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Posted 9/2/2008 6:09 PM (GMT 0)

Hello, I have been diagnosed with RA.  I have had the symptoms since around February 2008.  Im 33, and a mom of 2 boys under age 6.  It started in my pinky finger on my right hand, and has spread to both hands,wrists,feet,knees, ankles.....pretty much every joint.  My hands and feet ache the worse I think.  I wear mittens to bed, and usually heavy work socks to keep me warm.  Rainy or cold days are awful.  I have been known to wear mittens and sweaters on a nice sunny summer day, as my joints are aching. 

 I am currently taking Plaquenil...and was unsure if it was helping until a few days ago I ran out of the prescription. I was unable to get it refilled for a few days....being without it for 3 days was not good.  I found out that even though there is constant pain while on it...theres apparently more without it. nono

I was looking online and read that Green Tea is supposed to help with RA pain.  I was wondering if anyone has tried it? or would try it....as it says green tea may be bad for your liver...and being on meds that may harm your liver would you try it anyway...?

I am really new to all this and afraid of what Winter will mean for me....I live in Canada and Winters are long and cold! sad

If anyone wants to chat...I am looking for someone who wants to chat that can relate.  My family are supportive , don't get me wrong, but they just dont fully understand.  They dont get it that i hurt all the time, and more if I do more...

Posted 9/3/2008 9:07 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome TayIsa! I'm sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with RA. I don't know much about green tea helping with RA pain. I've tended to stick with more conventional meds to kick mine into remission. How long have you been on the Plaquenil?
Posted 9/3/2008 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi TayIsa,

I did lots of reading about possible links between diet and RA when I was first diagnosed 6 years ago. Your post has prompted me to think about updating my research. What I found for myself at that time was that despite seeing a naturopath and taking tons of supplements, switching from a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet to a vegan diet and temporarily eliminating wheat and nightshade vegetables, I just got worse and worse. Of course, this was at the beginning, so who knows how I might have felt otherwise? I also practiced yoga and meditation every day. What I’ve decided is that I’m still interested in alternative treatments, but I’m taking traditional medicines too. My goal is to try to see of some of the alternative stuff can allow me to scale back some of the traditional medicines. I have been taking 400 mg of Plaquenil, 12.5 mg of methotrexate (MTX), 1 mg of folic acid, and Enbrel, but I had to suspend Enbrel last month (see my post about tingling and numbness in feet). Hoping to get back on Enbrel or something else soon. For supplements, I take a multivitamin, 1,000 IU of vitamin D (I suggest everyone read up on that one if you haven’t seen the latest research), 1000 mg calcium, and 500 mg magnesium. (The calcium and vitamin D were recommended by my rheumatologist. The magnesium is combined with the calcium—I can’t remember if I had another reason for taking it.)

Regarding what you’re taking, it’s my understanding that Plaquenil alone would be prescribed for a mild case of RA. I would suggest talking to your Dr. about adding something else. It seems common to add MTX and see how you do. If more is needed, then the biologics like Enbrel are considered. See the following article for studies about remission of RA with the combined treatment of MTX and Enbrel.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/111622.php
It can produce remission, ie. no pain and no joint damage. Because, keep in mind, even if you are willing to put up with a certain level of pain, the added cost is possible continued damage to your joints from the inflammation.

Prompted by your question, here’s what I found out about the benefits of green tea for RA:
http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/news/20070430/green-tea-vs-rheumatoid-arthritis

Here is a link about the dangers of high doses of green tea for your liver. It sounds like from this article that you would have to drink a lot or take concentrated supplements to have to worry about this: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn11786-green-tea-can-be-harmful-in-large-quantities.html
So it sounds like you should talk to your Dr. if you plan to drink more than a moderate amount per day.

I know it’s overwhelming at the beginning. Good luck.

