Re: new here and somewhat at a loss for words . . . .

[Guest guest]

Your being “at a loss for words”

does not come through because you are very articulate. It seems to me

that your current treatment is very common. When I was on Ibuprofen I

took that with meals but I don’t remember being instructed to do

so. You might check with a pharmacist or your doctor to see when it

should be taken. I hope your doctors are right about no change in life

style because that is true of some people, but others have changes of life

style to varying degrees. It is import ant to get the disease under

control to slow or stop the joint damage that is likely to happen with

untreated or undertreated RA. Methotrexate is the most commonly used drug

for RA and for many it is all that is needed (with Folic Acid and/or Leucovorin

to replace what is used up by the Methotrexate). I’m not that lucky

so I need to take infusions of Remicade every 8 weeks at a full cost of over $9,000

per infusion. Thank God for good insurance.

Your being scared is very common with any

chronic disease and many people need an antidepressant at least for a while to

cope. I prefer to avoid medications unless they are necessary but

unfortunately several are necessary for me. I hope you get good results

with the Methotrexate. God bless.

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of bonniebaron

Sent: Sunday, April 09, 2006 2:12

PM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject:

new here and somewhat at a loss for words . . . .

.. . . . which when writing is unusual for me but i guess i'm still

trying to come to grips with the diagnosis of ra.

when i went to my

primary-care doc and was finally honest enough to

tell him of the

aches and pains (which i attributed to our horrid

weather lately and

basically just to the aging process) i was surprised

at how many

other questions he asked, then the fact that he

was taking blood to

test for auto-immune diseases. never even entered

my mind that there

really was a physical reason for my general

fatigue and depression.

don't know why not . . . . . the minute my hounds

show personality

or energy changes, off they go to the vet to be

checked, so why not

me ? ? ?

anyhow, bottom line, the test came back positive

for ra. he sent me

to a rheumatologist (i guess you call them

rheumies here, yes ?) who

spent three hours with me, talking, examining,

doing lab work. he's

started me on methotrexate (do i have that right)

and folic acid

(because he said the med decreases what's in my

system) and aciphex

(because i tend to take my aspirins and/or

ibuprofens, which

thankfully are all i need for the pain, on an

empty tummy). he says

i'll prolly take a while to " stabilize "

and for now i have to have

bloodwork every two weeks. he says we can slow

and/or stop the

progression of this disease. they're very positive,

both my regular

doc and this new one.

i'm scared because i've never had to deal with

something like this

before and yet i'm relieved because there's

actually a treatable (or

so i'm told) cause for how i've been feeling

recently. they both say

my lifestyle does not and will not have to change.

i'm hoping

they're right. but i'm having panic attacks. i

guess that's to be

expected . . . . . .

anyhow, i'm bonnie (as can be seen by my addy), i

live in los

angeles with two retired racing greyhounds (who expect

to go for our

three mile walk in the mornings . . . . when of

course it's not

raining), i do yoga in the evenings and i work in

a large lawfirm as

a legal secretary. when not involved with one of

those activites, i

can usually be found with my nose buried in a

book.

please . . . any advice, any comments, anything.

thanks, bonnie/boys

[Guest guest]

Dear Bonnie- It sounds like there will be no major disruption of your life with controlled monitoring. I would speak to the rheumy about a biologic also. That does halt the disease altogether. It is unsettling but it can be treated well and yu can go on with a modest amount of awareness about overdoing it physically. If you can walk 3 miles and work, you are doing well indeed. Hugs, Deborah RA since 1994

On 4/9/06, bonniebaron <bonniebaron@...> wrote:

