Unfortunately, my mom was diagnosed with RA a few days ago. Her brother has lived with it for almost 40 years and he's been through multiple surgeries on his eyes (lost vision), his legs, and almost every joint.
However, after reading online my mom and I noticed that some people seem to have a less serious form. My mom is 48 years old and very worried with what it will do to her health and I am very worried too. She is no longer able to open water bottles, zip lock bags, mediciine bottles etc. The doctor says we caught it early (only after going in 5 times after he told us it was a sprain, 4 months after we went to the doctor for her the first time) and after taking a rheumatoid factor test it ended up being 118. The scale said that 20 and below is considered average.
The doctor seems to believe we caught it early and therefore should be pleased. Her thumb and middle finger are incredibly swollen, along with her knee caps (which only decrease if she keeps them propped up all day). We have just received the medicine today.
She will be taking 1000mcg of Folic Acid daily
Along with 6 tablets of 2.5mg of methotrexate once per week.
What should we expect? I will be leaving for college on August 31st. And my brother will be gone for college as well. I'm worried that being home alone will not be easy. What can I do now to make her life easier? What would help make daily activities easier to do? Since this is new to us I have a feeling that we will think of all the things she needs after I leave and since I will be attending school it may be difficult to get them. ANY suggestions would be very appreciated! Thanks! Hi and sorry to hear about your moms diagnosis.
It is a good thing that they caught this early and are treating it somewhat aggressively.
Expect that the mtx will not work immediately. It is a medication that has to build up in the system. Hopefully it will work very quickly for her. She should also call and ask for pain meds if the pain becomes too much for her to handle. She may experience stomach upset and fatigue with the mtx. If the stomach upset becomes too much she can always call and ask that her mtx be switched from oral to injections.
Things to make her life easier...medication bottles that are not as I like to call it...arthritis proof. Heating pads...a lot of us use cloth bags that we put rice in and heat up in the microwave. You can also purchase things like that in a drugstore. They do make these bottle openers that she can use to open like 2 liter bottles or bottles of water. I have one and love it. It also opens pull tabs on cans of soda etc. Put what you can within her reach. for things that are on the floor they make grab sticks that you can buy in a either a drug store or home heatlh aid store. A heated blanket or matress pad works wonders also. Also those battery operated toothbrushes. Also shower chairs are great. Soap..shampoo...conditioner...etc in the pump bottles are great.
Check into her insurance and see what they cover for a home health aid to come in a couple of times a week also.
I know more people will come around and post more helpful hints. I just can't think of anymore right now.
Please feel free to ask any questions you have. There are wonderful, caring, and very knowledgeable people here that will help you and your mom out.
Okay, don't assume that your mother's RA will be like your uncle's. He sounds like a very extreme case and this is a very personal disease. They are starting her on pretty aggressive treatment too, so that is good.Pip
Yes, I'd be curious to know, too, Janice---especially after having RA for soI'm not sure how to start a thread, as I'm pretty computer illiterate, but I'll try. (I was dragged kicking and screaming into the computer age, and still haven't caught up!)
Due to what's happened to me, I decided a couple weeks ago to get involved with the vitamin company. I only did it because I have the proof in black and white that it works, aside from the fact that I have not been suffering from inflammation, etc...
I just started a web-site - which of course, someone else had to put together for me! My entire story is there. The web address is anaturallyhealthyyou.com
It's me again. I have no idea how to start a thread. Feel free to help me out! Thanks!
Janice: Scroll up to the top of this board, right on top of "Mom has RA's" post. On the top right-hand corner, above her post, you will see a box that says "New Topic." Click on that box and post away!Hi, my gosh aren't you the sweetest daughter in the whole world! I think you will just need to wait and see how the methotrexate works for her. It , unfortunately, can take months. She will need to check with the doc if the dose doesn't help her, and maybe add prednisone for a while (ya need to read about this miracle drug, but it has side effects!!, nothings free with our meds!) if the mtx doesn't work right away. you are so fortunate to have caught this early, but it is a long road of sorting out the right drugs, the amts, and all. Good luck, and I'm glad you've joined the board. Lynda