Hi...Newbie with RA
 

http://members.shaw.ca/Sunburn_69/BA_Bear_Hello.jpg Thought I'd let you know, I've found this board very interesting. I guess I'm needing to find a place where I'll be "understood". Can't excercise to lose weight......but sure do need to lose. Have lost a few pounds, with about 30 to go. Kinda stuck right now.:(

Anyway, hope you all are doing well. Thanks for letting me visit. Oh, & I collect angels!!

Hi there,

Wanted to welcome you to this weight loss group from one RA person to another. I have has this lovely illness for about 8 years. In the last year, I have able to do the Leslie Sansone's walking tapes. Funny, I have a hard time walking any distances but I can do the walking in place stuff. I am VERY grateful for that to be sure. You are unable to exerecise at all? I know it makes it a lot tougher to lose weight but you surely have been successful with a 30 lb loss.

Anyway, Welcome. I surely know how you feel.

Cheers
Rosanne

Understand only too well. have been in a nasty flare and reluctant to take prednisone as I don't want to put back on an oz of what I've struggled to lose. Have also been plateauing.
I exercise in warm water at a rehab center's wellness program. Have not been going very much lately and I guess that's part of the problem. Was there twice this week and it's helped.

I don't have fibromyalgia but post on that thread as the nice people there also understand.

If we'd get some nice weather that would help too. Just heard on the weather report we've had rain16 of the last 20 days. It feels like 20 of 20.

To better, leaner days!

http://www.members.aol.com/teejaw/smilies/Hello.gif & thanks for the welcome Jellybean & Anagram. Yes, this is a great illness to have, isn't it?!http://www.emotipad.com/emoticons/Sigh.gif & part of the problem, is like my dr says, most people don't understand it IS a disease. When I told friends & family, they took it as they did my osterarthritis (which is bad, from car accident). It has me on disability because of my back.

I've never come across anything so scarey & hard to cope with as this. My RA only started about 1 yr ago, but advanced very rapidly. I started out on Azulphiside, then Methotrexate(type of chemo I take at home), now I'm on Methotrexate & Remicade. I go for infusions that take about 2 hours. It really helps, but if you don't have good ins or medicare(which I have), it's impossible to get. Each treatment is over $2,000. I'm so glad my medicare covered it. To me, it's a miracle drug. Only thing, I'm very sensitive to it, so I have to have Benadryl, Zertec, etc., the day of treatment. So, I sleep the day away & out of it kinda the next day. But, afterwards, soooo much better. Don't know either of your situations, but it's a thought for you, both.

I haven't lost 30 lbs.....that's how much I still WANT to lose.lol I've lost 16 lbs since the end of April. That isn't so bad, but I've come to a standstill. No, I haven't found any kind of exercise that I can do. Mostly because of my back problems.

Didn't mean to write a book.......sorry. Just wanted to let you know a little about me. Feel like I found a place to encourage & be encouraged.:)

I agree on the "understanding" thing. Most people figure "take an aspirin" or will say "oh, my knee hurts once in a while too".

My flare seems worse this morning - at first it seemed better but I'm still not up and at 'em. I've had the devil for quite a while. At first, they said it didn't matter because they treated both kinds of A. the same. Then about 8/9 years ago, I was put on Plaquenil and apparently I'm one of the people it works/worked for. I have been off it for 15 months now. Looks like I might be going back on. So as RA goes, I don't think mine's been particularly aggressive but nonetheless changed my life dramatically.

I also have OA - in fact, have had two knees replaced because of it. Also have arthritis in spine but that's also been good lately. Am taking Mobic for inflammation (doubled dose since last week) and take the supplement MSM which I've found helpful.

Am certainly wishing today I had called dr. yesterday for the "prednisone" rescue he offered me last week. Won't call him over the weekend though. Yesterday all seemed to be getting better. I think now it's flared up enough that just good weather won't help enough.

I've been able to lose 40 pounds in the past year while I was in only minimal discomfort but still have lots more than 30 to go.

I'm on Medicare as well - since last September.

I do have an Arthritis Foundation exercise tape which was helpful for a good while early on. Can no longer do the floor exercises in that one but I understand there is another one for people with even more restrictions. I can't do a lot of heavy exercising either and even in the water, I wouldn't say I overdo. I mostly like to hang in the deep water as it has helped my back so very much. But I do move my legs a lot which helps my lymphedema and I do stretching (very moderately) and arm curls and light stuff like that at home.

