Arthritis Information -NEW MEMBER HAPPY TO BE HERE

Dear Roxy,

CONGRATULATIONS on being able to walk again! What a wonderful change for you and such positive information for me, too. I am delighted for you!

The medicine I take is NARDIL (phenelzinesulfate). It's an old medication from the 50's, commonly referred to as "rocket fuel" due to the dangers of taking it. There are many foods and medications one cannot have on Nardil - aged/hard cheeses, lima beans, caffiene, chocolate, hard cheeses, fayva beans, pickled herring, yogurt - anything that is aged or has traimine in it.

The same is true of most prescription medications and over the counter drugs. Hypertensive crisis (a stroke) can result within three minutes. That is why it's called "rocket fuel" ...it's a very dangerous medicine. Yet, it is the ONLY medication that can control my genital chemical imbalance, and still does after 32 years. It also controlled my mother's imbalance as well.

I need it every day of my life and cannot go without it. Even discontinuing it for a two week period for surgery would guarantee a return to my problems, and one is never able to achieve the same effect from it ever again. There is simply no choice - I cannot discontinue Nardil.

In my research I've found nothing that indicates the possibility of being able to walk again after a certain time of not walking. That is very exciting to me and leaves me with some hope that the same may occur with me.

I can understand just how you feel after such an active lifestyle, then being forced into a wheelchair in such a short period of time. It must happen that way for many of us. I'm truly sorry that you must also deal with the sleep problem. Is that also a common complication thanks to our RA?

Thank you so much, Roxy, for your nice welcome and important information.

My very best wishes for you .......

Lizzy

Hello Babs,

Thank you so much for your reply and information. I'm so sorry I didn't post my first post in the right forum. I've done so now, thanks to our invitation.

I'm so excited to be here. This looks like a wonderful forum with tons of important and valuable information. I know I'll benefit greatly, and will truly enjoy meeting other members and doing all I can for them, as well.

If I can just manage to get some sleep and ease my pain from help here on the RA forum, I'll be deeply thankful.

My best wishes ......

Lizzy

Liz - Welcome. I do not come here often but I did come when I was first diagnosed and needed support and come here off and on for advice. I know how hard it is to feel so alone. Many people come here with good tips and good advice that may make your life easier.

I am curious. What medication are you on that you cannot take pain pills or anesthetic? That would be very scary. I go to the emergency room too often and it would be so scary to think that I would have more risk needing surgery because of a medication.

Anyway, I am 53. Ihave severe RA. In less than four years I went from being a park ranger/avid daily hiker, to a wheelchair and unable to work. RA is a very lonely disease.

Only recently I have a tiny bit of hope - I was in a wheelchair all winter and since spring has come - I am able to walk again

Sleep ?????????? Wish I had the answer to that - never more than two hours at a time then I have to get up.

I hope other members have good advice for you.

Feeling your pain ..................................................

Greetings to everyone from new member, Lizzy. So glad to find you and hoping for advice, tips, tricks, suggestions, info. and hard data about RA / OA and PAIN.

I'm 64 yrs old with severe RA in both hips and knees - bone on bone, with moderate to bad RA in all other joints - (hands, shoulders, DDD in spine, neck, elbows, ankles and feet.) Also, diabetic for 23 yrs and wear an insulin pump, and thankful for few complications other than peripheral neuropathy in feet/lower legs.

Arthritis has slowly worsened over past six years, with rapid progression the past year. I'm always propped up in bed, can only sit for short times, and use two canes to get to bathroom and back. I'll be taking delivery of a new power chair in a week's time. Also have a walker with a seat but cannot use it for more than 10' then need to sit.

I live propped up in bed with good back support, and only position that's not painful is that one. However, I'm just beginning to have trouble with pressure sores, etc., and the discomfort of that. Can't sleep on left side/hip as it's the worst one and far more painful. Sleeping on right side is okay except top left leg won't go in comfortable position due to hip and knee. I sleep only 3-4 hrs. a night and desperatly need more sleep.

Can't have any surgeries OR medications for pain/inflammation - not even ibuprofen. Diabetics are not allowed to take ibuprofen due to possible kidney/liver damage. That leaves just Tylenol, and it simply doesn't make a dent in the continual pain.

I'm unable to have anesthetics so, therefore, unable to have surgery. I take a medication that is contraindicated with anesthesia, or any medications for pain, etc. I've taken this med. for 32 years and must take it each day for the rest of my life, and it cannot be discontinued. Therefore, there is little to no relief from pain, which is quite severe almost 24/7.

I hope to learn of tips and tricks to make sleeping more comfortable so that I can sleep, and lessen the discomfort of possible bed sores, etc. My arthritis seems to be progressing very quickly. I'm almost unable to use my hands, anymore.

I'm a very strong and positive, forward looking person who's surmounted much in life. But, I feel like I've been leveled with a canon, now. I'm having a very difficiult time handling my disease and, of course, all the pain. It's just about to do me in, and I want so much to fight this with all I have, but just feel so overwhelmed.

I'm starting to read the forums for advice, but I'm sure that will take quite some time. So, if any of you have any suggestions or information you wouldn't mind sharing, I'd would be so grateful.

Thanks for listening .... I look forward to getting to know the members and learning, learning, learning.

Lizzy in So. Calif.

Hi Lizzy!

Welcome.

I'm so sorry you're suffering but I hope you can find friends and support with lots of information here. c'mon over to the rheumatoid arthritis threads.

If I can help in any way, don't hesitate to send me a message.

Best to you,

Babs