Rheumatoid Arthritis

[LINK]
The Rheumatoid Arthritis Guide: Week 6 - The Right Doctor To Treat Your RA
| What Doctor Should You Choose? | Is It Time To Change Doctors? | Build Your Team of Doctors / Health Care Professionals
[INLINE]
[INLINE] from Carol & Richard Eustice, your Editor and Guide
It's one of the most critical decisions we make. Our lives may even depend on it. Even so, choosing a doctor isn't usually met with any more attention than choosing a hairstylist or a plumber from the yellow pages.

[INLINE] [INLINE]
What Doctor Should You Choose?
[INLINE]
The Right Doctor For You
Important information about a doctor's background and history should be considered when choosing the right one for you.

First Visit To The Rheumatologist
You're experiencing symptoms of arthritis. Everyone is telling you to see a rheumatologist. What's a rheumatologist? What can you expect from your first appointment with the rheumatologist?

How To Choose The Right Doctor
Helpful steps to follow when choosing the right doctor for you.

The Patient-Physician Encounter
The adherence to a treatment plan by a patient and the success of the treatment can be impacted by the patient-physician relationship.

Is It Time To Change Doctors?
[INLINE]
Should You Change Doctors?
A doctor/patient relationship is a lifelong relationship for someone with chronic arthritis. "C" if your needs are being met.

How Would You Rate Your Doctor?
Are you happy with your doctor? Satisfied with your treatment plan? The doctor-patient relationship is vitally important.

Build Your Team of Doctors / Health Care Professionals
[INLINE]
Doctors / Therapists
The ability to communicate your questions and concerns is the basis for a good physician-patient relationship. It is important to connect with various medical professionals who will address your needs.

Carol and Richard Eustice, About Guide to Arthritis

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I don't have any dogs...only 4 cats, who make our lives interesting.
They run the house, we just fix their food, entertain them and do
their bidding. :0)
My dh once found a lovely white little Pekinese(sp?) at the pound.
It had papers. She lived with his mother after we married until it
died.
It may be that some shelters would waive some of the fees for you if
you meet their criteria for assistance. Also, I'd look in the
classifieds of your local newspaper. I read my local paper's
classifieds online for no charge. You might find someone just
looking for a good home for their pet.
Our local freecycle group has also offered pets to a good home when
the owner couldn't keep them anymore. Go to www.freecycle.com and
look to see if there is a group near you. Freecycle offers
everything for free to their membership.
Occasionally, I have seen ads on the bulletin board at the vet's
office when pet owners need to find a new home for their pets. You
might check there.
Hope this helps,
Nita

I'm on Mtx (20 mg) and I'm fighting another lung crude problem. I have been fighting it on and off for almost 2 months and have had one round of antibiotics. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on getting rid of this before I cough up a lung. My fits are so bad that I sometimes vomit. Gross!

Thanks,

Lynette
lmthib@...
MD - zone 7
Visit Molly's Site: http://home.earthlink.net/~lmthib/mollys_site/
Visit the garden's Site: http://home.earthlink.net/~lmthib/lynettes_garden_site/

I was wondering what most people did to try and incorporate a bit of exercise in their lives? I am currently going to yoga but find when there is a bad falre up it is harder on the joints and harder to keep my balance.

Angela Smith

"I can resist everything except temptation" - Oscar Wilde

"Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that's not why we do it."
-- Richard P. Feynman

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Shelly:
You will love having a canine companion. I have a little Cavelier
Spaniel named Chloe. This breed was bred for being a lap dog. My ex
and I purchased her several yeard ago. She is so sweet. (Except for
last night when she needed to go out at 2:00 in the AM.) But she
does keep me physically active. She has a schedule that she must
keep and it incudes going out about three times a day and boy does
she love to walk. So she has been good for me. On days when I've
been down she seems to cheer me up and seems to know when I need
cheering up.
I would love to get a cat also but can't because of pet regulations
in my apartment.
By the way I have decided to move closer to my family and get me
knees fixed. I feel like they were effecting my life, (not able to
feel comfortable in some jobs). I have also been informed that I can
get the apartment that I want. So God is blessing me.
Good luck on your dog hunt. I wish I could come help. I love
choosing a puppy.
Sherry

When I gave myself the injection this time there was a little blood at the site when I pulled out the needle. This is the first time this has happened since I began several months ago. I follow the instructions as demonstrated by the nurse in my doctor's office, and she didn't mention anything about the possibility of puncturing a blood vessel. In the video that came with the medication that I watched before the first time I used it by myself, it said to pull the plunger back a bit to see if blood came out, and if it did then one should not inject that shot. Since the nurse didn't mention it, and I abhor the idea of just throwing out a $600 injection (not to mention my HMO would frown upon it...), I followed her instructions rather than the video. Does anyone throw it out and start over?

Wondering if something bad might happen...

Deborah

Hello,

I joined up yesterday and thought I would send out a quick introduction. My name is Angela Smith, I am 35 and from Alberta Canada. I have been diagnosed with RA for about a year. When I was younger I was diagnosed with Juvinille RA, it had seemed to go away but now is back. I am on sulfathalazine, plaquinil, and methotrexate (hope I spelled those all right - I don't feel like going downstairs to the kitchen to double check) and cannot take any anti-innflammatories as I also have problems with my stomach bleeding and such. When things flare up badly my doctor will put me on a short course of steriods (sometimes it is choice between the stomach or the joints!). My regular doctor works closely with my rhueumotologist so I am very lucky there.

I try to very much keep things in perspective and be thankful that things are not worse but some days I have a hard time maintaining balance (especially when my ankles are swollen up and my hands feel like icicles are being shoved in my joints! Arg!), so does anyone have any suggestions for that? I eat well, do yoga, and am attending my first arthritis confrenece next month in Edmonton .

Glad to have found this group and I will try to keep up with all the the postings!

Angela

"I can resist everything except temptation" - Oscar Wilde

"Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that's not why we do it."
-- Richard P. Feynman

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Hi Shelly---I must have missed your original post but I am not too far from you! In this vast cyber world living as close as we do and meeting on a list is all too wild! I live just below Halzleton actually...in a little town called Tamaqua. Are you familiar with my area?