Anyway, we're expecting rain again today but should be better after that (hot and humid, if that's better). I hope you have a good, delightful weekend and can maintain the great loss you've had. That's a lot for a short time.

http://home.att.net/~scorh2/Animation3g.gif Sounds like you've had a rough 8 or 9 years. I'm sorry. My back problems (OA)are from car accident in '83. Been on disability since. I took those cordnizone shots in my back quite a bit & man, they shoot the weight on! I've finally settle on Lodine & manage with it. I'm also on Depakote, which puts weight on. Can't win, for losing, can we?!:dizzy:

Anyway, like I said earlier, the RA has really thrown me. I didn't know it could get so bad so fast! I have very good doctors, though, thank the Lord for that. They all cooperate with each other & take time to listen to me.

I wish I had a place to exercise in water. I believe I could do that. I DO have a jacuzzi tub, that helps on my worse days.;)

It's helped me, to talk to someone else, who really understands. Thank you so much. I hope you have a great weekend, & feel well.

Hi all,

Nice to hear from you two who really understand. I relly did have a very rough time when I was diagnosed . As bad as you feel one day you can feel twice as bad the next. I take plaquinil and methotrexate, 4mg of prednisone and motrin 800mg several times a day. My pain is more stiffness these days as opposed to sharp pain. My doctor wants me to try Remicade but I have been such a chicken about it. You are incredibly brave to take the infusion and take all that stuff so you will not have a reaction. I am surprised you only sleep ONE day away! I am so glad it helps you, it feels like a miracle when something actually helps.

I had my hip replaced a few years ago and that really changed my life. I have been able to exercise with the walking tapes in the last year because of the hip replacement. I guess that joint was something medicine was not going to help..:) I have lost 25lbs so far and it is coming off a lot faster when I can do the exercises. I want to lose at least 35 more.

I am so sorry about your flare, Anagram! You have been lucky to be controlled with plaquinel. Call your doctor and get back on it before it gets any worse.


Hope you both have a great weekend and your pains are few.

Cheers
Rosanne

http://home.att.net/~scorh3/Sunbonnet01a2.gif Jellybean....hang in there. It's rough, but we have to keep going. I decided whatever it took, I would. That's why I went on Remicade. I'm not at all brave. I stay scared......there's a lot of dangers to this drug. My dr keeps a very close eye on me, though, & I trust him. My stiffness had gotten to the point where I had to hold on to the walls, etc., to walk around the house. When you get desperate enough, you'll try just about anything.

I was on Motrin for several years for OA for my back.....now I take Lodine. Motrin was still doing well, just dr said I needed a change, because it could tend to aggravate stomach. I haven't heard of other medication you said you are on. How are you taking Methotrexate? I put mine in a needle & shoot it into orange juice to drink it. Dr said I could take shot, or drink it. I decided the orange juice was getting this needle. LOL I started out with the pill form, but it's a lot more expensive & I'm on several expensive meds, & no coverage for them.

You've had a good weight loss. That will help a lot. That's one reason I'm trying to lose. I'm not gonna say that's the only reason, because it's not true. One thing's for sure though, it does help with all physical problems.

Thanks for replying. You two have made my day just a little better.;)

Hi girls,

Just browsing around and discovered your posts. I have OA in my wrists and hands, as well as carpul tunnel and boy has it changed my life. I was just diagnosed with both a few months ago, but I feel certain I have been suffering from them for a couple of years. I just began seeing a rhematologist a couple of months ago and she did RA tests, but so far not that, although she did more blood work today to check again. Boy do my arms hurt. They stuck my 6 times to get 5 vials of blood for various tests. Lucky me...I have small veins. I really hate that is the only thing small on me! lol

Interesting reading about the different meds. I took vioxx for a couple of years, but quit working. I then took mobic, this week she switched me to bextra. Tried celebrex but caused me severe stomach pain. Lodine never worked for me.

Well, that's enough for tonight...my hands are swelling up and my needle pricks hurt. Ouch! I'm going to take my bextra and acetaminaphin (for the pin pricks).

Thanks for letting me join you. It does feel good to connect to people who understand.

Have a great weekend!

Debbie

http://members.shaw.ca/Sunburn_69/welcomeDoor.gif Hi Debbie.....glad you joined us! Hope you'll post often...I come in every day. Don't have a lot to do. Also, get a lot of encouragement!

