I haven't been on in a long while so thought I'd stop by to let everyone know I'm still doing great. No symptoms to speak of.
A note of assurance to those of you who are new to this, there is hope for a normal life. I haven't even seen my rheumatologist since summer and I take only a multi vitamin daily. I vowed to beat the disease instead of allowing the disease to beat me.
Hi Ari....it's great to hear that you're doing SO well!! I don't remember though, what is your RA history?Congratulations. We love to hear success stories like yours. Thanks for sharing and for your encouraging words. Keep up the good work!!!
Wow, that is great news, I hope your good health continues! it really gives the rest of us a bit of hope.
stay well.
Now, Phats, that's unnecessary.
Is that possible? Being able to have RA and not need any meds except a multi-vit? Just curious, because from what I understand when you have RA your body attacks the joints/tissues and does damage. Without the proper meds, isn't damage being done to the joints? I'm not being sarcastic at all. I'm undiagnosed and really feel I have some sort of inflammatory arthritis. I would love some imput. Thanks
Whether or not this person has RA, they obviously came/come here for support and encouragement and I'm going to provide it because that is just the type of person I am.
PS - I've also been a member since early 2007. *hugs*
For those who don't know me, I was diagnosed after having a finger joint swell and become immobile. That along with some nodules on my ankles, strange skin conditions, stiff morning joints, and basically feeling like I had the flu. I was diagnosed in July 2006with moderate to high RA, was put on methotrexate that was gradually increased to 13.5 over the next year. I stayed as active and positive as humanly possible and after a year was taken off the methotrexate. Dr. seemed to think it would be short lived, but so far, so good. You have to fight to live life as close to normal as possible, don't dwell on your disease, and follow the Dr.'s orders. I think it is important to seek treatment early in the disease and feel lucky to have caught mine early on.
I take the multi-vitamin for the calcium and extra energy since my eating habits are less than perfect. By the way, I am 43, mother of three busy girls!
I will.
Katie, my first RA drug was MTX. I was really bad off with high inflammation and all my joints (except my jaw) messed up.
I'm a lover not a fighter, perhaps that goes a long way in managing ones health.
If I remember correctly, it is Phats who attacked my initial post. That kind of behavior is indicative of her unfulfilled life. I will ignore her and offer my apologies for subjecting the rest of you to her unkindness.
Katie, I was diagnosed in April and immediately put on MTX by my RD in TX. Once I visited the RD here in CO, I was put on Plaquenil and that was short-lived because I had a really bad reaction. I was then put on Enbrel and here I am. MTX/Enbrel cocktail, anyone?
I believe I was diagnosed early on. I had the ankle nodules for about a year, flu like for a few months, undiagnosed skin conditions, and finally the ring finger that I believed was broken after about 6 weeks of worsening progression. I actually went to the Orthopaedist for the finger who wildly suspected RA and sent me immediately to a Rheumatologist. He phoned a few days later and ask that I return with my husband. He said he wanted to treat aggressively beginning w/Methotrexate. I tolerated that pretty well and the rest they say is history.Thank you Mel, I will have one. On Friday.I want a new rheumy.......
Laura, I have horrible eating habits but I'm really trying to eat more and better. I've actually gained a little weight since going off the meds. My worst vice is sweet tea. I drink so, so much. I think there may be some truth to the health benefits of tea. The sugar is the enemy!Hey Deb, A=nut here just wondering how you are getting along. Have you had your thyroid checked yet. Or should I say again!My new rheumy is also a methotrexate 1st time round kind of man. He was suprised when I went to him that I was put on other lesser meds when i was first diagnosed.
http://ard.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/66/11/1443I also was immediately put on MTX and Plaquenil even though my A/I disease is undifferentiated. Most doctors treat very aggressivly early on. Right now they think it's the best approach. My niece was DX'd with lupus a few years ago, was on meds a short time and for the past two years has been off all meds and doing well. She drinks a lot of noni juice which she thinks is the reason for her remission, but that has its dangers too. She also gained a lot of weight from all that juice.
Ari, whether or not you're the real deal, I appreciate your encouraging, positive post.
Hi A-Nut...I was scheduled to see the new rheumy today, but he cancelled my appointment on me. I was so sad I cried for hours. I felt stupid after for being so upset, but I think feeling so crappy for so long is taking a toll on me. I've waited 5 weeks to get some help, now I have to wait again. I go on March 19.
