Guest guest Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Hello Emma Wow, you are actually a year younger than my daughter so I really do feel for you having to endure this. The facts are that early rigorous treatment really helps. My onset was rather late in life so I was in denial for quite some time. But my advice, because of your age, is to find the best rheumatologist in your area and read everything you can on the subject. You have a life to live. Don't waste your time wondering. Get your friends and family to help as much and as possible as soon as possible. I have been taking Methotraxate since July of 2000 with very positive results. I also inject Enbrel twice a week (sounds scary but no big deal). I have mentioned this in other postings that in a stupid moment of thinking I was fine, I quite taking my medication for three months. In that short period of time I actually experienced quite a bit of bone and tissue damage to my knuckles and wrists. It was enough to bring reality home that I actually do have a disease that I will have to deal with forever so don't be fooled by periods of relief. Just enjoy them but don't stop taking your medication. I wish you the best and am glad you found this support group. Let me know if I can help. Take Care Babs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2005 Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 Hello Emma Wow, you are actually a year younger than my daughter so I really do feel for you having to endure this. The facts are that early rigorous treatment really helps. My onset was rather late in life so I was in denial for quite some time. But my advice, because of your age, is to find the best rheumatologist in your area and read everything you can on the subject. You have a life to live. Don't waste your time wondering. Get your friends and family to help as much and as possible as soon as possible. I have been taking Methotraxate since July of 2000 with very positive results. I also inject Enbrel twice a week (sounds scary but no big deal). I have mentioned this in other postings that in a stupid moment of thinking I was fine, I quite taking my medication for three months. In that short period of time I actually experienced quite a bit of bone and tissue damage to my knuckles and wrists. It was enough to bring reality home that I actually do have a disease that I will have to deal with forever so don't be fooled by periods of relief. Just enjoy them but don't stop taking your medication. I wish you the best and am glad you found this support group. Let me know if I can help. Take Care Babs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Emma, First of all Hello. Welcome to the group. I wish I could give you some good advice, but I am new to this as well. I am in the " what the heck is going on phase " . Meaning they have lot's of ideas of what might be wrong but they don't have a diagnosis yet. They suspect RA but a lot of my tests don't support that. Symptoms do but tests don't. I was reading up on fibromyalgia and that seems to describe me but they have not even mentioned it as a possiability. Who knows? I am not on any medication to specifically treat a specific condition because they don't know. I am on prednisone to control inflammation and pain and on tylenol 3 to control pain also. I am 32 and I have been suffering from pain and stiffness in my wrists, hands, elbows, knees and ankles. This has been gradual onset starting in my left ankle but i contribute that to be a result of breaking my left ankle 6 years ago. From there it seems to have migrated around. I first saw a rheumatologist back in March 2005 due to pain and numbness in my wrists, hands and pain in my elbows. I just had a MRI of my left elbow and wrist yesterday, I don't have the results yet. I know how frustrating this journey can be. Okay, Okay I am rambling I just wanted to let u know who I am and to welcome you. Sincerely, Barb 3173 - In , " emma_cnnlly " <emma_cnnlly@y...> wrote: > My name is Emma and I am A 24 yr old Receptionist recently diagnosed > with RA. Just wondering if anyone could tell me what my blood > results mean.... Rhematoid Factor 425 Rose Waaler Titre 64 CRP 20 > ESR 53 All others were normal. My doctor has started me on > Plaquenil and wants me to start Prednisone but told her I am not > keen on it...as much as it might help. She started me on Naprosyn > but had allergic reaction so she put me on mobic which does nothing > for me at all. What other options are there. Me elbows, knees, > wrists and fingers all hurt all day, they are also very weak. I > have degenerative change and joint erosions in my left wrist...and > stress fractures in my right foot.... but all else is normal. The > pain of these joints is worst in the morning but lasts right through > until i go to sleep at night and often wakes me up throughout the > night. > > > Just after some advice from people who have been through it..... > > Thanks Guys... > > I wish you all well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Emma, First of all Hello. Welcome to the group. I wish I could give you some good advice, but I am new to this as well. I am in the " what the heck is going on phase " . Meaning they have lot's of ideas of what might be wrong but they don't have a diagnosis yet. They suspect RA but a lot of my tests don't support that. Symptoms do but tests don't. I was reading up on fibromyalgia and that seems to describe me but