Advice for coping /FOOT PROBLEMS

[Guest guest]

>Message: 4

> Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2000 13:03:27 +0100

> From: " Pratschke " <jonpr@...>

>You can also help your body to relax by cutting out all artificial

>stimulants.

>Gentle movement of the affected joints will gradually reduce your pain

>

>As far as sleep is concerned, I would advise you to drink camomile or

>whitethorn tea before going to bed, as it will help you to relax. Avoid

>

>

>As far as your energy levels are concerned, I have found that diet changes

>are the only thing that will make a real difference,

>

But don't forget that there are systemic treatments with

>a good track record, so search the archives of this discussion group and you

>will find out that many people have had a very positive experience with

>methotrexate, for example.

>

Thanks athan - This is one of the best posts I've read for managing

PA. I've recently experimented with many of your suggestions, the most

recent being cutting out the caffeine, which (I'm sorry to say) has helped

relieve overall stiffness I used to feel, and has definitely helped me

sleep. I still enjoy a good cup of decaf though. A good diet, swimming

and yoga have also been extremely helpful. I'm 31, and have managed the

disease pretty well by following these guidelines, and taking Vioxx daily.

The only thing that REALLY bothers me right now are my feet. Everything

else is great - but my feet bother me so much, I'm actually considering a

DMARD. I'm going to see a specialist about this in a couple of weeks, but

I'd like to get a sense from some real people out there about what finally

pushed you over the edge to start taking a DMARD, and how old you were when

you started. I've also heard people say that Methotrexate, although

effective on controlling the overall symptoms of PA, had little effect on

their feet. Anyone out there with foot problems and solutions - I'd love

to hear from you!!!

Thanks,

Boice

[Guest guest]

I've had the PA for only 3 years. It took 6-7 months beforeit was properly

diagnosed, and a regimen of different med's. But, eventually

went to MTX. Before this, my arthritis was very bad in the knees

and feet. The MTX started workin within 2-3 weeks and I have had

zero problems. Of course I can't overdo walking, and I can't do deep

knee bends, but I have been feeling wonderful. However, the MTX

has side affects which are now my biggest concern. Good luck, RC

Boice wrote:

> >Message: 4

> > Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2000 13:03:27 +0100

> > From: " Pratschke " <jonpr@...>

>

> >You can also help your body to relax by cutting out all artificial

> >stimulants.

>

> >Gentle movement of the affected joints will gradually reduce your pain

> >

> >As far as sleep is concerned, I would advise you to drink camomile or

> >whitethorn tea before going to bed, as it will help you to relax. Avoid

> >

> >

> >As far as your energy levels are concerned, I have found that diet changes

> >are the only thing that will make a real difference,

> >

> But don't forget that there are systemic treatments with

> >a good track record, so search the archives of this discussion group and you

> >will find out that many people have had a very positive experience with

> >methotrexate, for example.

> >

>

> Thanks athan - This is one of the best posts I've read for managing

> PA. I've recently experimented with many of your suggestions, the most

> recent being cutting out the caffeine, which (I'm sorry to say) has helped

> relieve overall stiffness I used to feel, and has definitely helped me

> sleep. I still enjoy a good cup of decaf though. A good diet, swimming

> and yoga have also been extremely helpful. I'm 31, and have managed the

> disease pretty well by following these guidelines, and taking Vioxx daily.

> The only thing that REALLY bothers me right now are my feet. Everything

> else is great - but my feet bother me so much, I'm actually considering a

> DMARD. I'm going to see a specialist about this in a couple of weeks, but

> I'd like to get a sense from some real people out there about what finally

> pushed you over the edge to start taking a DMARD, and how old you were when

> you started. I've also heard people say that Methotrexate, although

> effective on controlling the overall symptoms of PA, had little effect on

> their feet. Anyone out there with foot problems and solutions - I'd love

> to hear from you!!!

