Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Here are my real life experiences on RA and medications. If I had to live with the pain that I was having before I was diagnosed and medicated, I would probably have to kill myself. So I thank God for good doctors and good medications. I was on methotrexate first, which helped some but not enough. It also brought my white blood cell count to a below normal level. Then I was switched to Arava. That really helped the pain and inflammation, but my WBC count continued to plummet. Then I was finally put on Enbrel, which is a wonderful drug for me. When I was on Enbrel and Bextra, I had very little pain at all. Now that I'm on Enbrel and Celebrex, I do have some residual pain, but not really enough to complain about much. I have not had any adverse side effects from the Enbrel. If I have even a cold, I skip a dose or two until I'm better, because I don't want to take any chances. Even though my WBC count is still below normal, I don't get sick with infections very much. I was needlephobic, but now I'm an old hand at giving myself injections. Is this the kind of information that you were looking for? Sue On Thursday, June 30, 2005, at 02:38 PM, saralaughs02 wrote: > What I was looking for was real life experiences on the drugs > available, which are RA specific, such as the Remicade, Enbrel, > Humira, et al. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Here are my real life experiences on RA and medications. If I had to live with the pain that I was having before I was diagnosed and medicated, I would probably have to kill myself. So I thank God for good doctors and good medications. I was on methotrexate first, which helped some but not enough. It also brought my white blood cell count to a below normal level. Then I was switched to Arava. That really helped the pain and inflammation, but my WBC count continued to plummet. Then I was finally put on Enbrel, which is a wonderful drug for me. When I was on Enbrel and Bextra, I had very little pain at all. Now that I'm on Enbrel and Celebrex, I do have some residual pain, but not really enough to complain about much. I have not had any adverse side effects from the Enbrel. If I have even a cold, I skip a dose or two until I'm better, because I don't want to take any chances. Even though my WBC count is still below normal, I don't get sick with infections very much. I was needlephobic, but now I'm an old hand at giving myself injections. Is this the kind of information that you were looking for? Sue On Thursday, June 30, 2005, at 02:38 PM, saralaughs02 wrote: > What I was looking for was real life experiences on the drugs > available, which are RA specific, such as the Remicade, Enbrel, > Humira, et al. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Yep, that's exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you very much. In reading these responses, I'm finding out about drugs that I've yet to hear about. Probably the ones that don't get the publicity bc of monies put into advertising and what not. I think due to the fat pockets of the pharmocology companies, some good drugs may be overlooked due to the hype for a select few. Just as in the good bands w/ independant labels vs. the ones from big names in the industry. KWIM? I would assume that most of these drugs bring down the WBC, which is what allows infection to run rampid in the body, no? Wouldn't any of these drugs cause a pt to present w/ decreased WBC counts? Sara > > > What I was looking for was real life experiences on the drugs > > available, which are RA specific, such as the Remicade, Enbrel, > > Humira, et al. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Yep, that's exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you very much. In reading these responses, I'm finding out about drugs that I've yet to hear about. Probably the ones that don't get the publicity bc of monies put into advertising and what not. I think due to the fat pockets of the pharmocology companies, some good drugs may be overlooked due to the hype for a select few. Just as in the good bands w/ independant labels vs. the ones from big names in the industry. KWIM? I would assume that most of these drugs bring down the WBC, which is what allows infection to run rampid in the body, no? Wouldn't any of these drugs cause a pt to present w/ decreased WBC counts? Sara > > > What I was looking for was real life experiences on the drugs > > available, which are RA specific, such as the Remicade, Enbrel, > > Humira, et al. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Sara I have been taking MTX for about a year now. I was about 80% better. But when they did x-rays they had changed over the past year. I have now added Enbrel I still feel pretty good. The only reason I knew that the ra was getting worse was because one of my fingers was moving to the left. Also over the year I have a frozen shoulder. I do excercises for my shoulder twice a day. But I don't see it getting any better and I don't think it ever will. But I just keep on going and doing my excercises. Hopefully one day I will get the movement back. I know this one lady and both of her elbows are frozen. All she has had to take is the MTX because hers has not worsened. You are all in my prayers. Beth(AR) --- saralaughs02 <saralaughs02@...