Ellen
Posted 9/4/2008 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thank-you for your posts Scattered13,and yogini01 . I have been taking the Plaquenil 400mg daily since June 2008. For pain my rhuematoligist told me to take Tylenol....well the pain is more than just tylenol is helping, so this is why I thought Green Tea may help? I have another appt with my Rhuemy October 3rd, and will definitely be asking for something to help the increasing pain levels I am enduring.
I am currently a stay at home mom, and have found that if I chose one day to do lotsa stuff like laundry, and housework etc. I have the next day or sometimes 2 to re-couperate. I have been having a time with being cold and aching from that. I used to walk alot, and still make sure I go for walks now. I refuse to let this take over my life. My son starts Senior Kindergarten tomorrow, and we will be walking to and from school (weather permitting of course), but I will "pay" for each walk. I have days where I feel kinda useless. I compare my current abilities to what I could do last year...like I would be able to bring in all my groceries one trip from the van...now it takes many trips as I can only carry so much. I used to work at a grocery store a few years back and would carry my customers groceries out for them if they needed help, and now I"M that customer.....Saturday I was holding a glass of water and had to switch hands because my left hand was numb and i wasnt sure if I would drop the glass. Or I used to get down on the floor and play dinky cars for a long stretch at a time with my boys...and now I can only be down there for short periods of time as my knees start toache.
Thankyou for all your information, I will for sure be looking into what you have told me. :)
Posted 9/10/2008 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
HI, Me again....
I have been reading alot of the posts in here...and am feeling bad that I am complaing about having RA. There are soooo many of you that have RA + many other "issues".
I also wanted to ask...since my auto-immune system is "weak" do I need to be worried of my "list of issues" growing.... Dont take me wrong I really feel awful for all of you but now I am scared a little too. I feel awful with just my RA...don't know if I could be as strong as all of you to handle much more....
Thanks for your support. ((gentle hugs))
Posted 9/11/2008 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Dear TayIsa,

My personal advice is to take a deep breath and focus and getting the best treatment for the RA. Know that there are good treatments out there and you can feel good again. If something else comes up, either related to the RA or not, you'll take another deep breath and deal with it then. You'll go nuts if you start worrying about all the things that you don't have.

On the other hand, I think is it important to be watchful of possible side effects of medicines we take. And they do know that people with RA are at a higher risk for heart disease. So, do what you can to minimize your other risk factors by eating well and exercising as much as you can. It's probably hard to take care of yourself while you're not feeling well. But do the best you can and know that it will get easier as you feel better.

Take care,
Ellen
Posted 9/11/2008 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Yogin01,
thank you sooo much for your post. I guess I have just been a little down, and frustrated lately about having this stupid RA. Thank you for your advice. I will do my best to keep a positive attitude. I have decided for sure to not let this beat me. I still excersise and do things that I used to do...(well most of what I use to do) and intend on continuing that way.
Its really nice to hear from someone who knows what I am going thru " you can get thru this", even though family say it, sometimes it feels like they are saying you HAVE to ...
Thanks again. Have a great day!!
Posted 9/11/2008 7:58 PM (GMT 0)

Hi TayIsa

I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis several years ago.

Had to stop taking the methotrexate with diclofinac as my liver count went up.   Had an allergic reaction to Celebrex and then the rheumy wanted me to start on Enbrel.  It was pretty new at that time and the possible side effects scared me to death.   So I stopped going and for the next 5 or 6 years have been dealing with the pain and taking two over the counter Alleve twice a day.

I finally went back to the rheumy about two months ago as the joint damage in my hands had gotten so bad it was beginning to get difficult to do anything.   I tried the Enbrel but after two injections got a reaction so was switched to Humira.  I've had two injections  and due for another on Monday.   I've notice a big difference in my legs already.

My hands still hurt but not as bad as they were.  I'm thinking this might really help and wish I hadn't waited so long.

As for the green tea - I did try drinking it daily for a couple of weeks years ago and also avoided all the refined sugar and white flour.   It seemed to help some.

Don't know why I stopped, other than I really don't like the taste of the green tea.    Might give it another try.I worked with a lady that swore by it for everything.I don't remember her ever being sick

Hope you don't wait as long as I did.  Eventually the arthritis will take over if we don't fight it.   I would much prefer not to have to take drugs but I fear being crippled more than the possible side effects at this point.