Sorry about your pain. I know how that is! Of course, all of us here know. I have problems with my hands due to RA, mostly can't seem to make my hands work right. They don't hurt though, like most of my body does. I know it must be very difficult trying to do things with pain in your hands & wrists. Hope you're able to rest tonight. I also hope they don't find RA. My OA is bad...but the RA has caused so much more problems. My nurse says I have the tiniest veins she has ever seen. LOL When I took my last Remicade treatment, they stuck me 7 times! The veins kept blowing, because the cathedar was bigger than my veins! She wants me to have a port put in....but I really don't want that, if I can help it. I guess it will really depend on how the next few treatments go. I'm not afraid of needles, but 7 times......sheesh!!

Hope you come & post often.....I was beginning to believe I was alone here! LOL Take care of yourself.http://home.att.net/~scorh3/Angel2l.gif

Hi, all. Flare has lessened but not yet all gone. Weather, extra inflammatory helped. Then, I finally remembered to double my supplement of MSM. This has been really helpful to me and seems to have done the trick again though I still have some residual swelling (but then I usually do). Felt good enough to play with granddaughters while we were away at DDs this weekend. I always say they're really my best medicine.

Hello girls,

Thanks for the nice welcome, angel lover. My arms are better today, but I have kinda laid low. Wow, 7 needle sticks. I don't feel so bad now. I meant to mention when I was writing last night that my doc has been talking to me on several visits about adding plaquenil but I am concerned about the eye thing. She said you have to have your eyes checked every 6 months. So, anyone taking it and finding it worth it? Also, I'm a little new to all of this, but what is MSM? What does it do? Anyone an advocate of coral calcium and gulcosimine...which I have been hearing about?

Thanks for the info and support!

http://home.att.net/~scorh2/Card32.jpgGood morning Anagram & Debbie. So glad to hear from you.

Anagram....I'm wondering what MSM is also. Anyway, I'm really glad it helped you. Do you get these flare-ups very often? You may have already said, but I'm too lazy to go back & read.LOL
I agree, the best medicine is the grandchildren! Of course, I'm glad they have parents to take care of them. I have 11 & they are all beautiful (of course) & well behaved, most of the time. Of course, they do have their spells.http://home.att.net/~scorh/Sign01r.gif

Debbie....I'm glad you are better. Sometimes I have to lay low, also...sometimes just plain "hide out" from the world. When I'm really bad, I come home & don't even answer the phone, unless it's an emergency. I let my answer machine screen my calls. As I said before, a lot of people don't realize how bad RA is. So, I just have to make sure I take care of myself, so I don't get worse.

I've heard of the Plaquil, but don't know of anyone that uses it. My pastor's wife's dr wanted to put her on it. She was too afraid because of the eye thing, too. He tried to reassure her that hardly ever happened. She is on Glucosomine, though, & says it helps her. It's not a miracle drug, but it does help. The Coral Calcium, I don't know anything about...sorry.

When I was reading of the pain in your hands & arms, I remembered something. I volunteer at a local christian television station, & one of the programmers sells a therapy lotion for arthritis. He has had to bring it to the station by several cases at a time! Everyone that comes in & trys it says it's great! They say when they are hurting (knee, hands, etc.)they can massage it on & get relief. I haven't tried it yet.....keep meaning to. I will find out the name of it this week & let you know. It's 2 bottles(each different) & only $5.00! Gotta be worth trying. It might help you, also...Anagram. You know, if it just gave you relief enough to rest at night, it would help. I hear compliments all day on it.....I'm crazy for not trying it yet. By the time I go home in the evening, though, I'm usually so tired (& hurting), I don't think of it. I'm there only 3 days a week for a few hours. It helps me to get out of the house.

I really like your dog & cat...here's you a little mouse to go with them.http://home.att.net/~scorh/Animation1r.gif

Hi and welcome, Holly. The MSM is a supplement easily available. I started it after hearing James Coburn talk about how it helped him (on tv). I continued taking my meds and did talk to dr. about it.

