I am at my wit's end. I don't think my co-workers or family understand what I am going through. Thanks for listening and I hope that someday soon (within our lifetimes) someone can find a cure for this nonsense! XO Hi Mari, welcome to the site. Waiting for diagnosis is a nightmare. I hope your appt with rheumy goes well.
Everyone here will support you, and offer advice. I am new to the site, and dxd with RA and OA in July this year. Best wishes.Sedentary lifestyle is a big risk factor for osteoporosis; Arthritis (any type) is a risk factor for sedentary lifestyle.
MariP,
You asked if RA and Osteoporosis have a direct relationship with one another. Not really, since the first is an autoimmune disease and the other is not. They do, of course, have many features in common.
Regarding treatment for Osteoporosis: a close friend had similar problems with various medications, but has since discovered that Forteo works for her.
Make sure your Calcium and Vitamin D are checked regularly.
While it's probably too late in your case, others should make sure they have all dental work done BEFORE they start treatment for osteoporosis.
Good luck!
Thank you for the replies and support. It's nice to know there is a place I can come to where people understand.
Yes, unfortunately, I am lactose intolerant and therefore, that contributed to my osteoporosis. I am currently on 2,000 mg of Vitamin D3 and 1,200 mg of calcium. Contributing factors were the intolerance and early surgically induced menopause. Due to precancerous breast cells and family history of breast cancer (mom died of breast cx), I cannot take hormone therapy.
Up to 4 months ago, I was walking 5 miles a day. Since then, I've had these intense flare ups of joint pain, and it's made it difficult to walk long distances. I realize it is important to exercise, but I think the pain and depression associated with it makes me want to not exercise. It's a vicious cycle, isn't it? I'm hoping to try the Forteo, since I can't tolerate the bisphosphonates, but hear it's quite expensive.
I am hoping rheumy can prescribe physical therapy that will help. I'm expecting my first grandchild in May and want to make sure I am physically able to babysit and keep up with him/her! PCP is almost sure it's RA, and I'm scheduled for blood tests to confirm.
Does anyone here recommend any one medication over another? With my history of medication intolerance, I'm almost afraid of what I cannot tolerate.
Thanks and take care!
Is that 2000
mg or 2000
IU of Vitamin D3? Big difference.
When I have flare-ups I sometimes cut the lengths of my walk. I don't push just for the sake of doing what I normally do. Instead, I try to take more frequent, but shorter walks. Sometimes it's too bad and I just get on the recumbent bike, which works for me, but may not work for you.
Definitely a vicious cycle!
Hi Mari and welcome to the forum. I hope your RD appt. gives you answers. Osteo has flares also. So far I haven't been able to tolerate any of the OA meds but have found that with 1200 of Cal, Vit. D and magnesium that I've been able to build bone in the last 4 years. I've increased between 1.5%-2% in the last few years. To date my OA is mild and I haven't had a flare of OA like the RA flares.
Sam brought up an important point about having dental checkups and work done prior to starting OA treatment....this should be a must do before starting RA or OA treatment. Also, dental followups and cleaning should be done diligently according to your dentist's recommendations.
Brain fog can be contributed to RA. RA is a systemic disease and there are many side effects and complications from RA.
Did your doctor prescribe an anti-inflammatory for you? If not, you might ask him/her about it. Take care and keep us posted. Lindy
Hi Mari - As most say, sorry you had t find us but welcome! The sooner you can get a diagnosis and start some treatment for RA the better. You PCP might be able to get you on prednisone to carry you over until you see the rheumy. It has side effects that scare everyone but is a wonder drug for short spurts when you are having a flare. It does sound like you may be joining the RA club. Hope you find some relief soon.Also meant to suggest you Google "The Spoon Theory" for a tool to explain what you are going through to family and friends. There's also a "Letter to People Without Chronic Pain" at the beginning of the RA-Connect forum in the Arthritis Foundation site. It is wonderful! Good luck.Maryhatz:
I'd never heard of the "Spoon Theory" before......excellent. I'm saving this one.
wrong location for post sorry
kidcadwell2009-11-09 21:48:42Hi Mari, welcome to the board although I'm sorry for the reason that brought you here.
My first piece of advice would be to ignore the post above mine which is an obvious solicitation. Beware of "miracle cures" in all shapes and forms, when we are in pain it makes us gullible.
I hope you can get into see the rheumatologist sooner, maybe if you call and ask to get put on a cancellation list? As for your question on which med is best - unfortunately, at this stage it is all trial and error. Different meds work for different people. At my last RD visit, my doc discussed a specialist in Boston who is working on a theory that with the development of certain blood tests, in the future they may be able to determine what medication will work for you right off the bat. But for now, we have to try, experiment, see what works and what doesn't. Often it requires a "cocktail" of meds to get you under control and hopefully into remission.
Maybe your PCP can give you a script for Prednisone just to get you through until the RD appointment, just a thought. Best wishes to you, keep us posted.
Welcome Mari~Glad you're here.
Hello Mari!
Sorry for your pain. Try to keep moving. I know it is hard when in pain. Talk to your doctor about controlling your pain. I hate to suggest exercise...because I rejected it for so long...but have to admit it has so many benefits and one was pain reduction. I am not suggesting you exercise through pain...I say talk to your doc about pain control and ask him about exercise. I hope you find relief soon.
Best Wishes,
Lisa
Hello and welcome to the board, gentle swimming can help with pain and is one of the most beneficial exercises .
I hope you feel better soon
take care x
Hi Mari!
Welcome to the forum - sorry for the reasons you had to find us though! I agree wholeheartedly with Green~Tara - ring your Rheumatologist and ask to be put on the cancellation list. The sooner you can get in to see him/her the better.
Best wishes to you.
greenfrog
Hi Mari! Welcome! You have had some wonderful suggestions and I can think of nothing to add to them other than to be persistent. I hope you get in soon and get the answers you deserve - you may even need to enlist your PCP in your cause during the interim, they can help with the pain issues or perhaps even get you into the RD sooner?
Take care, Mari, and keep us up on how you are doing!
Thank you all so much. That's why I like forums, because you get real advice from real people. Most times I think our docs just peddle whatever the drug companies want them to.
I had a full dental checkup prior to starting the Actonel, I wanted to make sure I had a baseline reading in case something came up later on with my jaws (necrosis or infection). I also had a checkup after the Actonel, since I'd had jaw pain. My mom had jaw necrosis from the meds she was taking for her breast cancer.
I'm actually going to pull out my Wii Fit and get going on it. I like the gentle yoga exercise. I've lost 5 lbs a week doing that thing. Of course, I also walked 5 miles a day. That's what kills me most of all--that I was very active up to 6 months ago.
Thanks for lending me your shoulders. I appreciate it.
Mari, you will be active again, trust me. When you get into the RD and start getting on the right meds you will see reduced inflammation and things will look up for you. It's an up and downhill battle but I'm sure most of us here have good days and enjoy greater opportunities to just be active and feel normal.
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