What do you need? I dont have RA, My hubby does. He is 35. Nice to meet you! :)

Stacy

I've been lurking again. I figure I shouldn't say as much since I
don't have the RA, but the MS. Dh and I went to his first rheumy
appt. last Thursday. Because of hanging out with this group, I had a
clue about what was happening. And was actually able to ask
some "pertinent" questions.
DH is on the beginning dose of MTX: 6-2.5 mg one day a week. He's
doing 1200 mg(I think) of Folic Acid daily to counteract side
effects. (This is a little more than he was told to take because he
picked up a good multi-vitamin with no iron and it has some Folic
Acid in it to which he added a little more separately.) He was
extremely paranoid about all the side effects listed on MTX.
Understandable. He's still working full time...on his feet 12
hours/day. Mornings are difficult. He's in so much pain and he's
working so hard anyway. I love him for what he's doing. It makes me
want to find ways to help him.
Dh is still taking the prednisone...10 to 20 mg daily as needed.
Today was a 20 mg day. He doesn't like to take the 20 mg because the
pred makes him more "angry." It affects his mood. That's a side
effect I have from taking pred as well. The rheumy said this
was "bridge therapy." Taking the pred until you start the MTX and
then trying to wean off or quit the pred. But from your experiences,
I think dh will end up taking more than one drug to get some
control. I hope we get to a place of pain control! :0)
He's having worse pain this week since he started the MTX. Ironic.
He's unsure about taking ibuprofen with it as he didn't ask the doc.
I don't know of any reason not to take it, do you all? I have seen
that you shouldn't take aspirin with MTX, but not ibuprofen and as
some of you are taking Naproxen(which is also a NSAID), I would
think it would be fine. Advice?
I am curious about how you guys are all coping with work, disability
issues. There has been some talk about it, but not much. I
purposedly did not apply for social security this month as I heard
somewhere 2 people in same household could not draw it. And if dh
needs it, he has a better work history and could get bigger amount
per month if this is true. I am better able to work a part-time job
and possibly learn to ebay or tutor to pick up money here and
there. I am already a skilled frugalist from living on one income
for 10+ years.
Have a blessed day.
Hugs n prayers,
Nita

Hi,

Has anyone gotten a swollen heel area and a bump/nodule in that area that is sore all the time especially

when walking?

My right food started hurting in the side heel area several weeks ago and today I noticed that there is actually

a lump sticking out that is extremely painful when pushed and I cannot wear regular shoes now....just backless

sandals.

Is this the beginning of deformity from RA? I have an appt to see my rheumy but it isn't for two weeks.

Thanks,

Linda L

Just got back from my first visit with the specialist. Took MORE blood. Put me
back on the naproxin since it seems to work better for me than the mobic. They
are testing for everything from lupus to parvovirus (and I thought only DOGS got
that!) At least I know west nile is negative....already had that one. Hands,
wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, knees, ankles and toes all inflamed. (Neck may
be osteo). Tendonitis in both wrists and left shoulder.
He seemed interested in my dry eyes. Is this significant? I thought it was
just too much computer!
Sharon

I have discovered that massaging my wrists and hands first thing in the morning
really makes a difference in how fast the stiffness goes away. Has anyone else
seen this? I am so new to this. First thing in the morning, when the splints
first come off, my hands and wrists are really sore and stiff. Massaging really
seems to help.
Sharon

Dear friends at RA,

I thought I'd write and tell you that I'm still alive and sorry I was away from the group for a few days. My husband was on vacation and we tried to go fishing, in spite of the rain, if only for one day! I was at the RA drs on Thursday morning, and he injected the joint of my left elbow and my left knee so I could move a little better and so far, so good, some pain radiating at times, but thank God, nothing like it was! When I go back in Nov. he is going to start cutting back on the MTX. I look forward to that! Also, took me off the Plaquenil, and I have a lot of that left, so .....I sure wish I knew someone else that takes this stuff.

I have decided to get a lap puppy. I can't afford to buy a pure bred, but I am asking God to put one in my path. I think it would be nice, cause I spend so much time alone. Our daughter and family live in Tampa and we were quite concerned for them this past week. She had to go to Orlando for work, so wouldn't you know that the storm went for Orlando! Tina said she was scared and could feel the hotel shaking and watched trees being plucked out of the ground. Wish she would believe in God. Would make me feel much better.She had some teacher in grade school who sold her on Darwin and she hasn't been right since.

I hope all of you are fine and look forward to sharing another week with you. Write when you can. ~Shelly

[INLINE] Shelly

Apparently I have had this for years, but it has been so mild it was never
diagnosed. I haven't been able to bowl for almost thirty years, and I had to
give up riding about ten years ago because it hurt my knees so much. But it
didn't really affect my daily life. My hands hurt when they got cold, and it
hurt to knock on a door, but I could do almost everything I wanted to. I didn't
really know there were two kinds of arthritis. I just thought I was getting
old! My doctor says it may go back to it's mild state after this stress-induced
flare. It seems to be improving a bit, but that may be the Mobic. I take 7.5
mg once a day and it makes me able to function, but some things are still
difficult. It hurts to pull wet laundry from the washer, so my husband, who is
slowly recovering from encephalitis caused by west nile virus has taken over the
laundry. We are quite a pair!
Sharon

Hi, I'm Sharon Wertz from Phoenix AZ. I am 62 and have just been diagnosed
with RA. My husband had West Nile virus and almost died, and the stress
apparently triggered the RA. I literally woke up one morning with every joint
in my body hurting. Over five days it got worse so I finally went to the Dr.
He gave me some samples of mobic, and told me to use wrist splints, since my
wrists and hands are the worse. I also have tendonitis in both wrists ans one
shoulder.
Can anyone recommend a good splint? I borrowed some from a friend who had cts
surgery. But they are a little big on me and I want to buy my own.
Sharon

Anyone here ever experience a swollen tongue, possibly from RA meds?
(MTX?)
I've got one today!
S

Well, I am a reader mostly, and find that the information and support
given in this group is great. I have a few things that I would like
to have your opinions on.
Just a little background.
I have had RA for almost twenty years, coming up next year. I have
had numerous surgeries, one just this last May which went wrong, I
got a staph infection. I am healing now. Phew what an ordeal that
was. Had to go off Enbrel and so have been in a huge flair for most
of the summer.
To mak a long story short, I am healing from a divorce which was/is
stressful; have moved four times in the last year; I am on disability
but need to have a part time job to make ends meet. I applied for an
Art Therapist aide at a mental health center which is two far to
drive every day, ( don't ask me the reasons why) and the powers that
be sound very interested. I would work about sixteen hours a week
with four ours on alternate Saturdays. I don't want to lose my
Disability so don't want to work to much and also, I am not
physically able to work all day.
My fear, and I want to hear your responses, is that I might not be
able to physically do the job. My knees are shot (need to be
replaced) and the job requires walking a fair distance once a day. I
know what you are saying, why did you apply? Well I thought that a
job could help me get my mind off my troubles. Help me cope a little
better.
Another problem is that I am finding it hard to find a place to live
in the town that the mental health center is in. I love the small
little town that I live in, (SE Kansas Flinthills).
Are any of you ever fearful of new situations because of your RA?
I just get so afraid that I will fail.
Also I don't like to gimp and limp around strangers. I am very self
conscious about my disabilities.
Sorry so long,
Thanks for listening.
Sherry
Kansas