> wrote: > I am under no misunderstanding about this disease. > I have been > reading about it for about 3 yrs. I realize that > pain meds DO NOT > stop the disease. I realize that the damage goes > on, regardless of > having pain controlled or not. I contacted the > Arthritis Foundation > a long time ago and got a huge stack of info from > them on RA, and a > few other things. > > Let me assure you that I am not uneducated about RA. > I know all > about the synovial capsule, and why the fluid gets > attack, and the > WBC's, etc. The fact that the synovial capsule can > be removed to > alleviate pain, but grows back eventually for the > pain to return. I > know that removing the capsule does not get rid of > the RA. I know > that certain drugs which control pain do not > compensate for the > destruction of bodies. I know all this. > > What I was looking for was real life experiences on > the drugs > available, which are RA specific, such as the > Remicade, Enbrel, > Humira, et al. I am as educated about this > crippling monster as > anyone can be. I have read and re-read pamphlets, > books, websites, > medical journals, studies, you name it. I am not > claiming to be the > Tom Cruise of psychiatry (HAHAHAHA); what I am > doing is letting you > all know that I KNOW the damage and pain are two > separate things. > > I have never been in denial of anything about this > disease. I do not > live my life in denial, in fact, quite the opposite. > I am a hard- > core realist. My philosophy is that there is no > sense in fooling > yourself into believing lies and living in a fantasy > where is there > no escape to a better world. I'll wait for heaven > for that better > life. Here, on Earth, life is as it is and there's > no justification > for living in denial of anything. > > I am fully aware that I will one die from this > disease or from the > side effects of treating it. It's a fact. There's > no escaping > that. I just want real life. That's all. > > Thank you. > > Sara > > > > > __________________________________ Discover Have fun online with music videos, cool games, IM and more. Check it out! http://discover./online.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Sara I have been taking MTX for about a year now. I was about 80% better. But when they did x-rays they had changed over the past year. I have now added Enbrel I still feel pretty good. The only reason I knew that the ra was getting worse was because one of my fingers was moving to the left. Also over the year I have a frozen shoulder. I do excercises for my shoulder twice a day. But I don't see it getting any better and I don't think it ever will. But I just keep on going and doing my excercises. Hopefully one day I will get the movement back. I know this one lady and both of her elbows are frozen. All she has had to take is the MTX because hers has not worsened. You are all in my prayers. Beth(AR) --- saralaughs02 <saralaughs02@...> wrote: > I am under no misunderstanding about this disease. > I have been > reading about it for about 3 yrs. I realize that > pain meds DO NOT > stop the disease. I realize that the damage goes > on, regardless of > having pain controlled or not. I contacted the > Arthritis Foundation > a long time ago and got a huge stack of info from > them on RA, and a > few other things. > > Let me assure you that I am not uneducated about RA. > I know all > about the synovial capsule, and why the fluid gets > attack, and the > WBC's, etc. The fact that the synovial capsule can > be removed to > alleviate pain, but grows back eventually for the > pain to return. I > know that removing the capsule does not get rid of > the RA. I know > that certain drugs which control pain do not > compensate for the > destruction of bodies. I know all this. > > What I was looking for was real life experiences on > the drugs > available, which are RA specific, such as the > Remicade, Enbrel, > Humira, et al. I am as educated about this > crippling monster as > anyone can be. I have read and re-read pamphlets, > books, websites, > medical journals, studies, you name it. I am not > claiming to be the > Tom Cruise of psychiatry (HAHAHAHA); what I am > doing is letting you > all know that I KNOW the damage and pain are two > separate things. > > I have never been in denial of anything about this > disease. I do not > live my life in denial, in fact, quite the opposite. > I am a hard- > core realist. My philosophy is that there is no > sense in fooling > yourself into believing lies and living in a fantasy > where is there > no escape to a better world. I'll wait for heaven > for that better > life. Here, on Earth, life is as it is and there's > no justification > for living in denial of anything. > > I am fully aware that I will one die from this > disease or from the > side effects of treating it. It's a fact. There's > no escaping > that. I just want real life. That's all. > > Thank you. > > Sara > > > > > __________________________________ Discover Have fun online with music videos, cool games, IM and more. Check it out! http://discover./online.