Need support and advice | Arthritis Information

I found this message board when I did a online search.
I have RA in my ankles and feet. I have bilateral knee, hip,and wrist osteoarthritis. Plus it's also in my lower back. Then to make things worst, I've had carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand and surgery on my left thumb. (pulled the joint apart on my thumb) I'm now facing shoulder surgery for a torn rotator cuff on my left shoulder. I've been on workman's comp for what seems like forever.
   Some days, the pain is very bad and I find myself counting the hours until I can take my Advil with Zantac. I'm also taking methotrexate w/ folic acid. Then to make matters worst, my HMO dropped my RA doctor.
I have a appointment with a new RA doctor in a couple of weeks.
   I've found the use of the electric blanket and my heating pad helps but get's uncomfortable when it's warm out. I live in the southwest region of the good old USA.
    People don't understand the nature of RA and osteo. They think that you are a big baby if you tell them that you're in pain when it's sunny and warm out. Plus they think that you're from another planet, when you tell them it's going to rain from the way your joints feel.
    So, please feel free to give advice or just tell me how you're coping with the pain and doing household tasks.
    One last thing, I want to say a special thanks to Roxy. She has made me feel as if I have somebody else in this fight with me.

    Thanks in advance,
    Marisa Sue

Hi Marisa Sue,

Just a couple of things I wanted to suggest to you. First thing is when you see this new doctor, maybe u need to ask for something stronger for the pain. Let him know that the advil is just not doing anything.

Once your new doctor gets you on the right combo (he/she may have to add more meds to the MTX you are taking) things will get better.

It all just takes time...time to get the right meds and time for you to learn how to adjust/change the way you do things.

Kelly

Sadly Marisa - many people who have HMO insurance do not get the biologics because they are so expensive. Do you have any alternatives ? At my work you can sign up for a different plan every year? You might try to get a prescription of darvocet for a fairly effective pain reliever. It is much more effective than Advil. Keep posting - we will get your questions answered and may even get you asking more questions

what part of the southwest? I'm from Albuquerque NM.

First thing is educate these people get some of those free pamphlets and give them to them. Second make a list to take to your RD you thing that hurt, how many mad days, ect... and check out your HMO RX list, take a copy to your doc. check with Abbott and see if, they won't give you the meds i think it is them that if you can afford them they will help you with the cost. i know one of them do. anyway come here we will be here for you. i hope things get better!

A Thousand Welcomes...Marisa Sue.

What a pretty name. I have a sister-in-law named Mona Sue...

I am sorry that you had to come here by way of RA...or any other auto-immune disease but I am glad that you joined us.

I too suffer from RA and OA...Not a good combination...So I sorta know what you are feeling like.

You came to the right place. This group is so full of knowledge and compassion.

If you need anything, please feel free to ask away. I am sure you will have no trouble in getting good advice on a number of topics.

Tonight I am taking full advantage of having use of my hands as that is not always the case for me...so I can understand all about the problems you are having with your wrist and hands.

My advice will be. When you have that Rotor Cuff Surgery....Please, Please, Please, do everything the surgeon tells you to do. I have a few friends who also had to have that done and one of them didn't do all that well because she didn't do what they asked her to do...

You need better meds if you are to be able to manage day to day living. There is nothing wrong with taking them and you should be. Once the pain takes hold of the body, it is twice as hard to get control back. So never feel like you shouldn't ask for something a bit higher in dosage or formation.

You know the old adage "if you where to walk in my shoes" well, that's what it takes for some people to understand what you are going through. I have found in these past years since my DX of RA, that most people don't understand and need some help in how to understand. So I gently take them by the hand, sit them down, and explain what RA is all about...If they care to understand where I am coming from after that, GREAT, if not...I move on. In time, you may do the same thing.

In here you will never feel alone, so please come back often, we have a tendency to worry about our AI friends if we don't hear from them.

have a good night and and even better tomorrow,

Toni

Hi Marisa Sue,

I literally do feel for you! I have RA and when I first got it, went into a depression. I have gotten to a point where I don't like talking to people about it. I had a friend who looked at me like I had 3 heads cause I was trying to explain to him what it was. It's pure ignorance why people don't understand. I personally try to stay away from these people.

That's why it's message boards like these that are supportive and helpful. Unless one has RA or any of these
other forms of arthritis', no one will EVER understand how we are feeling.

I hope your next surgery goes well and get a lot of rest!
As far as house work goes, pace yourself and don't do it if you are in pain or having a flare up.

