roll call/stats | Arthritis Information
Being new to the board I'm curious about everyone and their situation.
So, if you'd all humor me... :)
Age?
Years since diagnosed with RA?
Current Rx/treatment method? Side effects?
Previous tried, number of or names?
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)?
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Anything personal like that you are comfortable sharing.
Answering my own questions
27
1 year since diagnosed
In a fit of temper I stopped taking my med since it was making me so sick- but it's back to the drawing board tomorrow when I go back to the doc.
Tried 6-7 medicines most recently mtx (oral and injection) and leflunomide.
the last three weeks I've been between a 7-9!
I'm a stay at home mom with a daughter who is three. Married, and my husband travels for work in NASCAR so he is gone Thurs-Sun almost EVERY week.
I was told by my primary 8 months ago that I tested positive for RA and referred to a rheumatologist. I'm male and 52 years old. My rheumatologist has given me lots of blood tests but has not actually told me whether I have RA or not. My rheumatoid factor is elevated, but not by that much, and all the other tests were normal. I have wondered for years what was wrong with me and actually have told my wife that whatever was wrong was eventually going to kill me. I have morning stiffness, migrating joint pains, muscle pains and weakness, fatigue,stiffness after sitting and awfull chest pains at times (chostocondritis). My symtoms also seem to flare. Ill be better for a while and then all my symtoms get worse only to repeat again and again. A never ending cycle. I feel like a 80 year old man at times. Over the years my symtoms have gotten worse. I'm on mobic for pain which has helped and also vitamin D supplements. My pain is 2-3 on good days and 6-7 on bad days, with 10 being the worst pain. Im looking forward to my next visit to my doctor to find out more and possibly get on other meds that people with RA take to reduce symtoms, if I even have this illness.
3yrstogo2009-06-10 02:47:2051 yrs old
4 yrs since dx'd
Plaquenil 400mg per day/no side effects
20mg im Methotrexate/50mg subQ Enbrel weekly
Without pain med 8-9/with pain med 2-6
I have filed for SSDI
Just graduated my only child this year from HS
Married 26 yrs
Worked for 30 yrs
Age? 32
Years since diagnosed with RA? 13ish
Current Rx/treatment method? Side effects? Rituxan, MTX......not too many side effects
Previous tried, number of or names? Gone up the ladder-Enbrel, Humira, Remica, Orencia
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)? 5
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Anything personal like that you are comfortable sharing.
I am divorced with a 5yr old boy. Teach biology
Age? 31
Years since dx? 1 1/2
Current meds? None, currently almost 7 months pregnant
Pain level? Depends on the day normally though it is a 6
I stay at home with my boys 5, 3 and pregnant.
Age? 49 (almost 50, but I'll hold onto 49 for another few months)
Years since diagnosed with RA? 2 1/2
Current Rx/treatment method? Side effects? mtx 17.5 and enbrel - no side effects. Combo since Aug 07. Also take relafen (1500) which I'd like to reduce or skip before I start having stomach issues.
Previous tried, number of or names? nothing previous
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)? I'd say overall maybe a 3 or 4, some days worse, some better. Mostly feet issues.
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Anything personal like that you are comfortable sharing. work fulltime, married 29 yrs, 2 kids - both boys. One is married, age 24 and is a police officer (wife is a teacher) #2 son is 19, just finished 1st yr of college and decided to move in with friends rather than come home for the summer, so we are officially empty-nesters fulltime now.
Age? 63 y.o.
Years since diagnosed with RA? 11 years
Current Rx/treatment method? Side effects? MXT, SSZ, Humira, Pred with no side effects. Stopped for 4 months due to multiple infections, have restarted all meds this week.
Previous tried, number of or names? Antibiotic AP, MXT, Enbrel, Humira
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)? 2-6
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Anything personal like that you are comfortable sharing.
Retired, live in Mexico for 6 months of the year, 1 son, married. Have cardiac and pulmonary complication from RA. Also have PsA and OA.
