First Visit to Rheumatologist

Well, I went to see the rheumy today.  He is was really great.  It did help that my doctor had run all the labs prior.  He did the xrays and physical examination and then confirmed that it is definitely RA.  He said I am in a pretty good flare up right now.  He is starting me on on the methotrexate 4 tablets once a week, plaquenil 200 mg twice a day and 10 mg of prednisone just to get me some relief.  He was very positive and that he believes in going slowly to see how I do on the meds.  I was told it takes approximately 6 weeks before you can usually notice any changes and that he will probably be increasing the mx at my next visit 3 weeks.  I am scared about all the side effects of the medication but right now I am desperate for relief. Today is my sons high school graduation so I need to concentrate on that today.  I want to thank everyone who has been openly sharing on this bored.  I know I will have questions.  Right now my biggest problem besides the stiffness is fatigue.... does anyone know how to tackle that one???

Take care and I will be in touch!!!

CT Mom

howdy CT mom

you go get em'!!!!!!!  you're on a good path so don't you worry.

and if 6 weeks goes by & YOU don't have "feeling better benefits" don't get discouraged about that either.

each person is an individual & what may take 1 person 6 weeks, may take another person 10 or 14.

 

you're doc sounds very level-headed...great!

it is best to go slow & thorough.  do give these meds time before jumping off of them.  off too soon when they may have just worked, and ya'd never know.

hang on in there.

 

i think the stiffness may ease once you reach a really good therapeutic level of meds...get the inflammation under control you know.

 

the fatigue may or may not fall into place.  i mean, even if you're healthy/normal....everyone's fatigued in this day & age.

w/ RA and i'm sure you know...it feels like a debilitating fatigue sometimes.

like, "I gotta lay down or else I'll fall down!"

 

be sure that all your thyroid tests are OK, vitamin Bees ( ) and keep all your lab appt's to monitor for any deficiency that may make you fatigued or make it worse.

 

prednisone may help w/ the fatigue.

 

if you're in a lot of pain & it's an effort to do EVERYTHING...you'refatigued to the max....so here you're looking at getting pain & inflammation under control and then the fatigue may not be so bad.

 

like Yalin said...you'll get to really REALLY know your bod & what it's limits are.

if you're looking into "i need a lift/energy to get things going"...maybe look into some teas? ginger, green tea...run it past your doc about any supplements or vitamins/minerals you can possible add to "help"...trying it is worth a shot.

 

keep your chin up.

peace/love

erin

hey there,
this alcohol issue is a very VERY individualistic matter. it can be really tricky.
if you take a look at the meds i take...and they are plentiful!...for some reason i can tolerate a modest amount of drinks.
usually only on weekends....maybe 2 or 3 beers and i'm totally fine.
or out to dinner & have 2 or 3 glasses of red?....fine.
BUT....in April, i had 1 frozen strawberry margarita...and it was pukes-ville for 11 hours. could have been the starwberries or the mix of tequila & grand manny i don't know.
it is a crapshoot sometimes.
i think it's better to stick to what YOU know won't make ya sick. i think that's safe.
and of course if your liver enzymes are whacky i absolutely would abstain from any drinks.

i tend to get more pukey sick when i'm on steroids...so i avoid all of it.

and then ya gotta live too you know? there's a quality of life issue here...and if a person has a chronic illness & has to be on medications daily forever...there's gotta be room to play if thatwas a part of that persons social life. and i'm a big advocate of that.

so i'd say on "girls nite" go w/ what you know. most times the "lighter" stuff is easier mixed with these meds.
best wishes!