Latest doctor's appointment and some answers

[Guest guest]

Hello all!

I saw my new RA doctor yesterday and got some answers to many of my

questions. Some I didn't want but at least I understand a little

more what is going on.

I have been in tremendous pain for about a month and didn't know

what was going on. I have had both my arms continually feel as

though they were dead and that the blood had been cut off from them

for hours. This wakes me at night and keeps me from talking on the

phone(which may be a good thing). It was and is very painful though.

To top this off my hands, wrists, feet and ankles just ached. I

broke my foot - stress fractures. I can't sit or lay in a

comfortable postion.

I take Remicade and MTX, plus am on Lortab and Skellaxin(for the

muscle and pain). I take Foltx to restore my immune system which

the MTX destroys.

Well, the new RA doctor says my RA is full - blown again and we have

increased the MTX to 20 mg and if no help it will be increased to

25mg. My Remicade appointments have been increased to one every 6

weeks instead of 8 so maybe I won't feel absolutely horrible for

those 2 weeks.

Now for the news I really didn't want to hear! My neck which has

been operated on twice due to the effects of RA...well I have severe

arthritis on every vertebrae now and bone spurs growing on 3,4,5,6

and 7. He doesn't recommend anymore surgery but is sending me to

another orthopedic surgeon who may be able to do some nerve work.

My understanding is that they would cut some of the nerves so that I

don't feel the pain in my arms.

I am not sure how this works but will let you know as soon as I

know. If you would pray for some remission for me with my RA, I

would be highly appreciative.

For those asking the question about dosage of MTX, I started out at

20mg was reduced to 8 mg and am now back up to 20 mg. I started

with just MTX and had Remicade added about 4 months later.

God bless,

Althea

PS IF I don't post to much, please know that I am thinking of all of

you. I am able to read your posts but it hurts quite a bit to type

so I answer emails from those who send them to me directly and then

I am wiped out. I save most of my energy for my addiction to

quilting and learning about God. I guess I should have said him

first as he is how I begin and end my day; for those who don't have

God in their life I can only say find him. I wouldn't be here at

all if he wasn't here with me helping me each day.