Rheumatoid Arthritis

Hi,
I thought that some members of this group might be interested
in a new website called Remedyfind, where you can rate and
review the effectiveness of the different treatments that are used
for conditions such as FMS and Arthritis. Remedyfind is an
independent, objective and non-sponsored site that allows
individuals and healthcare professionals to rate the
effectiveness of the different treatments they have used for
specific health conditions. I've had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
since 1982 (before there was a real name for
it), so the site is born out of my frustrations at finding unbiased
information on which health treatments work, and which don't.
FMS and Arthritis are 2 of the 9 conditions that I'm
starting out with. I've spent a lot of time researching the various
types of treatments (remedies) - from prescription medications
to nutritional supplements and alternative therapies - and I'm
hoping the site will help define which treatments are truly the
most effective for large numbers of us.
We'd be honored if you would rate some of the treatments you
have used - the more ratings the more helpful the site will be to
others who suffer from FMS and Arthritis. You can rate
anonymously if you like, or you can register and get some
additional options at the site. I've tried to make the list of FMS
and Arthritis treatments pretty comprehensive, but no doubt
have missed many - your suggestions are most welcome.
Thanks, Brett Hodges
http://www.remedyfind.com
(There is a problem accessing the site for users of Netscape 4.5
and earlier. More recent versions of Netscape, and users of
Microsoft Internet Explorer seem to work fine).

This is a great site to find information about Ankylosing Spondylitis
and other forms of Arthritis.

Has anyone heard of "NuVim?" I came across it in the grocery store,
the carton reads...

Micro-nutrient, protein, vitamin & mineral supplement
NuVim be health & energetic
Helps build Strong Total Immune System,
Supports total Muscle flexibility,
Promotes Sturdy Joints

(....and a bunch of other information)

It comes in great flavors such as Orange-Tangerine, Strawberry
Vanilla, etc..

Only 60 calories per 8 ounce serving, contains 240 mg of SODIUM,
carbohydrate, protein, vitamin C - E - B12, Calcium Iron Zinc,
LactoActin & LactoMune....

I think the sodium content is very high!

Any Comments on this product; has anyone heard of it or even tried it
for the 45 recommended days???? Ive have taken it off and on for a few days, Ive notice the sodium to be highly apparent.

Need some feedback..
Rana

What does it mean if your RF has increased X 2, and what is considered high?
I was just above the lowest positive amount when I first found out I had RF
but now is at double that amount, after two years of being under the care of
rheumatologists & medications. I wondered if this could help me on my
second disability application even though they have denied me on that too up
to appeal for reconsideration & turned over to attorney now. It's at 250
now but I don't know if that is high enough. My CRP was increased & I'm
sure if these two things were going on, my sed rate was increased too. This
was on Feb 1st.
Donna B.

My 20 year old daughter has recently been diagnosed with RA (last 2
monthes.)My question is what is a normal SED rate. As it rises what
does it mean. Where is it dangerous. If it is dangerous Why?
Thank-you scared parent Beth

I'm back again with another question. I've been exhausted lately due
to the Holidays (haven't we all!). anyway, it seems like everytime I
get really tired I develop pain in my upper back that is so bad, I
have to do shallow breathing to avoid the pain. I aksed my rheumy
about that once and he said RA usually affect the lower back. but I
remember reading about inflammation of the lungs and/or heart with
RA. I just don't know what kind of doctor to go to for this. If I lie
down with a heating pad for 20 minutes, it usually goes away. I'm
baffled??????? It could be a muscle, a disc problem, a heart problem,
a lung problem, an inflammation problem...........
Terry

Goodness!! I know its been a long time since I have posted here but
where has everyone gone? I hope you all are doing well. I have a bit
of a unique problem that I was wondering if anyone else has
experienced. About two years ago I had a bout of entire body
weakness, inability to walk, falling without any warning, inability
to get up out of bed, chair, unable to raise both arms above level of
shoulders. Thank goodness it was caught soon enough that I did not
have to be hospitalized. I was put on 60 mg of prednisone (Ug!!),
and a total of 20 mg of Methatrexate for about nine months. I am now
down to 8 mg of prednisone and off the Meth. My problem is that my
periods are screwed up big time (I'm only 36) and I have had a
problem with double vision (not constant). I have had a complete eye
exam, including a visual field. Everything normal (for a change).
My pcp wants to do an MRI to rule out a tumor on my pitutary gland.
He is not sure if the meds are the problem or not. I am currently on
200 mg of Plaquenil, 8 mg of prednisone, Prilosec equlivent, norflex
& sleeping pill. Anyone else have any experience with this??
Sue