hello ,

my name is john , ive been dxed with r/a about 5 months now i think and taking MTX, azulfidine, voltaren, my mtx has been upped to the point my dr doesnt want to up it anymore and i returned 8/12/04 as a follow up with still exterm pain in my right shoulder , elbow , wrist and stiff fingers and my left side same pain same joints but not near the pain , allso pain in my knees feet , and hips pretty bottersome and neck ( lol im a wreck ) but after the dr checked my joints he talked with me in lenght and stated he did not want to go higher with my mtx i was at a high level now and that my meds wasnt working for me so he was going to try to get me on remicaid ( may be misspelled ) and that he was really not satified witgh my joints mainly my shoulder and most of all my hands but i am truely at a point where the pain is allmost unbearable and can hardly raise and twist my arm or wrist anybody got any advise ??

later john

Hugs, Jacy ~I don't approve of political jokes. I've seen too many of them get elected.

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hey, all! perhaps someone would care to participate......gentle hugs! Marcia
Note: forwarded message attached.

I'm thinking it depends what you mean by a fist. It's close but not
really a classic fist.
Like in traffic if you give someone the finger - they need a
translator to get it when you have crooked fingers. Of course no one
in this group would ever be so rude, right?
Annette

Hi everyone,
I am going away to Franks for the weekend. I will be back
on Monday. I am still flaring a little, but that's down to 'that' time of the
month. I know I will feel better by Monday because Frank always insists
on me taking it easy and ' mothering ' me a bit, bless him.

Hope you all have a great weekend

hugs to everyone, Lynne

Hugs, Jacy ~I don't approve of political jokes. I've seen too many of them get elected.

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[LINK]
The Rheumatoid Arthritis Guide: Week 4 - Other Treatments / Therapies For RA
| Alternative Treatments | Antibiotic Treatment | Prosorba | B-Cell Depletion | Physical Therapy | Occupational Therapy
[INLINE]
[INLINE] from Carol Eustice, your Editor and Guide
Medications and surgical procedures are among the treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis but there are others to consider.

[INLINE] [INLINE]
Alternative Treatments
[INLINE]
Alternative Treatments For Arthritis
Alternative treatments for arthritis, often called complementary treatments, have gained popularity. Alternative treatments present a new wave of options for arthritis patients.

Humor For Healing
Laughter is the best medicine. Humor offers a brief respite from the pain and stress of arthritis.

Antibiotic Treatment
[INLINE]
Antibiotic Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Research has pointed to a possible benefit of antibiotic use for the treatment of arthritis. The antibiotics appear to suppress enzymes involved in the inflammatory process.

Prosorba
[INLINE]
Prosorba (Apheresis) For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Prosorba is a treatment option for patients with advanced rheumatoid arthritis who have failed all other treatments.

B-Cell Depletion
[INLINE]
B-Cell Depletion Therapy For RA
Clinical studies involving B-cell depletion as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis are ongoing.

Physical Therapy
[INLINE]
Physical Therapy For RA
Physical therapy is an important part of an arthritis patient's treatment plan. Maintaining strength and flexibility are two main goals.

Occupational Therapy
[INLINE]
Occupational Therapy For RA
Maximizing independence of arthritic patients is the goal of occupational therapists.

Carol Eustice, About Guide to Arthritis

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Hi Steph--I live in PA too. Eastern PA...about 45 minutes south of Wilkes Barre...or 45 morth of Reading/Allentown area.

My hubby has RA, OA. Glad to meet you :)

Stacy (and Joe) in PA

Has anyone tried one of those hot wax machines. You know the kind
that melts the wax and then you put your hands in? I wonder if it
will help my hands any, but would like some input before I buy one.
Thanks in advance.
Joanne

My PCP is the doctor that has been taking care of my RA because it is only mild to moderate.

This last visit she upped my MTX to 4 a week (10mg). I know that is still a low dose compared to a lot of y'all. She also said she wants to see me again next month and if the flexibility and swelling isn't better with the new amount of MTX she will want me to start seeing a Rheumatologist. She doesn't like the fact that I can't bend my fingers to make a fist.

Can anyone here make a fist?

I would rather stay with her and also my co-pay for a specialist jumps dramatically too!

Hugs, Jacy ~Money talks, but chocolate sings.

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I wanted to respond to the questions some of you were having about Methotrexate (MTX) and having to take folic acid. I have had RA for 6 years now (since I was 18) and have taken a multitude of medications including MTX. I was on the pill form, but it didnt work for me, so we switched over the MTX injections. So, I have had some experience with it about 5 years worth. I have included some research from the net in my answer to help me along and to make sure that my experiences and what I have heard are correct and so I am not passing along false information. So, I hope this helps.

Methotrexate Users Need to Be on Folic Acid [INLINE]

Methotrexate inhibits the body's absorption of folic acid (Vitamin B9), which is found in leafy green vegetables ('folic' is derived from the word 'foliage'). Side effects, such as nausea or mouth sores, can result from folic acid deficiency, so your rheumatologist may recommend you take a daily folic acid supplement. The use of folinic acid has been shown to reduce toxicity, but in high dose may reduce efficacy.

I currently take .3cc (7.5mg) injection of MTX once weekly. I have been told by MANY health care professionals to NOT TAKE FOLIC ACID on the SAME DAY as my MTX as this causes the MTX to reduce its effectiveness. I usually take 3mg of folic acid per day, as I have a problem with my hair falling out and this helps to lessen the amount coming out. My rheumy is talking about putting me up to 4 or 5mg if my hair continues to fall out. But, as I just said, you must not take folic acid on the same day as your MTX or it just wont work like its supposed to. Why take this poison (MTX) if you are planning to counteract the effects with taking folic acid on the day you take your MTX. Doesnt make sense to me.

Common Methotrexate side effects, reversible once the medication is stopped, include nausea, hair loss (alopecia), skin rash, mild liver inflammation, and mouth sores. Folic acid supplements may help prevent some of these minor side effects. It was also found that taking folic acid made a huge reduction in digestion side effects of Methotrexate.

Folic acid, an inexpensive vitamin, is safe in a broad range of doses and protects patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are taking methotrexate from toxicity while preserving the efficacy of methotrexate. It is important to continue folic acid supplementation over the long term in patients on methotrexate and folic acid in order to prevent them discontinuing treatment because of mouth ulcers or nausea and vomiting. Our data suggest that folic acid supplementation is also helpful in preventing neutropenia, with very little loss of efficacy of methotrexate.