I have been on Plaquenil. Started on it about 8 years ago. I've currently been off it for 15 months and was off it once before for a year or so. I did have a time when they were concerned about my eyes but it turned out to be something different. I'm also concerned about that because I think it can happen even years after you're off it. Both my dr. and eye dr. say they don't know anyone it's affected that way but I do. I have a friend who has lost her sight and she'd never talk much about it or how it happened. But a couple of years back she told me it was from medicine she took for RA years ago. She says it worked, she didn't have RA after that and the sight loss didn't show up for quite some time after that (although it was there 20 odd years ago when I first met her). She doesn't remember if it was Plaquenil or not. Dr. tells me they used to give it in much higher doses. Yes I had to get eyes checked every six months and they did an extra test (which of course my insurance didn't pay for - might now that I'm on medicare).

Anyway last bloodwork in March showed no inflammation, SED rate down, etc. so I think the Plaquenil has helped as well as the MSM. It does not help everyone so I was lucky there I guess. Last month when I saw Dr. he said even though I felt rotten, there was very little swelling so he just told me to double the Mobic. I've tried or been on so many ANSAIDs over the years. Some helped, some didn't. I just get so tired of the fatigue. I understand not everybody gets that part and they did last year put me on thyroid med. That helped for a while but not enough.

Sometimes I think the best thing would be a few stiff drinks but I almost never have any alcohol because of the meds.

I only have two grandchildren. Both girls, one's 7 and the other will be 3 in August. I would like to have more but it doesn't look like that's happening so I'll just be grateful for these two.
well, off to enjoy the evening (or what's left of it) on the patio.

Hi all,

I was just peeking in for a bit to read a little. My hands have really hurt me this week..i've had a lot to do. They hurt right now, so I will have to write more later. Just wanted to say hi and thanks for the info. I'll come back soon. Hope yall are having a good week :)

http://members.shaw.ca/Sunburn_69/hello.gif Everyone! Hope all are having a good evening. Getting pretty late here & about ready to call it a day.http://www.emotipad.com/emoticons/Zzzz.gif

Sorry you are having so much pain, Holli, I know it must be terrible. Hope you are better real soon. That lotion I told about is only sold here, because there is only a short supply of it. I tried it though, & it's not that great for me.

I'm not feeling very well, either. I can tell the Remicade is wearing off & my next treatment isn't till next Tuesday. I'll make it, somehow.

Anagram...I know what you mean about fatigue. RA has really caused it for me. Before the Remicade treatments, I'd have times I couldn't even sit up. That's one reason I know it's wearing off now....getting that way.

It really helps to come here & talk about it. I feel like if I talk to people around me, they get tired of hearing it. It's probably my imagination....but that's how I feel. At least here, we all understand.

http://www.emotipad.com/emoticons/Yawn.gif Well, I guess I've groaned enough tonight. Have a good evening.

http://fla.fg-a.com/usaCa.gif WANT TO WISH ALL A HAPPY JULY 4TH!!!! http://image.fg-a.com/Firew14a.gif http://www.members.aol.com/teejaw/sm...Fireworks2.gifhttp://www.members.aol.com/teejaw/sm...Fireworks2.gifhttp://image.fg-a.com/Firew14a.gifhttp://www.members.aol.com/teejaw/sm...Fireworks2.gifhttp://www.members.aol.com/teejaw/sm...Fireworks2.gifhttp://image.fg-a.com/Firew14a.gifhttp://image.fg-a.com/Firew14a.gifhttp://www.members.aol.com/teejaw/sm...Fireworks2.gif

Had another good workout at the pool today. Wighed in - lost about 2.2 pounds over the last five weeks. It's down - I'll take it but would have liked to do a bit better. Maybe the next five weeks.

Doing ok but always feel like I'm trying to push my way through a heavy fog of some kind. But days are better than a couple of weeks ago. Hoping being more regular at the pool will soothe aches and pains, etc.

Hope y'all have a gr eat weekend.

http://www.dewa.com/animated/new/1annou~1.gif 2.2 lbs GONE!!!! YAY!!!! Great work!! May not seems like a lot, But they add up! The health we are all in.....I think we're doing pretty good. There's a lot of people in good health that don't stay on their diet & succeed as well as we all are! I lost 2 more lbs this week. That's a total of 20 lbs since April 23rd. Proud as punch! Yes, it's going slow....but it's going.;)

I'm so sorry you're still feeling so bad. I can feel it in your post. Just hang in there, & don't let it get the best of you. Hope you stop hurting so bad. http://home.att.net/~scorh2/Animation2h.gif

I think I'm going to go out on a limb and declare my recent flare over. I don't want to go to bed tonight as I don't want the "feeling good" to end. When the pain/fog abate, it feels almost like I've taken some kind of "upper". But as a fellow sufferer once said, "lack of pain can do that". I didn't even seem to mind the storms that came through tonight.

