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Posted 4/6/2008 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
Oh Sj sad I'm sorry you hurt so much! There is nothing like pred that is what I say!

Okay so I have come to the conclusion that Enbrel comes with not so pleasant side effects of the tummy kind sad   and maybe it's better to take it just before bedtime..but then I took it on Friday afternoon and this is Sunday and I seem to be having a flare...I'm beginning to wonder if Enbrel is the right med of choice.  It feels like someone has punched me in the back where my kidney's are and getting up the stairs was almost next to impossible without hurting.  Time to go back to the rheumy..I had so much hope for the Enbrel it is really discouraging.

I'm with you Sj...it seems like pred is the only thing that ever REALLY works!  Why does it have to be so dangerous?

Posted 4/6/2008 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
Mom, I'm sorry the Enbrill isn't working for you and having such nasty side effects. Let us know when you do talk to your rhuemy what she is able to do for you.
Bear-snow in April-I haven't experienced that since I lived in New York I actually miss the snow sometimes we don't get much here in the DC area.
The good thing about this whole plaq/pred thing is that I too got to eat cheesecake-without even going over my calorie limits for the day. I bet that ends now that I am taking more pred-oh well I guess you can't have everything.

I hope everyone had a wonderfull weekend.
Sj
Posted 4/7/2008 2:35 AM (GMT 0)

Hi guys,

Can't believe it's late Sunday night already sad   Weekends just go by way too fast for me...so...I made it through the rest of the week without being a target for anymore seagulls..yeah...however, I realized the other day that between the kids and the dogs (and now, it seems, the birds) I'm either filling up one end, or cleaning up after the other lol....what a sad commentary on my life....it's all about the pooh.     sj, I'm so sorry things are so rough for you.  I was reading back through the posts, don't know what to tell you about the meds and the eating, wasn't that one of the reasons you thought about the brand name instead of generic plaq?  Have you talked to your doc about the lack of appetite?  I know you're worried about the mtx, but I sure hope you find something that helps you. You, too, Mom...I sure wish the enbrel would kick in for you. Are you still using Celebrex?  I think I remember that at one time that worked really well for you?  Took my third shot Friday, and not feeling the greatest today either, but it's been really damp and rainy here.  That always make me feel just wonderful. The kiddos were all passing around some kind of cold thing last week, so I'm hoping I'm not catching that.  hey Raven..nice to see you back on, been thinking about you!  Is the injection helping any?  I wonder if the peeing stuff  is the result of the steroid in the shot?  Yally had a post about that when she was using  pred..perhaps an injection might do the same?  Just a thought... Yeah Joan...so glad the tens unit is helping..hope it keeps working...hey..any kind of thrill is good...cheap one or not lol!  Sweet 16, Yally...how fun!  Did you throw an awesome party for her?    

time to hit the hay...hugs to all of you...Ducky...you ok?  Boo?  Erin? Hugs to you my dears.... Bear, got some mail from Erin last week.  She's had a rough time of it, but was feeling a little better.  She posted here and there a little.   Hey, almost forgot...CaMama..are you out there?  You're missed too, dear.

Hugs to all!!  Jody

Posted 4/7/2008 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
I talked to my rhuemy today. (I called her office at 3:30 and spoke to her receptionist. The receptionist called back with answers to my questions forty-five minutes later then the doctor called at 5:15-she is awesome) I told her that I was unable to sleep on saturday because both of my sholders were swollen so I took some extra prednisone on Sunday and was ready to take the Methotextrate. We are now just waiting for the labs to come back. She let me know I should expect it to take months for this to work and that she wants me to start at half a dose and see her in two weeks. She also is sending a script for folic acid and she told me what side effects to expect and how the folic acid is supposed to help. She now expects me to be on 5mgs of pred for at least a few months while the meth starts working-that solves my not being able to eat problem as well. When we start the pred taper again I will have her give me the brand name script for the plaquenel.

