Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

It is so hard to be patient, especially when you have had one thing after another. You are correct about the humor part. God bless comediennes! I couldn't tell a joke if my life depended on it!

Im so sorry your still going through this Francis. you and I have been struggling with meds letting us down and turning out to be a bigger enemy for way too long. I will continue to keep you in my prayers. soft hugs to you....Tina

Thanks ladies. Lynne, I still watch I Love Lucy sometimes because Lucille Ball was a genius comedienne. She makes me howl with laughter!

Tina, I was just reading one of your posts. I too am sorry that you have had such a difficult time and I will certainly continue to remember you in my prayers for a solution for your lung problem. I'm calling my rheumy tomorrow because I've noticed in the last couple of weeks, I am wheezing some and coughing. I have read that Orencia can do this and I have had 3 Orencia infusions so I need to see what he thinks. I would call him today but I had an epidural steroid injection in my lower back this AM and just don't feel like dealing with it today. Anyhow, that's another day. I've dealt with a two different kinds of doctors today and just don't feel like dealing with a third specialty.

It will have to be soft hugs today after the epidural, lol.

Prayers and hugs to you both.//Frances

Hi NC granny, are you on Arava. that helped me a great deal with stiffness, better than the MTX. is.

Christine, I have Arava but have not started taking it yet because my dermatologist started me on Dapsone for the allergic reaction to Remicade and tnf's. I need to hold off on the Arava in case I have an allergic reaction to the Dapsone so I could know what drug was causing it. I am so allergic it gets extremely complicated trying to treat me for any illness or disease. As soon as I pass the Dapsone test with no side effects, I will add in the Arava and see what happens with it. I have also recently started Orencia.

Thanks for the suggestion. I am looking forward to starting the Arava at some point. I need all the RA relief I can get. Just this danged allergic reaction to tnf's has stymied my RA med plan.

Frances, I have been reading your posts. I am so sorry to hear of your pain. I am doing much better on the natural anti-bacterial (anti-biotic) that I have been on since May. Dr. Lantelme in W-S is my new integrative doctor. I take this with probiotics I get at Whole Foods along with vitamins and supplements. Dr. Lantelme has also added some hormones into my regime.

The theory is that these all work together to kill bacteria (mycomplasma) that has built up in our bodies. Some theories think it is from pneumonia and/or food allergies. Some theories think it is from yeast build-up caused by eating sugar/carbs over the years. I am also starting an anti-fungal for a few months to kill this yeast.

I know it sounds far-fetched but I feel the best I have felt in three years. My neck still aches but it aches all day and I think it is from kinked muscles since it does move around. I will see accupuncture doctor Friday to see if this can be fixed.

We will see if all this works. For me, with the only option of Orencia left it was worth a try. My doctor is with Robinhood Integrative in Winston Salem. Also, doctor Weston is his associate and he is seen on WXII tv in the mornings.

It is "taking a village" but I hope to come through this with natural medicines, supplements, vitamins. I also have cut out artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup and almost all dairy and not much red meat.

Good luck to you. Hoping for the best for you. I too am a very sensitive person to medications and this seems to be working.

Wendy, so glad you are feeling better. That is wonderful news! I am still getting Orencia infusions (they haven't kicked in yet but I am hopeful). I have been getting short of breath and wheezing a little. I'm due another infusion tomorrow and will speak to the rheumy then to find out if I should be concerned about this. If he does not think it is the Orencia, then I'm seeing my pcp for a chest x-ray, etc. I don't want to let this go undiagnosed.

My Duke doctor has started me on Dapsone therapy for the allergic reaction to tnf's and I have to be monitored closely for liver function and anemia. If it is not one thing, it's the other. Sometimes I am tempted to just quit everything except my insulins and just let it all slide where it may. Lol.

Anyway, your news is good and I am very happy for you. You go girl.

NCGranny, I'm reminded of Job when I read all you are going through. I really hope you catch a break! soon.

Thanks Bcatz. I get impatient with it sometimes but then I look around and I can always see someone in much worse shape. I then try (try is the word here) to stop whining and get on with it. My DS friends help me keep straight.

Frances, My treatment plan is not all roses. I am still trying to come up with good balance with the natural antibiotic and probiotics. Hard to move on to other supplements doc wants me to take without getting stomach straightened out first.

Accupuncture visit is Friday so we will see what they can do with neck. I am probably having false hope thinking it is not all RA related. But I think if accupuncture can help with some of the neck pain I can get off my prednisone and will feel much better when can do that.

If you need to go a different route, you could look up integrative doctors in Raleigh area. My insurance paid for it and I do feel a lot better. Some supplements he wanted me to add I can not take but overall I feel stronger and in better health than I have in three years.

Just trying to give you another option if Orencia does not work out. I may be back begging for Orencia in a few months. It's a trial and error game.

Good Luck to you and I hope you are able to relax and enjoy the approaching fall with cooler temps and lower humidity coming your way. I will be enjoying the NC Beach in September. Need to go watch that ocean.