Well...here I am all comfy & ready for bed...& you all get me wanting to shop! Shame!! :D

Yes, ageoldie...I'm on Remicade (intraveneous 2-3 hr treatments) They're about 5 weeks apart now. I also take Methotrexate shots on Thursday night. The treatments are VERY expensive. Between $2,000.00 & 3,000.00 per treatment. If we don't have very good insurance, there's no chance hardly of getting it. I'm on Social Security Disability because of my back injury in '83, so it pays for 80%. Then, as long as we draw under a certain amount of money each year, then QMB Medicaid pays the other 20%. That's the only way I can afford it. I'm on several other meds, & don't have any help with them, financially. So, we're out about $300.00 a month on prescriptions. They're going up continually, also.
To answer your question....it definitely helps. I can always tell when it's wearing off. The RA was advancing rapidly & severely. It's not for everyone, & is even dangerous. Has to be monitored very closely, especially the Methotrexate. Then, I'm highly allergic to both, so that makes it worse. But, I have VERY good Drs. & nurses, that watch me closely. I trust them completely. I would probably be bedfast, if it wasn't for them & the Remicade. I don't understand the expense of it. But, then, there's a lot of things I don't understand. :^:

Young Grasshopper...I know what you mean by people taking advantage of you. I'm treated the same way at times. Just say no! You have every right to do that. There's no law that says you have to baby sit. Even if you want to, it may worsen your back. Lifting my grands have made mine worsen over the years. Sorry you're going through this.

Hi Joanne....Been thinking about your beach. We're going to Gulf Shores, if nothing happens to prevent it, the week of the 9th of August. A beautiful beach! :D

Stirfried...can't wait to see your graphics! We're pulling for you!! :D
Ok, I'm starting Monday to try to lose 10 lbs. How about trying with me? I can't exercise, but, I lost last summer. So, maybe I can, again. Let's see who can lose 10 lbs the fastest!! :coffee: Drink lots of water!!!!

Gotta go, girls. It's getting late. Hope you all have a good Sunday. I was going to post individually, but ran out of time. Love you all the same. :) (Thought I'd post my picture too! LOL)......

Thanks for the encouragement.......was really down the other day. Weekend got better. Still haven't dealt with my brother and that problem but I've made my decision.....sometimes that's half the battle.

I'm with you Angel! 10lbs by my birthday (8/8) would be nice! Think I might be able to do that. :)

Hope everyone has a great week!

Deb

Ok, Young Grasshopper, we're on our way to 10 big pounds off!

http://img61.photobucket.com/albums/...estranslil.gif

I ate a little piece of cake with my coffee this morning, though. :coffee: I love something sweet in the morning with coffee. :o Oh well, I'll do better the rest of the day.

Hang in there.....drink lots of water.....think of 8/8! We'll make 8/6 our goal date, if it's ok....I'm going out of town the 7th for a week & can't post. Going to the beach....perfect! Remember, if you eat the wrong thing...I may be eating the right thing! :lol:

Anyone else want in on our 10 pound goal???Hope all have a good day. Gotta go exercise!............

Hey There
 

You guys can do this... Let us know how you are doing.. I would join you ,but, I am trying to maintain. That is harder believe me
Cold better thank goodnes.
Bye ...joanne

I'm a little down today. You know I told you that I had an appointment with my Rheumotologist last Monday, and he said that he was a little concerned with my blood work of the time before. Friday I got a call from my PCP's office and the Rheumy had called the PCP and sent her copies of my bloodwork done Monday, and she wanted to see be. Seems that there are problems with my liver test. Could that be from the arthritis meds? I know that they can cause regular intestinal problems, but can they also cause liver problems? What do you do for the pain if you can't take the NASIDS? When I take them, the pain is managable, but if I run out and forget them for a day or two I sure feel it.

To make this story shorter, I have an appointment with my PCP at 11:00 tomorrow and am supposed to leave for a two week vacation/business trip at 1:00. Hopefull the PCP will releive my concerns and I will be able to enjoy my vacation. If I had waited until we got back to see her, I would have worried about it the whole time. And yes, I know I'm paranoid about health problems, but when you are hit with breast cancer at age 28 and then one thing after another you get that way, Keep me in your prayers and hope that the PCP tells me this is nothing to worry about.

Joanne, glad you are feeling better. Also, glad you were getting some rain.

Laura - hope that you develope a nice relationship with your friend. Friendships are so very important in ones life.

Deb - I'm with you. Love to go to the mountains and just enjoy them. The Canadian Rockies are spectaculor. I usually get to them once a year. They are only about 3 hours from where I live. :lol: Nope - NO FLANNEL!!! Lot's of shorts though ;)

Angel - That's some pretty expensive meds. I don't understand why, if they are known to help people get on with life, why they are NOT covered. It is the same here. Drugs that can help people with MS cost 2500.00 a month and most can't afford it. Health Care won't pay for it, and private insurance won't cover it, so these poor people have to live with MS. I would think it would be in the interest of everybody to have them be productive again, instead of ending up in a longterm care facitlity, where it really costs.