In one study I found taking a low dose of folic acid reduces Methotrexate side effects by 79% compared to a placebo (dummy supplement pill).

The substantial improvement in painful and swollen joints provided by methotrexate for RA was unaffected by low doses (5 mg per day) of folic acid, BUT high doses (10mg+) of folic acid reduced the ability of methotrexate to help RA.

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) Found in these vegetables

Asparagus
Avocados
Bananas
Beans
Beets
Brewers yeast
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Calf liver
Cantaloupe
Citrus fruits/juices
Endive
Fortified grain products
Garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
Green, leafy
vegetables
Lentils
Sprouts
Wheat germ

A link to one of the articles I found:

http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2001/aug/18/methotrexate.htm

I hope this helps.

Melissa

I took the 15 mg of MTX last night and have had no feelings of nausea.
I'm so grateful! We never know how our unique bodies will handle meds
until we try them. I thought nausea was a given with MTX and was
fully prepared for it.
On the other hand, the "mildest" DMARD, Plaquenil, gave me all sorts
of side effects. (They've diminshed over time, though.) I'm still on
it, at 300 mg, but my rheumy has said to taper off once we get the
MTX right.
Sierra

Hi all,
i've been lurking for a couple of days and thought i'd better
introduce myself. My name is Mab and i'm 32, i live in Yorkshire in
the north of England with my partner, his grandfather and 5 cats. I
was diagnosed with RA in 1990 when i was 18. I currently take
Piroxicam and Azathioprine with co-codamol and Tramadol for pain
control. I had my left knee replaced in 1999 and my docs are
debating at the moment as to whether i need my right hip replaced. I
had to leave my job as a bookseller for a national chain of
bookshops because i've had quite a lot of bad flares lately and was
struggling to get to work, never mind do anything!!
Anyway, i just wanted to say hi and i look forward to talking to you
all soon.
Mab

hi, been away for quite a while, been depressed. A lot going on
these past 3 months. Had an interstim device implanted (too long to
go into-so if you want to know more, you can read up on it under
interstim therapy)
That was a living nightmare for a while, pain so bad I couldn't lay
down or sit up. When they put it in I was only to be awake for the
first 15 minutes and then out of it completely the last 45 minutes.
I WAS NOT AND FELT EVER BIT OF PAIN THE WHOLE TIME AND THEY DIDN'T
BELIEVE THAT I WAS FEELING THE PAIN!!!!!!
On the pre-op x-ray they found a 3 cm mass on my upper right lung.
After several other tests it is determined and found to be the RA has
attacked my soft organs. I hope no one else has had this acure. If by
chance someone has maybe they can help me understand all the future
tests I will have to go through for the next year or more.?!
Then they found 2 small lumps on the side of my mouth that they
believe may be benign tumors. I pray they are only saliva ducts that
are clogged.
My shrink, yes I am not ashamed to say I have 2 shrinks. They felt
it nessecary to up my xanax for a few months to help me through all
of the changes.
But the sadist news for me was having to put my father's dog to
sleep. He is too frail to leave the house and Taffy was in so much
pain we felt it was time to let her go. So, as you can see i have
been stressed and depressed I don't know just how to accept any of
this news or what, if anything I may need to know ahead
of time. Any suggestions??
Brenda

For those of you on MTX--what kinds of questions does your rheumy ask
and what does she/he do in examination that are specific to that med?
I wondered today if my rhemuy should be asking me about a cough or
listening to my lungs...?
Just upped my dose to 15 mg tonight. I'm hoping my luck with no
nausea holds...
Sierra

Hi all,
Not been posting, just reading :). Thought I would pass on to all
that I saw my rheumatologist today. I have now been on antibiotic
therapy for 2+ months. She has had me weaning off of the Pred (down
to 2mg 2x daily--was up to 7.5 mg daily) and I have not used any pain
killers for 3+ weeks. I am not totally without any pain, like in the
mornings I feel stiffness, but it goes away. Also, my worst hand
(right) middle finger will feel pain at times, but it goes away
quickly.
My doc told me that while I still have inflammation in my hands, I am
looking much better. She said that I may expect to always have the
inflammation due to my osteoarthritis and bone spurs on my knuckles,
etc.
I am to see her again in 2 months or if I start feeling bad again. I
am to continue weaning off the Pred.
I do not know if what I am doing will last forever, but so far it is
and I am very happy about it.
Thanks, Kay, for being there for me and helping to give me the
confidence to try this.
Karen

Hello everyone. I was wondering if anyone is taking Mobic? I have 4
sample boxes of 7.5mg if anyone wants them. If you do, just email me
with your name and address and I will mail them to you. I cannot
take them because I am allergic to it and I did not want to throw
them away if someone can use them. email is
coolcat1022@...
Hope everyone has a great day!
Anita

Hi Sherry and All,

I'm attempting to email Sherry and her emails come back

undeliverable. Thought I could get a message out to her via

this loop. Sherry, if you read this please email me with your

correct email address. Thanks.

Best Wishes, Dodie

There is a lot of good info in here, just I am just forwarding the whole thing.

Hugs, Jacy ~Money talks, but chocolate sings.

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Arthritis

In the Spotlight | More Topics | Top Picks | Word Of The Week
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Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died. ~Erma Bombeck in The Quote Garden
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My RA is retiring and has transffered all his cases to a Dr.
Schnizt here in OKC. Anybody know anything about him?
Ray in OKC

Dear Shelly, Kay and All,

From: shelly smiegal <shelsmieg2000@...
Dodie, How are you feeling these days? Been

getting a lot of rest?~Shelly

Yes, thanks for asking Shelly. I'm slowly able to do more each day. I

even mowed part of the lawn yesterday using our tractor, of course. I

can almost bend my knee as far as my other one and that gives me

encouragement. How are you feeling Shelly?

From: "Kay Simpson" <Siwelyak@...
I would probably be the loser on hand pictures...don't

have a scanner to show but am scheduled for surgery

next week

Good luck with your surgery Kay and I too have the most damage in

my middle right finger. I may go to a surgeon sometime again to see about

getting it fixed although I'm able to use my hands. I don't have any grip

strength to speak of. Please let us know how it goes.

On another note, and I know Kay you are very careful with your diet, would

anyone be interested in being a part of a group of RA people who focus on their

diet? If I thought enough people would be interested I might consider starting

Thanks for all the replies and welcomes. Also forgot to mention dr.
also thinks I have carpal tunnel but wants to hold off on the tests
and have me on celebrex and wrists splints for a little while. Have
any of you had the carpal tunnel also? I have terrible pains in the
wrists up forearms and hands (different pain than the joint achey
pains) Also another question - a little more personal do any of you
women find the pain gets worse during your menstrual cycle?
Thanks again for the replies.

