Guest guest Posted August 19, 2003 Report Share Posted August 19, 2003 Robyn--Christy already has a liver problem, not just some abnormal liver function tests. Kathy sucky day I'm going to hide under the covers for the rest of the week. Just came home from my rheumatologists office. OK, I got home 4 hours ago and I have been bawling ever since. The humira is NOT working. All of my labs are haywire and my sed rate has gone to 45. EVERYTHING is high. My doc has always been straight with me and I love him for it but today I cried like a baby and I know he wished he had lied to me. We're running out of options, in his words. I've tried, and failed, everything known for RA and it's either made me worse, didn't work at all or created new problems. My lung tumor is growing, the good news is the kidney tumor is still the same. My nerves are shot (I've always known that with 2 teenagers but now it's really true! Literally!) I see the nerve doc on Thursday though I don't know why I'm bothering!! We're going to go to every week on the Humira (if my damned insurance agrees! We have to fight them first!) We thought of trying the Arava (the ONLY thing we haven't tried) but it's too hard on the liver and my liver is going bonkers too! My liver labs are bad and my upper abdomen is swollen so much I look like a snowman. I guess I hadn't wanted to notice but he noticed today and freaked. My edema is worse but we can't go any higher on the lasix. If the Humira every week doesn't help or if my insurance won't approve I'm screwed. Unless something new (and safe for my other stuff) comes out soon, I'm finished. The only thing we can increase is my prozac and he offered (damn near insisted) but I reminded him about my group here and told him I'd get my support here, not from yet another pill. OK, send it already! LOL He gave me a prescription for a lift chair (I told him we were shopping for a comfortable recliner I could get out of easily) but I think he would have given me a prescription for anything in the world right then! We increased my Vicodin and he's calling my pain management doc to see what else they can do on that end to "keep me comfortable." He said his reasoning is that he knows I'm still young and he wants me to still have some quality of life when I'm older. I told him that my quality of life right now sucks and I don't even want to think about getting older. OK enough whining. I need to go read emails and see what else is up. You guys have been chatty. I hope everything is ok. I love you guys and I would be completely lost without all of you by my side. It's nice to have someone there to talk to and chat with and laugh with but it's also nice to know that when life sucks and you can't take anymore, someone will be there to hold your hand and hug you until you can continue on. Thank you guys for the hugs and for holding my hand! Christy Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2003 Report Share Posted August 19, 2003 The Arava is bad for your liver and my doc won't even consider that because of my current liver problems. The prednisone is bad for you on several counts. I know I'll miss some so anyone who care to elaborate, please do. While on prednisone, a current condition that develops is Cushings Disease. I have this also. The main and most obvious symptom of Cushings is the round, or moon, face. Another problem with prednisone is the dependency your body learns to have on it as it decreases your body's own production in the adrenal glands. It also makes you more susceptible to illnesses, causes incredible mood swings, nervousness, weight gain, edema, changes in your menstrual cycle, constipation...... ok what did I leave out? There's an excellent article here called... Prednisone: Good Guy - Bad Guy http://www.transweb.org/reference/articles/drugs/pred.html Be sure to read the one included on why you can't stop prednisone suddenly. It's one of those drugs you love to have but hate to need! sucky day I'm going to hide under the covers for the rest of the week. Just came home from my rheumatologists office. OK, I got home 4 hours ago and I have been bawling ever since. The humira is NOT working. All of my labs are haywire and my sed rate has gone to 45. EVERYTHING is high. My doc has always been straight with me and I love him for it but today I cried like a baby and I know he wished he had lied to me. We're running out of options, in his words. I've tried, and failed, everything known for RA and it's either made me worse, didn't work at all or created new problems. My lung tumor is growing, the good news is the kidney tumor is still the same. My nerves are shot (I've always known that with 2 teenagers but now it's really true! Literally!) I see the nerve doc on Thursday though I don't know why I'm bothering!! We're going to go to every week on the Humira (if my damned insurance agrees! We have to fight them first!) We thought of trying the Arava (the ONLY thing we