I'm still in the first few months of diagnosis with rheumatoid
arthritis so I haven't experienced very much of it yet. Last night
was the first night that this happened. In the middle of the night
my right hand was in the curved position and when I went to open my
hand, my middle finger wouldn't move! It was so painful to try and
unbend it! Then when I did, I couldn't bend it again! Today it was
stiff and a little swollen but not too painful. Is this common with
RA? Does it hit like one finger at a time and does it happen out of
the blue? One day your joint is fine, and the next day you can't move
it, and the next day it's ok again? Kinda weird!
Terry

Have any of you tried minocycline? I came across this web site and it
is quite interesting.all of you taking Prednisone and methotrexate
check this out. http://www. drmirkin.com/joints/8178.html.
Mary

I haven"t posted in awhile. To the new folks my name is Mary and I am
from Tennessee.
I"ve had pain in every join for over a year now. Have not had any
luck until the last month on seeing someone besides my MD.
Finnally I said this is enough I called up my MD and told him i need
to see a rheumatologist. Get this he send me to the Bone & Joint
center.
The Dr. I saw there told I need a rheumatologist ASAP. The referral
has to go thur. my MD, so my appoint. is in Jan. 2001.
Mean while I've had a lot of trouble with my eyes with swelling ,
redness, infection first in one eye then the other. I have been to 5
differnt DRs. They all gave me differnt diagnoses. I have been very
intrested in finding out what kind of problems you have, how all this
affects the eyes.

Please take me off of your E-group mailing list.
Thank you,
Von Hansen
vhansen@...

Patty,
I think you misunderstood me. As I said in my
description, natural alternatives can me extremely
helpful when treating symptoms such as swelling,
inflammation, and pain. I have been a nurse for quite
a while and I can tell you-when a prescription drug
makes you feel wonderful and returns an extreme amount
of quality back into your life, you don't care if it
only helped 40% of a group for scientific study and
didn't help 60%. Same thing with supplements. From
experience these controlled studies on herbs are much
fewer in number because drug companies OFTEN fund
them. People buying herbs greatly affects their
profit margin. My point for sharing my natural help
success was only to help someone else if they are like
me, in that 40% of which Colostrum helped. In study
cases, found right on the internet, colostrum did help
with immune system results and irregularities about
40% of the time. If myself or you are may be in that
40%, I say try it. We try Celebrex and vioxx not
knowing if it will help or not so why not try it? I
even said I don't intend to give the idea that it will
help everybody. BUT if it works for only 1 other
person, I am glad I helped. You say that symptom
relief isn't the same as stopping the disease. Of
course it isn't but if you can take something cheaper
like colostrum and omega oils, and get an amazing
amount of quality life back-why complain because it
doesn't stop the disease. Millions of dollars are
spent on symptom control such as vioxx, celebrex,
prozac, even tylenol. As far as we know nothing does
stop RA yet. We need to keep good spirit and share
what helps our quality of life! If you live everyday
thinking there's no cure and you can't stop this
disease, you will now have another
diagnosis-depression! It seems that you are upset you
thought you were helping yourself but found out you
were worse off. I certainly feel for you and hope you
recover. BUT people are taking symptom control drugs
and they are maybe only helping a little or are
causing side affects. My only intention was to
say-Hey you might want to try this in case it helps
you like me. I don't want to sit around thinking about
if I will be in a wheel chair later. I want to live
life now with the greatest quality of life possible!
I'm excited that the 2 supplements colostrum and
omega's have given me a great deal of amazing results
and the fact that they are less expensive than Vioxx
or others is a bonus! Of course you are going to hear
more information and positive studies on prescription
drugs. It's not exactly just the Docs fault but
pharmaceutical companies give "breaks" on different
drugs. Even a rheumatologist said to me a month ago
he has been prescribing celebrex to patients who need
more because insurance companies won't approve
stronger meds. Why?? His answer-because since
celebrex is new, the pharmaceutical companies are
giving medical offices cheaper prices than say
Plaquenil, to push their new products. For those of
you in healthcare, you know what I am talking about.
After I began managing a mental health facility, I
found out that quite a few patients were overdosed on
Clozaril just because the psychiatrist was getting
pharmaceutcal kick-backs for the amount of Clozaril
she prescribed. I am sorry to say it happens. I
don't sell drugs and am not profiting in any way from
saying this helped me. I just want to give someone
else back the quality of life they may have lost. The
2 supplements mentioned did wonders for me. Also when
I stated dry mouth as the oonly side affect for my
natural comb, I never said herbs don't have strong
side affects. You misunderstood. I stated that FOR
ME, colostrum and vioxx gave me a large amount of side
affects compared to the 2 supplements I take. I never
made a comparison of ALL prescriptions campared to ALL
herbs! I am well aware of the other herbs causing side
affects. I was being very specific!! Next time you
wish to attack portions of my letter to the group,
please ask me so you fully understand my point in the
first place. You cannot blame the progression of your
disease on herbs only. Progression is different for
many people. You honestly could have taken large
doses of DMARD drugs and STILL be where you are
today.. I sincerely hope that you find something that
helps you.
Sincerely, Roseanne*