.. . . . which when writing is unusual for me but i guess i'm stilltrying to come to grips with the diagnosis of ra. when i went to my

primary-care doc and was finally honest enough to tell him of theaches and pains (which i attributed to our horrid weather lately andbasically just to the aging process) i was surprised at how manyother questions he asked, then the fact that he was taking blood to

test for auto-immune diseases. never even entered my mind that therereally was a physical reason for my general fatigue and depression.don't know why not . . . . . the minute my hounds show personalityor energy changes, off they go to the vet to be checked, so why not

me ? ? ?anyhow, bottom line, the test came back positive for ra. he sent meto a rheumatologist (i guess you call them rheumies here, yes ?) whospent three hours with me, talking, examining, doing lab work. he's

started me on methotrexate (do i have that right) and folic acid(because he said the med decreases what's in my system) and aciphex(because i tend to take my aspirins and/or ibuprofens, whichthankfully are all i need for the pain, on an empty tummy). he says

i'll prolly take a while to " stabilize " and for now i have to havebloodwork every two weeks. he says we can slow and/or stop theprogression of this disease. they're very positive, both my regular

doc and this new one.i'm scared because i've never had to deal with something like thisbefore and yet i'm relieved because there's actually a treatable (orso i'm told) cause for how i've been feeling recently. they both say

my lifestyle does not and will not have to change. i'm hopingthey're right. but i'm having panic attacks. i guess that's to beexpected . . . . . .anyhow, i'm bonnie (as can be seen by my addy), i live in los

angeles with two retired racing greyhounds (who expect to go for ourthree mile walk in the mornings . . . . when of course it's notraining), i do yoga in the evenings and i work in a large lawfirm asa legal secretary. when not involved with one of those activites, i

can usually be found with my nose buried in a book.please . . . any advice, any comments, anything.thanks, bonnie/boys

[Guest guest]

It's a wonderful thing that your PC sent you to a Rheumy that spent

3 hours with you on your initial visit. It sounds like they are both

looking out for YOUR best interest as RA does effect everyone

differently and to different degrees.

My medication is Humira and it does well enough that I also just

take over the counter pain relievers like Motrin & Aleve.

Before I was diagnosed in 2002, I told myself that all my aches and

pains were due to overwork (I worked in a warehouse environment). I

was scared when the docs told me I had RA but also relieved that it

wasn't just my job.

It sounds like you generally have a positive personality and enjoy

life-I think that is the best defense we can all have against

anything that life throws at us.

This group is wonderful! Support for each other and lots of

excellent information make for wonderful " medications " that the docs

would prescibe in high doses if they could!!

We are all here anytime you need us!

Sincerely,

Renita

>

> . . . . which when writing is unusual for me but i guess i'm still

> trying to come to grips with the diagnosis of ra. when i went to my

> primary-care doc and was finally honest enough to tell him of the

> aches and pains (which i attributed to our horrid weather lately

and

> basically just to the aging process) i was surprised at how many

> other questions he asked, then the fact that he was taking blood to

> test for auto-immune diseases. never even entered my mind that

there

> really was a physical reason for my general fatigue and depression.

> don't know why not . . . . . the minute my hounds show personality

> or energy changes, off they go to the vet to be checked, so why not

> me ? ? ?

>

> anyhow, bottom line, the test came back positive for ra. he sent me

> to a rheumatologist (i guess you call them rheumies here, yes ?)

who

> spent three hours with me, talking, examining, doing lab work. he's

> started me on methotrexate (do i have that right) and folic acid

> (because he said the med decreases what's in my system) and aciphex

> (because i tend to take my aspirins and/or ibuprofens, which

> thankfully are all i need for the pain, on an empty tummy). he says

> i'll prolly take a while to " stabilize " and for now i have to have

> bloodwork every two weeks. he says we can slow and/or stop the

> progression of this disease. they're very positive, both my regular

> doc and this new one.

>

> i'm scared because i've never had to deal with something like this

> before and yet i'm relieved because there's actually a treatable

(or

> so i'm told) cause for how i've been feeling recently. they both

say

> my lifestyle does not and will not have to change. i'm hoping

> they're right. but i'm having panic attacks. i guess that's to be

> expected . . . . . .

>

> anyhow, i'm bonnie (as can be seen by my addy), i live in los

> angeles with two retired racing greyhounds (who expect to go for

our

> three mile walk in the mornings . . . . when of course it's not

> raining), i do yoga in the evenings and i work in a large lawfirm

as

> a legal secretary. when not involved with one of those activites, i

> can usually be found with my nose buried in a book.

