We also had a little 'contretemps' with regards to pain relief. I told him about being totally pain free whilst being premenstral and he said it was well documented. I asked if I could take hormone instead of pain drugs. He almost choked at my effrontary
So an eventful appt. Knuckles more swollen than 6 months ago, pain trying very hard to come back (no remission then... just left over girly hormones), just got to keep positive, keep mobile and keep pain free. Not a lot to ask!
We also had a little 'contretemps' with regards to pain relief. I told him about being totally pain free whilst being premenstral and he said it was well documented. I asked if I could take hormone instead of pain drugs. He almost choked at my effrontary
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wills, I had a similar experience with my RD the first time I saw him after my blood work came in. Before he gave me the results he asked if I had anything I wanted to say about what was going on. I told him I felt my symptoms were closely tied to my hormone level because when I lowered my estrogen HRT, the muscles spasms started and the stiffness got so much worse. I told him I thought I could stop my symptoms by going back on a higher does of estrogen. He ignored what I said and prescribed the drugs you see below. When I told my OB/GYN my theory about the hormone/autoimmune link, she said hormones or lack thereof don't "cause" autoimmune disease but will sometimes mask the symptoms. When the hormones shift, the disease is free to rear its ugly head. So I totally understand why you think you can take hormones instead of pain drugs. I wanted to do that too, but apparently, there could be damage continuing while the symptoms are being masked by the hormones and in your case, the doctor probably thinks pain drugs are less dangerous than taking more hormones. It's such complicated stuff, this A/I business.
Jesse882008-03-08 06:48:51I wish I did!
Seriously, I've learned more from you guys than I have from any of my docs! I disagree on the hormone issue - just waaaaay too many posts tying them to the onsets. I swear it drives me crazy. Jesse, what if its not masking the symptoms but 'modifying' them. Like making them less than what it would be if the hormones were 'gone'. Yes, one could still get damage, but maybe 'milder'?
Sarah - so, are you going to try a second opinion on the AP issue? I hope so (but that's me) LOL.
I'm having a lot of problems with my thyroid and the salsalate. I truly think that's whats depressing my thyroid levels but when I called my doc he said the Armour Thyroid is bringing them back up. It wasn't until I was off the phone and had a chance to think (because my thinking is really fuzzy lately from trying to get to one 30 mg. tablet per my docs orders) that I thought 'hey, but if I come off the Salsalate, maybe I won't need the stupid Armour Thyroid!" Duh! So, I see them next week and I'm taking Mr. Pip with me! Let's see if he can get through to them!
Pip
[QUOTE=Pip!]I wish I did!
Jesse, what if its not masking the symptoms but 'modifying' them. Like making them less than what it would be if the hormones were 'gone'. Yes, one could still get damage, but maybe 'milder'?
Pip
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Pip, you could be on to something there. I thought for sure the OB/GYN would support my theory since hormones are her "thing" but she came to her conclusions based on women/pregancy and RA in her practice. It wouldn't take much to convince me that the hormones are modifying the symptoms since I feel so much better, the higher the estrogen. But high estrogen has it's problems too. Hmmm, which poison to pick? DMARDS, hormones, antibiotics. Damn, now my hair's starting to hurt. I have to stop thinking about this. I keep going in circles. LOL
Remember that, what was it, women's health initiative and that faulty antibiotics/breast cancer study that gets bandied about all the time? I heard some doc on NPR saying 'nobody panic, they ended the study because it was not what they were expecting" and listening to his rebuttal made me really think the media were getting their knickers in a twist over numbers that weren't that bad but the press was blowing it all out of proportion. Now, here it is, like 10 years later, and NOW they're saying the difference seems to be WHEN you start HRT. Like if you start at menapause then you get all the protections...but if you start 2 years or more AFTER, THEN your risk goes up.
Me, I see the link. I'm for HRT.
Pip
P.S. I'm gonna TRY and find the estrogen stuff I saved on my computer and post some of it. Its amazing the connection - but like AP - just try getting a doc to listen. LOL
Absolutely. Regardless of whether the hormones are masking the disease, or modifying it, I'm here to tell you that for me, there is a hormone link, without a doubt. Years from now they'll come around to our way of thinking and we can say, "Told ya so!!"
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