Seems like the discussions are fairly lively and interactive, which
is good.In my case , what we have learned from x-rays is that my left
hip will need replaced in the future, due to nearly all the
cartilidge being gone from the RA process. In addition my right elbow
has damage and has limited use now. From the bone density scan , my
rght ankle has shown signs of erosion of the joint (this is the ankle
that is generally difficult to walk on).......... Now since i've been
on methotrexate I've had one nasty sinus infection and a bacterial
infection.Since this DMARD can lower your system resistence, you can
be suspectible to other illnesses..........This is not an easy
disease process to contend with. I throw these tidbits out for
general info.Has anyone else noticed this susceptibility to other
ilnesses with methotrexate, enbrel, or remicade?.......thanks .pk

YES! Natural alternatives can be cheaper than
prescriptions. The oils I buy are $14 and that lasts
2 months. The colostrum I buy is $12 a month. Both
have been a tremendous help to me. They can possibly
help some of you. Many people forget that it is the
inflammation that often causes alot of RA damage.
ALSO many prescription drugs have been proven to cause
"other" problems and symptoms. Natural alternatives
do of course cause some side affects but the oils and
colostrum only have dry mouth as a side affect. FAR
cry from kidney and liver problems. I am not saying
to anybody, go off your prescriptions and buy a bunch
of herbs. I am saying maybe like myself, you can get
relief with cheaper and more effective alternatives
for the pain, swelling, and other symptoms. Colostrum,
for example, has been shown to correct and balance
immune system disorders. That is exactly what some RA
drugs including DMARDS try to do, such as antibiotic
therapy. If I can achieve the same results naturally
with less side affects, and cheaper costs, I am going
to do it. You can buy the best glucosamine and other
top of the line herbal products. That is 1 BIG reason
people say herbs are expensive. You don't always need
to do that!! I use the essential oils and
colostrum-Cheap & Effective for me. I understand it
may not work for some people. BUT its a cheap chance
and I am so glad I took it!
Roseanne

