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Any advice for my mother? RA for 15 years.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 7/19/2011 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, my mother has had RA for about 15 years. She was diagnosed soon after giving birth to my younger sister (not too sure if that has anything to do with it) but she's been on whatever medication the specialist has told her to go on since. She hasn't done her own research and I've pretty much seen her deteriorate right in front of my eyes. She constantly in pain and there is nothing that is helping her. She avoids taking her pain medication because she's anti-medicine. I think she takes Arthotec [sp?]. She also takes Sulphasalazine and so many other medications. I don't know the all the names. Is there anything I could do to help her? Does anyone have any suggestions? Anything that has worked for them? After a long day of work she's in a lot of pain and I try to help by researching and making her herbal teas and epsom baths and the truth is I don't know what to do. When she's in pain she tells me she just needs time to feel better. I don't think she'll be able to walk in the next 5 or so years and she's only 45. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks so much for reading.
Posted 7/19/2011 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
I should correct myself. She avoids he pain medication if she can bare the pain. It's not like she avoids medication all together. She knows she needs it. But she would rather cope through the pain than take the pills. Some medications she has to take though for the RA. She can't skip out on them. She also has a hyperactive thyroid so she has to take medication for that every morning as well.
Posted 7/19/2011 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
First thing is to get checked to see if you have RA as it is hereditary...Then tell her doctor's what
she is taking and what she refuses to take as maybe a doctor could help you on this, some RA meds can
effect the eye's so get her to an eye doctor for a complete eye exam...Look up RA on a website and look
for support groups, maybe get her into see a counselor such as a psychologists. Maybe look at
health foods stores, tart cherry juice is supposed to help with pain but a little at a time like 1/4 cup to start with
as it can cause diarrhea, with too much...supplements such as vitamin D and B-12, plus omega-3.
can help. well wishes to you, this might be hard on you maybe seek out counseling for yourself...
Posted 7/20/2011 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks you very much, Chartreux! I will definitely look into these options! :)
Posted 7/20/2011 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
She needs to talk to her doctor. I don't know all of what she is on but in recent years there have been a lot of new meds introduced and if her current ones aren't working her doctor needs to know that.
Posted 7/20/2011 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gina,

First of all I want to say how much I was moved that you as a daughter would be here researching things for your mom! How kind!
Your mom must be followed my a rheumatologist if she is on the Sulphasalazine- I am surprised he / she is not making new suggestions if she is progressing or just not feeling well. Maybe your mom is not being upfront about how she is feeling. The fact that she avoids pain meds makes me think that she's like me. I often down play how I feel and I deal with what I call "bearable" pain every day. If that's the case please suggest to her that she talks to the RD about how she's feeling. On the other hand if they are oblivious it may be time to change doctors. As has been stated RA treatment has come a long way in 15 years. She can have much better result with a different DMARD. Sulphasalazine is one of the most mild drugs- maybe she needs something stronger.

Your being there for her certainly helps! I find application of heat in all forms is most beneficial for me. I recently purchased a hot tub and it is heaven. Not so much the jets- as to just be immersed in hot water up to my neck- seated in a comfortable position.

I wish you all the best!
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