It is spring time and the birds are returning. It looks like a few of you have already experienced that. (hahaha...)

Ducky with you just starting meth I have been reading your posts with extra interest this stuff still scares me.

I hope everyone had a super monday-and a great rest of the week.
Sj
Posted 4/8/2008 12:54 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Sj...It looks like you are on the right track with your meds?? I hope you start feeling better and I know the MTX is scary stuff!! I put it off for a long time and finally started taking it..after the first month on it, I was fine.  I hope it works for you *fingers crossed*.

Jody...I actually do have some Celebrex in my cabinet and finally got it out and took one, it helped some with the pain in my hands, maybe I just need to take them for a bit..I go to see the rheumy next week, and I'm sure we will talk about the Enbrel but since it takes up to 3 months, not sure if I will stop it or just wait and see.

Not much to report, just plugging along with school, driving, and kiddo's..gosh that sounds kind of depressing! the weather here is cold and today it was snowy and raining hopefully tomorrow it will be nicer weather :-)

Posted 4/8/2008 3:44 AM (GMT 0)

Hey it's the birdbrain here,

Made it through another Monday...but have to whine....my feet are KILLING me...they are just thobbing.  I tried to cut from Celebrex twice a day, down to once.  Maybe I just can't do that yet, was hoping.  Glad it helped you some Mom,  think I'm going to stay on 2 a day until I'm sure the enbrel is working well.  But, also spent a lot of time helping my mom over the weekend, maybe I just overdid it...again.

Keep watching for the robins to make their annual stop here on their way back north.  The we'll know for sure spring is on it's way for you guys.  Our backyard is often the pitstop for the migrating birds...guess they like all our flowers (and my shirts!!). Actually, they love the berries on our bushes, soon the cars, the driveways, the houses, will all look like they've been hit by purple bombs. Yuck.

If anyone is interested, this Wednesday night on 20/20 Diane Sawyer is going to interview a guy named Randy Paush...really an awesome guy.  He was a prof at Carnagie Mellon Univ..and found out he had pancreatic cancer.  Gave what was they called the "Last Lecture"...it was incredible..He has the most amazing outlook on life.  Try not to miss it if you can.

Well, the pillow is calling....have a good night all,  Jody

Posted 4/8/2008 5:57 AM (GMT 0)
hey everyone.. just a quick post.. I'm up and can't sleep.. :( :( :(.. but have to get up early, to make breakfast for the kiddies before school.. then off for another busy day.. I am off work this week, but my step-daughter is in town for her spring break.. so we've been busy busy busy, since she's been in town.. I have however, been able to get online daily and post some.. woo-hoo.. :) Looks as though everyone is doing well, and we've even got some new members.. that's awesome! Ok, off to drink some warm tea and hopefully get some sleep.. take good care everyone, talk to you soon.. Duck
Posted 4/8/2008 5:32 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Jody,

The celebrex really does help, but I'm wondering if it gives you any tummy troubles?  It sure does me! But now that I am home for the day I will take another.  I'm sorry your feet are hurting sad For me, I think I have a bit of the bursitis in my shoulder blade but the celebrex is great for that.

Ducky, I'm glad you are doing well but it sounds like you are a busy lady!

Posted 4/8/2008 6:01 PM (GMT 0)

Gosh Ducky...how do you do it all???  I thought I was busy...but you make ME tired!! You're step-daughter is lucky to have you, and I'm sure she's loving seeing her dad...Did you get some sleep dear?

Hi Mom!  You know, I miss our little "chats"  on the thread we had ways back....you gave me so much help and encouragement when I first found this place..e-mail me sometime if you'd like..would love it.  As far as the Celebrex....nope no tummy trouble for me...nothing seems to bother this cast-iron gut of mine...I almost wish I would get a little queasy...then maybe food wouldn't be such a temptation lol. Gosh I need to something about my sweet-tooth, i am absolutely terrible about sugar.

yally....where oh where are you???Can't wait to hear all about party!!  Hope you are doing ok up there in the north country.