I wish you the best.

Donna

Posted 9/12/2008 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Alicat,
Thankyou soo much for your post. I am sorry to hear you are feeling awful again, and hope you success in finding the correct medications to help you.
Thanks for your experience with the Green tea. I have found I dont mind the taste of the "mint" green tea. But am only drinking it once in a while...not really using it for "pain relief" as of yet. I am currently on plaquenil...and going for another appt. with my rhuemy at begining of October.
I went to my doctor right away when the pain in my hands was insistant an not going away. This led me to all the appts....and the appt with a rhuemy. And where I am now...diagnosed with RA. I can 'deal with alot of the pain but some days it just gets to be tooo much.
I am also finding that im tired alot too. I still go about my daily life but am tired. I have a 3 year old at home with me at all times....so dont get to nap much. He thinks hes tooo big for nap time, and I wish he would just "rest" lol.
Hope you have a good day.
Posted 9/12/2008 2:32 PM (GMT 0)

Hi TayIsa

I can relate to the fatigue.  Some days when there's a bad flare up it's an effort to get up and dressed.  I took care of my Mom for a year and a half after my Dad passed and it was pretty hard sometimes lifting her and caring for her when I was having so much pain myself.  She was a tiny person or I wouldn't have been able to do it.

But with God's help we made it through till her passing last June.  I'd go through it all again to have her back for even a day.  My hands really got worse after her sickness and all the stress of her being in the hospital and having to make the decision not to implant a feeding tube.  Stress can really affect his disease.  But I can say the Humira is helping.  My legs, knees and feet are way better lately and am hoping it will eventually help the pain in my hands also.

As far as the fatigue, I learned that sometimes I just have to rest whether I want to or not.  That's not always easy when you have a little one running around.   Maybe Mom could take a nap when baby naps?   That's what I did when caring for Mom.  When she took her afternoon nap I rested too.  Some days we just have to do the best we can.

Hang in there - wishing you better Days,

Donna

Posted 9/12/2008 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry to hear about your parents. I am glad you were able to be there for them.
I try to sneak a rest, even if I don't sleep, once in a while, to kinda catch my breath. I am very glad to hear your meds are helping your legs,knees,and feet, I hope that it helps your hands very soon.
Take care and wish I could just wave a magic wand and make all illnesses go away!
((gentle hugs))
Posted 9/14/2008 9:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, I'm new on here.

I have been diagnosed with Osteoarthitis in my lower back; they even called it spondylosis, which causes tightening. Does anyone have any suggestions? My legs constantly hurt all the way down into my feet, my hips hurt, and my back stays extremely tight all day.

I found out about this by having a horse accident, fell off and hit my back & hip on a log. Ever since I have hurt sooo bad, can't sleep (even if I take sleeping pills), my pain medication, and my muscle relaxers. I am a mother of 2, ages 8 & 10 yrs. Sometimes my left leg will give out on me and I almost fall; the dr's say it's nothing.

I've had several MRI's which they all come back saying I have OA in my L4 & L5 discs, I have been going to a pain mgmt dr for 2 and a half yrs, ever since my accident, have gone through a countless number of cortisone shots, have had lumbar spinal blocks, radio frequencies done on my back, discogram (which showed I had severly torn discs; however, the other dr. would not operate), and you name it regarding shots in my back, I have had them. The only thing that worked for a whole yr was a radio frequency; however, now it doesn't work anymore; already had another one a few months ago, didn't phase the pain. I've worn a tens unit too.

The dr's want me to put a medicine pump in me, but I won't let them because I'm 31 yrs old. Next week I'm going in for a CT/ Myleogram (contrast dye) to see if anything at all shows up besides the OA.

I have taken Lyrica, which was a nightmare (swelled up like the girl on Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (old version), Celebrex (did same thing), Neurontin (did same thing), and now I'm on Limbrel 450 mg per day, doing okay, but can't tell a change and have been on it for 3 wks now.

Please does anyone have any advice?