Had a great Saturday (family picnic) and my daughter and her family were here until today. The two little "angels" are always good medicine for me. The fact that I have already recovered from the excitement and energy and the cleanup after they leave just shows I'm having an unbelievably good evening. Hope it sticks around long enough for me to get some other things done. But if not, at least I have this evening.

Anagram.........So happy you are feeling better!!http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung...smiley-032.gif Hope it lasts!!!

I'm not doing so great...but I get a Remicade treatment tomorrow. Will sleep most of the day.http://www.emotipad.com/emoticons/Zzzz.gif Then be kinda "out of it" for a couple of days......maybe after that, though.:)

Hope all have a good day. I am soooo glad you are better, Anagram.http://e4u.consoleradar.com/fingers/fing10.gif

Oh my goodness, I feel like I have found my HOME!
I have been suffering, and we do suffer, right people?...from RA since 1998. I'm 35, married, with two girls. 12 and 14.
I have struggled with my weight almost my whole adult life, but have really packed on the pounds since becoming sick. I am currently following the Atkins plan, and when I am being really religious, find that my symptoms are better. When I slip up and let the "white stuff" back in, ouch.
I administer an Atkins forum, and as I sit back and watch everyone's success and follow their workout journals it depresses the heck out of me that to even get out of bed in the morning, I need a walker.
I'm currently debating having a triple arthrodesis done to my left foot. The thought of the long recovery is scary, but the thought of living like this forever is scarier.
I take 400 mg Celebrex every day (sometimes I cheat and take an extra just because I have to) and am waiting to start the injectable Methotrexate. I took the oral, and just... yuck. So she switched me to the injectable, and the minute she wrote the scrip, I developed strep throat. So I must wait. I'm also awaiting approval on Enbrel. I've taken it before, with great success and I'm very excited to begin again.
I have about 100 pounds to lose, and without exercise, man it's hard.
:(
I'm glad to have found people who UNDERSTAND what it's like to be sick like this and struggle with their weight on top of it all.

(((hugs)))

Kim

Thanks for the warm welcome. I did notice it seemed a little quiet in this forum, and thought I'd show up and shake things up a bit.
:)

It does help to know that there are some people who truly understand how hard it is to do much of anything, let alone exercise.

But, I'm not going down without a fight, you know? Called my orthopedist today and made an appointment. Still leery of surgery,but there has to be some sort of orthotic I can get so I can keep on truckin every day.

;)

Your photos are lovely. Now off to figger this thingy out so I can post one of me......

Oky doky, don't laugh too hard..I have millions of pictures of my kids, my husband, my cat, my dog... but not too many of moi.

This is a photo I took when we were funnning around one day in another forum I administer at. We were doing a "woman in the mirror" type thingy, so I took a piccy of me in the mirror.
:D http://mywebpages.comcast.net/khewes/mirror2.jpg

Hi.....Great pic!! Well, I guess that's one way to do it! ;) You look pretty...needed the hood down to tell more. :D I finally broke down & bought a Kodak digital cameral with a self-timer. It's a lot easier to take pics of yourself! I have so much fun with it.

Just exactly what kind of surgery would it be? I've never heard of anything like that before for RA. My feet hurt a lot. When the dr examined me during my treatment last week, he squeezed my right foot, & I almost jumped up. He seemed surprised I was that touchy with it. I've limped since then. I did break that foot several years ago, though. After breaking a foot, I've heard it will always be toucheous. True with me.

Well, I'm tired. Worked today. Need to go post in a couple more threads, so I'll talk to you later. Hey, find some more pics! Hope you rest well. http://www.eakles.com/29farmanimated.gif

HI! everyone was reading your posts and hope to join I have oa of the knees have to get a totalhave it in my wrists and hands so know some of the feelings that you guys go thru been tested for ra last year was neg but still have the achness hope tht at everyone has a betterday today Rita

Hi Rita...http://www.countryclipart.com/FrogSe...ndwelcome3.gifOf course, you may join!!
So sorry for your pain. What meds are you on? How long have you had OA? I've had OA in my back since '83 after being in a car wreck. It stopped my working 2 yrs later, after 18 years. I was put on SS Disability when I was 36. It's very hard to get on SS Disability, so to get it at such an early age scared me. It showed how bad my back was! Due to muscle spasms, I had 3 disks replaced in my neck a few yrs ago. Been on several different meds, including steroids. I'm now on Lodine for my back....& sure it's other places now, as I've aged. It helps to endure the pain. Drs say it's hard to say which pain is OA, & which is RA in some places, other than Remicade will only help the RA.