>

> please . . . any advice, any comments, anything.

>

> thanks, bonnie/boys

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie, Hang in there girl ! It is very tough when you first hear this dx. I am a pyscho therapist and still I feel hopeless sometimes....my dx was in Aug '05. Since then I have been taking lots of meds incl methotrexate- my hair is falling out a lot so do take that folic acid because I think I forgot quite a few times...now that I know that my hair is falling out because I did not take it all the time I am religious about it.... still not in remission- I live in OC work in Downey- so If you ever want to commiserate let me know we both are local gals- have a dog also boxer and walk her on the dog beach when I am tired- fatigue is part of my existence now- prednisone made me gain weight- and pain is my constant companion- some people though do get lucky and go into remission - I also give myself shots every week- take care, Jackiebonniebaron <bonniebaron@...> wrote: . . . . which when writing is unusual for me but i guess i'm still trying to come to grips with the diagnosis of ra. when i went to my primary-care doc and was finally honest enough to tell him of the aches and pains (which i attributed to our horrid weather lately and basically just to the aging process) i was surprised at how many other questions he asked, then the fact that he was taking blood to test for auto-immune diseases. never even entered my mind that there really was a physical reason for my general fatigue and depression. don't know why not . . . . . the minute my hounds show personality or energy changes, off they go to the vet to be checked, so why not me ? ? ? anyhow, bottom line, the test came back positive for ra. he sent me to a rheumatologist (i guess you call them rheumies here, yes ?) who spent three hours

with me, talking, examining, doing lab work. he's started me on methotrexate (do i have that right) and folic acid (because he said the med decreases what's in my system) and aciphex (because i tend to take my aspirins and/or ibuprofens, which thankfully are all i need for the pain, on an empty tummy). he says i'll prolly take a while to "stabilize" and for now i have to have bloodwork every two weeks. he says we can slow and/or stop the progression of this disease. they're very positive, both my regular doc and this new one.i'm scared because i've never had to deal with something like this before and yet i'm relieved because there's actually a treatable (or so i'm told) cause for how i've been feeling recently. they both say my lifestyle does not and will not have to change. i'm hoping they're right. but i'm having panic attacks. i guess that's to be expected . . . . . .anyhow, i'm bonnie (as can be seen

by my addy), i live in los angeles with two retired racing greyhounds (who expect to go for our three mile walk in the mornings . . . . when of course it's not raining), i do yoga in the evenings and i work in a large lawfirm as a legal secretary. when not involved with one of those activites, i can usually be found with my nose buried in a book.please . . . any advice, any comments, anything.thanks, bonnie/boys

Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2¢/min with Messenger with Voice.

[Guest guest]

thanks deborah. yeah, i think basically i'm doing okay. just

accepting the idea of ra has been the hardest part because i was so

afraid at first that my entire life would be over. i'm learning, very

quickly, that that isn't the case.

do tell . . . what is a biologic ? ? ? i've never even heard the term

but i'm told the mxt should also stop progression of the disease.

bonnie/boys

> >

> > . . . . which when writing is unusual for me but i guess i'm still

> > trying to come to grips with the diagnosis of ra. when i went to

my

> > primary-care doc and was finally honest enough to tell him of the

> > aches and pains (which i attributed to our horrid weather lately

and

> > basically just to the aging process) i was surprised at how many

> > other questions he asked, then the fact that he was taking blood

to

> > test for auto-immune diseases. never even entered my mind that

there

> > really was a physical reason for my general fatigue and

depression.

> > don't know why not . . . . . the minute my hounds show personality

> > or energy changes, off they go to the vet to be checked, so why

not

> > me ? ? ?

