Misc

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone - Regarding exercising, the first thing my Dr recommended

to me was to get into a water aerobics class. She had arthritis too

so I feel she knew what I was going through.

Also, she prescribed a paraffin wax dip and my insurance paid for it.

This one was $140, but they have come down a lot. At first I used it

a lot but only when my knuckles turned red and hurt severely. That's

really only when it did any good. I would dip and wrap them in saran

wrap and into mitts and it felt so good! Unfortunately my husband

kept unplugging it so it was never ready when I was. I finally put it

in the closet. By then, though, my meds had kicked in so I really

didn't need it anymore.

I too, felt methotrexate was too strong to take and I weaned myself

off it. I was so proud and when I told my rheumy he said fine, but

that mtx actually stopped the progression of the damage and helped

with the psoriasis. At the time I was experiencing a lot of trouble

with the psoriasis so now I am back on it. I read on one website that

mtx doesn't do nearly as much good (for psoriasis) unless one takes

at least 15 mg per week so decided I would give it a try this week

and after only one week I can see the difference so that will be my

next discussion with the Dr.

Regarding injections in the leg, I found if you squeeze the skin up

to give the enbrel injection, it goes in much better. But I have

switched over to the mtx pills because they really don't give me any

trouble with my stomach. I just couldn't stand the thought of

sticking that 1 " needle in my leg, even once a week. I dreaded it so

much I sometimes didn't take it as I should have.

Everybody take care. J