haven't tried) but it's too hard on the liver and my liver is going bonkers too! My liver labs are bad and my upper abdomen is swollen so much I look like a snowman. I guess I hadn't wanted to notice but he noticed today and freaked. My edema is worse but we can't go any higher on the lasix. If the Humira every week doesn't help or if my insurance won't approve I'm screwed. Unless something new (and safe for my other stuff) comes out soon, I'm finished. The only thing we can increase is my prozac and he offered (damn near insisted) but I reminded him about my group here and told him I'd get my support here, not from yet another pill. OK, send it already! LOL He gave me a prescription for a lift chair (I told him we were shopping for a comfortable recliner I could get out of easily) but I think he would have given me a prescription for anything in the world right then! We increased my Vicodin and he's calling my pain management doc to see what else they can do on that end to "keep me comfortable." He said his reasoning is that he knows I'm still young and he wants me to still have some quality of life when I'm older. I told him that my quality of life right now sucks and I don't even want to think about getting older. OK enough whining. I need to go read emails and see what else is up. You guys have been chatty. I hope everything is ok. I love you guys and I would be completely lost without all of you by my side. It's nice to have someone there to talk to and chat with and laugh with but it's also nice to know that when life sucks and you can't take anymore, someone will be there to hold your hand and hug you until you can continue on. Thank you guys for the hugs and for holding my hand! Christy Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2003 Report Share Posted August 19, 2003 I'm sorry. I keep forgetting I really need to update my story on the website. works so hard to keep it up for us and, of all people, I'm the worst about doing what I should do. sucky day I'm going to hide under the covers for the rest of the week. Just came home from my rheumatologists office. OK, I got home 4 hours ago and I have been bawling ever since. The humira is NOT working. All of my labs are haywire and my sed rate has gone to 45. EVERYTHING is high. My doc has always been straight with me and I love him for it but today I cried like a baby and I know he wished he had lied to me. We're running out of options, in his words. I've tried, and failed, everything known for RA and it's either made me worse, didn't work at all or created new problems. My lung tumor is growing, the good news is the kidney tumor is still the same. My nerves are shot (I've always known that with 2 teenagers but now it's really true! Literally!) I see the nerve doc on Thursday though I don't know why I'm bothering!! We're going to go to every week on the Humira (if my damned insurance agrees! We have to fight them first!) We thought of trying the Arava (the ONLY thing we haven't tried) but it's too hard on the liver and my liver is going bonkers too! My liver labs are bad and my upper abdomen is swollen so much I look like a snowman. I guess I hadn't wanted to notice but he noticed today and freaked. My edema is worse but we can't go any higher on the lasix. If the Humira every week doesn't help or if my insurance won't approve I'm screwed. Unless something new (and safe for my other stuff) comes out soon, I'm finished. The only thing we can increase is my prozac and he offered (damn near insisted) but I reminded him about my group here and told him I'd get my support here, not from yet another pill. OK, send it already! LOL He gave me a prescription for a lift chair (I told him we were shopping for a comfortable recliner I could get out of easily) but I think he would have given me a prescription for anything in the world right then! We increased my Vicodin and he's calling my pain management doc to see what else they can do on that end to "keep me comfortable." He said his reasoning is that he knows I'm still young and he wants me to still have some quality of life when I'm older. I told him that my quality of life right now sucks and I don't even want to think about getting older. OK enough whining. I need to go read emails and see what else is up. You guys have been chatty. I hope everything is ok. I love you guys and I would be completely lost without all of you by my side. It's nice to have someone there to talk to and chat with and laugh with but it's also nice to know that when life sucks and you can't take anymore, someone will be there to hold your hand and hug you until you can continue on. Thank you guys for the hugs and for holding my hand! Christy Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2003 Report Share Posted August 19, 2003 I'm sorry. I keep forgetting I really need to update my story on the website. works so hard to keep it up for us and, of all people, I'm the worst about doing what I