Ageoldie - I can't take Anti-infammatories as they ALL irritate my stomach. I was on my way to a bleeding ulcer, so the Dr. took me off them. I, also, don't seem to tolerate many meds. Can't take Codeine well either, but I do take Tylenol 3's when needed along with food and milk. It was from taking the anti-inflammatories that I gained weight to begin with. The pain in my stomach was terrible, like it was gnawing on itself. I would eat supper, and then withing 1/2 hour could turn around and eat again. This was so unlike me, but I had to do something about the pain. I hope it is nothing serious going on with you.

Pam - are you still tired? Where are you.


I did go join the Rec. Center and have gone walking on the track 3 days now. I even went this morning, but the fatigue has played a part in my day today, and I am just plain tired. I forced myself to go, but I don't know if that was the wisest thing I have ever done. I sure didn't get energized, just had legs that felt like jelly. This afternoon had to go to funeral 1 hour away from where I live, and I would have given anything to stay home and sleep.

I hope you all have a good rest tonight and a great day tomorrow.

Here is an article on Estrogen and RA. Thought somebody might be interested in it.

http://www.prohealthnetwork.com/libr...le.cfm?ID=2216

Hi All,

Just thought I'd pop in and do a quick note.......Barb, I'm in the same boat. Had to go get a blood test for my kidneys after that warning about the muscle relaxer I was on. Got a call today to "come in and discuss" the blood test. They can't fit me in until the first week of August. Been feeling weird lately....back hurts but it's not my spine.....I keep thinking it's my kidneys. Talk about paranoid! I'll keep you in my prayers.

I've got to get focused Angel! 10lbs by my birthday.....need to keep that in mind. Speaking of water....here's an incentive to drink more - WebMD says that if you're on pain killers that you should increase water consumption because long term use of these meds can take a toll on your kidneys. Need to flush your system (pardon the pun!). Also said that caffeine isn't good for your system while on these meds. Geez, how will I stay awake?

Hope everyone has/had a great day!

Deb

Hello ladies,
I'm feeling terrible right now. I had a flare up Monday night, & was up all night. I broke out in whelps all over & thought I would itch to death. Burned & itched so bad, I couldn't stand touching the bed. My eyes were burning & hurting, also. I kept a wet washcloth on my eyes most of the night. Never did go to sleep. Soooo, of course, I felt terrible Tuesday. This is Wednesday morning at 2:25 am, & I've been up for 30 minutes on the pc. I slept for a couple of hrs. Maybe that'll get me through the day. I thought it was an allergic reaction to my meds, for awhile. But, didn't take any Benadryl, or Zertec, & the whelps & rash went away finally, so, must have been a flare up. They're different every time. Oh well, I'll get over it. Just had to vent. :p

ageoldie...Yes, the meds could effect your liver. In fact, most RA meds have to be monitored VERY closely because of that, among other dangers. I DO hope you're ok. Maybe, if what you're taking is effecting it, there's something else they can try. Don't give up, yet. There's lots of meds out there. I'll be praying for you. Keep us informed.

Happy Canuk...thanks for the website link. I went to it & read it. I took premarin for a few years...until I saw on the news one day that it was bad for you. I stopped taking it that day. When I went to the DR & told him, he said he had seen the same news story...then got word (from wherever drs get their info) that it could cause problems. So, he was glad I had stopped it. Sorry about your fatigue. I understand that problem, BIGTIME! I'm going to a funeral, also, tomorrow. In fact, I'm going to be singing at it....everyone pray for me.

Joanne...Just a couple of weeks, & I'll be going to the beach! I know I'll probably think of you when I'm there. Our daughter has a motor home there, for the summer. So don't have to rent a place to stay. Going to try to hide DH's pager, & cellphone :lol: ...maybe carry mine, & keep it off, until the nights...& I check the messages. :D

Young Grasshopper...I found & posted once, an article about the many things water is good for. You'd be amazed! It's even used to help with pain. Drinking a lot of water is suppose to help. Get motivated, girl.....I've done pretty well the last 2 days. Only, I've drunk more diet drinks, than water. I know better!! :^:

Gonna go for now. Hope all have a great pain-free Wednesday. Yes....Pam, where are you??

Hi girls,
This just a quick note to check in. I hope you all are doing fine. I havent read all the post yet. I will and then I will write more late.

Laura
start weight
190
cw
188.5
A little progress on my new low cfat low cal. plan. It seems I can stay on this one better than the low carb. I hope so.

Take care all
Laura

You know, I learn something here everyday. Didn't know that pain meds could cause heat flashes.....been having them at work and wasn't sure if it was me or the air conditioning system. All the more reason to load up on water! Hey, if you like flavored water, without the sweetners, try putting in a drop of lemon extract. It's not bad.

