Hi Brigitte!!! Welcome to DS. I just joined about a week ago, and people here have been fantastic. They truely genuinely care...because everyone knows what your going through and how tough it can be. I was diagnosed about 4 years ago when I was 17. I was in remission for a while and just recently came out :(

Biofreeze is AmAzInG...I love it. I use it when I have flare ups. I've never heard of Mobic? I would talk to your doc before completely stopping.

MTX..aka..Methotrexate..is what works for many of those with RA. Many cancer patients take it as well. It is an antimetabolite drug that keeps good and bad cells from growing..it also restricts folic acid from doing its job in normal cell reproduction. Which is why while on mtx, a folic acid supplement is taken to prevent the side effects of folic acid malnutrition. Basically, it aides in slowing the immune system and inflammation.

Side effects of mtx are your typical nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and dizziness. However, it is also closely linked to causing liver damage, which is why blood tests are needed every 2 months to check liver levels.

I only know this stuff cuz I wrote a paper on methotrexate in one of my chemistry classes. lol...

But I hope all goes well for your Brigitte!! If you ever need anything don't hesitate to ask!

BTW--your boxer is freaking ADORABLE!! I want a boxer SO BAD, but I already have 2 chocolate labs! lol We had a white boxer when I was growing up, he was the best dog in the world! They're hilarious.

Bridgette:

I took Mobic with plaquenil for awhile but it wasn't that effective, so I switched to Remicade.

The good news is that there are many drugs that can help us; the bad news is that they all have some side effects for some people. I had to get off Remicade (which worked for five years for me) because I turned out to be one of a small group of users who develop liver issues. I'm now on Enbrel and doing ok. I work full-time and do virtually everything I used to do, even though my diagnosis is severe rheumatoid arthritis.

You will get better and you will feel better. Sometimes it just takes a while to get the right drug. Be persistent, write down all the questions you want to ask your rheumatologist. I hope you get one as great as mine - she's an absolutely love.

Lynne

Brigitte,

Welcome! I hope you find the peace of mind here that I have! I am still in my initial flare (about a year now)...some of that may be because most of the drugs, including mtx (methotrexate) can not be taken while pregnant (I am 18 weeks now.) I keep up hope that once I can start taking some of them I will go into remission, but also trying to stay prepaired incase that doesn't happen. Before I found this group I spent MOST days in tears. However, while I still have my moments when my emotions overwhelm me... they are by no means in control of every moment anymore. The only thing that has changed is that I found this place where others truly know and understand what I am going through... I don't feel "crazy" anymore. I hope you can find that same support here! Once again, WELCOME!!

You are most certainly not alone in this battle and your in with a great crowd, well mostly all are great, I am a little questionable. Do some reading here and search out RA on google, then read some more, then read until your eyes bleed. It will only help you out. There is some good stuff out there to help you understand what the h3ll is going on with you. There is also stuff out there that will scare the bejeepers out of you and make you cry. the bottom line is that this disease is a nasty a** bugger to have and you need to accept it. Sorry if it sounds like I am preaching but I am not. Just trying to help you along. You need to find what works for YOU, because not one person is the same with this thing. Everything is one of a kind with RA. Once you get the drugs sorted out then you need to find your physical limits. You will find it because your body will tell you. With RA it is not one of those keep going and you will adjust, you wont. You will only help the disease advance and trash your joints faster.
If you have a question or questions go ahead and ask them. there is no such thing as a stupid question here, only stupid answers.lol. Join us and ask away. Stay strong.

Hi. I would like to just throw some advice your way. If I had it to start all over again, I would write down all the questions I had for a doctor and see if that doc is going to be open to answering and educating you. Also find out what their policy is on returning calls should you have severe pain or a complication. They need to be available.

I am going to start over soon with a new doc, because I don't like paying someone who won't even tell me what my lab results are.


This is a tough disease in that it affects people so differently and mimics other auto immune diseases. Good luck. I hope for remission for you.