> >

> > anyhow, bottom line, the test came back positive for ra. he sent

me

> > to a rheumatologist (i guess you call them rheumies here, yes ?)

who

> > spent three hours with me, talking, examining, doing lab work.

he's

> > started me on methotrexate (do i have that right) and folic acid

> > (because he said the med decreases what's in my system) and

aciphex

> > (because i tend to take my aspirins and/or ibuprofens, which

> > thankfully are all i need for the pain, on an empty tummy). he

says

> > i'll prolly take a while to " stabilize " and for now i have to have

> > bloodwork every two weeks. he says we can slow and/or stop the

> > progression of this disease. they're very positive, both my

regular

> > doc and this new one.

> >

> > i'm scared because i've never had to deal with something like this

> > before and yet i'm relieved because there's actually a treatable

(or

> > so i'm told) cause for how i've been feeling recently. they both

say

> > my lifestyle does not and will not have to change. i'm hoping

> > they're right. but i'm having panic attacks. i guess that's to be

> > expected . . . . . .

> >

> > anyhow, i'm bonnie (as can be seen by my addy), i live in los

> > angeles with two retired racing greyhounds (who expect to go for

our

> > three mile walk in the mornings . . . . when of course it's not

> > raining), i do yoga in the evenings and i work in a large lawfirm

as

> > a legal secretary. when not involved with one of those activites,

i

> > can usually be found with my nose buried in a book.

> >

> > please . . . any advice, any comments, anything.

> >

> > thanks, bonnie/boys

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

your comment: Before I was diagnosed in 2002, I told myself that all

my aches and pains were due to overwork (I worked in a warehouse

environment). I was scared when the docs told me I had RA but also

relieved that it wasn't just my job.

that hits it right on the head, it's exactly what i thought . . . .

there was a reason for everything but not a " fixable " or treatable

one. now there is . . . . . i guess in a way that's good, yes ? ?

bon/boys

> >

> > . . . . which when writing is unusual for me but i guess i'm

still

> > trying to come to grips with the diagnosis of ra. when i went to

my

> > primary-care doc and was finally honest enough to tell him of the

> > aches and pains (which i attributed to our horrid weather lately

> and

> > basically just to the aging process) i was surprised at how many

> > other questions he asked, then the fact that he was taking blood

to

> > test for auto-immune diseases. never even entered my mind that

> there

> > really was a physical reason for my general fatigue and

depression.

> > don't know why not . . . . . the minute my hounds show

personality

> > or energy changes, off they go to the vet to be checked, so why

not

> > me ? ? ?

> >

> > anyhow, bottom line, the test came back positive for ra. he sent

me

> > to a rheumatologist (i guess you call them rheumies here, yes ?)

> who

> > spent three hours with me, talking, examining, doing lab work.

he's

> > started me on methotrexate (do i have that right) and folic acid

> > (because he said the med decreases what's in my system) and

aciphex

> > (because i tend to take my aspirins and/or ibuprofens, which

> > thankfully are all i need for the pain, on an empty tummy). he

says

> > i'll prolly take a while to " stabilize " and for now i have to

have

> > bloodwork every two weeks. he says we can slow and/or stop the

> > progression of this disease. they're very positive, both my

regular

> > doc and this new one.

> >

> > i'm scared because i've never had to deal with something like

this

> > before and yet i'm relieved because there's actually a treatable

> (or

> > so i'm told) cause for how i've been feeling recently. they both

> say

> > my lifestyle does not and will not have to change. i'm hoping

> > they're right. but i'm having panic attacks. i guess that's to be

> > expected . . . . . .

> >

> > anyhow, i'm bonnie (as can be seen by my addy), i live in los

> > angeles with two retired racing greyhounds (who expect to go for

> our

> > three mile walk in the mornings . . . . when of course it's not

> > raining), i do yoga in the evenings and i work in a large lawfirm

> as

> > a legal secretary. when not involved with one of those activites,

i

> > can usually be found with my nose buried in a book.

> >

> > please . . . any advice, any comments, anything.

> >

> > thanks, bonnie/boys

> >

>

[Guest guest]

http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DrugGuide/index.asp

This link is to a good general discussion

of arthritis medicines. However, it is for last year and doesn’t

include the two most recently approved biologics – Orencia (Abatacept)

and Rituxan (Rituximab). The links will eventually take you to the

specific medications.