Thanks for asking!! Maybe there was a reason he had to cancel....they say there is a reason for everything! I keep holding on to that theory.
I think it's fantastic that you're doing so well Ari. No doubt your positive attitude is helping to attract positive health as well. There's a lot of be said about that....don't let the spittin and spattin of this place interfear with your positive energy.
Let's see. Phat's doesn't think Ari really has RA and apparently I'm too nice.
*pointing* "Hey you! Yeah, you! You're just too..... NICE!!"
And the drama of the boards rolls on.
Hope you're having a superfantastic and extra-comfortable day! *hugs*
You are right about Ari33, I DON'T think she has RA.
Phats
Believe me Lovie, I realized early on that there are people here who would much rather "spit and spat", ridicule others, and dwell on the negative rather than funnel that energy into something positive to help themselves and/or others.
It appears that maybe all Rheumatologists don't prescribe Methotrexate at initial diagnosis? I'm pretty sure my Dr. led me to believe that it was usually tried first before moving on to some of the others. Just curious.
Mrs. A. I do believe you are nice! By the way, I love your quote.
Phats, please let me know if there is something I could do to help you.
phats, don't pat yourself on the back about roxy, many people knew about her before you did. like before you even joined the forum.
who made you judge and jury on who has ra and who doesn't?
ari33, good to hear your story. if only it was that easy for the rest of us with ra.
ari33, I agree with you that having a positive attitude helps alot with feeling good . Try not to worry about the small things and don't get consumed with the big things .
What kind of vitamins are you taking ( as in multi or others ) ?
Well I was dxed way way way back in '85. Things were totally different as far as treatments.
But even now, I'm sitting here waiting until April 28th to see my RD, for her to "decide what we want to do"
I don't even know if I have damage. If you don't have damage, do they put you on that crap anyway??? For the first time in ages, I think I'm actually confused as to what the hell is going to happen with me. Grrrr. Frustrating!!
[QUOTE=Phatgirl2]
Mrs. A, knock yourself out giving all the support you have and keep on being "just that type of person". [/QUOTE]
The type of person I am is nice and I don't think that is a bad way to be at all. My suggestion is to post positively. We've all got enough going on in our lives with RA issues without having to defend ourselves.
Ari, thank you! I am sincerely happy to hear you are doing so well and any info you could share regarding your success is very welcome. Hope you're having a great evening!
Soxy, It's just "One a Day" for Women.
Arris, My Dr. told me he wanted to treat aggressively with MTX to stop damage and as far as they could tell, I had no damage - Another reason he believed it was caught early.
It is my understanding that there is no damage being done without symptoms and confirmed blood work. My blood levels indicated moderate to severe but a year later were normal.
So, Ari~
What do you say to all the people who don't show RA in their bloodwork?
Katie, is it a new RD? What happened with me was my GP ran bloodwork which indicated RA. He called a friend who was a rheumatologist who I saw twice towards the end of April last year. The first time I saw him he did a physical examination and asked all sorts of questions and verified the dx of RA. My next visit was showing me how to adminster an MTX injection. Then we moved. (My PCP knew we were moving and got me in there. Plus, the RD was in the same hospital and also a friend.) Once we got to CO, I called several places to find an RD with openings. Luckily I found one and she saw me within the next few weeks. She put me on Plaq, but I had a bad reaction. Next came Enbrel. I'm guessing my treatment was aggressive because I had mod/severe RA? I hope your doc puts you on something that works. Have you had any xrays or MRIs recently?
MrsA2008-02-07 17:20:03Phats, you haven't earned my respect but I'll take the "high road" here for the benefit of those who may be asking that very question.
It is my understanding that even though the RA Factor may be normal, other blood tests will show a high level of inflammation indicating active inflammation somewhere in the human body. That along with other known "symptoms" can confirm whether or not damage is taking place.
Yep, just as I thought.
thanks for proving my point.
phats
It's pretty clear that the supply and demand for Rheumatologists are out of sync.
I have to consider myself lucky since my Orthopaedist was able to get me an immediate appt. at the Rheumatologist.