As I said...my hands aren't too bad. Large knuckles & started out with fingers aching & thobbing continually. That's what caused my dr to send me to a Rheumatologist. I have very good drs. My Neurologist is the best, so is my Rheumatologist, plus my general DR. They work well with each other.

Hope you can find something to help your hands, also. When will you get the knee replacement surgery? Keep us informed....& yes, please join us. Pain is pain...& we understand it. Just come "vent" if you need to. Think I just did....without meaning to! :dizzy: http://www.countryclipart.com/ILoveC...artstrings.gif

Angel... I have lost the joint in the foot called the sub-talar joint. It's the joint that holds all the bones of the hindfoot together. They basically go in there with a whole bunch of sharp things, dig that joint out, drill a big giant hole and put it back together with a whole bunch of screws and staples and some "donor bone" which I shudder to think of where THAT comes from.
It's a huge surgery with a long recovery, so I'm a little hesitant. I think I'll try some orthotics again before I go that route.

Rita, welcome aboard.
:)

Hi Kim. Oh my...sounds like a very bad surgery you're facing! I'm so sorry. I really understand the need for the walker. Sounds like you also have OA...which destroys bone. I wouldn't worry about the donor bone.
I've had 3 disk replacements in my neck, with a plate & donor bone. I thought about it this way. We know they come from people who donated their body for the sake of helping others...so they must have been very kind & compassionate people. I feel priviledged to accept their donation.
The weather here has been beautiful this week. http://www.eakles.com/102SUN3.gif A welcome change from last week. http://media.euniverse.com/funpages/...stormcloud.gifMakes the bones & joints feel better. :D
I've got to get ready for work....hope you & Rita have a great day! http://www.emotipad.com/newemoticons/Party2.gif

HI! Everyone Angel thanks for the warm welcome havent posted for a couple of days do to working when I work a 12 hr all I do is sleep on my day off Angel have had OA since I been 50 just turned 56 have to have a total knee just scared since I work in a hospital see a lot so putting it off as long as possible been on all the bextra,vioxx,celebrax,cortozine shots even had the new shots series so right now just taking aleeve as I hate taking pills well today I feel great no limping of course I am off from work so going to exercise on my bike and maybe get some crocheting done so better get started so welcome all the newbies and everyone have a great Sunday Rita

Hi everyone.
Busy weekend. Sunday & Monday are always busy for me...so I'm usually slow posting.

Was at TV station Saturday night singing until almost 11pm. Had a great time. Sunday...had to leave my church early to go sing at a birthday party at another church. Tonight I have my program at the tV station, so won't get home tile after 7pm. :dizzy: Enjoyable....but, tiring!

Rita...sorry you're facing the surgery. With you working at a hospital, I guess you know what to expect, & that makes you dread it even more. I've been through a lot of surgeries...so just quinch at the thought! Haven't had knee surgery, though. So far, they don't bother me much, unless I walk a lot. Usually my feet bothers me too much to give the knees time to complain! RA makes walking difficult. Feet go to hurting & even cramping. I hope you get some relief. Have you seen the type of surgery that Khewes is going to have? If so, maybe there is something good you know about it to encourage her. Hope you have a good day.

Rita...hope you feel well today. Let us hear from you.

Gotta go get ready for work. Take care! http://www.countryclipart.com/Apples...ytothecore.gif

Good afternoon everyone. Hope everyone is having a good and pain free day.
:)

Angel, I know all too well the surgery I'm facing. I used to work in a children's hospital as an x ray tech before I had to leave that job and take another more sedentary job. I worked predominantly in the operating room and have seen first hand the surgery and the outcome. That's why I'm a weeeeee bit hesitant. I have made an appointment with the orthopedist though to talk about some orthotics, or something to help me with my left foot. I'm walking on the outside of it and not feeling too awfully stable.

Have a great week everyone!!

