptoms/signs/labs of both), it is rare to have both

diagnoses concurrently.

[ ] new here--RA

> Hello all! I am --and I have RA.

>

> I am 30, married for 5 years, mom to a 2 1/2 year old boy and an 8

> month old girl. I was diagnosed shortly before becoming pregnant

> with my first. Never treated other than a shot of steroids during

> pregnancy when it was needed, as we didn't want all of the harsh meds

> to interfere with pregnancies. Figured I'd have the kids close

> together and then take care of me, kwim? I have had x-rays and am

> already losing some bone in my hands and have some joint thinning in

> the spaces--anyone else? Also, I have nodules on my elbows. I was

> started on methotrexate 8 weeks ago and am seeing a new rheumy in two

> weeks, adn a new internist next week. (New job, new insurance) I am

> losing my hair big time, but otherwise have had mild symptoms with

> the mtx. I am also on synthroid for hypothyroidism, and folic acid

> for the mxt. I have terrible Raynaud's. What, if anything, do you

> guys do for that? Short of wearing gloves to the grocery store so I

> can get things from the freezer section, I am miserable! My hands

> are the worst--it really HURTS to touch cold things. Forget a can of

> pop. Is there treatment at all for that? Anyone here on mxt and

> have hair loss? What can you do about that? I am also bruising

> terribly. My husband jokes that he can't touch me at all anymore

> (not that I ever let him anymore! LOL!) because I'll bruise. Ok,

> I've rambled long enough. I have only just come to terms with the

> fact that I have this, and have decided to get some online support.

> (ALhtough I'm still not convinced that I either also have Lupus. I

> have extreme sensitivity to the sun, and often have a butterfly rash,

> plus some other symptoms as well. Anyone here have both?)

>

>

[Guest guest]

Whoops! Guess I missed your appointment, . Sorry about that.

Did your rheumatologist say he thought the prednisone was responsible

for your facial swelling?

a has some good links about physicians and appointments at her Web

site:

http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/help.html#md

Re: [ ] Welcome, !

> He really didnt. He has me scheduled for a test

> tomarrow morning Ill ask him then. Im not even sure

> what kind of questions I should be asking this

> isallveryconfusing andlike I said Im still very

> overwhelmed. I am starting my second week on these new

> meds he prescribed I have been on steroids since

> Thanksgiving. What kinds of questions should I be

> asking?

>

> --- <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote:

> > Welcome to the group, !

> >

> > Sorry about your recent RA diagnosis. To what did

> > your rheumatologist

> > attribute your facial swelling?

> >

> >

> >