Gotta  go give the little one a bottle...hugs all around...Jody

Posted 4/8/2008 8:51 PM (GMT 0)

Jody..

Little ones and bottles? I don't see how you have the energy for babies, especially with the RA, I think you are fabulous to do it! My kiddo's zap my energy and they are all mobile and able to care for themselves (thank goodness!)

I read  your post on the other thread about the hair, and that is what my hair dresser said too..that it isn't really enough to notice and I managed to grow mine out to the chin lenght stage, but I know what you mean about the in between stage..it just drives you nuts!  My 14 year old has long hair, well longISH hair and he had that in between stage and drove US nuts with it! It is a sad thing but he has better hair than I do eyes

Yally...is your 16 year old driving yet?

Posted 4/9/2008 7:59 AM (GMT 0)
moanin everyone. tongue   sorry i havent posted in a bit.... guess the sun is here  and i am gone.  of course i am up now since 230am unable to sleep reading many posts.  some new peps out there to say hi to.

 

read the moanin threads and hope i get everyones sit correct in my responses if not forgive my foggy brain.

 

raven you peeing like me! gosh i am in a pickle with driving distances and body issues.  seems my system isnt like it use to be.  going too much and too urgent in all aspects.

if you get what i mean. i am up now with abdominal discomfort like i did a hundred sit ups.  i think i may have felt like this once before as i recall posting the sit up complaint?

not certain why i feel this way but mom23 you said something about feeling like you were kicked in your back? i feel like it in the gut.????

joan- sounds like the tens is working good. happy to hear.  i would think the peeing is good ????? thats what i tell myself?

jody- hey the birda are here looking for bears fish!  we have our ducks taking residence on our uncovered cement pond as of late.  no snow here been bbqueing so nice in the sixties all weekend but suppose to change today and snow by weekend..... ugh  not wearing socks though jody!!!!!!! whoohoo

ducky off from work whoohoo. i am jealous!  i willtry and connect with you since i know your not a t work! hate to catch you in a meeting with the brass! lol

bear- take care of those fishies.  at least they are big enough to hopefully not bring on the bird prey.  my brother has trouble with that in his garden pond seems he ffeds the wildlife when he supplies it with ornamental fish.  so your brain is asleep late night and allows you to work!  guess you will have to get a night job!

sj how you doing?  know there was something? oh the pred withdrawl!  i hear you on that pred cant live with it or without it just like a man! lol  sorry my humor!

20 mg must have been in a real battle with pain.  i know my shoulders are the first to scream and wake me too!  heres to hope!  

well gonna try and sleep again took some pred so that should help the aches and pains for now?  hope i make the ride today ok as i am sharing my drive with someone and it will be embarrassing if i am out in the wilds without a porta potty and in need of a tree again! yep i said again..... like i said not been good dont think i will have any food or bev this am before i go on the road. wish me luck i have about an hour strectch without any site of life to handle a crisis. i thnk my brain is going to kick in a mess with my body since i am thinking with fear about it! lol  

 

oh my 16 yo party went broke! gave her cash to eat out with friends and then go to a place with go carts and laseretron.  big mistake all the money gone no change lol

lets just say i hope she had a blast cuz i dont have a pot to pee in now lol .....no permit yet she has been real stressed with schol exams as of late that she hasnt had tome to study for the permit..... think today she can go afterschool?  i amnot pushing it...... oh and i cried sat night like a fool when i relized my baby is no longer.  was a crazy unexpected response.  didnt expect it.  well it is 4 am and i have to get up for real in an hour and a half so tata for now. yally

Posted 4/9/2008 12:11 PM (GMT 0)

Hi

I am new here and I have serious pain and swelling and I thought it might be artritis but I don't know what kind and my doctor didn't do any tests, he just looked at me and said I have rheumatoid arthritis and the pills he gave me are not doing a good job. I have symptoms like pain and swelling but what bothers me more is that sometimes my jaw gets so painful if I try to chew anything and my throut and shoulders get sore and sometimes my feet get swollen and I can't walk.

