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Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Check

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/rheumatoid-arth...

Are you doing all you can to manage your Rheumatoid Arthritis? Click on the link above to our...

We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. ~Joseph Campbell

Posted by Caprice_WebMD_Staff

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0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Check Are you doing all you can to manage your Rheumatoid Arthritis? Click on the link above to our...

prednisolone may be more effective than prednisone...

Rarely I will find a patient who is not getting the response I would expect with prednisone. In those...

Posted by Scott Zashin, MD

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13 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:prednisolone may be more effective than prednisone in some patients Rarely I will find a patient who is not getting the response I would expect with prednisone. In those...

Reply: How does your spouse / significant other handle yo...

I am going to be 31 this month and have 2 kids-10 and 4. I have had medical problems that were hard for...

Posted by cmwright1128

I am going to be 31 this month and have 2 kids-10 and 4. I have had medical problems that were hard for people to understand my whole life. As a child I had an allergic reaction to my DPT vaccine and developed febral seizures that lasted until I was 8. After they stopped I started having vasovagal episodes periodically and have had them since. I pass out if I get too hot or too stressed. I've had headaches since my teen years but 3-4 years ago I started having bad migraines, several a month, and was put on tons of meds. I finally got them under control. Two years ago my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and as her main provider I had to devote a lot of time to the hospital and rehab centers. Shortly after her death I started having RA symptoms and it took almost a year for the rheumie to say she is pretty sure I have psoriiatic arthritis even though I don't have psoriasis. Every test and X-ray I've had has been normal even though they can visibly see my right knee-ankle-index finger-big toe swollen.

My husband has a very hard time with all of this. Because they are not all symptoms like vomiting or nosebleeds etc, he says I'm just weak and complain a lot. He's told me its all in my head since my tests are all negative. He didn't want to go to the rheumie with me, said she was obviously a quack for giving me meds when nothing was wrong. I had a symptom free summer so I stopped my meds but am afraid of this upcoming winter. I am also now trying to keep from falling into a deep depression. I have noticed some signs and am trying to manage.

I know he loves me, just as your spouse does, but he can't understand. My children see me lie on the couch on bad days and know I'm sick again. My sons friends even have commented about me being sick a lot. I understand what you are going through and how you feel. If you ever find a way to make it easier between you and your husband, please let me know.View Thread

Posted by cmwright1128

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:How does your spouse / significant other handle your RA? I am going to be 31 this month and have 2 kids-10 and 4. I have had medical problems that were hard for...

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Reply: RA and altitude

Dear Dr. Zashin, I too have RA and have had it now for 15 years. My last rheumatologist made a passing...

Posted by rockymtngal67

Dear Dr. Zashin,
I too have RA and have had it now for 15 years. My last rheumatologist made a passing comment not long ago when I was having a bad period. He said, "You might consider moving to lower altitude". I did not think much of it because moving is not an option. I am now curious about it and why he said it. I have lived a 9000 feet and had zero issues, run to the top of Pikes Peak with no issues, climbed in the Himalaya and had no issues and have lived in the same place at 9000 and have had HUGE issues. So for me it is hard to say. I would be happy to round up funding if someone else can manage the study - I don't have the bandwidth to be a primary coordinator right now. I am a grant writer and live just outside the Denver Metro area at about 6500 feet now. I do believe that a lower humidity place seems beneficial. I don't know why and I understand the etiology of the disease fairly well. I wonder if the higher altitude negative impacts might be this. Our blood is often filled with antibodies (more than most), when at higher altitude our blood also thickens as a result of more hemoglobin. The two together would thicken the blood which then affects the circulation of oxygen and causes hypoxia. This can cause all sorts of "bad" feelings -- lethargy, muscle pain due tp low oxygen levels etc. Do you think there is anything to this? Couple that with the lower barometric pressure and it can add up to a flare. At the same time when folks talk about feeling BETTER at high altitude they might be able to attribute that to lower humidity. The crux of this disease is that it is so different in every sufferer and there are so many variables that it is challenging to study unless you virtually eliminate external variables. The internal ones, genes, attitude, pain tolerance, etc. are impossible to eliminate!
View Thread

Posted by rockymtngal67

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:RA and altitude Dear Dr. Zashin, I too have RA and have had it now for 15 years. My last rheumatologist made a passing...

Reply: methotrexate questions/concerns

I went to my RA doctor on Monday. He decreased my methotrexate from ten to eight pills, with the hope it...

Posted by midnightriley

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:methotrexate questions/concerns I went to my RA doctor on Monday. He decreased my methotrexate from ten to eight pills, with the hope it...

Reply: RA fatigue tips

Hi midnightriley, I am tired all the time even if I get a good nights sleep. I am just on Plaqunil for a year...

Posted by bettie72

24 Replies | Reply Report This | Share this:RA fatigue tips Hi midnightriley, I am tired all the time even if I get a good nights sleep. I am just on Plaqunil for a year...

Reply: Remicade

Went to the RA specialist yesterday. Due to confusion and a lot of fatigue he is decreasing methotrexate...

Posted by midnightriley

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Remicade Went to the RA specialist yesterday. Due to confusion and a lot of fatigue he is decreasing methotrexate...

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Reply: Alcohol and RA

All very helpful and great news. Thx!

Posted by ELWHA

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Alcohol and RA All very helpful and great news. Thx!

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Reply: Polymyalgia Rheumatica?

It sounds like the Plaquenil is in addition to the Prednisone. I will mention this to my rheumatologist on my...

Posted by jillpap2

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Polymyalgia Rheumatica? It sounds like the Plaquenil is in addition to the Prednisone. I will mention this to my rheumatologist on my...

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Reply: Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Thank you so much for the response. I will be seeing my doctor again for this problem and definitely ask for a...

