thank youl...
Hi All, Just a quick question, I currently take prednisone 5mg/day, MTX 20mg/wk and remicade infusions 500mg/8wks. I still have constant pain and my hands are swelling. Does anyone have any...
I also have low Vit D. Taking 50,000 units, first weekly, now biweekly and 1500 mg/day with calcium. dexa scan + for osteopenia and prednisone doesn't help. Love the sun! Be well Mary...
Golitho - nice to meet you. mom - hello again. Meds are working ok but nothings perfect. Good days and bad. Bad days have been really bad lately, but I know I overdo it and pay for it later. be well...
Hi All, (especially Jody who I think of so often), iMarzz here. Haven't been here for quite some time. Still working full time as an RN. Co-workers very supportive. Charge (desk) nurse almost every...
Hi All, Have been so busy I'm happy to finally have a day to catch up here. My oldest came back from Arizona State to NJ and plans to attend St. John's University in the fall. My second is graduating...
Hi Sj, Jody is right I so highly recommend Ultram (tramadol) for pain. It is prescription but is not narcotic and of course nothing is perfect but this is as close as I have come. Doesn't leave you...
Ducky I wish you all the best. Mary...
Sorry Sj and Joan - hope you are both well, too. Mary...
Hi Everyone, So sorry to see that so many of us are not doing well at the moment. But this is the place to come to moan, right. Feel so bad for Ducky. How is Erin and Bear? Anyway Jody thank you for...
Hi Barbara Lee, Yes RA can cause all the symptoms and bloodwork abnormalities you have described. Anti-TNF medications do not cause or worsen lupus. They are associated with lupus-like syndrome which...
Oh Ducky, I'm so sorry to hear this news. It's hard enough to deal with this disease and then to add changing everything your life has been for so long has got to be overwhelming. Especially since...
Hi all, Just dropping in to let you know I've been thinking of you. Not feeling very well, lots of pain. Will try to write again soon. Remicade on Thursday. Hope you are all well. Mary...
Sj Maybe your rheumy should try some MTX. Momto3 tramadol is synthetic and not considered a narcotic. I actually prefer it. Mary...
Dear momto3, Sorry this is late. Yesterday was my daughter's 19th birthday. I take tramadol (ultram) for pain and ambien for sleep, both as needed. They work well for me. Both were prescribed by my...
Hi All, You're right Jody, I did have vivid dreams and restless sleep from the MTX. Now I usually follow it up with ambien, but even if I don't I sleep much better now. Still feel fatigued and...
FYI - if you google "last lecture" you can watch the video online. Hope this helps. Mary...
Dear Curley, I am keeping you and your sister in my prayers. Mary...
Hi Isabellesmommy, I agree with Jody. Sounds like it may be time to consider additional treatment. Are you currently taking any other Meds for your RA? Your symptoms and experiences sound very...
Hi All, Haven't really been around for a while but wanted to wish you all a Happy Easter. Still trying to get a remission accomplished but know luck yet. Anyway will try to keep in better touch. Be...
ditto....I would also suggest you get your blood sugar checked. Mary...
I think you should do what makes you happy. I am a nurse and wouldn't trade it for the world. You will have so many options. Live your life. Don't set limitations. Listen to your body and care for...
Kibbles Good luck with you infusion. I have to admit I am feeling better already. Mary in NJ...
OMG Jody!! I have missed you so much, my RA soulmate. I was in the hospital in August for some bogus chest pain, work-up went well. After that I was either working (12 hr. night shift) or just too...
Had my first Remicade infusion last week and had a terrible headache and extreme fatigue for two days, buys I am hopeful this will work. Trying to wean down prednisone from 20mg every other day to...
Try reading up on ankylosing spondylitis - also an autoimmune disorder - affects the lower spine. See if it sounds like what you're experiencing. Or perhaps someone here has this type of arthritis...
Autoimmune Thyroid disease such as Graves' and Hashimoto's is associated with RA. I have Graves' disease and RA. Endocrinologist says they are highly associated. Mary...
I agree. New Balance - wide toe box, great arch support, come in a variety of widths. Try both shoes on and walk around, if you think you will need to "break them in" choose something else. Good luck...
Dear Theresa, My rheumy manages my disease but my PCP manages my associated pain and sleep issues. Like you the pain is not excruciating most of the time but it is enough to keep me from doing...
Hi Erin, In answer to some of the questions in this thread: Dilaudid 1 mg = Morphine 6 mg Fentanyl is also available in lollypops. Mary...
Hi Kabelladonna, I'm a nurse so I'm always suppounded by germs including drug resistant bacterial infections. Handwashing is the most important thing you can do to prevent infection. Also get an...
Hi Jody, Good to hear we seem to be headed in the right direction! Plan to ask about how long I need to take steroids at my next visit. PMD gave my rozerem to try for sleep - so far so good but sleep...
Great. I'm glad your concerns were cleared up. Mary...
Hi Jody, MTX seems to be kicking in the last couple of weeks - not quite where I would like to be yet - but have been able to use less pain medication. PMD also gave me Rozerem for sleep and had to...
The ferritin test measures the amt of iron stored in the body. If you are over 50 you should not take a multivitamin with iron. (You probably shouldn't anyway) There may also be high levels of iron...
Dear Boo, Prayers for your son-in-law. And Happy Birthday to you. Mary...
Frayda Thank you so much for the info. One less thing on the do to list, but will give the Dentist my Rheumatologists info if any questions. My son premedicates because he had a valvuloplasty, and...
Sounds good to me! It's your life. I wish you well. Mary...
Haven't gone yet - I'll keep you posted. Mary...
Hi, I work as an RN. 12 hour shifts on my feet with all the pushing, pulling etc. I work two in a row and take 5 days off. Takes 2 days to recover but it's worth it. Good Luck. Mary...
I'm an RN - I won't even go there! Mary...
Thanks. I guess that's the safest bet - of course my Rheumy appt is the day after the dentist so I'll have to call. Mary...
Yeah, check-up, cleaning and I broke a tooth. My son has a congenital heart defect so needs to be pre-medicated with antibiotics. I didn't know if immune suppressed also needed this kind of...
Ducky, The flip flops sound great - love flip flops! $3.00! I think I should go shopping. Mary...
Do any of you have them? Where are they, and how long have you had RA? I am developing a small lump on the top of my left hand - not sure if it's a nodule or more tendonitis. Will have it examined at...
Thanks for you replies. I have taken Ambien 10mg in the past after a work-related back injury. But Lunesta seems to be the only sleep med approved for long-term use. And supposedly no rebound...
Oh by the way - the reason I'm scheduled for the bone scan was that I asked my Rhematologist if I should be taking Calcium and Vitamin D supplementation. I am a 50 year ol female - perimenopausal. So...
Hi Stan, I am taking 5mg of Prednisone daily and I don't think my rheumatologist is taking me off it anytime soon. I started in May @ 30mg/day with decreasing doses until 10 mg - then 7.5 and...
Hi Jody, So did you get your crocs? Like 'em? Hope all is well. Mary...
Haven't taken yoga and don't think I could anymore but have taken a TaiChi for arthritis class that I enjoyed. Mary...