I really hope someone can shed some light on what kind of arthritis I suffer from!

 

Posted 4/9/2008 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Yally...good grief thats a lot of trips to the potty! is it due to the pred??? or since you said you are having pain maybe an infection of some kind? pain and peeing not good?  I have never been able to get enough pred to make me run to the potty, but yeah lately off and on I get the weird pain and especially after an Enbrel injection, right under my rib cage on the right back side. Sometimes in the night it hurts to turn over in bed.  Maybe we both need to see the doc?

My oldest is going on 16 and no sign of a permit here either and all of his friends are already driving with permits...he is the ONLY one not driving eyes   with the roads here, and the high speed limits (75mph) I'm not in a huge hurry for him to drive...It's a scary thought, to think of him in a car!

Steve..welcome to the board...you really need to either go back to your doctor, or go for a second opinion. I'm sorry you are in so much pain.  Your sore throat and inability to chew really needs to be looked into.

Posted 4/9/2008 5:25 PM (GMT 0)

Tada!  Another Hump Day! 

No bird dodging as of late....maybe they found another target?  Oh Yally, my dear friend...I'm so sorry you are hurting!  I was so hoping that the meds would kick in for you and you'd be back to normal (for you anyway lol).  Can't believe you are STILL have the issues with the potty...think Mom is right..maybe a call to the doc to rule out a UTI. I know how much you love going to the doc, but this has been going on a while now, hasn't it?  Sure can understand the tears for your daughter's b-day.  When my oldest turned 30 last summer, it was way worse than when I turned 50...just hated it!! Will try and give you a hollar later.

Mom, I laughed when I read about your boy's hair...of course he has better hair..the guys always do, don't they?  Oh gosh, and they always have eyelashes like crazy...not fair at all.  Guess that's why God gave us hairdressers and mascara lol. My youngest waited to get his license, too. I was so glad. Traffic here is absolutley insane and car insurance is dreadfully expensive...so the longer it took the better.  I think he waited a good six or seven months past his birthday. Just wondering...is that pain you have anywhere in the same area as your bursitis?

Hey Boo...did all the bad weather hit your area?  Hope you and your family are all safe...miss you dear..been thinking alot about you, too.

Welcome to HW Steve...what kind of doc did you see?  If you haven't been yet,  perhaps you should see a rhuematologist.  They really are the specialists to deal with all these issues, there are so any different types of arthritis, you really need a doc who will run all the necessary tests to make a proper diagnosis. If you have seen one and if you're not getting the help and information you need, seek a second opinion.  Finding a doc you're comfortable with and one you trust is so very important! From what I understand, RA can effect you almost everywhere, jaws included....I would really enourage you to get all the info you can. Take care, and please let us know how you are doing!

Ok guys...now I am thinking we live in some sort of Animal Planet episode!  First all the bird stuff, then this morning there were two HUGE gecko lizzards fighting to the death out on our deck...now I just looked out the window while I was typing, and the biggest possum I have ever seen is waddling accross our backyard, baby in tow. Who needs to go camping to get close to nature??  Somebody call Jim Hanna lol.

Hope you all have a good day...hugs!

Jody

 

Posted 4/9/2008 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Mom when my niece turned 15 she was a little worried about getting her permit and she took things reallly slowly. I was not too worried. My Nephew is now getting his permit and I am going grey...He scares me because he is so confident.

Stev welcome to the board and I am sorry you are going through that. I have had some of the same problems at various times. My jaw pain got so much better on NSAIDS that I never think about it anymore. Hope something gives you the same relief.

Yally, I am so sorry to hear you aren't doing well. I agree with the others that it is time to see if your doctors can help.