should do. sucky day I'm going to hide under the covers for the rest of the week. Just came home from my rheumatologists office. OK, I got home 4 hours ago and I have been bawling ever since. The humira is NOT working. All of my labs are haywire and my sed rate has gone to 45. EVERYTHING is high. My doc has always been straight with me and I love him for it but today I cried like a baby and I know he wished he had lied to me. We're running out of options, in his words. I've tried, and failed, everything known for RA and it's either made me worse, didn't work at all or created new problems. My lung tumor is growing, the good news is the kidney tumor is still the same. My nerves are shot (I've always known that with 2 teenagers but now it's really true! Literally!) I see the nerve doc on Thursday though I don't know why I'm bothering!! We're going to go to every week on the Humira (if my damned insurance agrees! We have to fight them first!) We thought of trying the Arava (the ONLY thing we haven't tried) but it's too hard on the liver and my liver is going bonkers too! My liver labs are bad and my upper abdomen is swollen so much I look like a snowman. I guess I hadn't wanted to notice but he noticed today and freaked. My edema is worse but we can't go any higher on the lasix. If the Humira every week doesn't help or if my insurance won't approve I'm screwed. Unless something new (and safe for my other stuff) comes out soon, I'm finished. The only thing we can increase is my prozac and he offered (damn near insisted) but I reminded him about my group here and told him I'd get my support here, not from yet another pill. OK, send it already! LOL He gave me a prescription for a lift chair (I told him we were shopping for a comfortable recliner I could get out of easily) but I think he would have given me a prescription for anything in the world right then! We increased my Vicodin and he's calling my pain management doc to see what else they can do on that end to "keep me comfortable." He said his reasoning is that he knows I'm still young and he wants me to still have some quality of life when I'm older. I told him that my quality of life right now sucks and I don't even want to think about getting older. OK enough whining. I need to go read emails and see what else is up. You guys have been chatty. I hope everything is ok. I love you guys and I would be completely lost without all of you by my side. It's nice to have someone there to talk to and chat with and laugh with but it's also nice to know that when life sucks and you can't take anymore, someone will be there to hold your hand and hug you until you can continue on. Thank you guys for the hugs and for holding my hand! Christy Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2003 Report Share Posted August 19, 2003 Sorry, I didn't know that. Robyne O'Hara wrote: Robyn--Christy already has a liver problem, not just some abnormal liver function tests. Kathy sucky day I'm going to hide under the covers for the rest of the week. Just came home from my rheumatologists office. OK, I got home 4 hours ago and I have been bawling ever since. The humira is NOT working. All of my labs are haywire and my sed rate has gone to 45. EVERYTHING is high. My doc has always been straight with me and I love him for it but today I cried like a baby and I know he wished he had lied to me. We're running out of options, in his words. I've tried, and failed, everything known for RA and it's either made me worse, didn't work at all or created new problems. My lung tumor is growing, the good news is the kidney tumor is still the same. My nerves are shot (I've always known that with 2 teenagers but now it's really true! Literally!) I see the nerve doc on Thursday though I don't know why I'm bothering!! We're going to go to every week on the Humira (if my damned insurance agrees! We have to fight them first!) We thought of trying the Arava (the ONLY thing we haven't tried) but it's too hard on the liver and my liver is going bonkers too! My liver labs are bad and my upper abdomen is swollen so much I look like a snowman. I guess I hadn't wanted to notice but he noticed today and freaked. My edema is worse but we can't go any higher on the lasix. If the Humira every week doesn't help or if my insurance won't approve I'm screwed. Unless something new (and safe for my other stuff) comes out soon, I'm finished. The only thing we can increase is my prozac and he offered (damn near insisted) but I reminded him about my group here and told him I'd get my support here, not from yet another pill. OK, send it already! LOL He gave me a prescription for a lift chair (I told him we were shopping for a comfortable recliner I could get out of easily) but I think he would have given me a prescription for anything in the world right then! We increased my Vicodin and he's calling my pain management doc to see what else they can do on that end to "keep me comfortable." He