LinB2009-06-09 14:44:52
Age? 43 yrs old
Years since diagnosed with RA? 2 yrs but only diagnosed last year
Current Rx/treatment method? Side effects? mtx injections, naproxyn 1000mg right now every day because I am in the middle of bad flare (otherwise I do not take naproxyn everyday. just started sulphadize (another DMARD) (spelling errors). Previously I was taking mtx 20 mg gave me GERD (stomach problems). Lots of nausea, dizziness in the beginning on mtx but not any more. Also using homeopathic medication. It helps with pain.
Previous tried, number of or names? I tried steriod prednisone but did not help
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)? I walk with a limp. Lot of right foot issues right now achilles tendonitis and plantar fascitis. And knee is swollen right now looking like a ball. Pain scale 3.
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Anything personal like that you are comfortable sharing
I work full time as a teacher cum Guidance Counsellor. Two daughters in Grade10 and Grade 7. Married for 18 yrs also a teacher.
Age: 49 (almost 50)
Years since diagnosis: 5
Current Treatment: Started on Plaquenil. Then, added Relafen. Did fine on those for a while. When flares began to increase, I tried to add Sulfasalazine but couldn't handle the intestinal cramping, so we added MTX instead. That didn't work, so we added Enbrel and dropped the MTX. So, now I'm on Plaquenil, Relafen, and Enbrel. I take Lortab as needed.
Pain Scale: Since I added the Enbrel, I'd honestly say my pain level is 0 or 1. Before the Enbrel, it was running a good 8 to 9.
I'm still working full time.
age; 66
years with RA; 27 years
current treatment is salsalate, because of cancer treatment.
previous meds; cytoxin, prednisone, imrun,
side effects; cataracts, colcoma, high blood pressure which is now causeing kidney problems, mental problem while on prednisone.
pain 2 just feel bad all the time, it gets you down after so long.
Retired NA. married 52 years in July. love life and camping with grandkids and great- grandkids. sorry about spelling.
Age? 51
Years since diagnosed with RA? I was 10 w/ JRA DX.. suffered all my life in many ways, but never could get a referral to RD since I am Sero=neg. Took a major flare and a highly elevated ANA for acknowledgement... and 8 more months before actual DX in 2007.
Current Rx/treatment method? Side effects? NSAID, MTX 20mg, enbrel 50 mg /weekly, Salagen for secondary Sjogrens, Restasis for dry eyes, had laser surgery for glaucoma (2nd eye was today) due to medications...
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)? I kind of weave in and out between 2 and 3..
Work, stay at home, kids, married? I work full time in investments. I have five children, four biologically mine.. one step soon to be adopted... one grandson 9 months old.. married second time 4 years, together 8 years with my best friend.
Age? 34
Years since diagnosed with RA? only a few months and not 100% official yet......
Current Rx/treatment method? Side effects? Only been put on prednisone to take my esr (inflammation rates) down........had insomnia, and gained weight. Dr told me to wean off and I did.........did not realize how well it was working till after I was weaned to a pretty low dose....
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)? Most days about 4........tiredness some days is a 8!!! ....That is my biggest complaint.....and then my feet.
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Anything personal like that you are comfortable sharing.
Stay at home mom right now.....have been for past 3.5 years.......Kids are 6 and 9.
Married for 13 years in August.
I'm 45
I was dx'd just over two years ago after a severe onset
I started out on mtx and added Enbrel shortly after. No side effects.
Average daily pain level 0-2 unless flaring.
I've been married for almost 27 years and we have 3 children. The eldest, 25, is married with a baby girl. He's stationed in Iraq with the USMC right now. Next is another son, 22, also married, also a Marine and just home from Afghanistan. Our daughter just turned 17 yesterday and is about to finish her junior year in high school.
I work for my brother, usually just a few hours in the morning, 4 days a week, but that varies depending on his schedule.
