Re: TO PEGGY - YOU'RE MAD !

[Guest guest]

Thanks Cindi!

I have rheumy appt. April 26, I have even lied to her. I am a people

pleaser. This time I hurt enough that I have already started making

journal entrees on computer to take with me about how I feel on daily

basis.

Currently I take,

Prednisone 1½mg

Hydroxychloroquine (Playquenil) 200mg BID

Sulfasalazine 1000mg BID

Diclofenac 50mg TID

Methotrexate I think 10mg

I was on Celebrex which I really liked, but my insurance wouldn’t cover

and I got tired of begging for it from all my doctors. I almost felt

like a druggie looking for a high. So, she put me on Arthrotec,

insurance changed where it would be a preauthorization so she put me on

Diclofenac. After complaining about pain, she added Tramadol 50mg TID

to supplement difference between Arthrotec and Diclofenac.

My PCP lets me take Hydrocodone 500mg up to 4 times per day. I put 3

into med reminder and know I can take a 4th if I hurt.

Then I also take anti-depressant, Prevacid, vitamins, calcium,

Probiotic, synthroid, Phentermine and don’t forget the sleeping pill, at

least I am down to only 25mg of Trazadone. I hate more or I am dead the

next day, but seems like I need 25mg to help me get into deep sleep.

All I do is take pills. I can walk ¼ mile and try to as much as

possible. I have joined Curves and go do there workout 1-2 times per

week. I am waiting to have some kind of Weight Loss Surgery. I drink

lots of water trying to keep joints lubricated and everything flowing…

I just ACHE. That is what I have a hard time getting across to

everybody even the doctor. The pain I am dealing with isn’t like at the

beginning when I couldn’t walk. (Although some mornings I do)

Is this how you all feel? I know getting some weight off will help and

probably time to adjust meds or something.

By the way, I live with my parents because when I got sick I had no

insurance and lost my job. I got state aid, a whole $106/ month while

waiting to see if I could get disability. 15 months later, I got it. I

am determined, to get feeling better and go back to work when I can.

(Like Tess, of whom I am so very proud of and a role model. I plan to

follow in her footsteps.)

Once again, thanks for listening.

Hugs, Peggy

34 - Kansas

“The only difference between a weed and a flower is judgment "

- Author Unknown

[ ] TO PEGGY - YOU'RE MAD !

DEAR PEGGY,

I AM SORRY YOU HURT AND I AM GLAD YOURE MAD. GET MAD, GIRL AND LET IT

ALL OUT. THOSE OF US WHO HOLD IT ALL INSIDE ARE THE ONES THAT GET INTO

REALLY BAD TROUBLE LATER ON. SO YOU GET MAD, AND THROW SOME PILLOWS

AROUND AND GET IT ALL OUT. EVEN CRY IF YOU WANT TO.

I HAVE BEEN OFF PREDNISONE FOR 2 YEARS NOW.... GOD, THE PAIN, THE

PAIN. NOW, I AM ON METHOTREXATE SHOTS, THOSE MAKE ME SICK...BUT THEY

DO NOT HELP THE PAIN LIKE THE PREDNISONE.... YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT GIRL.

THOSE ARE THE RULES. MAYBE YOU WILL BE LUCKY AND HAVE A RHEUMY THAT AT

LEAST LETS YOU HAVE PAIN MEDS.... THAT WILL BE MORE THAN I GOT. YOU

WILL GET IT ALL SETTLED WITH YOUR MED SCHEDULE, TAKES TIME. TALK WITH

YOUR RHEUMY, LET HIM KNOW HOW YOU FEEL AND WHAT YOUR AVERAGE PAIN LEVEL

IS AND YOUR FATIGUE AS WELL....

GOOD LUCK, PEGGY,

SINCERELY, CINDI

[Guest guest]

Thanks Cindi!

I have rheumy appt. April 26, I have even lied to her. I am a people

pleaser. This time I hurt enough that I have already started making

journal entrees on computer to take with me about how I feel on daily

basis.

Currently I take,

Prednisone 1½mg

Hydroxychloroquine (Playquenil) 200mg BID

Sulfasalazine 1000mg BID

Diclofenac 50mg TID

Methotrexate I think 10mg

I was on Celebrex which I really liked, but my insurance wouldn’t cover

and I got tired of begging for it from all my doctors. I almost felt

like a druggie looking for a high. So, she put me on Arthrotec,

insurance changed where it would be a preauthorization so she put me on

Diclofenac. After complaining about pain, she added Tramadol 50mg TID

to supplement difference between Arthrotec and Diclofenac.

My PCP lets me take Hydrocodone 500mg up to 4 times per day. I put 3

into med reminder and know I can take a 4th if I hurt.

