Happy New Year, dear friends!

[Guest guest]

Hi Friends!

First off, I just wanted to thank all of you who sent me Christmas

cards. They meant so much to me. We normally send out between 40 and

80 cards, and this year I didn't have time to send one! My sincere

apologies. Even though cards weren't sent, the thought was there. I

hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, and I wish all a pain free 2004!

I got some good news yesterday. I was finally approved for the Humira!

I'm approved for a year's supply, and just have to show my income at the

end of the year for re-approval. I will get my first supply on the 12th

of January, and I'm so excited! I'd really like to get to the point

where I can lessen the other meds, and if it weren't for the bad side

effects on the Remicade I would have been doing well with it. Hopefully

the Humira will make the difference. Also, I have gotten the " Power

Seller " status on ebay that I needed to qualify for their group health

coverage. That's by selling over $1K each month for the past three

consecutive months. But the irony is that now I don't want to " rock the

boat " with the Humira! I'm going to purchase the insurance in a couple

of months, because there's a one year wait for preexisting conditions,

anyway. At least I'll be on the Humira in the meantime! Abbot Labs has

been so nice about the whole thing. They even sent me a nice book about

Diet and Arthritis, and it had great hints on how to make the kitchen a

less tiring place. If I get a chance, I'll post some of the better

ideas.

Do we have any group members on Humira right now? If so, I'd love to

hear how you're doing. My rheumy wants me to stay on the MTX 17.5 mg

inj. until I get positive results. He said afterward we can cut down if

I want to. I've gained a ridiculous amount of weight in the past three

months (almost 20 lbs!), and I just don't understand it. I haven't been

eating any unusual quantity, and I've been more active than ever with

the business. If anything, things have been utterly chaotic! I'm going

to do a modified Atkins diet, with high protein, lots of veggies, and

whole grain breads. I think the standard Atkins diet is too

restrictive, and I want some high fiber bread in my diet. Also, I'm

going to count calories even though Atkins dieters don't consider it

necessary. I need to get the weight off. Could the MTX or the pain med

make me gain weight? I really feel like a med is responsible in part,

so I am hoping to reduce all of them. I haven't been on ANY prednisone

during that time, oddly enough. Has anyone else had this happen with

weight and the meds? My MD is looking into getting me samples of the

dieting med that blocks fats, but he wants to wait until I am on the

Humira successfully before starting anything else new. Any diet tips?

Exercise is the hardest part for me. I'm so exhausted from the business

that I physically don't have the strength to add any activity to my work

load. I've taken this week off, and it's been really nice. I needed

to catch up.

Tess, how are you doing? ? a - loved the card! How are you?

Kathy in OK, ditto. Kathy in IL? And of course, Alan. if you're

reading mail, how did the Remicade go? I sure do miss all of you, but

you're in my thoughts and prayers. I didn't forget Iris or Debs, but I

spoke to them recently and both are doing well. Deb sounded GREAT

(stronger than she has in almost a year and a half!) but she has a

little problem with her knee so keep her in your prayers.

Love to all,

Carol

Carol

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