>

> Thanks,

>

> Boice

>

>

> Please visit our new web page at:

> http://www.wpunj.edu/icip/pa

>

> This past year had moderated a chat on arthritis at

www.about.com on Thursday evenings and hopes to start up doing so again soon- we

will keep you posted! Meanwhile, if anyone would like to start a weekly chat on

egroups, please contact or . Thanks

[Guest guest]

I'd love to know of a good solution for foot problems too.

[Guest guest]

,

>>>>>>I've also heard people say that Methotrexate, althougheffective on controlling the overall symptoms of PA, had little effect ontheir feet. Anyone out there with foot problems and solutions - I'd loveto hear from you!!!<<<<<<<

To answer to the above question....

I was about 31 when I finally admitted that I had to see a Rheumatologist about my arthritis. My main problems were my hands and my feet. My feet were very bad, and had been for better then 5 years. My Dr. chose the aggressive approach and started me on MTX immediately. Within a couple of months my feet were almost 100% better. They would still give me unending grief if I over did it but just on a normal day they were great.

I've been on MTX for almost 7 years and we recently raised my dosage from 15 to 25mgs per week. The decision to take MTX is a big one, but one that I'd never regret. It's imperative that you are faithful in getting your scheduled blood tests. In fairness to the people that haven't had such good results, MTX can cause severe side effects and some have had serious reactions to it. Gillian being one of them. Recently I've had another joint in my foot go bad, but it's the first problem I've had with my feet in a very long time.

My advice is to really think out your options prior to seeing your doctor. Arm yourself with a list of questions. It's easier to keep on track if you have your questions written down. Read anything you can find on MTX and the other DMARDS. Like said the message archive of this list is an excellent source of information.

Good luck and please keep us posted as to how you are doing.

Becky -- Elko,NV

[ ] Advice for coping /FOOT PROBLEMSThanks athan - This is one of the best posts I've read for managingPA. I've recently experimented with many of your suggestions, the mostrecent being cutting out the caffeine, which (I'm sorry to say) has helpedrelieve overall stiffness I used to feel, and has definitely helped mesleep. I still enjoy a good cup of decaf though. A good diet, swimmingand yoga have also been extremely helpful. I'm 31, and have managed thedisease pretty well by following these guidelines, and taking Vioxx daily.The only thing that REALLY bothers me right now are my feet. Everythingelse is great - but my feet bother me so much, I'm actually considering aDMARD. I'm going to see a specialist about this in a couple of weeks, butI'd like to get a sense from some real people out there about what finallypushed you over the edge to start taking a DMARD, and how old you were whenyou started. I've also heard people say that Methotrexate, althougheffective on controlling the overall symptoms of PA, had little effect ontheir feet. Anyone out there with foot problems and solutions - I'd loveto hear from you!!!Thanks, Boice

[Guest guest]

,

This is so odd because I had completely forgotten this, but all during my college and afterwards, I had major feet problems. I even had an ankle surgery (how this could have slipped my mind is beyond me) I could barely walk a mile, which as you can imagine, in college was a big problem, not to mention I was a waitress. After I got off work and by the time I drove home my feet would be so swollen I could barely get my shoes off and could not walk at all until the next day. At that point in my life, besides my hands, that was the only party of my body seriously affected by the arthritis. After I had my kids, it went hog wild. Anyway, I started the methotrexate steadily when I was 30. Needless to say, since I had completely forgotten that, it did the job, It could be that I don't have to walk as much but I don't think that's it because when my kids were smaller I did quite a bit of running after them.

[Guest guest]

> their feet. Anyone out there with foot problems and solutions -

I'd love

> to hear from you!!!