__________

Dx: Osteoarthritis (back), Intercistial Cystitis of the bladder, cysts on my left kidney, Irrital Bowel Syndrome, & Migraines. (That is enough).

Rx: Soma 350 mg 3 x's a day (muscle relaxer), Limbrel 450 mg 1 a day, Levbid mg's? 2 x's day, OPANA-IR 10 mg 1 x day (dr will only allow me to take a night b/c I drive during day)....this is the only pain reliever he will prescribe & Trazadone for sleep & IC, Benadryl for IC.

***I can not take Elmiron for my IC of the bladder b/c it makes terribly sick & I swell w/it. **** No meds for this except Trazodone & Benadryl.***

______

If anyone has any suggestions it would be appreciated. Thank you.
Posted 9/14/2008 2:25 PM (GMT 0)

Photographermomof2, I am sorry to hear you are having such a time.  I am new here too so unfortunately I do not have any ideas of what can help you.  I can offer my support and offer to "listen" when you need to vent.  I'm a 33 year young mom of 4 boys.  I have 2 stepsons(15,13) and my two little ones (5,3), so I understand your reservations about things being a young mom.  Hope you have a "good day". ((gentle hugs))

Posted 9/15/2008 3:46 AM (GMT 0)

Hi TayIsa,

I too have RA and a host of other issues.  I was exactly where you were about a year and a half ago.  I was 39 when I was diagnosed with 3 kids at home. 

Hang in there, I never thought it would get better but it does.  Try to focus on one day at a time.

I live in eastern Ontario, Canada and yes, the cold and dampness definetely places a big role with pain and inflammation.  With the right combination of meds things will get better. As you've probably seen, the support here is phenomenal. My email is available and if you ever want to chat I'd like to as well!

Take Care

Raven

Posted 9/15/2008 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
Raven67, thank you for your post. It is nice to hear of others who understand what I am going thru. (Although not nice that others are enduring pain and sickness too.)
I used to think that arthrititis wouldnt hit me till I was "OLD" and I'm Not old yet....LOL.
I go see my Rhuemy soon and will for sure be asking for new or more meds to help make everyday life more bearable....winter is not far off I think.
Take care and I hope you have more good days than bad!
Posted 10/6/2008 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I went to see my rhuemy on Friday.  She now has prescribed a drug called INDOMETHACIN. Has anyone heard of it? Was just wondering how it worked for you...if it gave you headaches? as she said it might ....

Thanks.

Posted 10/6/2008 3:22 AM (GMT 0)

Hi,

I don't think I've tried it, unless the generic name is Indocid.  Is it a suppository?  I am going to do some research on it though.  Let me know how it works, I am seeing my Rheumy on Tuesday and if it something that works for pain it would be great.

Take Care

Raven

Posted 10/6/2008 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
I think it is Indocin.  But its not a suppository for me. There are suppositories I guess...but I got the ones you take orally.  She said to take them 3 times daily and make sure I eat when I take them or it will really bother my stomach.

Thanks for your reply. I hope it helps with my pain as I am sick of hurting alllllll the time. Hope you have a great day. take care

Posted 10/6/2008 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
I was just researching it and I did take it for pain after I had a hysterectomy.  Works good without the drowsiness but I didn't know that they were Rx it for long term use.

Just watch out for stomach problems though but thats with any nsaid. 

I know what your saying about the daily pain some days I thought I was going to go crazy.  My pain is more controlled now but it took me over a year to figure what my limits were.  Are you taking methotrexate as well?

Stay well

Raven

Posted 10/6/2008 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
Raven,
My rhuemy seems to be perplexed with the symptoms I am telling her....it doesnt help that when I go see her I am not too badly inflammed to look at. I am hurting but not swolen if that makes sense. So she is trying one drug at a time to see what helps. I had x-rays taken friday and blood work to be done tomorrow. She has me on Plaquenil 400mg daily and now has added the indomethacin 75mg, daily to start. I read that its not good to be on this indomethacin for very long...so thanks I will keep that in mind and see if she will get me off it sooner than later.
Hope your appt goes well for you. Gonna go to bed now I'm exhausted. Take care.
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