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 Sara: I am still new to all of this, but I will share with you my experience. I woke up in early January of this year unable to get out of bed and ended up in the ER. Was diagnosed with RA a few days later....and sent home with a prescription for Methotrexate, Prednisone, Tylenol 3's...and Minocycline. It's six months later and I don't feel like I am " cured " nor am I under the impression that I ever will be. I know that there are no guarantees with this disease. I have stopped making plans with friends and family. Everything is tenative and depends on whether or not I can get out of bed that day. For whatever reason, this disease came on suddenly one morning with no real warning. I find that my flares are the same way. I can wake up with my chin locked on my chest in the morning or with my fingers curled up and locked in a clenched position. Let me tell ya, that's SO MUCH FUN when you can't even pick up your meds and put them in your mouth....! LOL In early June I was also diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome. Again, no real progression of things....it all just happened all of a sudden. Not a good thing when your teeth start breaking apart and falling out of your mouth! The good news is that I was diagnosed and I do know what I am dealing with now. The wonderful thing, (it took a lot of support from the people here in this group for me to be able to type this paragraph) is that I am given a wonderful opportunity to be at home for my kids for the first time ever! Yes, there are days when I am not well and I am no where near as active with my kids as I used to be, but I am still appreciative of the fact that I am here when they wake up and I am home when they return from school at the end of the day. I used to be a workaholic and a " super mom " who did 1000 things at once. For the first time in my life I have been forced to slow down and appreciate the small things in life that are happening all around me. I never would have had this opportunity if it weren't for RA. Again, no cure ......but there's the hope of getting the right combo of meds that keeps me going. > I am under no misunderstanding about this disease. I have been > reading about it for about 3 yrs. I realize that pain meds DO NOT > stop the disease. I realize that the damage goes on, regardless of > having pain controlled or not. I contacted the Arthritis Foundation > a long time ago and got a huge stack of info from them on RA, and a > few other things. > > Let me assure you that I am not uneducated about RA. I know all > about the synovial capsule, and why the fluid gets attack, and the > WBC's, etc. The fact that the synovial capsule can be removed to > alleviate pain, but grows back eventually for the pain to return. I > know that removing the capsule does not get rid of the RA. I know > that certain drugs which control pain do not compensate for the > destruction of bodies. I know all this. > > What I was looking for was real life experiences on the drugs > available, which are RA specific, such as the Remicade, Enbrel, > Humira, et al. I am as educated about this crippling monster as > anyone can be. I have read and re-read pamphlets, books, websites, > medical journals, studies, you name it. I am not claiming to be the > Tom Cruise of psychiatry (HAHAHAHA); what I am doing is letting you > all know that I KNOW the damage and pain are two separate things. > > I have never been in denial of anything about this disease. I do not > live my life in denial, in fact, quite the opposite. I am a hard- > core realist. My philosophy is that there is no sense in fooling > yourself into believing lies and living in a fantasy where is there > no escape to a better world. I'll wait for heaven for that better > life. Here, on Earth, life is as it is and there's no justification > for living in denial of anything. > > I am fully aware that I will one die from this disease or from the > side effects of treating it. It's a fact. There's no escaping > that. I just want real life. That's all. > > Thank you. > > Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 Sara: I am still new to all of this, but I will share with you my experience. I woke up in early January of this year unable to get out of bed and ended up in the ER. Was diagnosed with RA a few days later....and sent home with a prescription for Methotrexate, Prednisone, Tylenol 3's...and Minocycline. It's six months later and I don't feel like I am " cured " nor am I under the impression that I ever will be. I know that there are no guarantees with this disease. I have stopped making plans with friends and family. Everything is tenative and depends on whether or not I can get out of bed that day. For whatever