Hi all,
My name is Christina and I'm currently waiting for blood tests to confirm RA. Over the past week since my fingers, wrists, and knees have been affected, I've gone through some denial, self-pity, and even anger (I'm 37, just finally got my MA, my first job as a college instructor, and we're in the process of an adoption from China).
So now I'm in the "it is what it is, let's get on with it" phase. You all seem like a helpful and encouraging group. Some of you may get a laugh that I discovered this form by googling "MTX alcohol" and stumbling across posts on that topic from others lamenting their loss of an evening glass of wine!
I've done a lot of research on RA and treatment, but one thing I'd like to ask about is travel. We'd like to get to Africa--it's somewhat of an obsession with me, actually--and some other international destinations (China among them for the adoption, depending on how severe my condition proves to be). What does this mean in terms of being immunocompromised with RA drugs (DMARDs)?
Also, although this is slightly off-topic, I'm wondering if any of you wear medic-alert bracelets that list your condition/drugs?
Many thanks in advance for any thoughts or experiences that you all have! I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.
Christina
(Edited for spelling!)
Hi and welcome to the board. Sorry you did have to find us, but you did find a place with very supportive and knowledgeable people.
Congratulations on the new baby!! I hope your adoption goes very smoothly and you have that baby in your arms quickly. AS far as international travel goes I can tell you waht I know about it. First of all, you need vaccines when you travel like that and you can't do any live vaccines. Please make sure your pcp and rheumy (RD..rheumatologist) know that you will be needing to travel out of the country to China for your precious baby. They will help you with vaccination info etc. Comfort is the name of the game when you are going to travel like that. Pillows..blankets...propping your feet up if can...etc. I call it Pimp My Seat lol. Listening to music or relaxation cd's etc. can be helpful also on a long trip. Anything that will help you to relax.
Many people do wear medic-alert bracelets or necklaces. Some carry a list in their purse or wallet. I can't stand to wear jewelry nor do I carry a purse so my husband has an updated list he carries with him at all times of my meds and I keep an updated list in each car. I also have on my list my doctors (pcp and rd) phone numbers and some insurance info.
You might also want to start a journal of symptoms of how you feel etc. to take with you to your doc appts. Also most of us keep a running list of questions to bring with us to the doc so we don't forget to ask anything.
Here is a website that might help you out with the stages of grief that not only we go thru with having a chronic illness...but our partners and spouses go thru also. http://changingminds.org/disciplines/change_management/kuble r_ross/kubler_ross.htm
Congrats on getting your MA and your teaching position!! Best of luck to you!! Teachers are just wonderful people!
Hi Christina, Welcome to the board and yes, I probably was one of those lamenting the loss of wine as as part of my food pyramid.
Hopefully you'll come through this and won't be diagnosed with RA.
My husband and I are retired and we travel extensively or we did up till now. We have a place in Mexico, 40 miles north of Puerta Vallerta that we can't visit due to an increase of 600% in Dengue Fever in that particular area. Both of my physicians said the risk was too great with a comprimised immune system. Even though I'm living in the desert southwest I have to be careful due to West Nile Virus. I take the same precautions - long sleeves at dawn and dusk, immerse my body in repellent, and stay away from areas where there's been an increase in the virus.
When we go to Mexico we spend quite a bit of time visiting the mountain villages and delivering medical supplies. Even if I could travel to Mex. I wouldn't be able to do that any longer because of the prevalence of TB in the indians in the mountains. Mex. and S. Amer. aren't in my future until I can stop Remicade and MXT. If Dengue Fever decreases then we might chance it.
I would think that Africa would be about the worst place you could visit if you were immuno suppressed. I've had to put my dreams on hold due to RA and it's treatments but we've made plans to travel this year through out British Columbia and the West Coast of the U.S. and the Southwest. It's not my little piece of paradise in Rincon De Guyabitos but it's travel to new and beautiful places.
I have always dreamed of visiting Africa but right now it's a dream. Maybe things will change in a few years. You still have many years to travel. Maybe a cure is just around the corner or at least a treatment that's not so severe on our body. Take care and keep us posted on the results of the testing. Again, welcome. Lindy
Gramma -
Pimp My Seat! LMAO!
Christina -
Dr. of What? See how nosy I am! Congrats on the adoption - I so wanted to adopt another little girl out of China! Someday!
My little yellow stickers on the side of the bottle of my Minocin doesn't say anything about restricting alcohol. (Wink).
Pip
Sorry to hear about your potential RA diagnosis. As an adoptive parent (USA - when he was 5 years old), I wish you much happiness with your adoption.
Wow! The travel question had never occurred to me and I learned so much from the responses you received so far. I had no idea there was such a need to be careful when traveling. I'm only on MTX (12 mg) so maybe it wouldn't be an issue for me, but I will now check with my doctor to be sure. We have an RV and do travel whenever possible.
My oncologist (I'm a 10 year breast cancer survivor) did tell me to immediately call for antibiotics if my temp ever hits 100 since I'm on MTX.
Take care.
HI there, I don't know the answers to any of the questions you ahve, but I sure hope you send us pictures of your trip. LyndaHi! Wow! Having to be careful when travelling never even crossed my mind. I'm glad you asked this question and other people know the answer. I hope you aren't diagnosed with RA... but if it does happen, please know you can use this site for much needed support and mutual ranting. The posting so far have said most of it. I too have wondered how I will do with traveling. I posted on another thread about West Nile Virus. I just finished an epidemiology report on it for a class I am takings and then went right out and bought DEET! Oh and I forgot Christina, make sure you have wipes and purell when you teach. I teach in a college too and I wipe down everything! Phones, door knobs, tables. Yikes, working in school, even with adults can be bad for our health. My students think I am nuts sometimes, but Oh well.Wow, I ran to the food store and here are all of these kind and helpful responses already!
First of all, thank you so much for the wonderful wishes regarding the adoption. We've been waiting about a year, but the process has slowed incredibly since we first applied, so we could have another 18 months to go before we travel to meet our daughter. I figure that I have time to be on the drugs for a while and see what I can handle--so far I'm worried the most about my knees. I'm so lucky to have a 10-year-old biological son who has been everything I've ever dreamed of in a child, so if a difficult decision had to be made with regard to the adoption, I would still be grateful that I've been the luckiest mom ever.
Gramma, those are great travel tips! I'll also check out the website you recommended for support for family.
Lindy, your answer about Africa was the one that I was dreading, but it really does makes sense with all of the bugs and viruses there. Thank you for your honesty!
Pip, I'm actually not a doctor of anything (the student loans for my MA just about gave my husband an ulcer, LOL)... my son and I are just huge Jurassic Park/Jeff Goldblum fans! ;)
Flamingo, I'll bet you love your RV! We have always loved camping, but in the past few years, the air mattress just hasn't been cutting it and the RV looks like a much more comfortable choice.
Lynda, if I ever get anywhere I promise to post photos!
Mrs. Alexander, I may take you up on that invitation for a much-needed rant now and then.
I'll look forward to speaking with you all in the future. Thank you again for the wonderful advice!
Christina
Maryblooms, thanks for that great advice! What do you teach? Your welcome, I teach Medical Reimbursement and Coding at a community college in Washington state. I have worked in health care for many years, but I love teaching! Good luck with everything!