[QUOTE=KimWhit]
Age?47
Years since diagnosed with RA? 17 years
Current Rx/treatment method? Side effects? Mtx, plaquenil, sulfasalazine and celebrex. No bad side effects.
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Anything personal like that you are comfortable sharing. No longer working. Married with one son and one daughter...both married...one granddaughter.
[/QUOTE]
Age? 39
Years since diagnosed with RA? 4 months
Current Rx/treatment method? Side effects? plaquenil/celebrex/provigil - no side effects
Previous tried, number of or names? prednisone - great relief during flares
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)? 0 or 1 but would rate fatigue 8 to 10
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Anything personal like that you are comfortable sharing. Work full-time as research director for govt agency, have a 3-yr old son, married but husband travels so sometimes feel like single mom.
Age: 42
Yrs since dx: going on 4 years in Sept.
Current rx on: see below; have been on enbrel for almost 2 yrs but not working well now. In the process of getting approved to take rituxen infusions.
Previous meds: plaquenil for 8 months-didn't work, allergic to: sulfasalazine, mtx, arava, tried mincycoline-didn't work, humira-didn't work, enbrel worked for awhile but now not doing it's thing. Have lots of allergies and take claritin.
Average pain level: with pain meds-1-3, without pain meds-6 to 7. Mostly hands and feet-walk with a cane alot. Very weather sensitive. Humidity, rain, snow kill me.
Personal info: Married for 22 years, one daughter 21, one son 16. Work part time on Thursday morning for about an hour or two at church. Type and copy bulletins handed out on Sunday service. Was very involved in community as a girl scout leader, cub master, and Sunday school teacher but haven't done that since dx.
Age? 38
Years since diagnosed with RA? 3
Current Rx/treatment method? Imuran, Lyrica, Relafen, Skelaxin, Vicodin, about to start Simponi
Previous tried, number of or names? Methotrexate, Arava, Enbrel, Rituxan, Orencia
Other conditions? Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Disc Disease
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)? 8
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Married, stopped working 1.5 years ago due to disability
InnerGlow2009-06-10 07:30:29Age? 38
Years since diagnosed with RA? 15
Current Rx/treatment method? Humira, Tramadol & Flexaril (as needed), Mobic, B12 injections, Lyrica Side effects? I really don't have too many side effects right now. I was on MTX for years and have recently been taken off of it due to elevated liver panels. MTX had some side effects that I did adjust to over time.
Previous tried, number of or names? Predisone, Sulfersalizine, Plaquinel, MTX, and numerous anti-inflammatories and pain medications. I think that's it. I've been on MTX & Humira for the last 5; well, not MTX anymore.
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)? 2 or 3 at this point. Some days higher....but on average I'm doing very well. (Right now anyway....you'll learn that this status can change at a drop of a dime)
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Anything personal like that you are comfortable sharing. I work fulltime (40 hours a week), have two children, two step children, an amazing husband and a little Toy Poodle named Lilly.
Welcome to AI; We're glad you're here.
So, if you'd all humor me... :)
Age? 56
Years since diagnosed with RA?
15.. Dr suddenly thinks I have Fibro as well.
Current Rx/treatment method? Side effects?
at the moment Lyrica and 5 mg prednisone daily. Tramodol for pain 3 x a day. I've used Enbrel, Humira, Remicade all pooped out. Never have had side effects from any meds except Lyrica at the higher dose it made me fall over a lot and made my vision just a blur.
Previous tried, number of or names? Enbrel, Humira, Remicade.. all pooped out. Will see RD at the end of the month and tell him I really think I should go back on Enbrel.
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)? 7-8 most days
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Anything personal like that you are comfortable sharing.
I'm a SAHM, we are raising our grandkids. Got the 7 year old when she was 17 months and her little brother who is 3 1/2 now when he was 14 months. I was a substitute teacher but cardiomyopathy in 2002 put me on disability . At the moment I am dealing with more heart issuses and will have a cath on June 22.