reason, this disease came on suddenly one morning with no real warning. I find that my flares are the same way. I can wake up with my chin locked on my chest in the morning or with my fingers curled up and locked in a clenched position. Let me tell ya, that's SO MUCH FUN when you can't even pick up your meds and put them in your mouth....! LOL In early June I was also diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome. Again, no real progression of things....it all just happened all of a sudden. Not a good thing when your teeth start breaking apart and falling out of your mouth! The good news is that I was diagnosed and I do know what I am dealing with now. The wonderful thing, (it took a lot of support from the people here in this group for me to be able to type this paragraph) is that I am given a wonderful opportunity to be at home for my kids for the first time ever! Yes, there are days when I am not well and I am no where near as active with my kids as I used to be, but I am still appreciative of the fact that I am here when they wake up and I am home when they return from school at the end of the day. I used to be a workaholic and a " super mom " who did 1000 things at once. For the first time in my life I have been forced to slow down and appreciate the small things in life that are happening all around me. I never would have had this opportunity if it weren't for RA. Again, no cure ......but there's the hope of getting the right combo of meds that keeps me going. > I am under no misunderstanding about this disease. I have been > reading about it for about 3 yrs. I realize that pain meds DO NOT > stop the disease. I realize that the damage goes on, regardless of > having pain controlled or not. I contacted the Arthritis Foundation > a long time ago and got a huge stack of info from them on RA, and a > few other things. > > Let me assure you that I am not uneducated about RA. I know all > about the synovial capsule, and why the fluid gets attack, and the > WBC's, etc. The fact that the synovial capsule can be removed to > alleviate pain, but grows back eventually for the pain to return. I > know that removing the capsule does not get rid of the RA. I know > that certain drugs which control pain do not compensate for the > destruction of bodies. I know all this. > > What I was looking for was real life experiences on the drugs > available, which are RA specific, such as the Remicade, Enbrel, > Humira, et al. I am as educated about this crippling monster as > anyone can be. I have read and re-read pamphlets, books, websites, > medical journals, studies, you name it. I am not claiming to be the > Tom Cruise of psychiatry (HAHAHAHA); what I am doing is letting you > all know that I KNOW the damage and pain are two separate things. > > I have never been in denial of anything about this disease. I do not > live my life in denial, in fact, quite the opposite. I am a hard- > core realist. My philosophy is that there is no sense in fooling > yourself into believing lies and living in a fantasy where is there > no escape to a better world. I'll wait for heaven for that better > life. Here, on Earth, life is as it is and there's no justification > for living in denial of anything. > > I am fully aware that I will one die from this disease or from the > side effects of treating it. It's a fact. There's no escaping > that. I just want real life. That's all. > > Thank you. > > Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 Sara, The meds you haven't heard advertised are the older drugs that have been around for years, long before they were even allowed to advertise drugs. I started on Enbrel shortly after it was approved in 1998. Being a new classification of drugs, I was very apprehensive about it, but I knew I had to do something. I was diagnosed with RA in the early 70's when I was in college. I started on plaquenil, which did nothing. Then Imuran, which also did nothing, then on to Riduara (oral gold) which did nothing. By the time Enbrel was out, my knees and ankles were totally destroyed. I already had 2 knee replacements and the disease was still eroding my bones. The decision to take Enbrel was a no brainer for me. At the time I started it, I was facing being in a wheelchair permanently. I was lucky in that it gave me instant relief, something no other drug ever did. Yes, I am still apprehensive about Enbrel and it's long term effects. There have been some rare but serious side effects reported that scared me enough to stop taking it. But I soon found out that living without Enbel isn't living at all. I've tried stopping it on numerous occasions, by increasing my Advil and eating foods that inhibit inflammation, but can't stop it without serious pain. Many of us have been through all of the available drugs with no relief until these new biologicals became available. Why advertise the old drugs that aren't as effective in stopping the damage? Yes, the newer ones are more expensive, but that is also because of the research that has gone into this new classification. I