It is sort of a new RD. I've seen her once before. And I was pretty good at the time, sooooo ya know. I haven't had x-rays done since I was....16? And I've only ever had an MRI done of my R. Knee, and the gov. has it. So that'll never get seen. The only x-rays I'm in posession of, are from when I was about 12. I'm not even sure they'd do any good.
I have my records, and I've looked at the lab work, and it all comes back clean. Not like "oh I'm sero-negative with my inflamation levels elevated." I'm talking, I could walk in looking like an effing balloon, and have the blood work of a marathon runner. (minus the crystal meth.....JOKE!)
But with having SUCH a history if issues, I know that my bloodwork means jack diddly. I've been down the ugly road, I don't doubt what I have. I'm starting to doubt that there's anything I can do.
Why do people take MTX, and Enbrel, etc etc? Cause they have inflammation, and pain, and swelling, etc etc etc. Sure, I hurt. Sure, I swell every now and again. Do I have damage? Prolly not. So where does that put me? I think I saw that very question in my RD's face on my last visit.
We've done bloodwork, and she's seen how squeaky clean it is. Now I have to do my x-rays tomorrow morning. Can you believe i'm praying for damage? I just want some relief. I'm tired of being normal for 3 days, and crappy for 2, and normal for 5, and crappy for 4, and normal for 1 and crappy for 4, etc etc etc etc. It's just not a life!
*sigh* But I am keeping a log this time around, so she will see what I'm talking about when I say its so up and down. I just don't know that she could, in good conscience(sp), give me something like those meds, if all my xrays are all hunky dory.
******P.S., yes I have had damage, but it was mostly at the begining of my dx, between ages 2-5. After that things sort of tapered off, and my mom was SOOOOO good to notice when I'd start to flare, that she'd pop me on pills and THEN take me to the RD. So things were always caught so soon, I never had damage problems after that. I haven't been treated in over 7 years, but I've been dealing with the symptoms on and off for 3 - 4. Maybe I have damage enough to put me on meds??? I dunno.
I give up until April 28th. lol
Hi Ari,
Good to hear from you. I'm glad you are well and doing well. I still agree with your philosophy about good attitude and activity, such a proven combination. I am doing quite well but still on drugs, mtx, pred and enbrel. I guess I am going to take my Doctor suggestion and switch to rituxin from enbrel, he says one infusion should last me about one year with better results than enbrel. Anyway, enough about me, I could go on all night. Glad you checked in..................................................LEV
Arris, Best of luck to you. Have you ever notice an improvement in your symptoms while being treated with antibiotics for another illness? I've done a little research on the subject and perhaps that would be a treatment your dr. would consider??
Lev, good to hear you're doing well.
I'm on anti-biotics right now, for a double resp. infection and sinus infection. Don't feel a single bit different. Okay, I lied...bathroom habits have improved, but that is a WHOOOOLLLEEEEE other issue.....
I don't know. I know I'm PMS-ey, and I know my symptoms get worse during that time. But you know, its the week before, and the week of. For the love of moses, that's half a month, every month. That's half my year! Sucky, in my opinion.
Lynn,
You are kidding, right? Your link is a joke. It was a TRIAL with 299 people. Do you realize that 2.1 MILLION people have RA in the U.S. alone?
I know remission does happen, I just don't happen to think that is the case here.
PhatsAri, thank you so very much for sharing your story. You have no idea how encouraging it is to a newbie to read of a happy ending.
So far I have not been prescribed RA medication, yet am doing very well. I was diagnosed in August '07, and although my RA factor is just 18, anti-CCP just 10, they are high enough that my RD feels I will develop "full blown" RA someday. But for now, 6+ months after being diagnosed, my sed rate and CRP are back down to normal again! I have been taking fish oil religiously (3 doses a day), a multi-vitamin, and try to eat a gluten free diet (I slip occasionally). I have slight aches and pains and an occasional flare in my hand or shoulder, but it goes away within a day or so, and never as severe as when I was first diagnosed. I do not have morning stiffness.
Fat Lady, RA comes in different forms, some milder than others. I may be one of the luckier ones, but I do everything within my power to help myself.
"Fat Lady, RA comes in different forms, some milder than others. I may be one of the luckier ones, but I do everything within my power to help myself." Authored by the Mental Giant
Really, no $hit? It really, really does come in different forms? You mean no two people are alike? You pullin' my leg!
