Hello ~ I'm a new member

Hello ~
I read that new members are asked to introduce themselves before joining any current conversations. Hello! I'm 58 and have been on Remicade/Methotrexate/Prednisone for almost 4 years. Remicade is 5 vials every 8 weeks. Methotrexate injection 1cc/week I have read everything about both drugs, and altho they certainly DO give relief to my RA, what I read about long term use and side effects is disturbing.
I was traveling last summer and had to extend my infusion from 8 weeks to 12 weeks. By about week 10 I could hardly walk. I was worthless. Every little thing hurt, even turning over in bed. By week 12 I was a total mess. This horrified me because the pain & inflammation that showed itself to me was MUCH WORSE than the way I felt 3 years previous when I first began the infusions. It seems the infusions have covered up how far the RA has advanced. Before Christmas I told my doctor how worried I am about the effect of these meds on my organs (liver & kidneys, mostly) and asked her if I could keep taking the meds for the rest of my life? She answered that hopefully there will be a cure for RA soon. A very hopeful & tactful answer. I'm still very frightened about the extent I am dependent on the meds and I came to this forum to ask if anyone has ever made the decision to go off the infusions and check-in to a restorative/organic/healthy clinic somewhere for a month or longer to help regain a somewhat pain-free and med-free life? Or.....is it infusions forever? Thank you for any insight ~ Little Libby

Hi Libby, and Welcome to the healing Well family.

I have met people who were on infusions or humira mtx combinations in the past and now survive on fish oil supplements! One guy told me he had to give up work his knees and feet were so bad and now he runs and swims. He moved to a warmer climate and lives organically and swallows mountains of fish oil! He was diagnosed 14 years ago and has been med free for 6 years.

I have started on the mega dose fish oil a few weeks ago and will let you know if anything happens thats magic. You're suppose to take 2.3 grams a day. I sourced a mega fish oil capsule at 1000mg so I don't have to make a meal of fish oil capsules. There is information on fish oil supplements on the Australian Rheumatology Association website, if you want to read up about it. My rheumy put me onto it.

The second person I met went into remission and simply stopped taking his mtx and he has been fine since. So it can happen, miracles happen. Don't give up hope, golitho

Welcome Little Libby,

I too have been taking the fish oi. for some weeks and feel you just have to try what you can these days. Doing the medical route is what we all have to do, but it doesn't do any harm to help things along by trying something different in the more natural way. You just need to do what you can to make yourself feel better mentally and physically.

You've come to the write place to either moan, discuss or simply have a good chat about your day. Your be heard by wonderful people who all know what your going through.

I would say I've made some great understanding, kind and thoughtful connections on here (you know who you are ).

Keep posting and look forward to hearing from you again.

Thank you Peggy ~

I live in a small town and know of a few women in town who have RA but they aren't really my "friends."  I don't feel comfortable talking to them about all this.  Somehow, even tho I don't personally know folks who post here, it seems very comfortable already.  I already know I won't be judged here and I appreciate being able to vent to people who know exactly what I'm talking about.  I don't even feel comfortable talking to my husband about it because if I say anything about feeling achy, he worries.  So thanks for what you said to me and I hope the fish oil is the miracle.  It will take several months, I understand, to offer relief.  Libby