We had 3 kids, or eldest died in 1999 when she was 21. Other kids are g age 27, boy age 25 (kids dad)
Been married 35 years, hubby is a high school and college teacher. We live in a big old Victorian that swallows cash like peanuts.
Kathy~ That's too funny. My husband and I leased a 3000sq Ft, 100 year old home in the historic district in our home town when we first got married. We learned real quick that it wasn't our dream to invest in a home like that after all. Thank god we rented one in that district before we settled on that dream! "swallows cash like peanuts" describes it perfectly!!
Neat thread; even those of us that have been around a while is intereted in everyones "stats". Thanks for starting it.
Age? 40
Years since diagnosed with RA? 1
Current Rx/treatment method?Mtx 20mg, Folic Acid 1mg Side effects? Depression, Irritability
Previous tried, number of or names? Prednisone till MTX kicked in
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)? 0 It's pretty humid here, I'm feeling a couple of twinges in some joints but I have been doing very well on MTX alone most 1 year now.
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Full-Time, 1 son 17, Married
Anything personal like that you are comfortable sharing. Live in the country in beautiful Upstate NY, with the best dog in the world our Yellow Lab Luigi.
Age? 31
Years since diagnosed with RA? One and a half
Current Rx/treatment method? Side effects?
MOBIC/MELOXICAM: would be in trouble without this. 15 mg every day. Kept me sane before I found a drug that worked on the disease itself. Still need it now but may try to get off of it after enough time on Humira.
HUMIRA: working GREAT. Finally. Tried oral MTX first, then injections: no side effects but they didn't work. Then Arava. Some side effects, not too bad, but it didn't work either. Only side effect with Humira is I take longer to get over colds. Not looking forward to winter but I am able to do things I haven't in years.
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)?
Before mobic, 7 or worse. I feel badly for those that can't use NSAIDs. Now, between 2 and 4, depending on how much I try to do. Wrist hurts a little most of the time, as does my jaw.
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Anything personal like that you are comfortable sharing.
Married with a 2 and 4 year old. RA started in feet when I was 20 (mis-dx) but showed its might when my second boy was about 10 months old. I work a desk job or I would have many more issues. Thank goodness for computers because typing can become painful but writing much more so, I write all day and couldn't do it by hand.
--- 59yrs
--- 7yrs It was triggered by bad respiratory flu. Months after fever&cough went away,
I still hurt all over just like with the fever of 104+fatigue, so went to dr.
RFactor has always ranged between 1,225 - 1,648 nobody knows why.
--- RA: Mtx inj, folic acid, Ultram(tramadol), Extra-Strngth Tylenol, daily long midday sleep
Osteopenia: Vit D, Calcium
post-full-hysterectomy(esp for migraines): Premarin
Mitral Valve Prolapse (palpitations): Atenolol
IBS-bad (UlcerativeColitis:remission): Cholestyramine, Hycoscyamine,Immodium
.....side effects happened at start, but I don't give up easy so I hung in there
-Mtx: -heart didn't like it; 2-3"skipped beats"/minute (cardiologist did not like it)
-no symptom decrease seen for many many months after starting Mtx
-Ultram: bad-dizzy/queasy... gradually decreased over 1st 5 days until gone
--- 1st: Celebrex.... full-blown anaphylaxis (hospital) told cannot ever take any NSAIDs
2nd:Prednisone..even worse anaphylactic shock(hospital) told never take any steroids
then: Plaquenil...1st 9mo-lost 30lbs from diarrhea side-effect (I bravely cont'd), then,
after 1yr, a severe headcold/fever made it stop working, RA flared very badly
--- ~ 2 - 7...less pain lately, since Utram (extended release), varies day to day
~ 7 - 9...fatigue/brain fog/more pain...daily, afternoon... absolutely must go to bed 2hrs
but that restores me to alert&thinking, pain way down(though stiff again) then
gradually, over the evening hours, I get worse again, then I go to bed for night
--- working: last year's 2 shoulder surgeries forced me to stop working at my very
parttime job which then made me eligible to apply for SSDisability... RA+ my
other conditions make it truly impossible to hold a job or even train for one or
even get hired (the job I did before is gone due to downsizing employees)
After a 40yr nursing career(parttime/medical conditions) feels strange.