Kim

HI! Angel, and kim hope you both are having a free pain daytoday Kim I sure know how it is with foot problems been there have all kinds of supports and it does help so hopeing that you will find some relief!!!!!!!!!!!!well got to get ready for work so have a great Monday Rita

Hello ladies.....
Been a long day. I felt pretty good, though. The Remicade is kicking in pretty good now. It's a good thing, too, cause the rain is coming for several days, according to weather folks. Makes me hurt all over! http://www.harrythecat.com/graphics/b/cloud1.gif

Sorry, Kim. I was trying to be encouraging. I guess you know more than anyone...first hand. Sure hope you can find some relief! You are so young to be going through so much. I hope your children are understanding & help you whenever they can.
My children seem to understand sometimes when they were young. But, could tell they were disappointed at times. My son never knew me when I was healthy, though, as the girls did. He was only 2 yrs old when I had my care wreck. So, I missed a lot of his ball games, etc...just couldn't sit there too long. I did go sometimes, though.

Rita...I understand you have to get your rest. Just post whenever you can. take care of yourself.

Hope you both have a good Tuesday. My day off, other than a 1 hr community program I help with at the station from 4-5pm. Talk to you tomorrow. Anyone else with RA, or OA ....come on in & join us! http://www.harrythecat.com/graphics/b/xray1.gif

HI! Angel couldnt sleep so thought I would do some browsing saw that you posted glad the med is helpingwell in Ohio dont know if we will get snow or rain but starting to ache which usually happens with weather change well I guess I was lucky in life because nothing hit me until late in life in 50I fell a part LOL I try not to complain in fwront of the kids as they have their own problems I guess that is what hubbys are forwell hope the meds kick in if you get that rain Rita

Oh Angel, don't be sorry. I know you were trying to be encouraging.
I'm glad your Remicade is kicking in. I'm still awaiting approval for my Enbrel. I was taking it before and did well, but our insurance changed, yadda yadda yadda. Pains in the butt they are.
I'm taking injectable Methotrexate now, but I've also dived very strictly back into Atkins and cut out all the "white stuff"
My joints seem to be doing better, all but that pesky foot. Not much gonna happen there until I get it taken care of, but my other joints feel pretty good.
Oh, and we bought a water bed this weekend. I'm not sure which thing, or the combination of all things, but whatever it is, I'm doing pretty good.

My kids do understand. They're older and they do help me an awful lot. But there's lots of times I just suck up the pain and take them to the mall, etc. You have to, you know?

Have a wonderful pain free day everyone.

HI! Kim,Angel,well Ohio did get some snow when I woke up this morinand not as aching as much yes Kim those insurance companies got us where they want us so hopeing you get approved soonwell off to work so have a great Wednesday and as Kim says pain free Rita

Hi girls....hope all is well. Well, as well as can be. Cold rain, here. You know what that means for bones, joints, etc.! Suppose to go to hair appt tomorrow. I'm always the first customer, to get it over with & come home to enjoy my day off. I think I'll stay in, though. It's so bad outside. Although I do dread washing & fixing my own hair this week. Strange how things change. Before I started going...didn't want anyone to do anything to my hair but me! Now, I don't want to mess with it! :lol: Think that's called OA (OLD AGE!! :D ).

Kim...hope you get your ins approval soon. I had to wait for mine for Remicade. It's almost $3,000 a treatment! I keep expecting the medicare to start complaining about it. Don't know what I'd do, if they stopped paying. I panic, just to start feeling it wearing off! :o Yes, I know what it is to go with the pain to be with your kids. My daughters are 35 (twins) & 30, but, I still call them sometimes & suggest we go eat & shop awhile. I try to treat them to a day out. Act like I'm fine. Of course, they know better...but, we DO enjoy.

Hello Rita...I know that winter weather is rough in Ohio. I lived in Detroit, MI for ten years while growing up. Very rough winters. Only time I spent any time in Ohio....I was around 10 yrs old. We were coming to Alabama to visit relatives, & hit a very bad snow storm. Ice & snow was terrible. There was trucks, & cars stuck on the highways over night, with people sleeping in their cars. Including us!! :lol: Thought I would freeze to death! :o

Well....gonna go for now. Take care of yourselves. I have tomorrow off, if no problems at the station. Maybe I'll get a chance to post again. http://www.amroriginals.com/freebies...bear_heart.gif

Yay!!!! Got my approval letter in the mail today. Now I just have to mail the script and wait for relief via Federal Express!!!


Have a great and pain free day.


Kim