BTW, it is phatgirl you stupid f*ck
I like Fat Lady better. You know, most of the time I stay out of the dramatic/controversial posts other than saying let bygones be bygones. However, in this situation I'm going to jump in.
It's Lori, right? Why is it so hard for you to accept the fact that Ari is in remission and be happy for her? If you were in her shoes, you wouldn't want people calling you a liar. It just seems your posts are filled with anger and hatred and have no productive value whatsoever. I have seen you time and time again post tactless statements and then claim other people are starting the drama.
Stop calling people liars.
Stop discounting useful information.
Stop attacking people.
Stop all the drama.
Sure we're all entitled to our own opinions but there's also a little thing called respect that goes a long way. I am completely annoyed and irritated by your posts towards Ari, myself and now Lynn - in this thread alone.
Whatever is going on in your life must be absolutely hideous if you are lashing out here. I hope your situation improves so you can become a better person.
Mrs. A,
You are boring me. When you start directing your holier than thou to everyone on the board who says something controversial, then you can post to me. Why don't you MYOB? This actually had nothing to do with you. You decided to make it your business. Like I said, you are boring me. I'm over you and this post.
Phats
PS: You don't know what kind of person I am, so stop with your patronizing bull$hit, k? You sure in the h*ll don't know anythign about my life, so get over yourself. One more thing, mouthpiece....you must have me confused with someone else~I ALWAYS take responsibility for what I post. It might not be nice or pretty all the time, but it is ALWAYS the truth. phats, Why not heed your own advice-you certainly do not know one single thing about me and this post was not started for your benefit yet you felt the need to butt in.
[QUOTE=Phatgirl2]
"Fat Lady, RA comes in different forms, some milder than others. I may be one of the luckier ones, but I do everything within my power to help myself." Authored by the Mental Giant
Really, no $hit? It really, really does come in different forms? You mean no two people are alike? You pullin' my leg!
BTW, it is phatgirl you stupid f*ck
[/QUOTE]
Hmmmmm......substance abuse, perhaps???
[QUOTE=Phatgirl2]
Mrs. A,
You are boring me. When you start directing your holier than thou to everyone on the board who says something controversial, then you can post to me. Why don't you MYOB? This actually had nothing to do with you. You decided to make it your business. Like I said, you are boring me. I'm over you and this post.
Phats
PS: You don't know what kind of person I am, so stop with your patronizing bull$hit, k? You sure in the h*ll don't know anythign about my life, so get over yourself.
One more thing, mouthpiece....you must have me confused with someone else~I ALWAYS take responsibility for what I post. It might not be nice or pretty all the time, but it is ALWAYS the truth.
[/QUOTE]
It really is hard to attack someone when there is nothing to attack. Resorting to name-calling is not going to hurt me. You're only digging a bigger hole for yourself and showing true colors (yet again.) I hope you're able to sleep well tonight so you feel better in the morning.
To the AI family, I apologize for the drama. It just really bothers me that a person who posts a success story is attacked with no provacation whatsoever. I enjoy reading the few remission stories we have because it gives me hope that one day I'll experience it myself. I hope you all have a great, pain-free night.
Anyone wanna touch on my post? The last one that I made, which was relevant.....Please?
Katie, I have that same problem with my labs! When I was first diagnosed, my RA factor was out the window. Ever since then, nada. Every once and again I'll have a few things elevated here and there but nothing major, even when I'm in tons of pain! I was beginning to wonder about the MTX and Enbrel and I thought - well, hell. Why am I going through all these side effects if these drugs aren't really helping? I (unintentionally, aka $$ issues) stopped taking both for over 3 weeks. Man, could I really tell a difference. I had red, swollen joints and everything. What I really don't understand is why it takes so long for the drugs to start working but they quit on you *poof* just like that![QUOTE=arriscolwell]Anyone wanna touch on my post? The last one that I made, which was relevant.....Please? [/QUOTE]
Ya beat me to it!
[QUOTE=MrsA][QUOTE=arriscolwell]Anyone wanna touch on my post? The last one that I made, which was relevant.....Please? [/QUOTE]
I really don't notice anything different when Rosie is in town. I have 45min-1hr+ stiffness on daily basis.
Oh, except for the week before, and the week of the "event"
then it's the horrible morning stiffness, aches and random shooting pains all day, headaches, MASSIVE fatigue, and it never stops.