Hello Terry and everybody else. I was severely anemic
for 3 years. I went to UPMC, our premier hospital
here in Pennsylvania. I was on the best most
expensive medication and still my blood work would not
go up. Then I started looking for myself when they
started talking about a blood transfusion. I quickly
learned about herbs and tried them out of despiration.
Two months later, my Doctor was astounded. She said
I can't believe the pills are finally working!! I
then told her I had only been taking 1 herbal
combination for the past 2 months, and nothing else.
She stood there stunned. I actually cured myself of
anemia with some studying. The herbal formula I used
was "Blood Boosters." I quickly got more energy and
started to feel like myself again. A year later I
found out I have RA. I have started essential oils
and colostrum. Both of which have helped me with
pain, swelling, and energy more than any prescription
drugs I have tried. I realize this may not be for
everybody. But natural ways have worked for me many
times!! After starting the essential oils and
colostrum, I can type at warp speed again. They are
also ALOT cheaper than the other drugs. Now I study
herbs and being a nurse, I never would have thought of
any other treatments than the Doctor prescribes. When
they couldn't help, I found a world of natural
medicines that saved me! Before starting any heavy
duty medications, you may want to try a natural way to
prevent damage. Luckily I don't suffer from alot of
side affects with the colostrum and essential oils.
You can do a search for colostrum and essential oils
to read about their wonderful effects for RA. I never
would have believed it. I do now!! By the way, I
tried Plaquenil, vioxx, and celebrex. Still, I
noticed immediate changes with the colostrum and
essential oils. With the others, I noticed side
affects and minor relief. Just thought my story might
help someone.
Roseanne**

In a message dated 11/10/2000 10:40:26 AM Eastern Standard Time,
kozlowskip@... writes:

, BUT THE LONG TERM
ISSUE IS IF YOU DO NOTHING, AND RA IS A SYSTEMIC DISEASE, OTHER VITAL
ORGANS CAN POSSIBLY BE SUBJECTED TO IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE SUCH AS
HEART, KIDNEY, LUNGS, LIVER. THIS IS NO DISEASE TO FOOL AROUND

I wonder if I got the right advice from my rheumatologist this week. I am
newly diagnosed with RA because of mild joint pain. My blood showed the RA
factor and a lot of inflammation and anti body production. My Doc says that
he doesn't want to rush into any meds for me because I'm not in much pain or
swelling. He says that he wants to see if this disease will go into remission
on its own before we start fooling around with drugs. Has anyone elses doc
told them this? Now I'm wondering about hidden organ damage. He wants to see
me every 3 months to check on things. Does that sound reasonable?
Does anyone else have anemia as a result of their RA? What can be done about
the fatigue ? I was thinking of seeing a nutritionist or a doc that
specializes in "the blood". I don't know if I trust my rheumatologist.
Terry

I WAS SCHEDULED TO SEE MY RHEUMATOLOGIST ON 11/8/00 . ONE OF THE
PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING WAS A PERSISTENT ITCH, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS FROM
THE ACTENOL I HAVE BEEN TAKING TO HELP IN THE RESTORATION OF CALCIUM
BUILDUP IN THE BONE FOR BONE DENSITY (LOSS OF BONE DENSITY
=OSTEOPENIA). WHAT THE ITCH IS FROM IS AN INFECTION WHICH, DUE TO THE
LOWER SYSTEM RESISTENCE THAT COMES WITH METHOTREXATE, HAS CAUSED
THIS. THIS WILL BE TREATED SEPERATELY. ADDITIONALLY WITH METHOTREXATE
THE LIVER ENZYMES ARE MONITORED. DUE TO MY RECENT BLOODWORK , ONE OF
THESE ENZYMES IS ELEVATED AND THUS WE WILL HAVE TO CUT BACK ON THE
METHOTREXATE 7.5 MG (1/WEEK). CURRENTLY I'M ON PREDISONE (10MG PER
DAY) AND THE BIG OBJECTIVE IS TO GET OFF THIS COMPLETELY. (SIDE
EFFECT =THIS PREDISCONE HAS ELEVATED MY BLOOD PRESSURE, SINCE I'VE
BEEN ON IT.)SO BEING SOMEWHAT FRUSTRATED BY THESE RESULTS, I ASKED
WHAT IF I GO BACK TO SQUARE ONE AND GET OFF EVERYTHING. THE IMMEDIATE
PROBLEM WILL BE MASSIVE JOINT FLARE UP AND PAIN, BUT THE LONG TERM
ISSUE IS IF YOU DO NOTHING, AND RA IS A SYSTEMIC DISEASE, OTHER VITAL
ORGANS CAN POSSIBLY BE SUBJECTED TO IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE SUCH AS
HEART, KIDNEY, LUNGS, LIVER. THIS IS NO DISEASE TO FOOL AROUND WITH,
BY TAKING THE DO NOTHING APPROACH. THE JOINTS ARE SOMEWHAT OF A
SECONDARY ISSUE , COMPARED TO POTENTIAL INTERNAL ORGAN DAMAGE. I ALSO
ASKED WHAT ABOUT THE RECENT NEWS WITH THE BRITISH DOCTORS ON THE
APPLICATION OF RITUXIMAB, AND HIS OPINION IS THAT DON'T TAKE THIS TOO
SERIOUS AT THIS TIME. THE BOTTOM LINE IS IF YOU HAVE RA YOU NEED TO
BE TUNED INTO A RHUEMATOLOGIST TO PROVIDE THE RIGHT MEDS TO REGULATE
THE DISEASE. AS WE KNOW THERE IS NO CURE YET. HANG IN THERE
FOLKS!..PK

