I had my first appointment with my Rhumatologist today. He tentatively diagnosed me with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Poly Arthritis (?), Sjogren's syndrome, and a slight case of scoliosis. I am also sero-negative.... He gave me an exam and then took xrays of my hands, wrists, ankles, feet, back and hips. He wants an MRI of my spine, but we have to get it approved with our insurance. He gave me a prescription for MTX, Celebrex and Folic Acid. I haven't started the MTX or Folic Acid yet.
I just want to thank everyone again for answering all my questions and helped me in my first post. I'll probably be asking lots more questions. Right now I'm trying to take it all in.
Lori
Welcome Lori~~I'm new here too~Shew Lori! That's a lot to take in on a first visit!! No worries, there's lots of people here who have taken ALL of those meds, and who have those same diagnosis! Just stick around and ask whatever you need to, someone's sure to answer and help you!! Good luck!!!!
Glad you got a DX on your first visit. Ask away I am sure someone will have an answer to your questions.
Welcome to the board.
Hi Lori, and welcome.Lori, hope you stick around and keep us posted. You have a lot to think about. Here's hoping the meds kick butt and you start feeling well. Lindy
I'm a little worried about the MTX. I haven't started any of my meds yet, other than taking the Celebrex. If I would take them tonight, then I need to take them everyweek on Thursday right? If I wait to take my MTX until Sunday should I wait to take the folic acid on Monday. Or can I start taking the folic acid now? How long before I might see some results from the MTX? Geez, sorry for all the questions. I'm feeling alittle overwhelmed. I've been trying to read some of the pamplets that the Dr gave me.... He told me to keep working out, and gave me a pamplet "Arthritis and Exercise". He said I need to try and keep moving as much as I can. But I just don't seem to be able to walk as long as I use too, I start to hurt...... Thanks everyone, and sorry for all the questions at once.
Lori
Lori,
There is no need to take the folic acid until you start the MTX. I was scared too at first, but now it is very routine. Good luck to you.
PJ
Welcome, I'm nrew here too. I know you'll find lots of support and knowledge here.
Dotty
Things will be ok Lori..there is life after a RA diagnosis. Just be patient and take the time to research multiple sites about the dieseaseThanks for the nice welcome everyone. I was a little upset by the diagnosis. And I'm a little scared of the meds, I haven't started just yet. I'm waiting to start on Sunday. I've got so much to learn, and I'm very thankful I've found this site for that.
LinB, do you get different results with injecting the MXT? My Rhumotologist prescribed the pills to me. Course I'm a chicken, I probably wouldn't be able to give myself a shot, LOL.
Has anyone who has Sjogren's found anything that helped them with the dry mouth?
Thanks, Lori
I don't have Sjogren's but I get dry mouth a lot anyway....I use Oasis Mouthwash and loovveee it. It's the neatest little mouthwash. They also make a spray that you can use, throughout the day. I used that for a while when I was taking muscle relaxers every day.Back in college, I took imipramine for depression for a year or so; worked great, but gave me a very dry mouth. I used hard candies (some sugarless lemon drops - can't remember the name) and sugarless gum. It really helped alot. And meticulous oral hygiene.Welcome, Lori. Just wanted to say that we've all been there...some just longer than others. I was diagnosed 7-1/2 years ago and was started on MTX 9 months later. This med doesn't immediately work...but it will over a few weeks. Don't fear it because it works really well and it enabled me to stop using prednisone/etc.
Evoxac is what I take for my dry mouth. It works extremely well. When I don't take it, my mouth is dry and it's hard to talk or swallow.
I am also seronegative, but have always had the support of good doctors who recognized the history, current situation, and treated those symptoms. I think it's why I am non-deformed from this disease. Please ask any questions.
Thanks Katy and Molly Bee. Where do you find Oasis and Evorxac?
Jasmine Rain, I was thinking about trying the hard candy if I couldn't find something to use. Butter scotch was/ is my favorite hard candy. I wonder if they make it in sugar free? I try and stay away from the candy. I have a sweet tooth. But I guess if I could find sugar free I wouldn't feel as quilty.
Today my Hubby and I went to pay our cell phone bill. Ahead of us was a woman, who didn't seem to be much older than I am. Her hands were all deformed. She asked one of the guys who worked there if she could have a chair to sit down in. She said her knees were hurting her badly. I noticed the young guy was looking at her hands when he brought her the chair. She told him that she had RA, and it just seemed to come on and deform her hands over night. And that now she was having trouble with her knees. That sure gave me something to think about.
Lori
Poor lady :(
Oasis I get at walmart. Its near the toothpaste and stuff.
Welcome to the board Lori. This disease is a lot to digest but with