>

:

I've had PA for about 5 years. Just last summer it appeared in my

feet (ankles, bottom and sides of the heels) and that drove me to the

RD to ask for a DMARD for the first time. He put me on sulfasalazine

(Azulfidine). After being on it for a couple of months it started to

help a lot. The swelling and pain in my ankles has gone down about

90% but not dissapeared. I'm now to the point that I can get by with

2-4 advils a day (on top of the Azulfidine)instead of using Celebrex

or Vioxx and still being in pain. All of the spots that used to hurt

are much better-BUT the ones that have improved the least are the

tendons on the sides and bottom of my feet. I'm not at the max dose

of Azulfidine (3g a day) yet though so I'm hoping when I up it again

things will continue to get better. So, you might want to consider

trying Azulfidine first-it definately does work in some people and

its got the least scary side effect list of the DMARD's.

Is anyone out there with foot involvement using Enbrel? I wonder if

the feet are just harder to get to with any of the drugs or if some

are better?

[Guest guest]

My feet were really painful when this PA started up 10

years ago. What did I do? Walked with a cane,

complained, cried, took ibprofen. When I started

seeing a good Dermatologist who treated my P

aggressively with injections into the plaques with

steriods, both conditions improved. Also loosing some

weight helped me and lots of easy repetative exercise,

like a stationary bicycle, the kind that have a back

rest.

Take care,

--- Becky Raine <braine@...> wrote:

> ,

>

> >>>>>>I've also heard people say that Methotrexate,

> although

> effective on controlling the overall symptoms of PA,

> had little effect on

> their feet. Anyone out there with foot problems and

> solutions - I'd love

> to hear from you!!!<<<<<<<

>

> To answer to the above question....

>

> I was about 31 when I finally admitted that I had to

> see a Rheumatologist about my arthritis. My main

> problems were my hands and my feet. My feet were

> very bad, and had been for better then 5 years. My

> Dr. chose the aggressive approach and started me on

> MTX immediately. Within a couple of months my feet

> were almost 100% better. They would still give me

> unending grief if I over did it but just on a normal

> day they were great.

>

> I've been on MTX for almost 7 years and we recently

> raised my dosage from 15 to 25mgs per week. The

> decision to take MTX is a big one, but one that I'd

> never regret. It's imperative that you are faithful

> in getting your scheduled blood tests. In fairness

> to the people that haven't had such good results,

> MTX can cause severe side effects and some have had

> serious reactions to it. Gillian being one of them.

> Recently I've had another joint in my foot go bad,

> but it's the first problem I've had with my feet in

> a very long time.

>

> My advice is to really think out your options prior

> to seeing your doctor. Arm yourself with a list of

> questions. It's easier to keep on track if you have

> your questions written down. Read anything you can

> find on MTX and the other DMARDS. Like said

> the message archive of this list is an excellent

> source of information.

>

> Good luck and please keep us posted as to how you

> are doing.

>

> Becky -- Elko,NV

>

>

>

> [ ] Advice for coping

> /FOOT PROBLEMS

> Thanks athan - This is one of the best posts

> I've read for managing

> PA. I've recently experimented with many of your

> suggestions, the most

> recent being cutting out the caffeine, which (I'm

> sorry to say) has helped

> relieve overall stiffness I used to feel, and has

> definitely helped me

> sleep. I still enjoy a good cup of decaf though.

> A good diet, swimming

> and yoga have also been extremely helpful. I'm

> 31, and have managed the

> disease pretty well by following these guidelines,

> and taking Vioxx daily.

> The only thing that REALLY bothers me right now

> are my feet. Everything

> else is great - but my feet bother me so much, I'm

> actually considering a

> DMARD. I'm going to see a specialist about this in

> a couple of weeks, but

> I'd like to get a sense from some real people out

> there about what finally

> pushed you over the edge to start taking a DMARD,

> and how old you were when

> you started. I've also heard people say that

> Methotrexate, although

> effective on controlling the overall symptoms of

> PA, had little effect on

> their feet. Anyone out there with foot problems

> and solutions - I'd love

> to hear from you!!!

>

> Thanks,

>

> Boice

>

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