I have often wondered if my choice of career has to do with my RA developing.
I'm a
therapist and dislike it very much most of the time. Maybe I was genetically
predisposed
and then chronic unhappiness brought it out. Anyone else ever feel this way?
By the way,
I liked everyone's feedback about the Dr. Weil info very much. I think denial
is why I
haven't researched RA much until lately.

*****
Nobody with RA should feel guilty about being selfish,
as long as it's only once in a while (IMHO, of
course).

please forgive my ignorance, but what does IMHO mean?? gentle hugs, Marcia

Dear Steph, Lynn, Wendy and All,

I've not had the chance to read the last few digests till now. Answering a

few emails in this one post.

From: Steph Raybold <jrdnlvr4evr@...
hey dodie how long have you been on the humira

and how is it working for you ?

I've been on it Steph since January but have had to go off of it now a couple

times because of surgeries so I can't really say yet if I think it's as good as the

Remicade I had been previously for 2 years. I thought it was just about to start

working for me and then I had to go in for this emergency surgery on my knee.

I get another injection tomorrow. All in all I'm just grateful to be on something

to help stop the progression of the RA. If I'd have been on something like this

a long time ago I might not have the joint damage I do.

From: "Lynne" <Lynne@...
I wondered if anyone else gets depressed as pasrt of their RA?

Sure I get depressed. When I first was diagnosed in my early 20's I was real

depressed and turned to alcohol and drugs. Those next 5 years were hell.

Thankfully I've gotten clean and sober (17.5 years) and now use the 12 step

programs to help me deal with my periods of depression. You are not alone

Lynne. Best thing to do is just what you have done. Tell on the depression

and ask questions. I'm personally glad to have joined this loop as it helps

me see that there are many others out there who are on the same challenging

road that I am. Take care and keep sharing. How are you today?

From: "Wendy H. Russell" <wendyhollander@...
I'd love to see photos of peoples' hands if anyone has any that

they want to post. i'm curious as to how mine stack up.

Not sure I'd know how to do this Wendy but I too have also wondered about

other people's hands, and, on the other hand (no pun intended), I kinda don't

want to show mine because what if mine are the worst and then I'd just set myself

up to feel bad again about the RA? Seriously, all the joints in my hands and fingers

and wrists are involved and I've been to two hand surgeons and they say if I can

use them the way they are to leave them alone for now. What are your hands like?

Best wishes for a wonderful day for all. ((((((((((((RA Friends))))))))))))))))))

LovePrayersHugs,
.··-.¸.-··. (`'·.¸(`'·.¸ ¸.·'´)¸.·'´) .··-.¸.-··.
`·. .·´ D odi e .·´ .·´
`·´ (¸.·'´(¸.·'´ `'·.¸)`'·.¸) `·´
Speak when you are angry and you will
make the best speech you will ever regret.
- Ambrose Bierce

"We either make ourselves miserable or we make
ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same."
Don Juan -- Journey To Xtlan

I would like to welcome all new members.
I have suffered with clinical depression for all my life but was not
diagnosed with it until over 12 years ago. Although now, I am taking
300mg of effexor a day, I am having bouts with it here lately. I
think it is from the RA. I agree with the others that being in pain
all the time does bring on depression. I am newly diagnosed with RA
and I am learning as well.
Hope everyone has a great week.
Anita

what do ya'll think of this from dr. andrew weil?
Lifestyle changes can moderate autoimmunity, and other strategies can help you
control
the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Here are my basic recommendations:
Follow a low-protein, high carbohydrate diet; minimize consumption of foods of
animal
origin.
Eliminate milk and milk products including commercial foods made with milk.
Avoid all polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening and
products
made with partially hydrogenated oils of any kind.
Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating more cold water fish, walnuts
or fresh
ground flax seeds. You may also want to consider taking a fish oil supplement to
help
keep your protein intake low.
Get regular aerobic exercise (swimming is best for those with rheumatoid
arthritis).
Practice relaxation techniques. In addition, visualization can help moderate
autoimmune
responses; psychotherapy can help you change emotional states that keep the
immune
system off balance.
Try hypnotherapy or guided imagery Look for a therapist willing to take on an
autoimmune disease. Meditation and yoga can help, too.
Avoid health care practitioners who make you feel pessimistic about your
condition.
Eliminate or reduce intake of coffee and tobacco as both have been liked to an
increased
risk for rheumatoid arthritis.
Here are specific recommendations for rheumatoid arthritis management:
One at a time, eliminate the following categories of food for two months: (1)
all sugar
except natural fruits; (2) all citrus fruits; (3) wheat, corn and soy. At the
end of each trial
period, restore the eliminated items to your diet. You may find that one or more
has an
influence on your arthritis symptoms.
For symptomatic treatment use aspirin and other over-the-counter
anti-inflammatory
drugs.
Take feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) for its anti-inflammatory effect; one to
two
capsules twice a day
Use anti-inflammatory herbs Ginger and turmeric are particularly effective. I
recommend
Zyflamend, made by New Chapter Company, which includes both. You can continue to
take these herbs indefinitely.
Experiment with traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy,
Native
American medicine, and healers.
Try long term fasting in a facility staffed by experienced health professionals.
For
additional information on fasting, check out www.dmoz.org.
Investigate apitherapy (bee-sting treatment); a local bee keeper should be able
to advise
you.

Hi I'm a newbie here. I've had had joint pain off and on for years
now that I think back but within the last 8 months I went to the my
pcp who did some blood tests said negative for RA but sent me to a
rheumatologist. The rheumatologist based on my symptons, swelling
and joint pain in fingers, wrists, knees,feet and ankles said sounds
like RA. Ran some blood tests RA came back negative but he said it
may not show up for awhile but I had a low C4 and a high compCH50
(whatever that means) Started on vioxx and wrists splints at night.
Vioxx did nothing now trying celebrex. Also ultram for severe pain
(which I don't like taking) Has this happened with any of you
negative RA test also he said the other 2 show some type of
inflamation going on. Any of you familiar with the c4 and CH50
tests? Just new to all of this. Also I hear alot about diet, what
foods do you find triggers it?
Thanks and I'm happy to have found this site.

I'd love to see photos of peoples' hands if anyone has any that they want to
post. i'm
curious as to how mine stack up.

Hi. I have had arthritis symptoms for about two years. My md has
confirmed the rheumatoid factor in my blood test. I was wondering
where to go to find reliable, tested alternative therapies. I can
not take most drugs. Thanks for any info, you can send me.

