I have been on enbrel and am currently on humira weekly. Also on daily prednisone and prescription naproxen 500mg twice daily. It is expensive (Humira is about $750 a shot and I get mine by the month and copay is $30. So, yes, thank God for insurance!

Robin, I haven't been on here for a few days but I just read your post about Enbrel and Humira not helping you. I know my doctor said my next step up would be with Remicade probably used in conjunction with probably methotrexate. Knock on wood...the methotrexate still works.

Although I've been off my meds for a couple weeks due to a nasty upper respiratory infection. I have just been taking Relafin for the inflammation. Not doing too bad right now....

Christina

I suffer with Ra and Fibro ... we all know lifestyle. Right now im waiting for two weeks to see the orth.. to see if i tore a cartlidge in my knee. So im layed up with a ice pack and no exercise but for my carving.
What i wander at times is ther foods out there that help with RA and dieting at the same time.. this xtra weight is killing me.. i will be in a wheel chair soon if i dont get some of this weight off. Ive got a plan started and i have been successful but always failed... i cant this time and it has to be for a permanant loss . A loss that will make me capable of walking more and doing steps again and being able to enjoy some sort of freedom from chronic pain........ i dont mean i will never be what i use to be but it would be nice to be able to function again and smile again......
I know how you feel and maybe i can lend some support also...anyone read a good book lately ....

Carvinmom, That's my concern too. I'm worried about what joint damage that my weight is causing too.

What kind of books do you like? I read a ton of stuff. Let me know and I can give you some good reading ideas.

Christina

Robin, Welcome................
im new here also . So hope im posting this right. i just wanted to say you have sure been through the wringer. It takes a lot of courage and extreme will to keep going at times, and i see youve done it. Not easily im sure. I was wandering how your doing with the infusions.. i just started my enbrel shots and i think i will end up with the infusions eventually. Im trying to get insurance to help me finally.. Its amazing how youve kept your weight down so good and not just curled up on the couch. What kinds of food to you eat and do you have any that you believe help your arthritis ? The horse idea im going to send to my daughter who recently had a brain injury.

Christina,
the books im reading mostly now are foods and polymyalgia/arthritis. trying to find anything that will help the pain go away. Somethings got to help , just looking for answers keeps my mind going.When i have a good day i like to read about folkart, native american art, and how the old timers use to survive without all the new fangled technology. It gives me ideas to woodcarve when my hands are working at the time. Also study ROCKS and polish them.

Well, all,
Im on the meth,pred,enbrel,ultram,etc etc and nothins helping so im thinking what about biofeedback or something on that order. Anyone ever try something other then medsssssss and more medssss. Also, how about some diet ideas, whats been a good recipe youve tried lately. Im trying to stay off sugar for two weeks to see what the change will do with my RA.........

Carvinmom,

I haven't had any issues with infusions other than the fact that I basically have one vein in my left arm that they can draw off of (all the veins in the right arm are gone from all the childhood draws). So as long as that vein holds out....otherwise they have to go for feet/legs/neck which they despise doing. If you find you have gone the gamut with enbrel/humira/remicade and no relief, I would see if there are any research programs available. Doing something is better than nothing and I don't mind being a guinea pig for new drugs.

Dietwise I really haven't found anything that has hurt/helped. I know there is plenty of research out there regarding elimating the nightshade family so you could try that (ie potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers). I tried but it made no difference. I am doing the south beach diet right now and feel like its very well balanced and definitely feel better on it.

I have used accupuncture at various times for pain relief. I usually go if my pain is out of control instead of upping pain meds (withdrawal off of pain meds sucks as I found out after my shoulders blew out and I prefer not to go that route again). I would definitely check out the biofeedback if you have that available. I know it has helped alot of folks out with channeling away some of that pain.

Hang in there!

~Robin

Howdy,
Looks like we all have different ways of handling our RA. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow to see what there going to do with my blown out knee. This is going to be a Orthap instead of a Rheumy.. hmmm. Might have some different ideas of what to do with my bones all grinding in this cold cold montana. Suppose to get down to 15 below!!. I recently found out there is a huge different in weather and pain. Went to florida to see folks and felt so good. I could bend and even walk without my cane. Came back here and froze up getting off the plane. What really is the difference?
Got my South Beach going and just eating in moderation to start it off. IM really tired of diets and plans, been doing it all my life. I want to go fishing this spring and dont want to pack this xtra bundle of flab with me. Would rather carry rocks as i go along, love to cut rocks and make jewelry.
I really like this group, everyones so friendly and helpful. I needed some good support to keep me going, i was about ready to spit nails!! Hows the rest of you doing in this changing weather?

It's funny but I don't have any issues with cold weather (lived in Alaska for 10 years) but did find that my triggers are storm fronts (when the pressure is changing). Living in the Seattle area has been interesting this winter since November/December was just one storm front after another. I end up "gimping" up and not moving by dinner time when its like this (assuming I ever get moving...lol).

Good luck Carvinmom with the orthopod!

~Robin

Carvinmom,
Hey I just noticed you live in Montana too! Where about are you? I'm in the big city of Billings. That's neat to find someone else to commisserate with me about RA that isn't hundreds of miles away.

If you want some good books on RA, check out the arthritis foundation website. I ordered books from there and they are loaded with information.

Gonna go find some dinner to cook. Then its off to homework land again....

Christina

butterfly50,
you might be able to get helthfirst for him. i also know my doctor told me that if my insurance didn't cover the enbrel they might be able to give it to me through an IV drip at the doctors office- i dont knwo if this helps at all.
- jenn

hi there,
I just went to the Dr yesterday. I haven't been diagnosed with anything yet, but he thinks I have some form of rheumatism. i have a family history of Fibromyalgia also. I've been taking short bike rides when I'm feeling better and also dancing a little bit. I can dance for about 20 mins, I take a break and then I continue on.
Any other suggestions?
Is there anyone who has moved to a warmer climate, has that helped at all?

I was reading in the news about a month ago that eating a vegan diet can ease symptoms of RA here is the article I found, I hope it may be of some help.

http://www.reuters.com/article/healt...ame=healthNews

Jasmine, I think a vegan diet helps some but for me, it didn't help that much. I'm back on prednisone with a huge flare going so I don't know what to do anymore. I'm on mtx and plaquenil already. I have a rheumy appt. Monday and I'm sure Enbrel will be brought up in the conversation again. I'm fighting it though!

Personally I have found that starchy foods really hurt me. Don't know if that will help anyone else or not...
Ann

hello everyone
I was just dx last week. My rheumatoid factor was very high and blood work excluded everything else, my hands wrists are the worse and my whole body is stiff.... I have alot of weight to lose. My rhuema doctor told me to exercise, walking is the best... I have a job i'm on my feet all day, I come home and I'm stiff as a bored...