hate the greed of the pharmaceutical companies, and believe our meds are all overpriced. We spend more for drugs than any other country in the world, which isn't right. Good luck with your decision. I know it isn't an easy one to make. a On Jun 30, 2005, at 9:22 PM, saralaughs02 wrote: > Yep, that's exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you very much. > > In reading these responses, I'm finding out about drugs that I've yet > to hear about. Probably the ones that don't get the publicity bc of > monies put into advertising and what not. I think due to the fat > pockets of the pharmocology companies, some good drugs may be > overlooked due to the hype for a select few. Just as in the good > bands w/ independant labels vs. the ones from big names in the > industry. KWIM? > > I would assume that most of these drugs bring down the WBC, which is > what allows infection to run rampid in the body, no? Wouldn't any of > these drugs cause a pt to present w/ decreased WBC counts? > > Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 Sara, The meds you haven't heard advertised are the older drugs that have been around for years, long before they were even allowed to advertise drugs. I started on Enbrel shortly after it was approved in 1998. Being a new classification of drugs, I was very apprehensive about it, but I knew I had to do something. I was diagnosed with RA in the early 70's when I was in college. I started on plaquenil, which did nothing. Then Imuran, which also did nothing, then on to Riduara (oral gold) which did nothing. By the time Enbrel was out, my knees and ankles were totally destroyed. I already had 2 knee replacements and the disease was still eroding my bones. The decision to take Enbrel was a no brainer for me. At the time I started it, I was facing being in a wheelchair permanently. I was lucky in that it gave me instant relief, something no other drug ever did. Yes, I am still apprehensive about Enbrel and it's long term effects. There have been some rare but serious side effects reported that scared me enough to stop taking it. But I soon found out that living without Enbel isn't living at all. I've tried stopping it on numerous occasions, by increasing my Advil and eating foods that inhibit inflammation, but can't stop it without serious pain. Many of us have been through all of the available drugs with no relief until these new biologicals became available. Why advertise the old drugs that aren't as effective in stopping the damage? Yes, the newer ones are more expensive, but that is also because of the research that has gone into this new classification. I hate the greed of the pharmaceutical companies, and believe our meds are all overpriced. We spend more for drugs than any other country in the world, which isn't right. Good luck with your decision. I know it isn't an easy one to make. a On Jun 30, 2005, at 9:22 PM, saralaughs02 wrote: > Yep, that's exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you very much. > > In reading these responses, I'm finding out about drugs that I've yet > to hear about. Probably the ones that don't get the publicity bc of > monies put into advertising and what not. I think due to the fat > pockets of the pharmocology companies, some good drugs may be > overlooked due to the hype for a select few. Just as in the good > bands w/ independant labels vs. the ones from big names in the > industry. KWIM? > > I would assume that most of these drugs bring down the WBC, which is > what allows infection to run rampid in the body, no? Wouldn't any of > these drugs cause a pt to present w/ decreased WBC counts? > > Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 Thank you for responding. I am certainly not looking forward to any aspect of this evil creature, that's for sure. At this point, I just find it disgusting that such vile things are allowed in take over bodies whenever they dang well please. It doesn't happen often, but I'm pretty well pixxed off at God for the moment. I'm sure it will pass and I'll beg forgiveness, but for now, I just want to be mad. Sara > > > I am under no misunderstanding about this disease. > > I have been > > reading about it for about 3 yrs. I realize that > > pain meds DO NOT > > stop the disease. I realize that the damage goes > > on, regardless of > > having pain controlled or not. I contacted the > > Arthritis Foundation > > a long time ago and got a huge stack of info from > > them on RA, and a > > few other things. > > > > Let me assure you that I am not uneducated about RA. > > I know all > > about the synovial capsule, and why the fluid gets > > attack, and the > > WBC's, etc. The fact that the synovial capsule can > > be removed to > > alleviate pain, but grows back eventually for the > > pain to return. I > > know that removing the capsule does not get rid of > > the RA. I know > > that certain drugs which control pain do not > > compensate for the > > destruction of bodies. I know all this. > > > > What I was looking for was real life experiences on > > the drugs > > available, which are RA specific, such as the > > Remicade, Enbrel, > > Humira, et al. I am as educated about this > > crippling monster as > > anyone can be. I have read and re-read pamphlets, > > books, websites, > > medical journals, studies, you name it. I am not > > claiming to be the > > Tom Cruise of psychiatry (HAHAHAHA); what I am > > doing is letting you > > all know that I KNOW the damage and pain are two > > separate things. > > > > I have never been in denial of anything about this > > disease. I do not > > live my life in denial, in fact, quite the opposite. > > I am a hard- > > core realist. My philosophy is that there is no > > sense in fooling > > yourself into believing lies and living in a fantasy > > where is there > > no escape to a better world. I'll wait for heaven > > for that better > > life. Here, on Earth, life is as it is and there's > > no justification > > for living in denial of anything. > > > > I am fully aware that I will one die from this > > disease or from the > > side effects of treating it. It's a fact. There's > > no escaping > > that. I just want real life. That's all. > > > > Thank you. > > > > Sara > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________ > Discover > Have fun online with music videos, cool games, IM and more. Check it out! > http://discover./online.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 Thank you for responding. I am certainly not looking forward to any aspect of this evil creature, that's for sure. At this point, I just find it disgusting that such vile things are allowed in take over bodies whenever they dang well please. It doesn't happen often, but I'm pretty well pixxed off at God for the moment. I'm sure it will pass and I'll beg forgiveness, but for now, I just want to be mad. Sara > > > I am under no misunderstanding about this disease. > > I have been > > reading about it for about 3 yrs. I realize that > > pain meds DO NOT > > stop the disease. I realize that the damage goes > > on, regardless of > > having pain controlled or not. I contacted the > > Arthritis Foundation > > a long time ago and got a huge stack of info from > > them on RA, and a > > few other things. > > > > Let me assure you that I am not uneducated about RA. > > I know all > > about the synovial capsule, and why the fluid gets > > attack, and the > > WBC's, etc. The fact that the synovial capsule can > > be removed to > > alleviate pain, but grows back eventually for the > > pain to return. I > > know that removing the capsule does not get rid of > > the RA. I know > > that certain drugs which control pain do not > > compensate for the > > destruction of bodies. I know all this. > > > > What I was looking for was real life experiences on > > the drugs > > available, which are RA specific, such as the > > Remicade, Enbrel, > > Humira, et al. I am as educated about this > > crippling monster as > > anyone can be. I have read and re-read pamphlets, > > books, websites, > > medical journals, studies, you name it. I am not > > claiming to be the > > Tom Cruise of psychiatry (HAHAHAHA); what I am > > doing is letting you > > all know that I KNOW the damage and pain are two > > separate things. > > > > I have never been in denial of anything about this > > disease. I do not > > live my life in denial, in fact, quite the opposite. > > I am a hard- > > core realist. My philosophy is that there is no > > sense in fooling > > yourself into believing lies and living in a fantasy > > where is there > > no escape to a better world. I'll wait for heaven > > for that better > > life. Here, on Earth, life is as it is and there's > > no justification > > for living in denial of anything. > > > > I am fully aware that I will one die from this > > disease or from the > > side effects of treating it. It's a fact. There's > > no escaping > > that. I just want real life. That's all. > > > > Thank you. > > > > Sara > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________ > Discover > Have fun online with music videos, cool games, IM and more. Check it out! > http://discover./online.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 Sometimes there is a silver lining. Sick as it is, sometimes it takes drastic measures to get out attn. From what I get out of your post, you have a frozen shoulder but you're okay with that? You're a stronger woman than I bc there is no way I'd be feeling okay about that. I have 4 kids, all 10 and under, and I would not be okay with that. God bless you! Sara > > I am under no misunderstanding about this disease. I have been > > reading about it for about 3 yrs. I realize that pain meds DO NOT > > stop the disease. I realize that the damage goes on, regardless of > > having pain controlled or not. I contacted the Arthritis Foundation > > a long time ago and got a huge stack of info from them on RA, and a > > few other things. > > > > Let me assure you that I am not uneducated about RA. I know all > > about the synovial capsule, and why the fluid gets attack, and the > > WBC's, etc. The fact that the synovial capsule