Guest guest Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Hi Bobbi: You have come to the right place for information and support - we truly know what you are going through. Wow, 7 year old triplets, and a 1 year old - you are a very busy stay at home mom! As far as your first visit to the rheumy, make a list of all of your complaints, where the pain is, how long it has been there, is there any swelling, etc. I am sure that you have requested that your doctor send the lab results on to the rheumy, if not, have him do so. The rheumy may also want to do other tests, and perhaps x-rays. You are right in wondering if your specialists will get together on a diagnosis or not, sometimes it takes a while to get all the results in, and these autoimmune diseases, such as RA and Lupus, very often present with many of the same symptoms. When I was first dx almost 7 years ago, I was started on Plaquenil, Prednisone, and Motrin. Nothing more for the pain than Motrin and then other anti-inflammatories for about 3 years, and then I began taking pain meds. The Methotrexate and other DMARDs are used to slow the progression of the disease, and the NSAIDs are used for inflammation, which in turn helps with the pain. Steroids are also sometimes used, such as Prednisone, but I try to keep my Pred use to a bare minumum, and only in severe flares. It's the drug we love to hate, but it sure works for inflammation and pain. I currently am taking Methotrexate, Enbrel (both DMARDs), Mobic (NSAID), and Ultracet (pain med)for my RA. I have also used other meds during the last 7 years, and between all of us here in the group, I am sure we could give you many personal stories of how the meds helped or did not help us. Everyone's treatment course is different, and the progression of the diseases are different in each person as well. No one can tell you exactly how things will be with you, or how much pain, disability, etc. you might have. You just have to take one day at a time. There are many different medications out there now, and your doctor and you will decide on what is best for you. They all take time to work, it won't be overnight, but you will find the right med or combo of meds to help you, I am sure. Are you on any meds at this time? Please let us know how your first visit to the rheumy goes. Hang in there - Kathe in CA --- Bobbi <mom2triplets@...> wrote: > Hi, My name is Bobbi, and I am 33 years old and a > stay at home Mom > of 7 yr old Triplets and a 1 year old. I am a new > member here and I > just got the results back from my blood test. The > nurse called and > said my blood test showed a high level in my blood. > I assume she > means high level of the RF factor???? Anyway, she > said that when > levels are that high they worry about Lupus. I > asked what my level > was and she avoided the question. I am new to all > this Lingo and > completely upset by all of this. At first my pain > was off and on, > and usually could associate it with the weather. > But for the past 6 > months or so I had noticed that my thumb and knee > were hurting > 24/7. Now my neck and shoulders also hurt really > bad. I went to > the dr. for a stiff neck and asked him if he would > do a blood test > for RA (I had read about the test online). He did > the blood test > that day and I just got the results back. They > referred me to a > Rheumotologist (so new to this I don't even know how > to spell it > yet! :-) I'm sure that will change soon). > > I guess why I'm posting is to find out what to > expect from my first > appt. at the specialist? Do they do more tests, > etc. I have been > writing down all the medications you guys talk about > so I can ask > him about them. It is all so overwhelming. I just > know that I am > sick and tired of hurting all the time. Hopefully > that will change > once I can start medication. Assuming of course > that the > specialists agrees that it is RA. > > Does the Humira and Methotrexate help the pain? Or > are you all also > prescribed pain meds? > > Any advice would be greatly appreciated. > > Bobbi > > > > > Kathe in CA __________________________________ Start your day with - Make it your home page! http://www./r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Hi Bobbi: You have come to the right place for information and support - we truly know what you are going through. Wow, 7 year old triplets, and a 1 year old - you are a very busy stay at home mom! As far as your first visit to the rheumy, make a list of all of your complaints, where the pain is, how long it has been there, is there any swelling, etc. I am sure that you have requested that your doctor send the lab results on to the rheumy, if not, have him do so. The rheumy may also want to do other tests, and perhaps x-rays. You are right in wondering if your specialists will get together on a diagnosis or not, sometimes it takes a while to get all the results in, and these autoimmune diseases, such as RA and Lupus, very often