For other drugs and for drug interactions

I like http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Home

Let us know if you have other questions. God bless.

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of bonniebaron

Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2006

4:56 PM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject:

Re: new here and somewhat at a loss for words . . . .

thanks deborah. yeah, i think basically i'm doing okay. just

accepting the idea of ra has been the hardest part

because i was so

afraid at first that my entire life would be over.

i'm learning, very

quickly, that that isn't the case.

do tell . . . what is a biologic ? ? ? i've never

even heard the term

but i'm told the mxt should also stop progression

of the disease.

bonnie/boys

[Guest guest]

thanks harold. i actually went through that site over an entire

weekend after my pcp gave me the diagnosis and before i got into see

my rheumatologist the following week. i found it quite informative

and it relieved some of my bigger fears about the disease. it was

nice to hear my doctor confirm (and explain) quite a bit of what i

read also.

bon/boys

>

> http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DrugGuide/index.asp

>

> This link is to a good general discussion of arthritis medicines.

However,

> it is for last year and doesn't include the two most recently

approved

> biologics - Orencia (Abatacept) and Rituxan (Rituximab). The links

will

> eventually take you to the specific medications.

>

> For other drugs and for drug interactions I like

> http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Home Let us know if you have other

questions.

> God bless.

>

>

>

> _____

>

> From: Rheumatoid Arthritis

> [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of

bonniebaron

> Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2006 4:56 PM

> Rheumatoid Arthritis

> Subject: Re: new here and somewhat at a loss

for

> words . . . .

>

>

>

> thanks deborah. yeah, i think basically i'm doing okay. just

> accepting the idea of ra has been the hardest part because i was so

> afraid at first that my entire life would be over. i'm learning,

very

> quickly, that that isn't the case.

>

> do tell . . . what is a biologic ? ? ? i've never even heard the

term

> but i'm told the mxt should also stop progression of the disease.

>

> bonnie/boys

>

[Guest guest]

Bonnie- I used to live in LA and went to OC once but couldnt find it again unless I was driven there by someone. CA is so vast. I live in Maine now, and as vast as that state is, You cant ever really get lost because we have only one major artery connecting all the eastern states. In LA you have a gazillion. 405, 101..........I could barely get out of woodland hills to hollywood without getting lost. All those canyons. Zoikes. I will say in my defense, If i got on the 101 going north I would eventually hit ventura county. Thats about it. Your not the only one challenged. Maps and I take a recon trip just to be sure I know where to go before hand. Hugs, Deborah

On 4/14/06, bonniebaron <bonniebaron@...> wrote:

will do . . . but i warn you, i'm geographically challenged and noteven sure where orange county is. our adoption group is headquartered

in la habra heights and for the first couple years, i thought thatwas orange county until someone told me i was still in l.a.hugs, bon/boys> > . . . . which when writing is unusual for me but i guess i'm

> still> > trying to come to grips with the diagnosis of ra. when i went tomy> > primary-care doc and was finally honest enough to tell him of the> > aches and pains (which i attributed to our horrid weather lately

> and> > basically just to the aging process) i was surprised at how many> > other questions he asked, then the fact that he was taking bloodto> > test for auto-immune diseases. never even entered my mind that

> there> > really was a physical reason for my general fatigue anddepression.> > don't know why not . . . . . the minute my hounds showpersonality> > or energy changes, off they go to the vet to be checked, so why

not> > me ? ? ?> >> > anyhow, bottom line, the test came back positive for ra. he sentme> > to a rheumatologist (i guess you call them rheumies here, yes ?)> who> > spent three hours with me, talking, examining, doing lab work.

he's> > started me on methotrexate (do i have that right) and folic acid> > (because he said the med decreases what's in my system) andaciphex> > (because i tend to take my aspirins and/or ibuprofens, which