My rhuemy is good at letting me hang myself. I think that was what the pred taper was all about. She has been gently nudging me in the direction of Methotextrate for months. When I saw her last monday and she suggesting cutting to 2.5 mgs she said call me when this doesn't work and I'll send the script for methotextrate. In order to "not waste time" she had me leave with a slip for the labs I would need for the Meth "just in case".
When I told her the pred taper failed she did not seem at all surprised and immediately said I could keep taking pred for some months while the Methotextrate had a chance to work.
Well now that I am not fighting the pred I feel great.

Irrational Brain: THE METHOTEXTRATE script IS IN MY HOUSE!!!!
hovering in closet with a fistful of imaginary pred scripts.

Sorry for subjecting you all to the scitzophrenic discussions in my brain.

Sj
Posted 4/10/2008 12:33 AM (GMT 0)

eyes   eyes yally, i think the tens unit was so strange and that's why i was up and down all night.  yes, i am very happy with the tens unit as it is much better than lyrica and more effective than the lidoderm patches.  i never realized how lucky i was to just have arthritis, bad feet, hypertension, asthma/allergies, gerd, ibs/constipation and depression.  when you get another dohickey in your wonderful bucket of joy, then you realize how truly blessed you were!!! the tens unit is kind of difficult to place and they are going to be mailing me a belt.  i've been hanging it on my underwear at times and it is a bit heavy for that causing me to have sagging drawers!! well, i will say goodnight and ado to each and every one of you

  smurf smurf

Posted 4/10/2008 6:57 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the response Babyplace! Today I feel like a truck ran over me and I tell you I could strangle my GP if I see him. I will consult a specialist and get his opinion. I am 34 years old but I feel like I am 80. I will certainly give you feedback on my condition!


Thanks again for the response!
Posted 4/10/2008 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
moanin all! tongue

 

thanks everyone for all the support with my med issues.  i appreciate the ideas.... fyi it is not diabetes had that checked out and

i really dont think it is at all like a uti as i have other issues besides peeing like a racehorse!  tongue

 

i am not ready to let the doc know just yet as i know that will mean a ton of test docs and expenses that i just am not in the mood for

so for now i am going to hang tight.  give it a bit more time and pray.

 

stevoroni- sry i am the one with the poor humor- you will get use to it. lol  i had to put the roni on the end cuz it sounded fun and heck bear changed my name so it

is only fair i change yours!  hahaaha  welcome to our sad group of arthritic moaners! hahahah  actually we are a great group if i dont say so myself!  tongue

 

it does sound like you need to get to a doc and get some treatments!  good luck with that.

 

bp- i think i missed your call and i havent checked for any vm so forgive me, busy day yesterday!

ran all over town to get my daughter a jack sparrow custome from that pirate movie. why you ask?  a fundraiser for her sophmore class

so we got it together finally and i must say she looks great and is set for halloween next year too! lol

 

joan i loved your using dohickey..... that and thingamabob are some of my favorites.  so how does that thingamabob work?

 

sj~ just do it! ~Nike! devil

 

duck how is your week off?  busy busy busy! hey it will be my 21st anniversary tomorrow i sure wish i was going on a getaway like you did last month! boohoo

 

speaking of boo how are you!??

 

camama- you still out htere???????? hello??????

well i am off today so me thinks i am going to do notin for a bit and than so somemore of that!  hahaha 

 

take care my dear friends! erin and bear hope you are both havin fun being bad!  hugs yals

Posted 4/10/2008 12:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Moanin! Stevoroni sound cool and I like all the people here and the humour is good! But mostly I like the discussions and the advice, it's very helpful and hopefully I will contribute something in the future!


Keep well everyone!
Posted 4/10/2008 3:11 PM (GMT 0)

Jody...