Rest really does help a lot! Good luck!painrelief38755.1791550926

I feel crappy today.

Weather has a HUGE effect on my moods. I hope the shower helps. I will be in the snow on Wed. at hubby's house so I am going to enjoy the 70 degree day we are supposed to have today here. I have had a headache but I figure it can just as well hurt OUTSIDE as inside

I get a tooth pulled on Wed. No replacement until I go back to work because I have better dental than my hubby. It is going to feel wierd to have that space there.

I wish I could send you some sunshine. I hope the shower warms you up and dress in cuddly clothes today. That always helps me. Let me know how your appt. goes. Dentists

Good Luck on your Root Canal. I hate having to have them and shell out the money for them.

The fatigue that comes with the RA is sometimes more debilitating than the pain. Yesterday, I slept from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm in my recliner, I couldn't stand the tiredness any more and I had to go to sleep but I paid for it the rest of the night/morning. I spent it AWAKE...No wonder why we are always tired. Our sleeping schedule is always messed up because of having to take 2 to 4 hour naps.

I know that I HATE SNOW feeling.... I use to live in Michigan...If it wasn't down right freezing, it was snow, snow, snow and if not snow... freezing ice...and forget about summers there. I think that is about 6 weeks long...LOL. then back to the start of crummy weather. Sure doesn't add to the glad to be alive feeling. They say Morning sun is the best for our bodies. Maybe you need to try out those new lamps with the Daylight- light bulbs. I have been thinking about getting one, so I can read with out my glasses (I have no problem reading in sunlight)...The darn glasses feel like they are getting heavier and heavier on my nose, no matter how thin my glasses are.

YIKES, there has got to be a better way for getting by day to day.

Good Luck at the dentist office.

Toni

good luck with your dental appointment Pat

Roxy, Waddles & KELL,

Dentist went GREAT

Glad all went well with the dentist app't. Pat. And lunch with your brother...very nice

Thanks Kel

Marisa Sue,
I have had RA for eight years and cannot emphasize enough the need for a good night's rest. I have the tendancy to want to cram too much into my day, but I learned to say "no" to certain activities and I try to get to bed at a good hour so that I have the potential for a good night's sleep. And I agree... sounds like you might need a new medication combo. Make sure you tell your doc you are not feel as good as you would like to feel. There are so many different meds out there and your doc should keep trying combos until you and he find one that works best for you.

Take care,
Sheryl
Inflammation Observations
http://arthritisblog.wordpress.com/
Sheryl38755.5562615741Pat, HOOOOOOOOOORAY. That is great news. Mine tooth has to come out because it is all wiggly but hopefully no root canal. I will let you know tomorrow.

Hi ya Pat

Glad to hear the dentist appt. went well...How's your mouth feeling? After I have some dental work done... my jaw hurts for awhile...hope yours isn't.

Anyway, glad to hear your day was a good one.

Toni

To all of you,
Thanks for advice. Yes, I will ask this new RA doc. about a different pain combo. Will see him on the 23th.
I don't like going to the dentist either but I have to go every 3 months for a cleaning. Since I gave up the sweets and soda, I don't get cavities.
All this talk of snow and cold weather makes me glad that I don't live in that anymore. Those upstate New York winters of cold and lake effect snow are just memories for me. I love our winters, the high of 82 is what I call niceeeee. We don't get too much rain here in southern California.
    Roxy, can't change my health insurance as I'm not working. Haven't work for almost a year. The carpal tunnel, thumb separation, torn rotator cuff is from my job. Have had it for a long time and finally had to say something to my boss when I couldn't lift nor hold the surgical instruments. It's not cool to drop a 00. scope on the floor or to drop the clean open heart instruments on the floor when they need them for the emergency case!
    My arthroscopy of the shoulder, they place a scope into my shoulder to see what's going on, is for the 16th of this month. I just finsh going to hand therapy to regain the use of my thumb and wrist and now it's more therapy for the shoulder.
    I've learn to use my good hand to try to do things and I've gotten good at blancing the dust pan on my foot when sweeping the floor. Now opening those little cans of Fancy Feast cat food with your mouth is hard on the teeth and it tastes awful when it gets in your mouth. Plus I've learn to close the toliet seat cover as a few times my hair brush has gone flying when I try to brush my hair.
   It's getting late and I need to close for now
   I hope that this makes some of you feel better. I try to stay positive and see the humor in things.

Marisa Sue

Waddles. My mouth doesn't feel too bad. I still have a real sore area below my nose where they gave me the injection

Marrisa Good luck with your scope. Keep us posted....