Life with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Hi tkay, as I'm not knowledgable at all in regards to RA, as I know other members may not be as well, would you mind telling us what the Humira is please?  I'm so glad that you're finally feeling some relief that certainly is a long time to be in so much pain while trying different meds and going to a new Dr.  I do hope it continues to work well for you along with the celebrex!

Thanks!
Take care
Donna

Thanks tkay is it some sort of anti-inflammatory then?  I'm so glad that it's helping you, and others with RA may very well see this too, so I do appreciate you posting it.

Take care
Donna

Thanks for putting up the link Tammie Kay.

Do you take Humira in combination with methotrexate or Prednisone?

I have RA too.  Allergic to both methotrexate and Prednisone.  Took Arava for a few months and was doing well on it, but contracted a vicious MRSA infection made worse by my suppressed immune system on Arava.  So I am looking around for possible solutions.

At present I am on heavy doses of Relafin, pain meds,  I'm on 10/325 hydrocodone plus two arthritis long acting Tylenol as needed, careful not to overdo it,  Flexeril, use a prescription gel called Voltaren and used Lidocaine patches for an extra pain relieving aid. 

My RA is fingers, knuckles, toes, ankles, both shoulders, right being the worst and both knees.  Hips are beginning which scares me. I was takng them for granted I guess.  And pain issues are compounded by degenerative disc disease, cervical and lumbar, with accompanying sciatica.

I get horrible, unpredictable cramps in the back of my right thigh and left inner thigh.. Both at different times.  When that happens I may as well be paralyzed seems like. 

I've lost the ability to wear rings on most fingers.  My wedding band will have to be cut off.  I really miss that cause I've always loved wearing a lot of silver.. have one finger I can still get one on and off.  I'm watching as two finger gnarl up so I can't lay them flat anymore. 

These days I count a lot on positive thinking, prayer and heat.

I'm interested in Humira and other immunosuppresants, but I sure as hell am not interested in another round with MRSA or any other infectious disease.  And thats the dilemma with RA.  The trade off..  joints or risk of infection.  I hate it, but there it is.

I have no relatives with RA.  My rheumatologist in Spokane said.. oh! you're the lucky one.  jokes...  and I had to laugh.  Might as well.  Mostly I've decided to just keep living and not let the pain slow me down except while I'm getting it under control. 
 

Hi Tkay,

I just wanted to say that I am so pleased to hear you have found a drug regime that is bringing you some relief from your pain.  I know it will bring to hope to other members here who may be newly diagnosed or already suffering from RA.  Thank you for sharing your story with us.

Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing, ok? Take care,

Spicey

That's great Tammie. It's difficult to stay positive when you have bad reactions to things, but perseverance is the key with these things.  There is always something out there that can help, it's just a case of finding it!

Take care sweetie, Spicey

Tammie,

I am glad you have found some relief with the new med.  I was diegnosed with JRA at the age of 5.  Back then, in the stone age, there wasn't much offered.  I was told not to ride a bike or to rest with a heating pad...etc.  At one point I was taking 24 aspirin a day (I was 10 yrs old).  I remember for years going for blood work and eye exams several times a year. I have not had any issues with it as an sdult (once I got pregnant with my first son, it went into remission)

 

Medicine has come a long way since then! 

Anna 

I am still learning about rheumatoid arthritis.

I am in process of finding another rheumatologist. I had an intial visit in may(i think). I have had to deal with other medical things so I have delayed going back for a second visit.

I have learned that I can not go without the lyrica. I have an appt to see her again Aug. 9. I wished I hadn't waited to go back. I really wished my other dr. hadn't of moved away!

My husbands insurance benefits from work changed so that now we are paying a huge deductible. So I ended up stopping my injectible med...it was too expensive. I tried to find a way to get help but didn't.

My b/p is finally coming down lower. :) my dr. is pleased! I am very pleased.

Hi stevie.
I taken 150 mg lyrica at night and 75mg in the morning. I did have the tired feeling early on taking lyrica in the morning, but I found i felt better taking it as opposed to not at all.

I am hoping that we will be able to put a big chunk of money in a health savings account we have to cover the deductible for next year. Thank goodness that our deductibles are calendar year ones that start in January. whew.

I can tell a difference when I use the Humira. I can finding this summer every joint in my body is affected by not having the humira.

I will sure update you all on what happens at the August 9 appt. I have xrays, and blood work  done at the last visit so I am eager to hear what those showed. (other than the anemia) I also had to get med. records from the other rheum so the new one could read through what the rheum was doing at the other practice.

My family dr. and the new rheum. will be really thorough with making sure I get the tests done and such.

My biggest problem lately is that I visit my family dr. so much and then have all kinds of other dr. appts, I am so overwhelmed. I had put returning the the rheum dr. for a second visit til August and my other appt was in may.

I know I frustrate my family dr. with putting appts off. I guess I need to let him know how overwhelmed I am with all the stuff I need to get done.

I have also been dealing with panic disorder again. That has had me on edge. I am taking measures to get relief from them. I have had them in the past for long stretches so my knowing what to do has been helpful. Even going to the dr. earlier on in the panic depression cycle has helped. My being very blunt and open about what it is like to have a panic attack has helped my family dr. understand why it is hard to sleep after having them! He thanked me for being truthful, said it will help him in care for others.

The heat today has me exhausted. so I am sitting in bed watching tv. I have the window open, cause it is not too bad but I probably should have the air on as tonight was lawn mowing night! I didnt realize hubby was going to do it or the window would have been closed and window air conditioner on. Oh yeah I have outside allergies...in addition to the Fibro, Rhem. and probably other stuff I dont know about yet.