said his reasoning is that he knows I'm still young and he wants me to still have some quality of life when I'm older. I told him that my quality of life right now sucks and I don't even want to think about getting older. OK enough whining. I need to go read emails and see what else is up. You guys have been chatty. I hope everything is ok. I love you guys and I would be completely lost without all of you by my side. It's nice to have someone there to talk to and chat with and laugh with but it's also nice to know that when life sucks and you can't take anymore, someone will be there to hold your hand and hug you until you can continue on. Thank you guys for the hugs and for holding my hand! Christy Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2003 Report Share Posted August 19, 2003 Thanks Christy, I know that my medication is a balancing act between pain and repercussions. I just hope we get it right. I understand why you can't even contemplate Arava. I'm sorry you are in pain. I hope they find an answer for you. (((Hugs))) RobynChristy wrote: The Arava is bad for your liver and my doc won't even consider that because of my current liver problems. The prednisone is bad for you on several counts. I know I'll miss some so anyone who care to elaborate, please do. While on prednisone, a current condition that develops is Cushings Disease. I have this also. The main and most obvious symptom of Cushings is the round, or moon, face. Another problem with prednisone is the dependency your body learns to have on it as it decreases your body's own production in the adrenal glands. It also makes you more susceptible to illnesses, causes incredible mood swings, nervousness, weight gain, edema, changes in your menstrual cycle, constipation...... ok what did I leave out? There's an excellent article here called... Prednisone: Good Guy - Bad Guy http://www.transweb.org/reference/articles/drugs/pred.html Be sure to read the one included on why you can't stop prednisone suddenly. It's one of those drugs you love to have but hate to need! sucky day I'm going to hide under the covers for the rest of the week. Just came home from my rheumatologists office. OK, I got home 4 hours ago and I have been bawling ever since. The humira is NOT working. All of my labs are haywire and my sed rate has gone to 45. EVERYTHING is high. My doc has always been straight with me and I love him for it but today I cried like a baby and I know he wished he had lied to me. We're running out of options, in his words. I've tried, and failed, everything known for RA and it's either made me worse, didn't work at all or created new problems. My lung tumor is growing, the good news is the kidney tumor is still the same. My nerves are shot (I've always known that with 2 teenagers but now it's really true! Literally!) I see the nerve doc on Thursday though I don't know why I'm bothering!! We're going to go to every week on the Humira (if my damned insurance agrees! We have to fight them first!) We thought of trying the Arava (the ONLY thing we haven't tried) but it's too hard on the liver and my liver is going bonkers too! My liver labs are bad and my upper abdomen is swollen so much I look like a snowman. I guess I hadn't wanted to notice but he noticed today and freaked. My edema is worse but we can't go any higher on the lasix. If the Humira every week doesn't help or if my insurance won't approve I'm screwed. Unless something new (and safe for my other stuff) comes out soon, I'm finished. The only thing we can increase is my prozac and he offered (damn near insisted) but I reminded him about my group here and told him I'd get my support here, not from yet another pill. OK, send it already! LOL He gave me a prescription for a lift chair (I told him we were shopping for a comfortable recliner I could get out of easily) but I think he would have given me a prescription for anything in the world right then! We increased my Vicodin and he's calling my pain management doc to see what else they can do on that end to "keep me comfortable." He said his reasoning is that he knows I'm still young and he wants me to still have some quality of life when I'm older. I told him that my quality of life right now sucks and I don't even want to think about getting older. OK enough whining. I need to go read emails and see what else is up. You guys have been chatty. I hope everything is ok. I love you guys and I would be completely lost without all of you by my side. It's nice to have someone there to talk to and chat with and laugh with but it's also nice to know that when life sucks and you can't take anymore, someone will be there to hold your hand and hug you until you can continue on. Thank you guys for the hugs and for holding my hand! Christy Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2003 Report Share Posted August 19, 2003 Thanks Christy, I know that my medication is a balancing act between pain and repercussions. I