HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

New at this, can you help?

Support Forums
>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
1 2
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/26/2007 6:59 PM (GMT 0)

Momto3

Thank you again for your answer, wasn't able to get with the doc, but I think things are easing up quite a bit. Took the mtx this morning, and going to try and do another dose with supper.  How are you doing?  Good I hope.  I was just wondering, how often do you get flares?  Is there anything that causes them? Like I said earlier, guess I was really dumber than I thought about all of this, didn't expect to feel like this once I got on meds, but seems this is just part of the whole thing.  Also, do you if mtx can make your heart race? Could just be the hot weather here, but I wondered about the mtx, my pulse is a little quick.Hope you're having a good weekend

Take Care

Posted 5/26/2007 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi babyplace - pd is Parkinson's Disease - but the threads here are much less heavy duty than the pd forum threads - I have my own views why but they're not important here. The pd complicates the OA and vice versa mainly because the symptoms can mask each other and it was common to be cross diagnosed. Nice to see to like my musings but all I am really is a gobby and opinionated so and so. I am more a ***** cat than a bear - I am large and hairy hence the nickname. Nice to talk.
Stay well babyplacce.
The Bear
Posted 5/30/2007 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hey bear,
Feel free to drop in and give your opinion any time, it's a pleasure to chat with you, and everyone else on this forum. Never done anything like this before, but it's been so wonderfully reassuring and helpful to me. Maybe, I should join up on the "groanin" thread, I enjoy everyone's sharing on that line, too. Did you see the recipie I left for you on the "dinner thread?
Sorry nobody answered about whether the mtx is usful for osteo pain. I may start a new line because I have a ton of new questions I could use some help with.
Glad to talk to again, sorry about your osteo and pd, can't be easy for you at all.
Momto3 if you see this, hope you are well, too.
3rd dose of mtx went fairly well, no major problems. How long before you felt it was starting to help?
Posted 5/31/2007 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Humpty Bear (yeah I saw your signature from the other thread and laughed and laughed :) ) please post here too if you like, I also enjoy reading your posts!

Babyplace...Stress and fatigue create my flares or at least make them so much worse...If I am over tired or over extending myself, I will get a terrible "flare". I took my 4th dose of the mtx and I have had somewhat of a flare all week long..and since tomorrow is Friday that means the mtx is starting to wear off anyway, I hope I don't have to take more of it at a higher dose. I think I have an appointment with my doctor next week.

I am happy to hear you are doing well and out of the worst of your flare. I know it can be disheartening to take a new medication and end up hurting and flaring.
Posted 6/1/2007 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Welcome to this awesome site! I was going to answeryou on your other thread, but didn't get there yet, sorry!!  I know just how you feel about being scared, nervous, etc...this can be a really scary place, and it's all pretty new to me, too.  I don't know what I would have done without the help and reassurance I've gotten here.,it's been my lifeline.

I'm doing to do my 4th dose of mtx this weekend and I was TERRIFIED to take it at first.  How much do you take?  I started small, with a dose in the am, and then one in the pm last week, but everbody seems to be different.  The first dose made me feel a little sick for a few days, but it wasn't horrible, and the last two have been no problem at all. Everyone here told me just to hang in that it would get better, and they were right. 

I also know what you mean about family and friends, they just don't understand, though they mean well, and I am so thankful that I have them, but this site is different, everybody's going down the same road and it helps so much to know that they are there. Write back anytime, and let me know how the meds go

you'll be in my thoughts!!

Posted 6/1/2007 1:04 PM (GMT 0)

Good morning all,

Not sure who will see this, but have some more questions I hope I can get some help with.....Momto3, hope you are well, thanks for the info on the flares, i wondered if mtx can cause one, in the beginning anyway?  Last weekend, took the meds on Sat, then on Sun my shoulder was SO sore! I've tried to go to the gym a few mornings this week, taking it very, very easy, it's been a while, but thought I needed to try.I am hoping a little exercise will help my joints and my spirits.

Also, Ducky, if you see this, I seem to remember reading that yu had foot problems, what were they, and are they better?  I was seeing a podiatrist for 2 yrs, before the RA diagnoisis, had many cortisone injections, a couple different pairs of orthodics, surgery for a neuroma, now he wants to do surgery for tailor's bunions, but my feet still hurt like****.  Feels like my toes could break, and they are so swollen, thought I was holding fluid, til the rhuematoligist told me the RA proably started in my feet. Just wondering if there was anything you found helpful, special brand of shoes,etc..willing to try anything.Thank you so much!!