can be removed to > > alleviate pain, but grows back eventually for the pain to return. I > > know that removing the capsule does not get rid of the RA. I know > > that certain drugs which control pain do not compensate for the > > destruction of bodies. I know all this. > > > > What I was looking for was real life experiences on the drugs > > available, which are RA specific, such as the Remicade, Enbrel, > > Humira, et al. I am as educated about this crippling monster as > > anyone can be. I have read and re-read pamphlets, books, websites, > > medical journals, studies, you name it. I am not claiming to be the > > Tom Cruise of psychiatry (HAHAHAHA); what I am doing is letting > you > > all know that I KNOW the damage and pain are two separate things. > > > > I have never been in denial of anything about this disease. I do not > > live my life in denial, in fact, quite the opposite. I am a hard- > > core realist. My philosophy is that there is no sense in fooling > > yourself into believing lies and living in a fantasy where is there > > no escape to a better world. I'll wait for heaven for that better > > life. Here, on Earth, life is as it is and there's no justification > > for living in denial of anything. > > > > I am fully aware that I will one die from this disease or from the > > side effects of treating it. It's a fact. There's no escaping > > that. I just want real life. That's all. > > > > Thank you. > > > > Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 Sometimes there is a silver lining. Sick as it is, sometimes it takes drastic measures to get out attn. From what I get out of your post, you have a frozen shoulder but you're okay with that? You're a stronger woman than I bc there is no way I'd be feeling okay about that. I have 4 kids, all 10 and under, and I would not be okay with that. God bless you! Sara > > I am under no misunderstanding about this disease. I have been > > reading about it for about 3 yrs. I realize that pain meds DO NOT > > stop the disease. I realize that the damage goes on, regardless of > > having pain controlled or not. I contacted the Arthritis Foundation > > a long time ago and got a huge stack of info from them on RA, and a > > few other things. > > > > Let me assure you that I am not uneducated about RA. I know all > > about the synovial capsule, and why the fluid gets attack, and the > > WBC's, etc. The fact that the synovial capsule can be removed to > > alleviate pain, but grows back eventually for the pain to return. I > > know that removing the capsule does not get rid of the RA. I know > > that certain drugs which control pain do not compensate for the > > destruction of bodies. I know all this. > > > > What I was looking for was real life experiences on the drugs > > available, which are RA specific, such as the Remicade, Enbrel, > > Humira, et al. I am as educated about this crippling monster as > > anyone can be. I have read and re-read pamphlets, books, websites, > > medical journals, studies, you name it. I am not claiming to be the > > Tom Cruise of psychiatry (HAHAHAHA); what I am doing is letting > you > > all know that I KNOW the damage and pain are two separate things. > > > > I have never been in denial of anything about this disease. I do not > > live my life in denial, in fact, quite the opposite. I am a hard- > > core realist. My philosophy is that there is no sense in fooling > > yourself into believing lies and living in a fantasy where is there > > no escape to a better world. I'll wait for heaven for that better > > life. Here, on Earth, life is as it is and there's no justification > > for living in denial of anything. > > > > I am fully aware that I will one die from this disease or from the > > side effects of treating it. It's a fact. There's no escaping > > that. I just want real life. That's all. > > > > Thank you. > > > > Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 Enbrel has not brought my WBC count down. It works in a different way from mtx and Arava. Most of the DMARDs do suppress the immune system, but it different ways. And of course each person responds to them in different ways. Sue On Thursday, June 30, 2005, at 09:22 PM, saralaughs02 wrote: > > I would assume that most of these drugs bring down the WBC, which is > what allows infection to run rampid in the body, no? Wouldn't any of > these drugs cause a pt to present w/ decreased WBC counts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 Enbrel has not brought my WBC count down. It works in a different way from mtx and Arava. Most of the DMARDs do suppress the immune system, but it different ways. And of course each person responds to them in different ways. Sue On Thursday, June 30, 2005, at 09:22 PM, saralaughs02 wrote: > > I would assume that most of these drugs bring down the WBC, which is > what allows infection to run rampid in the body, no? Wouldn't any of > these drugs cause a pt to present w/ decreased WBC counts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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