AFTER RECEIVING THE INFO FROM OUR BRITISH FRIEND ON THE RECENT
DEVELOPEMENTS FOR RA , WITH REGARD TO RITUXIMAB, I WENT TO A MEDICAL
WEBSITE TO PULL UP FURTHER INFO ON THIS DRUG. FROM THE WEB SITE
http://pharminfo.com/medwatch/mwrpt66.html, was a warning from
Genentech,Inc. and IDEC Pharmaceuticals about certain fatalities
that occured in lymphoma cases.I can't attach so i suggest others
pull it up for info..........pk

Hi,
I have receive your letter last week. But i don't know who are you?? You
haven't tell me what's your name and where are you come from? I am 26 years
old and come from Hong Kong in Asia. I got RA from 1998 winter. And also I
received a hand surgery since last year. Thanks for your information about
Rheumtoid Arthritis. I heard that there had some successful scientific
methods about RA medicine in Canada. Do you know what is this?? The medicine
name is (Etanercept) which have less side effects.Can you help me to ask
your doctor about this medicine??
Thank you for your help!!

I'VE HAD RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS FOR 11 YEARS. I'M CURRENTLY 48 YEARS
OLD. THE MEDICINES I'VE BEEN ON WERE VARIOUS NSAIDS WHICH NO LONGER
HELP: DISALCID;TRILICATE;RELAFIN;CELEBREX;VIOXX. CURRENTLY UNDER A
RHEUMATOLOGIST'S CARE AND AM ON 10 MG OF METHOTREXATE (1/WEEK); 10 MG
OF PREDNISONE ( 1/DAY);5 MG LEUCOVORIN (1/WEEK); 5 MG ACTENOL
(1/WEEK), TO FIGHT THE OSTEOPENIA ( BONE DENSITY LOSS). I STILL HAVE
FLARE UPS OF THE JOINTS AND I'LL BE GLAD TO GET OFF THE PREDNISONE
DUE TO WEIGHT GAIN ( 15 LBS) AND MOOD SWINGS. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY
TOUGH BATTLE. AS SOON AS THE WEATHER GOT COLD MY FLARE UPS INCREASED.
THERE ARE DAYS OF DESPERATION WITH THESE PAIN CYCLES. I USED TO DO MY
OWN CAR REPAIRS BUT NOW I CAN'T THINK ABOUT THIS. I GUESS WE ALL HAVE
TO TRY TO HANG IN THERE AND HOPE THAT A CURE FOR THIS INSIDIOUS
DEBILATATER OF A DISEASE HAPPENS IN OUR LIFETIME.
WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW IS HAS ANYONE USED ACTENOL AND WHAT ARE IT'S
SIDE EFFECTS? I SEEM TO HAVE A PERSISTENT DRY SKIN ONDITION AND
SUBSEQUENT ITCHING ( NO RASH)... THANKS FOR LISTENING FOLKS...PK