Went to an out of town wedding yesterday, and brought along a pillow
and blanket in case I needed to go rest in the car. I did! Just have
to have that afternoon nap. (I work part-time, and on days that I
work I come home and go to bed for an hour.)
Fatigue...fatigue...fatigue...
Thanks to MTX though, I was able to dance!
Sierra

Linda Lathrop,

52 years old,

RheuArth, Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia and depression.

Meds taking:

Remicade

Methotrexate injected

Vioxx

Prevacid

Folic Acid

Leuverceron *not sure of spelling - powerful folic acid to stop hair loss

Paxil

Klonopin

Many people try to reduce Prednisone more slowly. If you have trouble with your planned schedule you might try getting some 1 mg tablets and going down only 1 mg at a time. Another way to reduce more slowly is to alternate days 10, 7.5, 10, 7.5 or even 10, 10, 7.5, 10, 10, 7.5. For some it becomes increasingly difficult as you get to lower doses and you have to reduce by only 1/2 mg at a time. God bless.

Hi All,
Age: 45
Diagnosed with RA @ Age 23
I take:
Humira
Methotrexate
Celebrex
Fosamax
Best Wishes,
Dodie

I didn't know that prednisone caused bone loss. Is this true? What are the
long term
effects of Vioxx?

Sugar makes people so very happy!
S.

I have not checked out all of these, but I thought it was very interesting.

Hugs, Jacy ~Money talks, but chocolate sings.

jacymail@...
IM: jacygal - ICQ: 96949087
www.geocities.com/mtn_rose

Signature powered by Plaxo Want a signature like this?

I am on methotrexate for the last two years(17.5 mg/week). I keep
reading that RA should be treated aggressively with combinations of
Remicade or Embrel with methotrexate to stop destruction of joints.
My joint pain is increasing in the last two years, though very
slowly. My doctor told me that taking Embrel or Remicade makes me
less immune to other diseases.
So, I would like to know whether anyone has been successful in
controlling RA with only Methotrexate.
I should mention here that I take Prednisone of 5 mg/week(a small
dose?)
Thanks in Advance
Kumar

my husband john is 38 and has ra along with type 1 diabetes (insulin
dep) and neuropathy
he is home now on a med leave because the ra is so bad the dr has
him on 8 methotrexates(weekly),20 mg predisone(daily)and right now
a mix of viccodin and percocete for pain and he's waiting for
approval on humira.has any one ever used this?how long?hows your
lifestyle been since?
right now hes ALWAYS tired sleeps alot and seems to be in depression
because he cant do something as simple as open a soda bottle .hes
only 38 and he says he feels like hes 90 does anyone have any tips??
advice???
it would be greatly appreciated
my name is steph by the way!!!

How old is everyone on here?
wendy, 36

I am now on vioxx, prednisone, methotrexate AND plaquanil, plus darvacet. Is
this too
much? Is it okay to do the methotrexate and the plaq? I mean, I know it's okay
because
my doc didn't take me off the plaquanil, but I'm just wondering what ya'll think
about it. I
still feel so new at all this even though my symptoms started almost 4 years
ago. I was
just diagnosed this past winter and am still in denial to some degree. I had my
eyes
checked today (been on the Plaquanil since last Feb.) and the opthalmologist was
shocked
at all the meds.

Hello all,
I hope everyone is doing well. I went to my PCP yesterday and
talked to him about my RA symptoms. He told me he believes, since I
have at least 4 of the 7 characteristics of RA then that is what I
have. I told him about the ortho doctor and everything he said and
he said it sounds like that the ortho dr. pretty much suspected it is
RA as well. My PCP made me an appt. with the Rhuematologist for Oct.
4th.
I am sorry I have not been posting lately. That will all change.
Take care of yourselves.
Anita

Eva, I posted about dairy a while back. I hate to give up dairy AND salt
because I sure as
hell need to give up sugar for the sake of my fat A*#! I'm in so much pain
though, if I had
to fast I think I'd do it!

Thanks for all the responses! Jenni, you are hilarious. I hear ya on the "NO"
diets, but I'm
willing to try just about anything at this point. I can barely type for the
stiffness and pain
in my hands. I'm seeing my rheumatologist at 9:45 today and CAN'T WAIT. I
couldn't
straighten my right hand for awhile after I woke this morning. My elbows hurt
and I have
weird callouses on the soles of my feet just below my pinky toes. Anyway,
thanks so much
for all the support via replies!
wendy

Anyone have any luck reducing swelling, stiffness or pain through elimination of
salt/
sodium?

Saw the rheumy on Friday--she thinks I am doing well but should
increase my MTX. No ulnar deviation as my PA had "observed" last week.
I always enjoy reading the Arthritis Today magazines at her office--
even felt disappointed when the doc came into the exam room "too
soon" and interrupted my reading! Decided it was time to subscribe.
The Arthritis Foundation (publisher of the magazine) also has a good
website with other great resources.
S

Dear Marcia and All,

From: Marcia Stoyle <marciastoyle@...

Yes, so far, so good. Thank you for asking Marcia. I had them both

originally replaced in 1987 when I was 28. The surgeon at that time said

they would last around 7 years. Well, thankfully they were okay for 17

years!! Then last fall my left knee began kinda going out on me and it

was discovered that the plastic in there had worn out so I had that revision

surgery in September, 2003. In January, 2004 I had my right ankle fused.

Then, on July 12th of this year I had new plastic in my right knee put in

because it was causing me stabbing pain as the plastic was worn out.

It was a bit more complicated of an operation though as I had a rod in my

right femur from an accident in 1992 that was attached to the artificial

prosthetic and that had to be removed as the rod was a bit too long now

with the new plastic in there. I have 46 staples and two incisions and they

come out on Tuesday. I have physical therapy come into the house via the

Visiting Nurses and I mostly just do my exercises on my own (I take one

narcotic pain pill prior to doing this). In the hospital it started out bending

after a few days at 60 degrees. I'm up to about 90 degrees now and it will

slowly gain degrees as time goes on. Can't think of anything else to add,

but joint replacement surgery in my humble opinion brings a lot of pain

relief and if I have to have more I'll seriously consider it and I'm sure I'm

not the only bionic person on this loop. Have an awesome day everyone!

LovePrayersHugs,
.··-.¸.-··. (`'·.¸(`'·.¸ ¸.·'´)¸.·'´) .··-.¸.-··.
`·. .·´ D odi e .·´ .·´
`·´ (¸.·'´(¸.·'´ `'·.¸)`'·.¸) `·´
Speak when you are angry and you will
make the best speech you will ever regret.
- Ambrose Bierce

"We either make ourselves miserable or we make
ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same."
Don Juan -- Journey To Xtlan

Hugs, Jacy ~Are We There Yet?

jacymail@...
IM: jacygal - ICQ: 96949087
www.geocities.com/mtn_rose

Signature powered by Plaxo Want a signature like this?