just hope we get it right. I understand why you can't even contemplate Arava. I'm sorry you are in pain. I hope they find an answer for you. (((Hugs))) RobynChristy wrote: The Arava is bad for your liver and my doc won't even consider that because of my current liver problems. The prednisone is bad for you on several counts. I know I'll miss some so anyone who care to elaborate, please do. While on prednisone, a current condition that develops is Cushings Disease. I have this also. The main and most obvious symptom of Cushings is the round, or moon, face. Another problem with prednisone is the dependency your body learns to have on it as it decreases your body's own production in the adrenal glands. It also makes you more susceptible to illnesses, causes incredible mood swings, nervousness, weight gain, edema, changes in your menstrual cycle, constipation...... ok what did I leave out? There's an excellent article here called... Prednisone: Good Guy - Bad Guy http://www.transweb.org/reference/articles/drugs/pred.html Be sure to read the one included on why you can't stop prednisone suddenly. It's one of those drugs you love to have but hate to need! sucky day I'm going to hide under the covers for the rest of the week. Just came home from my rheumatologists office. OK, I got home 4 hours ago and I have been bawling ever since. The humira is NOT working. All of my labs are haywire and my sed rate has gone to 45. EVERYTHING is high. My doc has always been straight with me and I love him for it but today I cried like a baby and I know he wished he had lied to me. We're running out of options, in his words. I've tried, and failed, everything known for RA and it's either made me worse, didn't work at all or created new problems. My lung tumor is growing, the good news is the kidney tumor is still the same. My nerves are shot (I've always known that with 2 teenagers but now it's really true! Literally!) I see the nerve doc on Thursday though I don't know why I'm bothering!! We're going to go to every week on the Humira (if my damned insurance agrees! We have to fight them first!) We thought of trying the Arava (the ONLY thing we haven't tried) but it's too hard on the liver and my liver is going bonkers too! My liver labs are bad and my upper abdomen is swollen so much I look like a snowman. I guess I hadn't wanted to notice but he noticed today and freaked. My edema is worse but we can't go any higher on the lasix. If the Humira every week doesn't help or if my insurance won't approve I'm screwed. Unless something new (and safe for my other stuff) comes out soon, I'm finished. The only thing we can increase is my prozac and he offered (damn near insisted) but I reminded him about my group here and told him I'd get my support here, not from yet another pill. OK, send it already! LOL He gave me a prescription for a lift chair (I told him we were shopping for a comfortable recliner I could get out of easily) but I think he would have given me a prescription for anything in the world right then! We increased my Vicodin and he's calling my pain management doc to see what else they can do on that end to "keep me comfortable." He said his reasoning is that he knows I'm still young and he wants me to still have some quality of life when I'm older. I told him that my quality of life right now sucks and I don't even want to think about getting older. OK enough whining. I need to go read emails and see what else is up. You guys have been chatty. I hope everything is ok. I love you guys and I would be completely lost without all of you by my side. It's nice to have someone there to talk to and chat with and laugh with but it's also nice to know that when life sucks and you can't take anymore, someone will be there to hold your hand and hug you until you can continue on. Thank you guys for the hugs and for holding my hand! Christy Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2003 Report Share Posted August 19, 2003 Increases the speed of developing cataracts, causes osteoporosis, and can cause steroid psychosis..... Kathy sucky day I'm going to hide under the covers for the rest of the week. Just came home from my rheumatologists office. OK, I got home 4 hours ago and I have been bawling ever since. The humira is NOT working. All of my labs are haywire and my sed rate has gone to 45. EVERYTHING is high. My doc has always been straight with me and I love him for it but today I cried like a baby and I know he wished he had lied to me. We're running out of options, in his words. I've tried, and failed, everything known for RA and it's either made me worse, didn't work at all or created new problems. My lung tumor is growing, the good news is the kidney tumor is still the same. My nerves are shot (I've always known that with 2 teenagers but now it's really true! Literally!) I see the nerve doc on Thursday though I don't know why I'm bothering!! We're going to go to every week on the