I am a 44 year old woman who was just diagnosed with RA. I went to a
rheumatologist with joint pain that just started over the summer. I
would call it a dull pins and needles type pain. I have no swelling.
Is that normal?
Anyway, my blood test came back high RA factor, sjoegrens symdrom,
low lupus, and a very overactive immune system. My question is , I am
not in much pain right now. should I expect this disease to get much
worse over time? How rapidly does it progress? If this is the full
extent of it, I would hesitate to even take medication. Is that wise
or does medication tend to help it go into some kind of remission?
Does anyone else here have an "overactive" immune system? Is that
dangerous? Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Terry

Im so glad to have found this group, it helps me understand her
disease alot better. I hate to see her in so much pain. She was
diagnosed about a couple of months ago. She is 34 with a set of twin
boys (11) and a son 7. This has been so hard on her. The pain was so
bad, by the time she went to the doctors. Her hubby had to lift her
out of bed. Her feet and ankles were so swollen she could not walk.
She just kept telling us,(her family) she hurt and was swollen. We
chat on the phone alot. None of us had seen her for a while. until
one day my daug, went to visit. My daug was shocked to the point of
tears. My sister would not go to the doctors as she had no insurance,
My daug and my other sister drove her immediatly to the hospital. She
had all the classic symtoms of ra. but had to go through the testing.
Now she is on predisone, celebrax,folic acid.and the shot. Metrotex
(sp) She has the shot once a week, but having some side effects from
the shots. Heavy chest,shortness of breath,racing heart.The doctor
didnt give her the shot this week and sent her for an ekg, which come
back ok. She is having a hard time with this emotionally too.I can
understand what she is going through as I was diagnosed with an
autoimune disease 3 years ago. VKH syndrome, like having ra in the
eyes! yuck, did that hurt. lots of meds and long recovery that left
me patially blind. Vkh is never gone, just undercontrol. or in
remission.The doctors use predisone for that inflamtion too.also
predisone in drop form for the eyes.But thats another story I wont
get into. One of your members mentioned flax oil, I take that too for
inflamtion and good for lots other stuff. My sister trina is taking
it too,but we take the seed ground up. Its great stuff. Has a nutty
flavor, good in salads,cold juices,on toast,ect. Well, just wanted to
say hi to all and glad to have read all you emails, lots of good
info. I hope I can get my sister to come join you sometime,She hasnt
learned to deal with this yet.I will let her know you are out here.As
for me, I belong to a Vkh-egroup and we are very supportive of each
other too. even if we feel crabby, he,he.This ra, and vkh is along
hard battle.Take care all, and God bless us all.

I have a six year old daughter with JRA. I was wondering if anyone else on
this list is going through the same thing. I am interested in what some
other treatment plans are.
Thank You!
Terrie

Please take me off your news group.
Thank you,
Von Hansen

Please someone unsubscribe me from this news group. My friend with
rheumatoid A. has moved on.
Thanks
Von Hansen
Lebanon, Oregon

Hi Kevin, and everyone.

Support is what this group is about, isn't it? At least that's why I joined.

I agree with what you said about being strong. Part of that is having a positive out look on life that's not always easy to do.

especially when you start wondering what the future will be like. We just have to take it one day at a time, and keep saying to our selves, we have ra it doesn't have us.

Stay positive,

Diane.

Hi Sarah,

That treatment sounds great. How did you find out about this treatment,did your doctor suggest it?

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Stay well,

Diane.

hi Sarah,
sounds like this is really helping you, losing that fatigue
is a big improvement, Sarah where do these treatments take place? And how
long is each treatment? IM not at all familiar with remicade and would
appreciate any information you can give me,
continue to
feel well,
Kevin

Hey there! My name is Jennifer and I live in Arizona. I read what
Rosanne had to say, and I know what she is going through. I was
dianosed with RA just about 3 years ago, and it was hell. I was
doing
fine one night and then the following morning I felt like I was hit
by
a bus. After several months flew by, lots of blood work and lots of
drugs not working and lots of pain and depression. Finally I found a
doctor that helped, he worked mircales. I was doing pretty darn good
for a bout 9 months, then WHAM....I hit bottom again...I started a
new
medication ENBREL, which I heard was very good, but I haven't been on
it long enough to feel anything from it. I'm still having a hard
time dealing with this disease, because I'm such an active person,
now
I get so tired from my body fighting itself, all I want to do is
sleep. Rosanne, you hang in there, it will get better, it just takes
time and a lot of patients which I had to learn.