Katie, I definitely notice the difference when Aunt Flo comes to visit, Uncle Arthur moves all over. I feel stiff, icky, and so so tired.
Ari, I agree with Mrs. A., and I am so happy to hear someone actually doing better. It gives us all hope. Well almost all.
take care
Katie, I don't think we take meds because of damage that's been done. At my last (and only) xrays, I didn't have any. That was right after the RA hit me and they were taken almost a year ago. Anyway, the MTX and enbrel is taken in order to prevent damage from occuring. So I don't think that lack of joint damage alone would prevent your doc from rx'ing them.But the lack of past damage too. Cause it would almost appear that I just *don't* damage. I dunno. I'm tired I can't explain it. LOL
Was on MTX for 2 years and quite happy with it in spite of conflicting blood test results. Was taken off MTX because of respiratory problems and the only med I'm taking now (apart from anti-biotics for pneumonia and they finish soon,) is 10 mg of Prednisone daily. Not much sign of RA after 3 months, hardly even need pain killers, even for neuropathy. So I suppport the belief there can be, for some people, relief no matter what the disbelievers say.
Keep hoping, and cheers - Des.
Well, according to my RD damage occurs when their is swelling. So if you have inflammation very often.....also, I would think that if you had some knee damage in the past it would still show up on current xays. You know, I don't mean this in a bad way, but I kinda hope you do have some damage (just a little) so you can get on some meds and feel better.
Oh, one more thing.......live well and prosper
LOL Yah like my new icon, eh? :)
No, I understand, I'm kinda hoping I have damage too. WEIRD, right??? LoL
Katie,
You freak of nature, what do you mean you hope you have some damage? LOL Because we're just not sure what's going on with me. But if I have some damage, it'll show that I'm NOT crazy, and I do need meds. KIWM?
I figured that is what you meant, but I had to give you a little grief anyways
I hope they figure out what is wrong, there is nothing worse than not knowing.
Phats[QUOTE=arriscolwell]No idea! But you're not the only one that says that, that's for sure. There has to be something more to it.
Do you have any correlation with your flares to your period??? I'm not sure if anyone's said that they have here or not. I no longer have to figure out if I'm PMSing or not, I know by the fact that I wake up every morning in incredible pain, and 30min-1hr morning stiffness, along with lots of "asleep" extremities. SUCK.
[/QUOTE]
For the most part, on MTX, I am pretty much symptom and pain free. However, quite frequently, right before I get my period, something always becomes aproblem. It varies...it could be my knees, my fingers, my wrist. Once I get my period, symptoms/pain is gone. Funny thing is, it doesn't happen every month but more frequently than not. It is not incapacitating.
So is RA hormone related? It seems to me it would be and maybe studies show that it is. I'm new to this but thinking...ok so pregnant women are symptom free when they are pregnant. Some before their periods get worse and then feel better during their periods. More women than men get RA. How much of RA is related to hormones or hormonal changes in women? There has to be a connection there somewhere.
Lori
My mother ( who got RA at 18 ) started having babies at 21 said her pain free times were when she was pregnant . Maybe that was why she and dad had 7 kids . Who knows ?[QUOTE=Tme_of_my_Life]
So is RA hormone related? It seems to me it would be and maybe studies show that it is. I'm new to this but thinking...ok so pregnant women are symptom free when they are pregnant. Some before their periods get worse and then feel better during their periods. More women than men get RA. How much of RA is related to hormones or hormonal changes in women? There has to be a connection there somewhere.
Lori
[/QUOTE]
I've always felt there was a hormone link. My symptoms got much worse during perimenopause, until I started hormone replacement therapy, which at the time was BC pills. I hadn't felt so good in years, in many different ways. Then when the dose was dropped because of my advancing age, it was still OK but not as good. Then when it got dropped this last time, all hell broke loose. I thought for sure if I went back to a higher dose of estrogen, my RA type symptoms would go away again and I preferred that to the RA drugs. RD didn't agree and put me on RA drugs. My OB/GYN explained it well when I told her my theory. She said hormones, or the lack thereof don't "cause" RA symptoms, like I thought. For some women, the hormones keep the disease at bay. So when our estrogen level drops, for whatever reason, the beast is released. It was there, maybe for a long time, but not triggered before. Of course hormones are not the trigger for everyone, but I think it was for me.
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