Humira (if my damned insurance agrees! We have to fight them first!) We thought of trying the Arava (the ONLY thing we haven't tried) but it's too hard on the liver and my liver is going bonkers too! My liver labs are bad and my upper abdomen is swollen so much I look like a snowman. I guess I hadn't wanted to notice but he noticed today and freaked. My edema is worse but we can't go any higher on the lasix. If the Humira every week doesn't help or if my insurance won't approve I'm screwed. Unless something new (and safe for my other stuff) comes out soon, I'm finished. The only thing we can increase is my prozac and he offered (damn near insisted) but I reminded him about my group here and told him I'd get my support here, not from yet another pill. OK, send it already! LOL He gave me a prescription for a lift chair (I told him we were shopping for a comfortable recliner I could get out of easily) but I think he would have given me a prescription for anything in the world right then! We increased my Vicodin and he's calling my pain management doc to see what else they can do on that end to "keep me comfortable." He said his reasoning is that he knows I'm still young and he wants me to still have some quality of life when I'm older. I told him that my quality of life right now sucks and I don't even want to think about getting older. OK enough whining. I need to go read emails and see what else is up. You guys have been chatty. I hope everything is ok. I love you guys and I would be completely lost without all of you by my side. It's nice to have someone there to talk to and chat with and laugh with but it's also nice to know that when life sucks and you can't take anymore, someone will be there to hold your hand and hug you until you can continue on. Thank you guys for the hugs and for holding my hand! Christy Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2003 Report Share Posted August 19, 2003 osteoporosis. -- Re: Arava The Arava is bad for your liver and my doc won't even consider that because of my current liver problems. The prednisone is bad for you on several counts. I know I'll miss some so anyone who care to elaborate, please do. While on prednisone, a current condition that develops is Cushings Disease. I have this also. The main and most obvious symptom of Cushings is the round, or moon, face. Another problem with prednisone is the dependency your body learns to have on it as it decreases your body's own production in the adrenal glands. It also makes you more susceptible to illnesses, causes incredible mood swings, nervousness, weight gain, edema, changes in your menstrual cycle, constipation...... ok what did I leave out? There's an excellent article here called... Prednisone: Good Guy - Bad Guy http://www.transweb.org/reference/articles/drugs/pred.html Be sure to read the one included on why you can't stop prednisone suddenly. It's one of those drugs you love to have but hate to need! sucky day I'm going to hide under the covers for the rest of the week. Just came home from my rheumatologists office. OK, I got home 4 hours ago and I have been bawling ever since. The humira is NOT working. All of my labs are haywire and my sed rate has gone to 45. EVERYTHING is high. My doc has always been straight with me and I love him for it but today I cried like a baby and I know he wished he had lied to me. We're running out of options, in his words. I've tried, and failed, everything known for RA and it's either made me worse, didn't work at all or created new problems. My lung tumor is growing, the good news is the kidney tumor is still the same. My nerves are shot (I've always known that with 2 teenagers but now it's really true! Literally!) I see the nerve doc on Thursday though I don't know why I'm bothering!! We're going to go to every week on the Humira (if my damned insurance agrees! We have to fight them first!) We thought of trying the Arava (the ONLY thing we haven't tried) but it's too hard on the liver and my liver is going bonkers too! My liver labs are bad and my upper abdomen is swollen so much I look like a snowman. I guess I hadn't wanted to notice but he noticed today and freaked. My edema is worse but we can't go any higher on the lasix. If the Humira every week doesn't help or if my insurance won't approve I'm screwed. Unless something new (and safe for my other stuff) comes out soon, I'm finished. The only thing we can increase is my prozac and he offered (damn near insisted) but I reminded him about my group here and told him I'd get my support here, not from yet another pill. OK, send it already! LOL He gave me a prescription for a lift chair (I told him we were shopping for a comfortable recliner I could get out of easily) but I think he would have given me a prescription for anything in the world right then! We increased my Vicodin and he's calling my pain management doc to see what else they can do on that end to "keep me comfortable." He