Erin, I think I need an RA 101...got all these test results , all these numbers, but not sure what they mean,,sed rate..IGG  with all different letters, c-reactive protien, a couple of these were out of whack , one of which was the RA factor, that was 275.  Will that change? I go back on the 5th for more tests, she mentioned checking my liver, what else to they test for?  Also, on an earlier post, Bear asked if mtx would help osteo pain, I sure didn't know what to tell him, is it used for that?

Anyway, don't mean to be a pain, asking so many questions, would just love to learn what I can!

Thank you all so much...have a great weekend


Posted 6/1/2007 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure if the mtx causes flares, but it does seem to have a rebound of some kind if that makes sense! Because I start to feel crummy by Friday..

Have a wonderful weekend!
Posted 6/4/2007 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,
How are you doing? Hope you had a good weekend!! Your kids are out of school now, right? I hope that not doing all of that commuting allows you to relax, a least a little bit. I think I would just love to sleep in once in a while, but my body just won't let me. Even on the weekends, can't seem to sleep much past 5:30. How did the mtx go for you this time? Can't wait for this stuff to really kick in and do it's thing. I have high hopes for that. This time we upped it a bit, 3 in the am, 2 with supper, and really no problems. But, am taking a break from the Celebrex for a bit, to see if that was causing my racey heart. I do miss it already, but don't miss the rapid pulse. My hands and feet are really sore, and it's moving into my hips as well.
I see the doctor tomorrow, not sure what she'll do, except she said that she would check my liver. So many here seem to have to have taken predisone, and I was never given that, I don't know why, if it helps so much. Just want to get feeling better as soon as possiblle, supposed to go visit one of our boys in Memphis on the 21st. Hate to think I'll still be like this.
Never asked you, what part of Kansas are you from? I have some family there, Topeka area, was there once long, long time ago for my brother's wedding.Do you like Colorado?
Well, must sign off, hope you and your family are well!!
Posted 6/4/2007 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hey!

Yes school is finally out!! Now I must keep three kids busy and not bored! I am looking forward to not doing as much driving but will do some so that the kids will have something to do..all of their friends live in town..

I actually did fine with the MTX this time around, but it seems to have hit me this morning as I am really run down and tired..I think I could have just stayed in bed and slept the morning away but the kids all have dental checkups so we have to travel in for that in a bit. Plus, like you I am just used to getting up and my husband still gets up for work so there is the dreaded beeping of the alarm and who can sleep with that going off every 15 minutes for an hour?!

Funny you mention Celebrex...it is not on the market at least here. My doctor no longer gives out prescriptions for it. However prednisone if you can get a prescription for that it will help a lot with your swelling and pain and it did WONDERS for my hip pain!!! But I will say in the end it was making me moody and irritable and I was starting to retain water...in large doses over time it puts water around your heart (this happened to my fil) but in small doses it works well! My script was for 5mg per day but I experimented and I didn't need it every day but on some days my hip pain was terrible so I would take several of them and my doctor was not happy and did not give me anymore. Instead I got the methotrexate. My doctor feels if you NEED prednisone it is time for something else.

We are from Manhattan and that is very close to Topeka ( I miss it very much!!) but I like Colorado for the most part and I'm used to it now. I Love the school of choice option that we have here! Kansas does not have that so I wouldn't move back now while the kids are still school age.

I bet you are looking forward to your visit with your son..will you be driving or flying?

Have a wonderful day, and I hope you feel better.
Posted 6/4/2007 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
schooools out for summer! no more teachers , no more books, no more teachers dirty looks lol
sry u know me bursting into song! lol glad to hear u did better with the mtx. hey maybe u should start another thread about activities moms can do with kidos or parents excuse me can do with RA and kidos! kinda like our food thread only RA and kido activities! might get good info?
Posted 6/4/2007 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
You are one smart momma Yalinda..
Posted 6/6/2007 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
:-)  babyplace,

i "bumped" to the top of the threads 2 write ups aout rheumatoid panels & the RF level.  the one started by "marion" is a really good one.

i pretty much put all the "is" "and" and "buts" about it.

 

i do hope it answers at least some questions & helps ya get a better picture of what it is.