they have not even mentioned it as a possiability. Who knows? I am not on any medication to specifically treat a specific condition because they don't know. I am on prednisone to control inflammation and pain and on tylenol 3 to control pain also. I am 32 and I have been suffering from pain and stiffness in my wrists, hands, elbows, knees and ankles. This has been gradual onset starting in my left ankle but i contribute that to be a result of breaking my left ankle 6 years ago. From there it seems to have migrated around. I first saw a rheumatologist back in March 2005 due to pain and numbness in my wrists, hands and pain in my elbows. I just had a MRI of my left elbow and wrist yesterday, I don't have the results yet. I know how frustrating this journey can be. Okay, Okay I am rambling I just wanted to let u know who I am and to welcome you. Sincerely, Barb 3173 - In , " emma_cnnlly " <emma_cnnlly@y...> wrote: > My name is Emma and I am A 24 yr old Receptionist recently diagnosed > with RA. Just wondering if anyone could tell me what my blood > results mean.... Rhematoid Factor 425 Rose Waaler Titre 64 CRP 20 > ESR 53 All others were normal. My doctor has started me on > Plaquenil and wants me to start Prednisone but told her I am not > keen on it...as much as it might help. She started me on Naprosyn > but had allergic reaction so she put me on mobic which does nothing > for me at all. What other options are there. Me elbows, knees, > wrists and fingers all hurt all day, they are also very weak. I > have degenerative change and joint erosions in my left wrist...and > stress fractures in my right foot.... but all else is normal. The > pain of these joints is worst in the morning but lasts right through > until i go to sleep at night and often wakes me up throughout the > night. > > > Just after some advice from people who have been through it..... > > Thanks Guys... > > I wish you all well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Welcome Emma, I'm sorry about your diagnose, but glad you found the group. You will find great people here, and wonderful information. It takes awhile to get the right med to really help you. It sure helps when you have a good rheumy too. I take Plaquenil/methotrexate combo, and its helping me so much. I don't take NSAIDS, can't find one that doesn't hurt my stomach. I also take Loratab for pain, flexeril(when needed), and Prozac for my depression. I also take folic acid, and use lidoderm patch for my back problem. Just know that were all here for you, and if you have a question there is always someone here to help you out. Take care, Tawny --- In , " emma_cnnlly " <emma_cnnlly@y...> wrote: > My name is Emma and I am A 24 yr old Receptionist recently diagnosed > with RA. Just wondering if anyone could tell me what my blood > results mean.... Rhematoid Factor 425 Rose Waaler Titre 64 CRP 20 > ESR 53 All others were normal. My doctor has started me on > Plaquenil and wants me to start Prednisone but told her I am not > keen on it...as much as it might help. She started me on Naprosyn > but had allergic reaction so she put me on mobic which does nothing > for me at all. What other options are there. Me elbows, knees, > wrists and fingers all hurt all day, they are also very weak. I > have degenerative change and joint erosions in my left wrist...and > stress fractures in my right foot.... but all else is normal. The > pain of these joints is worst in the morning but lasts right through > until i go to sleep at night and often wakes me up throughout the > night. > > > Just after some advice from people who have been through it..... > > Thanks Guys... > > I wish you all well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Welcome Emma, I'm sorry about your diagnose, but glad you found the group. You will find great people here, and wonderful information. It takes awhile to get the right med to really help you. It sure helps when you have a good rheumy too. I take Plaquenil/methotrexate combo, and its helping me so much. I don't take NSAIDS, can't find one that doesn't hurt my stomach. I also take Loratab for pain, flexeril(when needed), and Prozac for my depression. I also take folic acid, and use lidoderm patch for my back problem. Just know that were all here for you, and if you have a question there is always someone here to help you out. Take care, Tawny > My name is Emma and I am A 24 yr old Receptionist recently diagnosed > with RA. Just wondering if anyone could tell me what my blood > results mean.... Rhematoid Factor 425 Rose Waaler Titre 64 CRP 20 > ESR 53 All others were normal. My doctor has started me on > Plaquenil and wants me to start Prednisone but told her I am not > keen on it...as much as it might help. She started me on Naprosyn > but had allergic reaction so she put me on mobic which does nothing > for me at all. What other options are there. Me elbows, knees, > wrists and fingers all hurt all day, they are also very weak. I > have degenerative change and joint erosions in my left wrist...and > stress fractures in my right foot.... but all else is normal. The > pain of these joints is worst in the morning but lasts right through > until i go to sleep at night and often wakes me up throughout the > night. > > > Just after some advice from people who have been through it..... > > Thanks Guys... > > I wish you all well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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