Great job to all the losers out there! Charlotte, trying to keep you in mind while I go through my day. I've actually thought about seeing if I could get hypnotized so I won't drink soda. Think if I stopped that it'd kill at least 10 lbs easy. Plus, they dehydrate you.

Had my first day of babysitting today. Was a little worried.......put the baby down for a nap and tried for one myself. I worked a full day and came home to her....back started to hurt when I was laying in bed. Not good. Guess I'll have to take it a day at a time.

Hope everyone stays cools and pain free. Had to laugh this morning.......had a dream I walked into a bar in the Bahamas and the guy who sits next to me at work was there. He told me he quit his job and was a roady for Jimmy Buffett....lol. Too funny. Sounds like it would be a fun job though!

Deb

Went to see my PCP before I left town Tuesday. she sent me for lost more blood work. She said what she was looking for particularly was any type of hepititas, (which she doubted it was) or that thing I can't remember the name of but something like Billary Duct something or another. She seems to think that maybe that is what it is, and said if that is what it is, it can be controlled with meds. Then of course she said that it those test came back negative we would have to look at the fact it could be my meds.

But so far I'm having a great time on my trip and I have been very good with my eating. Hopefully I can keep it up.

Sorry some of you are not feeling well, but hang in there, and keep smiling.

Hello everyone. Sure have had a week I don't want to repeat. I've been sick all week from the flare up. Also, had two deaths. Song at one funeral yesterday. (As bad as I felt. :( Sure hope no one could tell it, in my singing.)Then, my Aunt, in Georgia passed away. That totals four deaths of people I was close to within one month. My sister & I kept trying all day yesterday to get plans up to go to Georgia. It's a 6 hr. drive one way...& neither of us are good at reading maps. :^: By the end of the day, I was feeling terrible. She called me & said she didn't want to disappoint me, but just didn't feel up to going. She's not in the best of health, either. I really wasn't able, so it was almost a relief for her to call. If I could just be there, I'd be ok. But, at this point, don't think I could ride, or drive that far. She was the last of my dad's 10 sibling's, & his favorite...the baby sister. My dad died at 52 with cancer. I was 21.(A "daddy's" girl.) We wanted to be there for him, as well as for us & family. But, she talked to both of us a few days ago, & said she knew the trip we wanted to make, (at that time, to visit her) would be hard on us. That she knew we loved her. I had been sending her tapes of my TV program each week to watch. Well, I'm rattling on. Sorry. Guess I'm feeling guilty. :(

I'm doing pretty well on my diet. Still not drinking as much water as I should. I love water, just got hooked on diet Mt. Dew, & can't seem to get control. I haven't weighed. My scales are broke. So, will have to wait a few days. That may be a good thing.

I'll be back when I'm feeling better. I think I need to get better physically, as well as emotionally. Hope everyone has a good weekend, & feels good.

Hi everyone,
I am so mad I just wrote a long post and I lost it. Now I am to tired to try it again.

Charlotte,
Short version Sorry about you losses. I lost my mom and grandmother with in 3 months of each other. It can be so hard. I can't believe the amount of meds you have to take. You must be on high doses of methotrexate and remicade. I take just the pill form of mtx and I am only at a half dose until my blood work comes back saying my red blood cells are okay and now I am going to be taking Enbrel instaed of Humira. That is if my Oregon health plan covers it.

Young grasshopper,
Are you still working at the hospital and have you dedcided if you are going to get the surg. I thinnk I would do it, if I had the money. I am with you and angel with trying to lose 10 lbs bu 8/8.

Pam,
I can't remember what I wrote to you about. Oh Yeah. It was about being a recluce, because I am one also. I am either on the computer or I am watching t.v. I love my scifi shows. So I need a life too. But when I do go out its only for about an hour. I get tired real fast.
My daughters wedding is in Sept. And her and Matt are paying for the wedding themselves, but Matt parent are paying for the reception with everything from the flowers linens and cake Ect. I want ed to pay for something , but Jenny told me I couldn't afford it and not to feel bad, of course I do. I am going to try anf rent a limo to pick them up at the reception and take them to the Hotel I don't think it will be more then a couplr hundred and I can save up.

Anne,
How are you? I am ready to start graphic classes with you. I hope you have a pill for patience because you will need it trying to tach me.

ageoldie,
Did you know that Hepitiis and R.A. are somehow related, Thats what my doctor said. I hope you don't have it. What is going on?

Joanne D and Khewes How are you doing? a quick hello and to anyone else I missed.
You girld all take care and I hope you are all relativly pain free.

I started my new low far low cal/ plan last Sun and working out also. MY we4igh was 190 and I weghed myself this morning and it said 188. So I hope it continue s to go down. I havent been cheating either. I hope I stick to it. I have failed at so many diet plans. But I am not gibing up . I just half to make sure I do not weigh myself everyday, I will get discouraged with the ups and downs that happen every day. I have been real good about working out. I have worked out for 3 times since Sun.

Well gotta go my hands are tired and I am getting a headache.
tyake care.
Laura