Hi Im New Here and Newly Diagnosed......Help!!!!!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/28/2004 10:39:17 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

smilin4dannme2002@... writes:

Has anyone been to docs like this..

Vickey...we have all been there with the horrible doctors...my first rheumy

told me to go see a psychiatrist:-)

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicky

Welcome to the group.

Sorry to hear of your ordeal. I personally am not on Enbrel, but I am sure

those that are will give you great support.

I did see at least two orthopedic physicians that definitely misdiagnosed me

and told me nothing was wrong. I was luck in being referred to a great one

after that and he recommended a rheumatologist.

Fortunately, she was absolutely awesome. She is outstanding and diagnosed me

almost at the first visit after ruling out other things through blood work

and x-rays.

Please keep us posted as to what is going on.

Barb

[Guest guest]

Hi Vickey and welcome to the group.

Sorry that you had to join us if you know what I mean. At least you now have

something to work on. It sounds like you have a good Rheumy this time so

good luck with whatever road you take from here on in.

I am on MTX and just started Enbrel two weeks ago. The MTX didn't seem to

make too much difference to me when I was taking it along with Ciclosporin but a

lot of people seem to have great results with it on its own. I have just

taken my fourth Enbrel injection so hopefully that along with the MTX will work

wonders eventually.

I am sorry that you went through such a tough time getting this diagnosed

and that you didn't get the backup you should have from your family. It is

difficult enough to deal with without people making you feel guilty for having

it.

I will let some of the others answer on your worries about side effects.

They are much better at it than me. I started to answer there but ended up

writing a load of rubbish (Its not like me....... Right! .............who said

" Oh yes it is? " lol)

Hope you get the info and advice you are looking for.

Good luck,

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I just joined this group and was finally diagnosed with psoriatic

arthritis on Dec. 23rd...I will try and tell my story in as short of

form as possible gut it is long...In 1985 I was bitten by a brown

recluse spider...after that I began to hurt in my joints severly so

badly I could not walk without assistance for several days...I was

tested for several things including serum sickness from the

bite...the dr I saw was only a internal med doc I did not see a rh.

he said you have a little arthralgia??? gee what is that? and why?

He could not answer my questions so I did not go back to him...I

eventually started to improve on antiinflammatory meds and

steroids... The pain continued on without answers but I began to

learn to live with the pain...What choice do you have when everyone

you see just gives you this blank stare like I dont know why you are

complaining I cant find anything wrong look...In 1988 I all of a

sudden could not open my jaw one day and around my neck was

extremely swollen...I looked like the hunch back of notre dame...I

am not joking about that...I went to the doctor and he said that is

just some FAT...I left out of there just fuming...My jaw was locked

up and I had never had a hump on the back of my neck before in my

life...

Has anyone been to docs like this..I finally got to the right doc

and was diagnosed with tmj and was treated with that and my symptoms

there improved...but Istill had joint pain everywhere else..Istill

had no anawers..In 1989 Ifinally saw the first rheumatologoist...He

said you have fibromyalgia, scoliosis, and you are double jointed...

I went to see him one more time but his regimen was not working...I

was still in pain..He left our town so there I was again with no

doc. I continued on and saw some more quacks and I really believed

all this time that I really had fibromyalgia...and I may have it Im

not real sure...I learned how to pace myself and was only in the bed

about a couple of days every 2 months...

I had something devestating happen in my family and I went into a

downward spiral for about 9 months and lost my job my home

everything..Please understand through this I also divorced because

my husband could not deal with me anymore and we have a daughter who

I took care of and still do...she is now 12..but then she was small

and needed me to be in better shape than I was..anyway..I went thru

about 2 more rh. docs who were no good and I gave up on them...I

even filed for disability because I didnt know what else to do and

the rest of my family didnt understand and had come to the

conclusion I was a lazy bum and a no good mother...

In 2002 I met a wonderful man who I am married to now and we are

very happy together but Istill have pain but I have support...We

have a 17 month old son that I had a really tough time carrying but

I made it and I am so proud of both of my children...

I was also recently diagnosed with adenomyosis which is a disease

that attacks the uterus so I will have a hysterectomy in the near

future..but I saw a wonderful rh. on the 23rd and she could not

believe no one has diagnosed me sith pa before because my hand have

the deformity, I have psoriasis really bad and the whole works...

Well that is the short version...Now what do I do...she recommends

enbrel for me...but I am scared after she reviewed to potential

risks involved but she assured me that she would monitor me close..

I go back on Jan 6th to give her my answer...Anyone take enbrel or

any of the other drus like MTX...Tell me your experience...please.

I would love to hear from anyone and your experience...

I gotta go...

Later,

Vickey

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicky, Welcome to the group. You will find a lot of help here

and good info. I have PA and have had 4 weeks of MTX without the

first side effect. After I have taken the MTX for 2 or 3 months

then I will be also started on Enbrel or Remicade. I was scared to

death to start the MTX because of all the potential side effects,

but some good people here encouraged me to jump on in and take it.

I can't really tell yet if it is doing any good, but hopefully I

will soon be able to see some improvement. Good luck. Hang in

there and give the MTX and Enbrel a chance...it could change your

life!

Sharon

>

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I just joined this group and was finally diagnosed with psoriatic

> arthritis on Dec. 23rd...I will try and tell my story in as short

of

[Guest guest]

If your insurance will cover it go with the enbrel. I was on mtx for many years

and it finally

quit working with a major flare up this past summer - can you say one step away

from a

wheelchair? I am now on enbrel and had an immediate response from the drug from

the

first injection. It is working so well that I can snowboard (with a kneebrace

on)!!!

As far as the negative side affects that can occur. I will take my chances with

that. We can

fight this disease head on or we loose all of our joints by not doing anything.

Good luck.

I take two injections of enbrel a week along with three daily doses of

indomethecine.

Tom in Anchorage @43 degrees F and rain in January? And this is winter?

[Guest guest]

That's great Tom. Hearing that gives me hope.

Keep it up.