Sulfasalazine worked really well as an anti inflammatory for me, took away alot of the stiffness. The aches were still there but I didnt feel as stiff. It took a few weeks to take full effect. I...
Thanks ashleyann. I think me stopping the hormonal bc was a big reason why I started feeling better. Maybe I will be lucky and get a remission postpartum, or even third tri! I know there is no way to...
I was also told I have low vitamin D. I did not notice a difference after taking the supplement for 3 months but I also have not had my level repeated to see if it is normal now. As a nurse I see...
Hi everyone. I used to be a pretty active member here but I have been feeling pretty well the past couple years. I stopped taking my plaquenil and sulfasalazine a little over a year ago because I was...
There is alot with one attacks larger joints, and one attacks smaller joints. There is something with different types of joints hinge joints, ball and socket joints, etc. I forget what exactly it is...
I have had similar problems with one doc saying one thing and another saying something else for the past 8 years. I havent really pushed the issue as long as I am getting treatment. You are opening a...
Hi Annie- I have been on sulfasalazine for a few months now. It took a few weeks to notice a difference but I feel better. I was on celebrex before and my doc wouldnt increase my dosage but said to...
Hi Ocean and welcome, I have seen many people recover from strokes. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy will get you through it. Some insurances will cover an intense 8 week session of therapy...
Okie no problem about the side conversation! Thats why we are all here. It sucks talking about being sick and feeling like crap all the time! Bill I love your insight and knowledge on everything. You...
Thanks all for your input. Hippi I was just looking up altitude sickness and it mentioned on all the sites this drug to prevent it. Maybe you could go back to your college days with it and enjoy the...
Hey everyone- Just curious if anyone has done any traveling to high altitudes. I am going in a month to a friends wedding in Colorado. The elevation is about 9,000 ft. I was doing some research...
It sounds like costrochondritis. It is pain in the muscle, or cartilage in the chest. Kind of like arthritis in your ribs. I have that too a couple times a year when I am flaring. It could also be...
I know I am not. There are definately similar stories on the pain meds post that is up right now....
Thanks all for your input! There are some terrible stories that you all talked about. I hope I made the patient feel a little better. I told him I could tell he was in pain, and got him a bedside...
Either way your docs should be able to treat you with meds and treat your symptoms! Alot of us dont have diagnosis but are still being treated. Check out Mystery Diagnosis on TLC. Its a real life...
Hi all- I just had to vent about an experience I had this week at work. I felt so bad for this patient and was on the verge of tears on the way home the other night just thinking about this poor guy!...
Mom- I know its wierd. He also says that we should all be able to take our medications and feel better. As though there are magic pills that make us feel 100% better. My sed rate is still at 30 and...
I am on the fence with this weather! I love the snow. I live in the Chicago area so it is always either humid, rainy, or cold here. There are only a few days a year when the weather doesn't affect my...
Ticklemepink- Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Skin cancer is very curable so although it is scary you should be fine with treatment! Removing the offending skin is usually all the treatment you...
My paternal grandma had RA. On my maternal side I had an aunt with MS and they thought Lupus too. I have an uncle with Psoriasis (also AI if u didnt know). I have 2 cousins with Aspergers (thought to...
Hi just wanted to let you know Tylenol Simply Sleep is just diphenhydramine, same stuff in benadryl and most over the counter sleep aids. I am sure its pretty expensive being that its tylenol brand!...
I think swimming is great for anyone with joint issues! Its the only thing I can do besides a 30 min walk that I dont regret the next day. Our local high school has free lap swim every day. If you...
Well my diagnosis is a joke itself. Everytime I see my doc he gives me a new one! Its too hard for him to say "I have no idea". I wonder if they know whats going on with any of us sometimes!...
Sometimes I feel like an MD Pamela! You wouldnt believe all the crap they make you learn in nursing school! I think its because most patients think their docs are gods and are scarred to talk to them...
Hi Bigbry- Just curious if your BUN & creatinine are okay. Those a indicators of kidney function and they should be done regularly with liver enzymes for anyone on meds for pretty much anything. The...