Dear Moderator,

I joined about a week a go, and I haven't received any messages.

My question is, how dose this group work?

Thanks for you help,

Diane.

Hello. My name is Roseanne and I am 25 years old. I was diagnosed
yesterday with RA due to a very high sed. rate and positive RA
factor. My main symptom is extreme swelling in my hands, wrists, and
extreme fatigue. My legs ache a bit if I am on them too long. I
used to be full of energy with minimal swelling then overnight-BOOM.
I don't know if it is denial or not, but I have trouble believing
that I have RA. I was wondering if anyone else has the swelling in
their hands without alot of pain?? When I think of RA, I think of
large red knuckles and alot of pain. I also think of an older person
but I found out that 25 is a common age! I had a son 2 years ago and
all my symptoms got worse. The swelling in my hands has increased in
the last 3 years, but I am happy to say that my iron deficiency
anemia is under control. I feel to young to be swollen up all the
time and tired =0) I was wondering how common my symptoms are for
RA??? My Dr. said that the high sed. rate could even be a different
autoimmune disease. Any info. would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Roseanne

Hello Pat! All indications point to Fibromyalgia. I'm being careful not to
jump to far ahead, but... My left knee has been "bad" since I was 9. Since
I've had 9 surgeries on my left and 3 on my right. A lot of the symptoms
that I'm learning about have been around as long as I can recall. My initial
diagnosis was "condramalacia" with inherited faults. (My Dad shared his
knees with me.)
I live in Gilbert, where are you?
Bonnie

Hiya Kevin, sorry for the lack of responce! FYI to the group. I
have not been diagnosed. Next Wednesday. I'll return to the group
after I know more about what I'm in for. I've been a crip all my
life with orthopedic problems in my knees, specifically in my left.
Very long complicated history. I "knew" this was coming, just thought
I had 20 years to educate myself, and prepare. **suckered punched
again** 44/F/AZ If anyone wants to jump in with me, I'd suggest you
ask the questions. I'll spill.
(Very little support here, although I'm not below begging for help
when I need it.)
Stay strong all!

Hi folks
Just found this group and thought exchanging info might be helpful-
-I was diagnosed 3 years ago, and have tried different medications--
right now I am on methotrexate and Celebrex--just came off prednisone
a couple of weeks ago--I seem to be doing better, but am so sick of
always taking meds--sometimes I get a little down in the dumps, but
try to remember there are always others with bigger problems than
mine! I try to walk a mile every day, and try to stay cheerful and
positive!
Sally

Hi, my name is Tamara and I am 'possibly' new to the disease. I
say possibly because I went in for a finger that had been swollen and
sore for more than 2 weeks (I thoughtI may have broken it) and after
a bunch of tests, and a week later another finger swelling on the
other hand, my Dr thought I had RA and refered me to a
rheumatologist.
The rheumatologist ran more tests, x-rays and a bone scan. She will
not diagnose me without even more tests but her 'best guess' is that
I have RA. I guess I am neg when they run the RA test. Anyway it
has
been 3 months and my fingers, wrists, elbows, and toes all take turns
becoming stiff and swollen. They put me on napoxen, motrin, celebrex
but nothing seems to work as well as plain old fashion aspirin in
above recommended doses. (For the record celebrex doesn't do a thing
for any women in my family -- must be a genetic thing)
If anyone would be so kind, the questions I have are:
Does it really take that long to diagnose this disease? Is this
normal?
And I am a professional athelete. Can I keep exercising and
working the joints as long as I can stand the pain? Or will I damage
something?
At this point my rheumatologist Dr seems to give me non-answers to
these questions.
Hope I did not bore anyone. And thanks for any help you can give.
Tamara

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Hello, folks!
New to the group and to the disease. Have not yet been to the
specialist, but after a lifetime of knee problems, I knew what my
knee docs reaction meant. (Hadn't been for awhile.) Everything
below my hips are affected. I know it's been coming on gradually,
but, is it common for it to suddenly make me feel the extent of all
of it's affects?