 

ciao!

Posted 6/12/2007 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,
Haven't been here for a bit, lots going on, with everyone else too, it seems.
This was week 5 of the mtx, and no problems at all. Am off the celebrex, using athritis strengh tylenol or ibuprophen if I need it. Yes, still achy, and hurting in my hands, hips, feet, etc., but didn't like how the celebrex was making me feel., racy heart, holding fluid, etc.
Went to the doctor last week, and she ran bloodwork on my liver and blood count...no results yet..I'm hoping that means good reports . She did offer me a script for a predisone dose pack to have on hand, but she said that can make you have a racy heart too, so I didn't take it.
She said that since I just got up to 6 pills , we could count 2 good weeks, and usually 6-8 before the mtx really shows its effects. Has that been what you have all found?
Haven't heard from Melissa lately, wonderhow she's doing?
Momto3, how are things in Colorado? I was so sorry to read about your thigs with your hubby and the kids...is it going any better? YOu've been on my mind so much, I pray things have calmed down a bit.
Well, time to go and get the little ones breakfast.....hope you are all well
Jody
Posted 6/12/2007 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

It is good to hear from you..I am also supposed to have my labs done, last week actually but did not have time after my appointment and so much going on here too! I will have time to go to the lab tomorrow finally! Yes those dose packs are nice but they do make you have the racing heart and the retaining fluid...although one should not do too much damage. Take it if you need too. It's the prednisone (not Medrol) that gets ya! Oh Boy, I am on only one plaquenil and have also increased my methotexate to 6 and I didn't think I was going to make it through the weekend but I am doing better just feeling a bit crummy, my knees are giving me trouble as well as the hands. I am still considering getting some prednisone to tide me over these rough spots,its hard isn't it? or maybe just going back to my two plaquenils.

I have one kiddo, my oldest at my inlaws visiting for the week and then we will pick him and drop off my middle son for a week visit, so I am down to two kiddos here but picked up one as my daughter has a friend spending the night from last night, and she never really wants to go home, so she will be here most of the day!

Yes, our situation has improved for the most part, we are past the rough patch that we had, and talked a lot both as a couple and as a family. Hopefully it will not happen again.

I was wondering how Melissa is too..we have not heard from since she took her dose of MTX and wasn't feeling so well afterwards..I know she is in school, so hopefully she is just busy and will update us soon.

Let me know when you find out what your labs are okay?

Have a great Tuesday :)
Posted 6/12/2007 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everybody,

Have had RA for over 18 years and have tried alot of meds over the years. As a heads up make sure your Rheuma or your primary dr. is monitoring other areas heart related such as blood pressure, ekg's and echocardigrams. There usually good at ordering blood tests regularly but some of the meds effect other areas of your body, also..
Watch your diet. 1-2 dayy fasts and ellimination of dairy, meat, breads and sugar can show quick improvement your conditionwithin 24-48 hours. Keep your system flushing with natural foods. Over time I have viturally elliminated the heavy meds. I do continue to get flairs but not regularly.

Hang in there.
Jimmy
Posted 6/12/2007 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you are doing well Jimmy..I'm vegetarian and don't do dairy except for cheese..may I ask what you do eat? are you on a macrobiotic diet? I THINK that is what its called.

Thanks!
Posted 6/12/2007 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I did the MTX shots for about 6 months. Just could not stay awake and was hazy all the time. It's a good idea to have your heart monitored with EKG's and Echocarigrams, also. It actually did make me feel somewhat better but the side effects knocked me out. I have been really working on elliminating meat, breads, and sugar from my diet and have had good success long term. Flushing and fasting has quick effects within 24 to 48 hours for me. Everybody reacts differently and I keep an open mind.

Hang in there.
Jimmy
Posted 6/12/2007 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the tips Jimmy, going to have to check this out. The diet thing has me spooked a little...you knocked out most of my favorites!! Sugar, cheese, pasta....but if it helps that much, maybe I need to give it a try.
Do have a problem with PAT, occasional tachycardia, and the Celebrex seems to have an effect on that, which is why I stopped taking it. But will definetly talk to the doc about the heart issues. Blood pressure has been ok, I usually run low, but the bottom number was up to 90 at just one appt. Last one was ok though, after stopping Celebrex and some hormones. Do you use any specific juices when you flush?
Thanks!
Jody
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12