I know when taking drugs with sulfa you need to drink lots of water. The sulfa can crystalize on your kidneys. When taking synthroid you should also take it on an empty stomach with 8 oz water....
I have heard alot of good things about the acidophilus. They are starting to add probiotics to everything now too. Deans even makes a cottage cheese. Its a good idea to eat the yogurt/kefir too...
Lilmiss I dont have any kids (yet). Im 26 and in nursing school (LPN 1 more year til RN). Ive also worked at the local hospital for 5 years, and kidney patients are common on my floor. I have protein...
Just wanted to add its for fatigue. Im pretty sure it has nothing to do with your blood counts. They should check your PT/INR every couple months. Did you talk to your md about an 81mg aspirin every...
Hi Steph. I've taken it before. I know a few other people here have too. I really liked it the first few days I took it. It was great I took the dogs for two 45 min walks each day and caught up on...
Hi Lilmiss- Congrats on your pregnancy! Im not sure of any natural remedies but I did want to mention that following a renal diet (low potassium, moderate protein, etc) would be a good idea. I wasnt...
Hi Yally- Just wanted to mention that a reaction of mtx is severe aneimia. They generally dont infuse until you are below 8. If this is a chronic thing they should be looking at why, and trying to...
A note to everyone: GET COPIES OF EVERY TEST YOU HAVE DONE! When I first started feeling like crap I went to my doc and he took some tests and called me back and told me everything was fine. I was...
I would have it looked at. I have a friend who got the pneumonia vaccine and ended up having cellulitis in her arm from the vaccine! It sounds like what you are describing. If you go in this coming...
Still waiting............ my ESR/CRP are always high and I have a beta band on my SPE. Everything else is always negative..... spinal stenosis can cause joint pains though....
Hello- My hips are always sore too. Mine is in my lower back right on my hip bone. In the past couple months when I walk too much I limp. I mentioned it to my rhemie and he said mine wasnt acutally...
Its very possible. Since MCTD is just a mix of symptoms from different disorders. Usually when you have 2 dx (like RA and Sjogern's) thats what they call it. And most of the labs they test for are...
That is interesting! I didnt know that. Since I am in limbo and have no allergies (just latex) I guess he decided to try it....
Yup. Have you noticed the times on my posts ever? Its funny I can fall asleep during the day anytime. But to sleep at night forget it. Like today I got up at 10a went to work came home, laid down an...
Hey Patty- (im from the lupie board too) I just posted on there about asulfasalazine and that it made a huge difference with my morning stiffness. Enough to stop my celebrex which was the only thing...
Hi- Just wanted to say I started taking sulfasalazine a few months ago and noticed a big difference in the morning and evenings with my stiffness. I stopped taking my Celebrex and my 4 daily doses of...
I just wanted to mention before you freak out about MS and Sjogerms that they do a Slit Lamp test as a baseline for all of us on Plaquenil too. The doc may just plan on starting him on Plaquenil and...
Hi alex- It is normal to start a high dose. The high dose kind of shocks the immune system. If they use a low dose it wont have an effect your body will just stop producing cortisol. After the high...
Hi everyone- I just wanted to share something with you. My doc started me on Sulfasalazine a few months ago and I have noticed a big difference with my stiffness. I used to get stiff for the first...
Hi Melissa Is she having any other symptoms? Have they checked her for psoriasis or discoid lupus? Thats terrible she is sooo young going through this. I hope she grows out of it! From what I have...
I'm sorry you are so overwhelmed with all this! Its really frustrating to be in limbo. I hate to say but I almost wish my boyfriend had a little more of your concern! I know we all go through this,...
Serenity- I didnt mean to upset you. I would like to explain why I said what I said to you so you can understand. Its very frustrating that doctors wont take the time to answer questions for us. I...
Hi Serenity, Sorry about all the frustrations with your meds and dx. I know I've been there! I just wanted to point out that Plaquenil has a minimum 30 day half life (thats why your doc will tell you...