Just wanted to take a few minutes to introduce myself.
After a few years of feeling extremely exhausted to the point of

My company is performing market research about people with
rheumatoid arthritis. We are looking to conduct 1 hour telephone
conversations with people with RA to better understand RA issues, to
determine treatment satisfaction, and to identify unmet needs. We
will compensate participants with a nominal fee for their time.
Should you be interested in learning more, please e-mail
rastudy2004@... with your e-mail address, age, gender, years
with RA, current treatments, prior treatments and city / state.
Thank you.

Hi again all,

Here is the complete link that you can click on:

http://www.arthritis.org/advocacy/Medicare_Demo_Project_Enrollment.asp

All information about what Medicare covers and doesn't cover Pris

can be found here:

http://www.medicare.gov

I pay close to $200 for my Medicare Supplement through United American.

When you first start out though it's cheaper than this and other companies

may be more reasonable.

Best Wishes,

Dodie

Steve will be 65 next year.
Could anyone tell me basically what medicare covers, and what the deductable and co insurance is?
Pris
Stay tuned for two 30 min. shows devoted to just our piggers...
Animal Planet's "That's My Baby" July 22 2:30PM ET
Animal Planet's "Pet Story" July 29 11AM ET
Also, Nellie does tricks on Animal Planet's "Amazing Animals",
July 30, 3PM ET.
valentinesperformingpigs.com

Dear All,

Haven't been participating much in the list as I was in the hospital

for a knee prosthetic revision surgery but am back online now and

got this from the Arthritis Foundation. I just called and got my application

and will fill it out and have my rheumy fill out a part and hopefully will

be able to get Humira or Enbrel or Kineret paid for. You have to be on

Medicare Parts A and B to qualify and they will consider 50,000 applicants

or something like that. Anyway, wanted to pass along this information

so please click here to learn more:

p://www.arthritis.org/advocacy/Medicare_Demo_Project_Enrollment.asp

Best Wishes,
.··-.¸.-··. (`'·.¸(`'·.¸ ¸.·'´)¸.·'´) .··-.¸.-··.
`·. .·´ D odi e .·´ .·´
`·´ (¸.·'´(¸.·'´ `'·.¸)`'·.¸) `·´
"We either make ourselves miserable or we make
ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same."
Don Juan -- Journey To Xtlan

Rheumatoid Arthritis Gene Marker

HealthNewsDigest.com
06/28/2004

Scientists Discover Genetic Marker Responsible for Two-Fold Increase in Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis

MANHASSET, NY - (HealthNewsDigest.com)...A team of researchers has discovered a genetic variation that doubles the risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The variation, referred to as a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, pronounced -snip-), is present in about 28 percent of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and 17 percent of the general population. This discovery resulted from a collaboration between scientists from the North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium (NARAC), led by Peter K. Gregersen, MD, of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Research Institute in Manhasset, NY, Celera Diagnostics and Genomics Collaborative, Inc. The team's findings are being published in the August 2004 issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics.

"This is an important discovery, really a major genetic variant identified in a U.S. study that clearly seems to be involved in rheumatoid arthritis," said Stephen I. Katz, MD, PhD, director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), the lead agency at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that supports NARAC.

While scientists still do not know the exact cause of RA, they do know it is an autoimmune disease in which the body's natural immune system does not function properly and attacks its own healthy joint tissues. This causes inflammation and subsequent joint damage.

The SNP they linked to RA is located in a gene that codes for an enzyme (called PTPN22) that is known to be involved in controlling the activation of immune cells called T cells. Under normal conditions, the enzyme works as a "negative regulator" -- meaning it inactivates a specific signaling molecule, which in turn interrupts the communication lines and keeps immune cells from becoming overactive. In cases where the SNP is present in one or both copies of an individual's genes for this enzyme, the team found that the negative regulation by this enzyme appears to be inefficient, so that T cells and other immune cells are hyperresponsive, causing increased inflammation and tissue damage.

"This is not an abnormal gene," said Dr. Gregersen. "It is present in a substantial fraction of the normal population, so it's probably there for a good reason. It may, in fact, help defend against infection." When it comes to the genetics of complex diseases, context is everything. According to Dr. Gregersen, a genetic variant in the setting of certain environments and in the presence of other genes may have harmful effects, whereas the same genetic variant may have beneficial effects in another genetic and environmental context. "So this particular genetic variation may have contributed to the survival of our ancestors. The price we have to pay for that, however, is that some people are modestly predisposed to developing rheumatoid arthritis."

Using state-of-the-art technology developed by Celera Diagnostics, Ann B. Begovich, PhD, director of inflammation, at Celera Diagnostics and her team discovered the PTPN22 association. The technology allowed them -- in a short period of time -- to look at tens of thousands of SNPs in thousands of DNA samples from subjects with RA as well as normal control subjects. The majority of the DNA samples analyzed in this study were carefully collected from families with RA who contributed to the NARAC project. Genomics Collaborative, Inc. provided additional samples.

"This collaboration has enabled us to make a significant contribution to a very complex genetic problem in a relatively short period of time, something that can only be achieved with a team effort," said Dr. Begovich.

The Arthritis Foundation has been an important supporter of NARAC. "This critical discovery is an illustration of the power of public-private partnerships to solve complex issues," said John H. Klippel, MD, the foundation's president and CEO.

Research has previously shown that autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, lupus and thyroid disease tend to group in families, but there has been no previous direct genetic connection to explain the phenomenon. Earlier this year, a study published in Nature Genetics linked this same SNP with type 1 diabetes. Subsequent unpublished research by Dr. Gregersen and his colleagues indicates that this particular gene variant may also increase risk for other autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus and autoimmune thyroid disease, as well as type 1 diabetes.