Then I also take anti-depressant, Prevacid, vitamins, calcium,

Probiotic, synthroid, Phentermine and don’t forget the sleeping pill, at

least I am down to only 25mg of Trazadone. I hate more or I am dead the

next day, but seems like I need 25mg to help me get into deep sleep.

All I do is take pills. I can walk ¼ mile and try to as much as

possible. I have joined Curves and go do there workout 1-2 times per

week. I am waiting to have some kind of Weight Loss Surgery. I drink

lots of water trying to keep joints lubricated and everything flowing…

I just ACHE. That is what I have a hard time getting across to

everybody even the doctor. The pain I am dealing with isn’t like at the

beginning when I couldn’t walk. (Although some mornings I do)

Is this how you all feel? I know getting some weight off will help and

probably time to adjust meds or something.

By the way, I live with my parents because when I got sick I had no

insurance and lost my job. I got state aid, a whole $106/ month while

waiting to see if I could get disability. 15 months later, I got it. I

am determined, to get feeling better and go back to work when I can.

(Like Tess, of whom I am so very proud of and a role model. I plan to

follow in her footsteps.)

Once again, thanks for listening.

Hugs, Peggy

34 - Kansas

“The only difference between a weed and a flower is judgment "

- Author Unknown

[ ] TO PEGGY - YOU'RE MAD !

DEAR PEGGY,

I AM SORRY YOU HURT AND I AM GLAD YOURE MAD. GET MAD, GIRL AND LET IT

ALL OUT. THOSE OF US WHO HOLD IT ALL INSIDE ARE THE ONES THAT GET INTO

REALLY BAD TROUBLE LATER ON. SO YOU GET MAD, AND THROW SOME PILLOWS

AROUND AND GET IT ALL OUT. EVEN CRY IF YOU WANT TO.

I HAVE BEEN OFF PREDNISONE FOR 2 YEARS NOW.... GOD, THE PAIN, THE

PAIN. NOW, I AM ON METHOTREXATE SHOTS, THOSE MAKE ME SICK...BUT THEY

DO NOT HELP THE PAIN LIKE THE PREDNISONE.... YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT GIRL.

THOSE ARE THE RULES. MAYBE YOU WILL BE LUCKY AND HAVE A RHEUMY THAT AT

LEAST LETS YOU HAVE PAIN MEDS.... THAT WILL BE MORE THAN I GOT. YOU

WILL GET IT ALL SETTLED WITH YOUR MED SCHEDULE, TAKES TIME. TALK WITH

YOUR RHEUMY, LET HIM KNOW HOW YOU FEEL AND WHAT YOUR AVERAGE PAIN LEVEL

IS AND YOUR FATIGUE AS WELL....

GOOD LUCK, PEGGY,

SINCERELY, CINDI

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: Peggy Brecheisen

>I just ACHE. That is what I have a hard time getting across to

everybody even the doctor. The pain I am dealing with isn't like at the

beginning when I couldn't walk. (Although some mornings I do)

Is this how you all feel? I know getting some weight off will help and

probably time to adjust meds or something.

For me, the severe pain is sporadic. I'm taking Prednisone (I flare big time

when I try to decrease it). I'm currently down to 10 mg. a day. I also take

Darvocet for pain and Restoril for sleep. I'm supposed to be taking Flexeril,

but I'm not taking it. I'm taking Actonel for bone loss. I am also taking

Plaquenil, but haven't taken any this week. It does increase my energy, but

gives me muscle weakness and does a number on my digestive tract. I am still

awaiting approval/disapproval or Enbel from Medicare.

I would say fatigue is my worst enemy.

Nina

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: Peggy Brecheisen

>I just ACHE. That is what I have a hard time getting across to

everybody even the doctor. The pain I am dealing with isn't like at the

beginning when I couldn't walk. (Although some mornings I do)

Is this how you all feel? I know getting some weight off will help and

probably time to adjust meds or something.

For me, the severe pain is sporadic. I'm taking Prednisone (I flare big time

when I try to decrease it). I'm currently down to 10 mg. a day. I also take

Darvocet for pain and Restoril for sleep. I'm supposed to be taking Flexeril,

but I'm not taking it. I'm taking Actonel for bone loss. I am also taking

Plaquenil, but haven't taken any this week. It does increase my energy, but

gives me muscle weakness and does a number on my digestive tract. I am still

awaiting approval/disapproval or Enbel from Medicare.

I would say fatigue is my worst enemy.

Nina

[Guest guest]

Thanks Nina for the info. Maybe it is fatigue I am talking about.