Yes its true my son has fabulous hair and I can't seem to grow mine out!! For the longest time my husband told me he needed to have it cut off, but the way I see it, he will never be this age again so what is the harm in letting him have his hair the way he wants? At least he takes good care of it each morning. Sometimes he reminds me of a girl (both my boys) in the mirrior fixing their hair!  I agree at least we have hair dressers and thank goodness for hight lights, I don't know what I would do without those eyes

Do you live in the country? It sounds like you have lots of critters in your neighborhood :-)

Sj..I think I am going to let my husband teach my son to drive...I'm a bit high strung and so is my son..I don't think we would make a good mix! We told my oldest that when he turns 16, he can get the permit and that will be in August.  I know at some point you HAVE to let them grow up...it's just so hard sad In my mind I'm thinking in three years he will be grown.

As for the MTX, I know how you feel, I fought it for months and finally it was the nurse on the phone who asked when I was going to start it? because I was complaining of my joint pain.  Yes, it made me feel awful for the first month, but after that it did help.  Finally the horrid hip pain that I had is gone.  If you do take it, please drink a lot of water, when I don't I pay for it the next day with joint pain of all things!

Yally, Hang in there and if you aren't planning on going to the doctor anytime soon, I hope you keep an eye on yourself.  I know sometimes when I'm stressed I will run to the potty more often sorry if that is TMI!

Steve..If you are only going to a GP, you really need a specialist..when I first went for my knee pain, I went to my primary care and he ran tests for lupus, Ra, lime etc, gave me a script for ibuproferen and then sent me on my way to a rheumy.  He really wasn't qualified and told me so.

Posted 4/10/2008 6:25 PM (GMT 0)

Hi all,

thought I'd give you all a bit of a laugh.  Seems I get the ditz award for the week!  No real surprise though, think I should have been born a blonde instead of a brunette.   Anyway....I was talking to my son about the fighting geckos that I saw yesterday(I even took a picture of them, they were so big) Well, he sort of rolls his eyes at me and says "mom, they were NOT fighting"..Guess I interupted something else altogether...and there won't be any baby geckos any time soon lol.  Kind of gave a whole new meaning to "hump day" . Who knew????

No mom, I sure don't live in the country, we live in a very populated area of Florida, not far from the beaches.  That is why all the critters has been such a surprise! I guess with all the development, they don't have any choice but to make our home their home.

Hey, did anybody catch 20/20 last night?  The show was really great.Apparently you can watch his lecture on the web,  and he  has written a book called "The Last Lecture"  I have to get it..it was so inspiring. Wish I had his attitude, where people get that kind of strength is beyond me.

Hope you all have a wonderful night!

Jody


Posted 4/10/2008 9:26 PM (GMT 0)

Jody...

You made me laugh about the Gecko's tongue I would have thought the same thing!  I wanted to see the 20/20 interview but I go to bed early, I'm sorry I missed it,  but did see the preview...what an amazing human being..I am not sure I could have watched it..his wife and kiddo's..I managed to see part of it where he mentioned the fact that his family was going to be pushed off of a cliff and he wouldn't be there to catch them? (something close to that) and I thought how WILL his wife manage when he is gone? I just can't imagine losing my husband! and his children? sad What a heartbreaking situation but he is handling it with such grace and spirit. The preview alone brought tears to my eyes..

Well enough babbling...I need to study for an exam and I'm procrastinating eyes

Posted 4/10/2008 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys thank you all for putting up with my irrational panic attacks regarding the methotextrate. I really decided on Sunday morning after a whole night of no sleep that it was time. Now the pills are actually in the house (they are so much smaller than I imagined them). I plan to take them tommorrow night after work that way if I am sleepy or feeling yucky it doesn't matter so much.

I don't know how people get through this without doctors they trust-if mine wasn't so great this would not be happening.

Has anyone heard from Erin, is she doing okay?

Yally-I gues I can't blame you for not wanting to go to the doc, get tests, ... when I have been putting my doc off for months and doing so from the comfort of her exam chair.

I have now thrown away the key to the closet-irrational brain will not be heard from again-I have already baned her from talking to my doctor.

Sj
Posted 4/11/2008 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
FYI - if you google "last lecture" you can watch the video online. Hope this helps.

Mary
Posted 4/11/2008 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
It's that time again guys.. look for V57..
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