present with many of the same symptoms. When I was first dx almost 7 years ago, I was started on Plaquenil, Prednisone, and Motrin. Nothing more for the pain than Motrin and then other anti-inflammatories for about 3 years, and then I began taking pain meds. The Methotrexate and other DMARDs are used to slow the progression of the disease, and the NSAIDs are used for inflammation, which in turn helps with the pain. Steroids are also sometimes used, such as Prednisone, but I try to keep my Pred use to a bare minumum, and only in severe flares. It's the drug we love to hate, but it sure works for inflammation and pain. I currently am taking Methotrexate, Enbrel (both DMARDs), Mobic (NSAID), and Ultracet (pain med)for my RA. I have also used other meds during the last 7 years, and between all of us here in the group, I am sure we could give you many personal stories of how the meds helped or did not help us. Everyone's treatment course is different, and the progression of the diseases are different in each person as well. No one can tell you exactly how things will be with you, or how much pain, disability, etc. you might have. You just have to take one day at a time. There are many different medications out there now, and your doctor and you will decide on what is best for you. They all take time to work, it won't be overnight, but you will find the right med or combo of meds to help you, I am sure. Are you on any meds at this time? Please let us know how your first visit to the rheumy goes. Hang in there - Kathe in CA --- Bobbi <mom2triplets@...> wrote: > Hi, My name is Bobbi, and I am 33 years old and a > stay at home Mom > of 7 yr old Triplets and a 1 year old. I am a new > member here and I > just got the results back from my blood test. The > nurse called and > said my blood test showed a high level in my blood. > I assume she > means high level of the RF factor???? Anyway, she > said that when > levels are that high they worry about Lupus. I > asked what my level > was and she avoided the question. I am new to all > this Lingo and > completely upset by all of this. At first my pain > was off and on, > and usually could associate it with the weather. > But for the past 6 > months or so I had noticed that my thumb and knee > were hurting > 24/7. Now my neck and shoulders also hurt really > bad. I went to > the dr. for a stiff neck and asked him if he would > do a blood test > for RA (I had read about the test online). He did > the blood test > that day and I just got the results back. They > referred me to a > Rheumotologist (so new to this I don't even know how > to spell it > yet! :-) I'm sure that will change soon). > > I guess why I'm posting is to find out what to > expect from my first > appt. at the specialist? Do they do more tests, > etc. I have been > writing down all the medications you guys talk about > so I can ask > him about them. It is all so overwhelming. I just > know that I am > sick and tired of hurting all the time. Hopefully > that will change > once I can start medication. Assuming of course > that the > specialists agrees that it is RA. > > Does the Humira and Methotrexate help the pain? Or > are you all also > prescribed pain meds? > > Any advice would be greatly appreciated. > > Bobbi > > > > > Kathe in CA __________________________________ Start your day with - Make it your home page! http://www./r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Kathe, I am not on any meds for RA yet. My dr. put me on muscle relaxers for the my " stiff " neck. But it has been over a week now and they are doing absolutely nothing for me. The nurse is supposed to call tomorrow to let me know if the Doc will prescribe me something else. Who knows, in my opinion all dr.'s treat you like a Drug Seeker if you complain of pain. Hopefully they come up with an answer to get me by until my Rheumy appt Dec. 5th. Thanks to everyone for listening to me. Bobbi Are you on any meds at > this time? Please let us know how your first visit to > the rheumy goes. Hang in there - > > Kathe in CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Kathe, I am not on any meds for RA yet. My dr. put me on muscle relaxers for the my " stiff " neck. But it has been over a week now and they are doing absolutely nothing for me. The nurse is supposed to call tomorrow to let me know if the Doc will prescribe me something else. Who knows, in my opinion all dr.'s treat you like a Drug Seeker if you complain of pain. Hopefully they come up with an answer to get me by until my Rheumy appt Dec. 5th. Thanks to everyone for listening to me. Bobbi Are you on any meds at > this time? Please let us know how your first visit to > the rheumy goes. Hang in there - > > Kathe in CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 I did try that and it is wonderful! But it just makes it feel better while its on. But I do use it quite a bit. My dr. called me in a prescription FINALLY for pain today. It is a medicine