Posted by amm0877

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Rheumatoid Arthritis? Thank you so much for the response. I will be seeing my doctor again for this problem and definitely ask for a...

Reply: Worried about my Mother Help!

I typically don't use or repeat the rheumatoid factor blood test to follow a patient with RA. Once the...

Posted by Scott Zashin, MD

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Worried about my Mother Help! I typically don't use or repeat the rheumatoid factor blood test to follow a patient with RA. Once the...

Reply: RA and sulfasalazine and Enbrel

I have not seen significant lung issues in my patients taking Azulfidine. Doctors will often combine a...

Posted by Scott Zashin, MD

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:RA and sulfasalazine and Enbrel I have not seen significant lung issues in my patients taking Azulfidine. Doctors will often combine a...

Reply: My daughter has developed nodules

It is unlikely the nodules are rheumatoid nodules if the RF is negative. There are skin lesions called...

Posted by Scott Zashin, MD

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:My daughter has developed nodules It is unlikely the nodules are rheumatoid nodules if the RF is negative. There are skin lesions called...

Reply: Enbrel vs. Rituxan

As you have found out, many of the newer medications for RA are contraindicated in patients with...

Posted by Scott Zashin, MD

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Enbrel vs. Rituxan As you have found out, many of the newer medications for RA are contraindicated in patients with...

Reply: PVCs and RA

There is a recently recognized association which links an increased risk of coronary artery disease...

Posted by Scott Zashin, MD

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:PVCs and RA There is a recently recognized association which links an increased risk of coronary artery disease...

Reply: Humira associated pulmonary nodules

Hi, I am 58 and diagnosed in June. My RA is severe. I have several nodules in varying places, and...

Posted by midnightriley

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Humira associated pulmonary nodules Hi, I am 58 and diagnosed in June. My RA is severe. I have several nodules in varying places, and...

Reply: sweating

I hope you are feeling better. I have had two Remicade tx. I felt great after the first one, not as much...

Posted by midnightriley

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:sweating I hope you are feeling better. I have had two Remicade tx. I felt great after the first one, not as much...

Rheumatoid Nodules

Hello, I am very new to all of this. Only this morning, my surgeon contacted me to let me know that...

Posted by TheLittleMissus

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Rheumatoid Nodules Hello, I am very new to all of this. Only this morning, my surgeon contacted me to let me know that...

Alcohol and RA

I have taken numerous RA meds, including methotrexate, for two decades plus, yet I have continued to enjoy...

Posted by An_241105

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Alcohol and RA I have taken numerous RA meds, including methotrexate, for two decades plus, yet I have continued to enjoy...

OT - Favorite Hallowe'en Memories

1. As a child, what was your favorite costume and why? 2. Do you still dress up and/or decorate...

We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. ~Joseph Campbell

Posted by Caprice_WebMD_Staff

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:OT - Favorite Hallowe'en Memories 1. As a child, what was your favorite costume and why? 2. Do you still dress up and/or decorate...

Very Weak after Treatment!!

Hi, I am getting Rituxan once a week for four weeks. I just had my second one and I am so weak that I can't do...

Posted by 1963jenn

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Very Weak after Treatment!! Hi, I am getting Rituxan once a week for four weeks. I just had my second one and I am so weak that I can't do...

Reply: RA gone?

Yes, that can be confusing and frustrating. It is possible the you had evidence of active RA in the...

Posted by Scott Zashin, MD

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:RA gone? Yes, that can be confusing and frustrating. It is possible the you had evidence of active RA in the...

Reply: just diagnosed

As of now, there is no medication that clearly slows done the progression of osteoarthritis. I...

Posted by Scott Zashin, MD

9 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:just diagnosed As of now, there is no medication that clearly slows done the progression of osteoarthritis. I...

Reply: Celebrex

All NSAIDS including Celebrex can affect kidney function. Other OTC and prescription meds to treat...

Posted by Scott Zashin, MD

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Celebrex All NSAIDS including Celebrex can affect kidney function. Other OTC and prescription meds to treat...

Reply: dont know whats wrong

Based on your history, I am not sure what is causing your issues. I will recommend that patients get a...

Posted by Scott Zashin, MD

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:dont know whats wrong Based on your history, I am not sure what is causing your issues. I will recommend that patients get a...

Reply: Knee pain

I've been icing it, but heat may help. Thanks, I will try it.

Posted by Ranae319

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Knee pain I've been icing it, but heat may help. Thanks, I will try it.

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Reply: help with methotrexate side effects

I've never heard of the "folinic acid" in addition to Folic Acid. Due to hair loss, I will ask my...

Posted by Binkeyfitz

1 Reply | Reply Report This | Share this:help with methotrexate side effects I've never heard of the "folinic acid" in addition to Folic Acid. Due to hair loss, I will ask my...

Reply: losing my hair

Every time the doctor increases my dosage of Methotrexate, my hair goes through a horrible session of...

Posted by Binkeyfitz

76 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:losing my hair Every time the doctor increases my dosage of Methotrexate, my hair goes through a horrible session of...

Reply: Remission?

When I flare, the pain increases and the meds no longer keep it under control so I can be pain free. ...

Posted by BlueBlueBird

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Remission? When I flare, the pain increases and the meds no longer keep it under control so I can be pain free. ...

Reply: RA and digestive enzymes

Wow, I too think that they are linked. You see I quit smoking 3 months ago. When that happened my...

Posted by lmwillgetbetter

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:RA and digestive enzymes Wow, I too think that they are linked. You see I quit smoking 3 months ago. When that happened my...

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Dry eyes and dry mouth

Patients with RA may develop dryness of the eyes and mouth due to a condition called secondary Sjogrens Syndrome. The dryness is due to ... More

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