Due my now paycheck and DH's severe drop in his, our household income
is now 75% less than just 3 yrs ago yet medical expenses higher than ever,
so we are filing bankruptcy and losing our home/much of possessions
--- married: 37yrs (this Sept)... I am so blessed and lucky
--- children: 2 wonderful daughters; 28,29yrs; adopted at 5mo, 3mo old (1 from Korea)
pets: our funny Sunny (Border Terrier),13yrs, died 6 mo ago-miss her sooo much
cockatiel bird, 18yrs, out of cage a lot when I'm in sewing/office, amuses me
4 fairly big goldfish in aquarium, collectively called " The Beach Boys"
--- hobby: when my fingers & shoulder work ok, I quilt! Even just 20min/day eventually
produces something beautiful and satisfying and brings joy to my family...
Knowing my challenges, makes the gifts more appreciated. I'm not that great or
prolific, but I have entered in Quilt Shows and won a ribbon once!
--- name: "Cathy" but I added my middle name to be different than other Cathys here
CathyMarie2009-06-13 11:43:53[
Age?
49
Years since diagnosed with RA?
Diagnosed eight years ago, but pretty sure I had it the two previous years. My doctor didn't run tests for RA, for those two years.
Current Rx/treatment method?
Just started taking Orencia.
Side effects?
Severe headache and some nausea.
Previous tried, number of or names?
Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, Plaquenil, Kineret, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, and, of course, good old Prednisone. What would I do without Prednisone!
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)?
Without pain meds 7-9, with pain meds 4-6, unless really flaring.
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Anything personal like that you are comfortable sharing.
Stay at home (on disibility). Married to a very understanding husband. I have two children. My son (30) is married with a two year old daughter and has another one due in three weeks. My daughter (24) graduated from college and is now attending the Medical College of GA, to become a PA. I look forword to having a medical professional in the family. It will be like having 24 hour access to my own private doctor. LOL!
I have five autoimmue diseases: RA, PA, Hishimoto's thyroiditis, Asthma, and Alopecia. I also have OA and Common Variable Immunodeficiency (I go in every 3 weeks for a five hour IV).
Age? 61
Years since diagnosed with RA? 3 1/2 yrs
Current Rx/treatment method? Mtx 20mg/week, Folicacid 1mg/day.
Side effects? Who knows? I never can figure out if a lot of my problems are problems or side effects of various medications, lol. The one side effect I get from Mtx is dizziness which, weirdly, happens 2 days after I take it.
Previous tried, number of or names? None.
On a scale of 1-10 what is your pain level on average (10 being worst)? Varies a lot, both day to day and location to location. Same with fatigue, which is worse than the pain most days. I'd say the pain is never lower than 4-5 and sometimes it flares up to 7-8. I don't take any pain medication.
Work, stay at home, kids, married? Anything personal like that you are comfortable sharing. After two years of trying, I finally received SSDI this year. Prior to that, I worked as an agricultural animal scientist in West Virginia, then managed thoroughbred breeding farms in Puerto Rico, then managed a large dairy farm in Virginia, then ran a 300-head sheep farm in Pennsylvania, and, up until a few years ago, I owned a Paso Fino horse breeding farm for about 25 years. Throughout the years, I've also been a sort of "jack of all trades" and had other part-time jobs including deli store worker, teacher's aid, lab assistant, auto parts manager, regional census bureau rep, feed store clerk, MR/DD direct care specialist, and bookkeeper. Above all, I am an animal lover (and sometimes activist). I live with my eight feline furkids who are the loves of my life.
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