that I am not familiar with though. Have any of you had Ultracet before? I got the generic which is Tramadol HCL. It has Acetamineophen it is as well. I haven't heard of it before, and hope it helps. They gave me a HUGE bottle of it so hopefully it will work. If any of you have used this before please let me know, I am curious. Bobbi > > > Kathe, > > I am not on any meds for RA yet. My dr. put me on > > muscle relaxers > > for the my " stiff " neck. But it has been over a > > week now and they > > are doing absolutely nothing for me. The nurse is > > supposed to call > > tomorrow to let me know if the Doc will prescribe me > > something > > else. Who knows, in my opinion all dr.'s treat you > > like a Drug > > Seeker if you complain of pain. Hopefully they come > > up with an > > answer to get me by until my Rheumy appt Dec. 5th. > > Thanks to everyone for listening to me. > > Bobbi > > > > > > > > > > > > Are you on any meds at > > > this time? Please let us know how your first > > visit to > > > the rheumy goes. Hang in there - > > > > > > Kathe in CA > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Kathe in CA > > > > > __________________________________ > FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click. > http://farechase. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 I did try that and it is wonderful! But it just makes it feel better while its on. But I do use it quite a bit. My dr. called me in a prescription FINALLY for pain today. It is a medicine that I am not familiar with though. Have any of you had Ultracet before? I got the generic which is Tramadol HCL. It has Acetamineophen it is as well. I haven't heard of it before, and hope it helps. They gave me a HUGE bottle of it so hopefully it will work. If any of you have used this before please let me know, I am curious. Bobbi > > > Kathe, > > I am not on any meds for RA yet. My dr. put me on > > muscle relaxers > > for the my " stiff " neck. But it has been over a > > week now and they > > are doing absolutely nothing for me. The nurse is > > supposed to call > > tomorrow to let me know if the Doc will prescribe me > > something > > else. Who knows, in my opinion all dr.'s treat you > > like a Drug > > Seeker if you complain of pain. Hopefully they come > > up with an > > answer to get me by until my Rheumy appt Dec. 5th. > > Thanks to everyone for listening to me. > > Bobbi > > > > > > > > > > > > Are you on any meds at > > > this time? Please let us know how your first > > visit to > > > the rheumy goes. Hang in there - > > > > > > Kathe in CA > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Kathe in CA > > > > > __________________________________ > FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click. > http://farechase. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2008 Report Share Posted August 21, 2008 Hi Joan. When I became paralyzed I was actually living in Brunswick, Ga. 2002-2007. I had been 3 times to Emory for surgical consultations, & was going to have really heavy-duty surgery, but the surgeon who I really felt could help me moved. The next doc I saw had the most miserable bedside manner the 2 times I saw him, I backed out. Mistake? Who knows! Good luck to you in making your decision, Bobbi bobbi I am so sorry this happened to you. Has any doctor tried to operate on you for the stenosis? You mentioned Atlanta so I was wondering if you lived there. I live in Georgia but am out in the country. I do travel to Atlanta though since my grandkids live in an Atlanta suburb. I've heard horror stories for both sides - those that had the surgery and those that didn't. I'll continue to put it off as long as possible. I may be sorry but I could be sorry if I have it also. It is hard to know what to do. We are close to the same age. I sure wish some doctor could help you. Joan hi joan! my name is bobbi. i am 60yo. in '98 i sustained a "BURSTFRACTURE" of L1. this is the most serious fx you can have in the spine.chips of L1 were crunched into the spinal cord & you have a 13 day window to have surgery or you'll have permanent damage. long story butmy surgery was done on the 24th day......the pain I've had ever since is indescribable. i've had 3 surgeries, the second of which was at Jefferson, & i was on the table for 16 hrs.moving along to 2007, i got a surprise they never warned me about!A complication of the surgeries & the epidural injections for pain led to spinal stenosis. My legs suddenly became paralyzed in May '07. Ishould have gone right away to Emory in Atlanta, but I was in a state of shock. Moving right along, I am currently living in a nursing home in De. I'm a fairly young 60yo and I don't belong in a N.H. But fornow it will have to suffice..... my paralysis extends to my bowel & bladder. Hope this gives you some idea of the ramifications ofspimal stenosis. bobbi plauche' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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