said his reasoning is that he knows I'm still young and he wants me to still have some quality of life when I'm older. I told him that my quality of life right now sucks and I don't even want to think about getting older. OK enough whining. I need to go read emails and see what else is up. You guys have been chatty. I hope everything is ok. I love you guys and I would be completely lost without all of you by my side. It's nice to have someone there to talk to and chat with and laugh with but it's also nice to know that when life sucks and you can't take anymore, someone will be there to hold your hand and hug you until you can continue on. Thank you guys for the hugs and for holding my hand! Christy Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2003 Report Share Posted August 19, 2003 You know, I think that's what all of us are dealing with. Our medications might help one symptom of our diseases yet it creates another problem altogether, sometimes requiring yet another medication to solve the new problem. Then we have medications that cause worse damage to our bodiesand while they may relieve pains at the time, the long term damage is even worse. It's all a measuring game..... measuring one medication against another and each medication against what we stand to lose without taking it. It really sucks. sucky day I'm going to hide under the covers for the rest of the week. Just came home from my rheumatologists office. OK, I got home 4 hours ago and I have been bawling ever since. The humira is NOT working. All of my labs are haywire and my sed rate has gone to 45. EVERYTHING is high. My doc has always been straight with me and I love him for it but today I cried like a baby and I know he wished he had lied to me. We're running out of options, in his words. I've tried, and failed, everything known for RA and it's either made me worse, didn't work at all or created new problems. My lung tumor is growing, the good news is the kidney tumor is still the same. My nerves are shot (I've always known that with 2 teenagers but now it's really true! Literally!) I see the nerve doc on Thursday though I don't know why I'm bothering!! We're going to go to every week on the Humira (if my damned insurance agrees! We have to fight them first!) We thought of trying the Arava (the ONLY thing we haven't tried) but it's too hard on the liver and my liver is going bonkers too! My liver labs are bad and my upper abdomen is swollen so much I look like a snowman. I guess I hadn't wanted to notice but he noticed today and freaked. My edema is worse but we can't go any higher on the lasix. If the Humira every week doesn't help or if my insurance won't approve I'm screwed. Unless something new (and safe for my other stuff) comes out soon, I'm finished. The only thing we can increase is my prozac and he offered (damn near insisted) but I reminded him about my group here and told him I'd get my support here, not from yet another pill. OK, send it already! LOL He gave me a prescription for a lift chair (I told him we were shopping for a comfortable recliner I could get out of easily) but I think he would have given me a prescription for anything in the world right then! We increased my Vicodin and he's calling my pain management doc to see what else they can do on that end to "keep me comfortable." He said his reasoning is that he knows I'm still young and he wants me to still have some quality of life when I'm older. I told him that my quality of life right now sucks and I don't even want to think about getting older. OK enough whining. I need to go read emails and see what else is up. You guys have been chatty. I hope everything is ok. I love you guys and I would be completely lost without all of you by my side. It's nice to have someone there to talk to and chat with and laugh with but it's also nice to know that when life sucks and you can't take anymore, someone will be there to hold your hand and hug you until you can continue on. Thank you guys for the hugs and for holding my hand! Christy Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2003 Report Share Posted August 20, 2003 Christy, You're right. And it often means choosing between quality of life now (with treatments that may cause other problems) or risking a shorter life to be more comfortable now. -- Re: Arava You know, I think that's what all of us are dealing with. Our medications might help one symptom of our diseases yet it creates another problem altogether, sometimes requiring yet another medication to solve the new problem. Then we have medications that cause worse damage to our bodiesand while they may relieve pains at the time, the long term damage is even worse. It's all a measuring game..... measuring one medication against another and each medication against what we stand to lose without taking it. It really sucks. ____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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