Welcome Bridgette. I wish you all the best w/your appointment next month. I would say MTX (Methotrexate) is the primary med used for folks with RA. It works for many people, with little to no side effects...it's not the case for all, and some folks experience nasea, hair loss, lowered immune system.

I was diagnosed in March of 07. I'm now on MTX by injection, as I felt a bit off and some nausea from the MTX pills. I do way better on the shot. I'm probably at about 90% from where I was prior to getting RA..there are some who fare better, and some who don't. We cover a wide range here, and can usually provide insight to what's worked or not worked for each of us. Having ?s ready for the doc (suggested above) - that's a great idea.

PS - The puppy is adorable! Lisa

welcome! this has got to be the absolute best website out there for people with ra. and, like you, i've got the menopause thing goin too, so it all gets real confusing--what's caused from the menopause, and what's from the ra? like the rest, i strongly suggest you write down your questions for the doc. make sure he/she is gonna be open to answering all your questions, and giving you complete answers! i hate getting half my question answered, leaving me still confused...i'm blonde, and that's easy to do! :) finding a med cocktail that works may take a while, but when you find it you will be so happy! so, welcome, and i wish you all the luck in the world with your doc. my christmas wish for you is to get a great doc, and hit the right med combo right off the bat!
betsy (brat)

Hi Brigitte. Welcome to DS. You'll find a lot of support here and information as well. I have been on methotrexate since I was diagnosed in September. I had been taking Plaquenil for about 4 or 5 years to treat Sjogrens. So hang in there and check the site each day. There is a lot of good information here and you never feel alone. So many times you'll read a post and think - wow, that sounds like I could have written it! So take care and good luck with your appointment.

Welcome Brigitte!
I am on MTX injection, Enbrel injection , Folic Acid daily, and at this time I am on Prednisone for a nasty flare up.
You are probably scared right now and that is fine. All of the medications for RA have side effects in form or another. Yes, some of the possible side effects are very scary and can cause other problems.
Everyone of us on here has had to make some hard decisions when it comes to medications.
For me, I would rather take the side effects of my medications than take the guaranteed road of total joint destruction with possible involvement of other organs. Medications are the lesser of two evils for me.
I hate this disease and I try to fight it with all my might. I refuse to let this disease get me, completely.
I also deal with Osteoarthritis and Sjogrens Syndrome.
It is a battle, but one worth fighting. Stay strong, learn all you can, rant and rave here as often as needed, and never, ever give up.
Gentle hugs, Jamie

Just wanted to welcome youand to tell you we are all here for you.

Hi Bridgette, I am new to this group. I have had RA for the past 6 yrs. and it has progressed quickly. I have been through numerous meds and two Rheumatologist. The second one is great. I am now on Orencia, Arava, Plaquenil and Tramadol for pain which I am in now, probably due to the dampp weather. You just have to hang in there and find the right combo of meds that fit you. You and your Rheumatoligist will work that out and to also find the right fit with your MD. I have also learned that the days I am not feeling well, I stop get in the bed and put my feet up. Good luck and hope you are feeling better soon

Hi and welcome to DS, sorry you need us but so glad you found us. methotrexate and prednisone are the first line of meds in the fight to control RA. Mtx can raise liver enzymes which is why the dr will have you take regular blood tests to monitor the enzymes. My enzymes rose too high and I am temporarily off mtx until they come back down.

All the drugs used for RA have side effects, some of the effects go away after you are on them for a while others never happen. I hear a lot of people saying they are afraid to take a medicine that their dr prescribes for fear of the possible side effects. I understand the fear. For me, I read the information and weighed the possible bad effects against the benefits and chose to take the meds.

The first flare of RA that I had that led to the diagnosis was so painful and involved all my joints - even my jaw, along with the fact that I have some small deformities in a few of my fingers was enough for me to turn to the meds regardless of the possibilites. Truly I cannot live and function with RA at it's worst.

We had to add another drug Humira to the mtx and prednisone, together they have slowed the flares and eliminate most of the pain. Together with your rheumy you will set up a plan of action and a combo of meds to treat your RA. Good luck, let us know how your visit with the rheumy goes.

hugs jilly