"NIH has provided strong scientific and financial support for the North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium over many years, and we are now beginning to see the fruits of this investment," said Dr. Katz. "I expect this discovery will spin off many more advances in the field." In addition to NIAMS, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Office of Research on Women's Health at the NIH also support NARAC.

http://www.arthritis.org/Resources/DisplayScreamingNews.asp?id=493

Hugs, Jacy ~Are We There Yet?

jacymail@...
IM: jacygal - ICQ: 96949087
www.geocities.com/mtn_rose

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Don't forget to watch NELLIESTAR's pet on
Animal Planet's "That's My Baby" July 22 2:30PM ET
Mary

Hello to everyone. I am sorry I have not posted lately. I have been
sick over the weekend and today I got sick with a stomach virus.
Hope everyone is doing well. Hello and welcome to the new members.
I am still currently waiting to find out what I have. I feel it is
RA because I have 4 criteria of the 7 to diagnose RA. I am suppose
to be taking Mobic, but I had to stop because I am allergic to
aspirin. Why the doctor did not look at my chart before he gave it
to me I will never know.
Jacy, I think you asked me about a medic alert bracelet. I have not
found one that is reasonably priced. The ones you have to get
ingraved are very expensive.
Shelly, my birthday is the day before yours. October 22nd.
Anita

Hi you guys/gals,
Anyone here familiar with the Road Back Foundation?
http://www.roadback.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/home.main.html
I just started reading. I take minocycline for rosacea. I've also
come across some reading in the past about studies on MS from using
treatments from the tetracycline family of drugs.
Aren't some of you taking minocycline? Does it help?
I'm sorry. I know I'm asking a lot of questions. However, the squeaky
wheel gets the grease...
Hugs n prayers and hopes of freedom from pain,
Nita

Hello everyone. My name is Melissa and I am 24 years old. I've had
rheumatoid arthritis for 6 years now. During the past 6 years I have
not had very much luck in stabilizing my RA and have tried many many
of the RA drugs out there. I am currently on Remicade, which is not
working for me, and I'm about to start a trial for "Humira". I go for
my first appointment for "Humira" on Friday and I am really looking
forward to it. I am hoping that this new drug will help with my
joints... but most of all get rid of the fatigue I experience
everyday.
After developing RA I still decided to go to school and get my
Tourism Marketing Management diploma. The first year was really hard
for me, as I was taking 9 classes per semester. This is the usual
numer of courses to take at BCIT for this program, but I could not
handle it past year 1. I found out that I could take the program part
time during the day and I did and finished it in 3 years rather then
2. Looking back I do not know how I did it. After graduting my RA was
really bad and I decided to take a break. I have held one job since
graduating BCIT, but did not last past 4 months b/c of the fatigue
physically and emotionally. Since then I started a support group in
the Greater Vancouver area for young adults with arthritis called
the "Arthritis Social Crew" and we have been running for 2 years now.
I am extremely proud of starting a group like this b/c there is
nothing else like it in this area and it has been really successful
so far.
I just wanted to email everyone and say HI and introduce myself. I
look forward to corresponding and talking about RA with all of you.
Melissa K.

jacy iam in olkahoma city i have ra lupus and a couple of other
artithris in all of my joint i have had it for about 12 years now
sherrie

today is my birthday and no one remembered what do i do it is not
helping my ra at all any ideas
sherrie

i went to the doctor yesterday to see what my rash was it was a yeas
t infetion got that under control my depressionis getting under
control so i guess im doing ok for now just need to get the pain
under control then i will be good thanks for listening to me
sherrie

Hi everyone,

My family is taking a trip to Orlando next month. Disney World, Universal, the whole works. We're going to head to the "Islands of Adventure" theme park in Universal, and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with some of the rides there. I've been to Disney many times and in my experience the vast majority of the rides are based on creativity and backdrop, not thrills and chills... it isn't too difficult for my arthritic self with two prosthetic joints to settle into the little Small World boat. I've never been to Islands of Adventure, though, and I've heard from reviews that it's more geared towards thrill rides and coasters, closer to Six Flags than Disney. Is this going to be a really bad idea for me? I'm pretty sure Dueling Dragons and Incredible Hulk are completely off limits, but I'm wondering about that Spider Man ride and some of the others. I don't want to pay the outrageous admission fee only to discover that I can't go on half of the rides. I'll let my
sister go there with the family and I'll spend the day in Epcot stuffing myself with cannolis at Italy Showcase.

For reference, I've been on Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom and that's about my limit. I can handle it but I end up a bit bruised and banged about. Anything that's more high-impact and general bash-crash-smash is not going to be cool. Anything that does Gs is not cool. Anything that goes upside down is definitely not cool.

So if anyone's been to the Orlando area and can give me some advice on this, or if you know someone off-list who might be able to help, I'd really appreciate it.

Jenni

Study Links Estrogen to Rheumatoid Arthritis
Lab Findings May Have Implications for Other Autoimmune Diseases

By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Medical News
Reviewed By Michael Smith, MD on Thursday, June 03, 2004

New research may help explain estrogen's role in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases that afflict women far more often than men.

Women with rheumatoid arthritis tend to have fewer symptoms during pregnancy, when estrogen levels are high. Symptoms tend to worsen after they give birth and at menopause, when levels are low. Although a link between the female sex hormone and the autoimmune disease has long been suspected, the clinical evidence has been contradictory.

In the newly published study, investigators from Dallas' Baylor College of Dentistry report that estrogen directly influences key inflammation-causing chemicals, known as cytokines, that drive certain autoimmune diseases.

In a laboratory study, the researchers investigated estrogen's connection to CD16, a molecule that regulates inflammation. They found that when estrogen levels were low, CD16 levels increased. The findings are reported in the June issue of the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism.

"This may be one mechanism to explain how estrogen influences rheumatoid arthritis, but we are not saying that it is the only one," lead researcher Phillip Kramer, PhD, tells WebMD.

Just as in rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis symptoms tend to improve during pregnancy and worsen after delivery and at menopause. But the association is reversed in lupus, which is 10 times more common among women than men. Lupus symptoms tend to worsen during pregnancy and improve when estrogen levels drop.

Boston rheumatologist and Harvard Medical School associate professor Jonathan Kay, MD, calls the new findings interesting but adds that they do not convince him that estrogen is the key player in autoimmune diseases that disproportionately afflict women. He notes that levels of the female sex hormone progesterone also rise during pregnancy and plummet at menopause.

"Plenty of women who are premenopausal with normal estrogen levels develop rheumatoid arthritis," he says. Kay cited a study from Ireland, published earlier this year, finding that estrogen replacement therapy did not appear to protect women against rheumatoid arthritis. Another study that included 158 elderly women with rheumatoid arthritis, published last fall, found the same thing. "You would expect to see a protective effect for estrogen therapy if this association were strong," Kay says. "It may be that estrogen plays a role in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, but it may not be the only sex hormone that does."

SOURCES: Kramer, P. Arthritis and Rheumatism, June 2003; vol 50: pp 1967-1975. Phillip R. Kramer, PhD, assistant professor, Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University System Health Center, Dallas. Jonathan Kay, MD, clinical director, Rheumatology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital; associate clinical professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School.

http://www.prohealthnetwork.com/library/showarticle.cfm?ID=2216&Reviewed=YES

Hugs, Jacy ~Sacred cows make the best hamburger

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