Re:lots of sharing

[Guest guest]

Hi All! There were really some thought provoking posts on the last

digest and I'm motivated to add my 2 cents!

Amy--I, too have tried the mouthwash when I had mouth sores. My

doc and pharmacist called it " Magic mouthwash " Sounded silly to

me but it worked.

RE: infection and flares--it has been my experience that any type

of illness, stress, surgery, etc. can set off a big or little flare for me.

I've read that many times here from others as well. Sometimes I

don't go into a flare after one of these events and I am relieved.

Other times I flare w/o any good explanation and that is when it

REALLY bothers me. Somehow if I can blame some event or

activity I feel better about it. I feel so out of control when things

rapidly change for the worse and there is no answer to WHY?

Someone asked about taking MTX and still needing something

else. It is common practice to mix MTX with other DMARDs. I

have been on plaquinil w/ MTX for 2 years. Plaquinil is about the

only drug I don't have some side effect from! Arava and Enbrel are

also often given with MTX. COncerning ARAVA--my rheumy says

that in his experience so far, a significant number of his patients

have diarrhea with Arava. The manufacturer's labelling indicates it

is an infrequent side effect but in at least one busy practice it is

more frequent.

Memory--I find that my memory and concentration are completely

shot when I am fatigued. It can be so bad I can't concentrate

enough to write checks and pay bills. I have learned that I need 10

hours sleep to function and that is a need when I am not even

working outside the home. If I can't sleep 10 hours at night, I

MUST plan for napping to make it through the day with any

productivity. This comes from someone who always lived before on

6 hours a night. " Lifestyle changes " doesn't begin to express what I

have learned and changed in the last 4 years. I have been labelled

" severe " and many days I feel that way! Overall though, I am

moving pretty well, controlling the pain, and I look " fine " LOL. This

is accomplished by taking care of myself, educating myself, taking

many medications that I have chosen, and having some wonderful

support people in my life.

Blessings to all--LaRita

Thought from LaRita

" The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new

discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!) but 'That's funny ...' "

-- Isaac Asimov