> > thankfully are all i need for the pain, on an empty tummy). hesays> > i'll prolly take a while to " stabilize " and for now i have tohave> > bloodwork every two weeks. he says we can slow and/or stop the

> > progression of this disease. they're very positive, both myregular> > doc and this new one.> >> > i'm scared because i've never had to deal with something likethis> > before and yet i'm relieved because there's actually a treatable

> (or> > so i'm told) cause for how i've been feeling recently. they both> say> > my lifestyle does not and will not have to change. i'm hoping> > they're right. but i'm having panic attacks. i guess that's to be

> > expected . . . . . .> >> > anyhow, i'm bonnie (as can be seen by my addy), i live in los> > angeles with two retired racing greyhounds (who expect to go for> our> > three mile walk in the mornings . . . . when of course it's not

> > raining), i do yoga in the evenings and i work in a large lawfirm> as> > a legal secretary. when not involved with one of those activites,i> > can usually be found with my nose buried in a book.

> >> > please . . . any advice, any comments, anything.> >> > thanks, bonnie/boys> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > ---------------------------------

> > ! GROUPS LINKS> >> >> > Visit your group " Rheumatoid Arthritis " on the web.> >> >

[Guest guest]

LOLOLOLOL ! ! ! ! so glad to know i'm not alone <g> i actually do

okay in the valley and on the west side, it's only when i actually

have to leave l.a. county that i'm totally hopeless.

hugs, b/b

> > > > . . . . which when writing is unusual for me but i guess i'm

> > > still

> > > > trying to come to grips with the diagnosis of ra. when i went

to

> > my

> > > > primary-care doc and was finally honest enough to tell him of

the

> > > > aches and pains (which i attributed to our horrid weather

lately

> > > and

> > > > basically just to the aging process) i was surprised at how

many

> > > > other questions he asked, then the fact that he was taking

blood

> > to

> > > > test for auto-immune diseases. never even entered my mind that

> > > there

> > > > really was a physical reason for my general fatigue and

> > depression.

> > > > don't know why not . . . . . the minute my hounds show

> > personality

> > > > or energy changes, off they go to the vet to be checked, so

why

> > not

> > > > me ? ? ?

> > > >

> > > > anyhow, bottom line, the test came back positive for ra. he

sent

> > me

> > > > to a rheumatologist (i guess you call them rheumies here,

yes ?)

> > > who

> > > > spent three hours with me, talking, examining, doing lab work.

> > he's

> > > > started me on methotrexate (do i have that right) and folic

acid

> > > > (because he said the med decreases what's in my system) and

> > aciphex

> > > > (because i tend to take my aspirins and/or ibuprofens, which

> > > > thankfully are all i need for the pain, on an empty tummy). he

> > says

> > > > i'll prolly take a while to " stabilize " and for now i have to

> > have

> > > > bloodwork every two weeks. he says we can slow and/or stop the

> > > > progression of this disease. they're very positive, both my

> > regular

> > > > doc and this new one.

> > > >

> > > > i'm scared because i've never had to deal with something like

> > this

> > > > before and yet i'm relieved because there's actually a

treatable

> > > (or

> > > > so i'm told) cause for how i've been feeling recently. they

both

> > > say

> > > > my lifestyle does not and will not have to change. i'm hoping

> > > > they're right. but i'm having panic attacks. i guess that's

to be

> > > > expected . . . . . .

> > > >

> > > > anyhow, i'm bonnie (as can be seen by my addy), i live in los

> > > > angeles with two retired racing greyhounds (who expect to go

for

> > > our

> > > > three mile walk in the mornings . . . . when of course it's

not

> > > > raining), i do yoga in the evenings and i work in a large

lawfirm

> > > as

> > > > a legal secretary. when not involved with one of those

activites,

> > i

> > > > can usually be found with my nose buried in a book.

> > > >

> > > > please . . . any advice, any comments, anything.

> > > >

> > > > thanks, bonnie/boys

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > ---------------------------------

> > > > ! GROUPS LINKS

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Visit your group " Rheumatoid Arthritis " on the web.

> > > >

> > > >