I am hanging on at 1½ mg prednisone and next Tuesday, I am not leaving

the rheumy’s office without permission to increase prednisone or

something that will help me.

I do like my rheumy but this one has never seen me when I am like

this…heck, maybe I am flaring. I had a different one when initially

diagnosised.

Confused, but much happier since sharing myself and feelings on here.

Hugs 2 all, Peggy

“The only difference between a weed and a flower is judgment "

- Author Unknown

Re: [ ] TO PEGGY - YOU'RE MAD !

----- Original Message -----

From: Peggy Brecheisen

>I just ACHE. That is what I have a hard time getting across to

everybody even the doctor. The pain I am dealing with isn't like at the

beginning when I couldn't walk. (Although some mornings I do)

Is this how you all feel? I know getting some weight off will help and

probably time to adjust meds or something.

For me, the severe pain is sporadic. I'm taking Prednisone (I flare big

time when I try to decrease it). I'm currently down to 10 mg. a day. I

also take Darvocet for pain and Restoril for sleep. I'm supposed to be

taking Flexeril, but I'm not taking it. I'm taking Actonel for bone

loss. I am also taking Plaquenil, but haven't taken any this week. It

does increase my energy, but gives me muscle weakness and does a number

on my digestive tract. I am still awaiting approval/disapproval or

Enbel from Medicare.

I would say fatigue is my worst enemy.

Nina

[Guest guest]

Thanks Nina for the info. Maybe it is fatigue I am talking about.

I am hanging on at 1½ mg prednisone and next Tuesday, I am not leaving

the rheumy’s office without permission to increase prednisone or

something that will help me.

I do like my rheumy but this one has never seen me when I am like

this…heck, maybe I am flaring. I had a different one when initially

diagnosised.

Confused, but much happier since sharing myself and feelings on here.

Hugs 2 all, Peggy

“The only difference between a weed and a flower is judgment "

- Author Unknown

Re: [ ] TO PEGGY - YOU'RE MAD !

----- Original Message -----

From: Peggy Brecheisen

>I just ACHE. That is what I have a hard time getting across to

everybody even the doctor. The pain I am dealing with isn't like at the

beginning when I couldn't walk. (Although some mornings I do)

Is this how you all feel? I know getting some weight off will help and

probably time to adjust meds or something.

For me, the severe pain is sporadic. I'm taking Prednisone (I flare big

time when I try to decrease it). I'm currently down to 10 mg. a day. I

also take Darvocet for pain and Restoril for sleep. I'm supposed to be

taking Flexeril, but I'm not taking it. I'm taking Actonel for bone

loss. I am also taking Plaquenil, but haven't taken any this week. It

does increase my energy, but gives me muscle weakness and does a number

on my digestive tract. I am still awaiting approval/disapproval or

Enbel from Medicare.

I would say fatigue is my worst enemy.

Nina

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: Peggy Brecheisen

> Thanks Nina for the info. Maybe it is fatigue I am talking about.

Fatigue can be every bit as dibilitating as pain.

>I am hanging on at 1½ mg prednisone and next Tuesday, I am not leaving

the rheumy's office without permission to increase prednisone or

something that will help me.

I hate taking it, but we have to do what we have to do!

>I do like my rheumy but this one has never seen me when I am like

this.heck, maybe I am flaring. I had a different one when initially

diagnosised.

Went to my PCP twice last year with a swollen, extremely painful hand. He

x-rayed it both times because he thought it was broken even though he had

already told me I had RA. :-( Finally, I just happen to have a followup appt.

with my new rheumy on a day when the same hand was horribly swollen and painful.

Woke up at 4:30 a.m. that day feeling like someone had taken a sledge hammer to

it. When he looked at it, he said " rheumatoid arthritis " . It was just pure

luck that he saw it.

Nina

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: Peggy Brecheisen

> Thanks Nina for the info. Maybe it is fatigue I am talking about.

Fatigue can be every bit as dibilitating as pain.

>I am hanging on at 1½ mg prednisone and next Tuesday, I am not leaving

the rheumy's office without permission to increase prednisone or

something that will help me.

I hate taking it, but we have to do what we have to do!

>I do like my rheumy but this one has never seen me when I am like

this.heck, maybe I am flaring. I had a different one when initially

diagnosised.

Went to my PCP twice last year with a swollen, extremely painful hand. He

x-rayed it both times because he thought it was broken even though he had

already told me I had RA. :-( Finally, I just happen to have a followup appt.

with my new rheumy on a day when the same hand was horribly swollen and painful.

Woke up at 4:30 a.m. that day feeling like someone had taken a sledge hammer to

it. When he looked at it, he said " rheumatoid arthritis " . It was just pure

luck that he saw it.

Nina