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#1040943 - 09/12/08 02:30 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? Becka Marr
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Wow, that's a lot of info, thanks Becka!
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#1040997 - 09/12/08 03:10 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? Sing A Little
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You're welcome
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#1041097 - 09/12/08 04:38 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? B_F
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Yes, BF, Enbrel is a weekly injection you give yourself at home.

And I totally agree with your comment about waiting 6 months to get in--this is definitely a specialty that could use a few more doctors!
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#1044117 - 09/17/08 03:55 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? Hoosierland
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I was diagnosed with RA not based on my Rheumatoid Factor, but by a process of elimination with a consistently high CRP blood result. I began treatment 2 1/2 years ago, and this past spring started Remicade along with my at home methotrexate injections and twice daily Lodine. Most of the time I am fine other than chronic fatigue. When I do have a flare up, I have a standing prescription of Medrol that I can call in.

It's treatable...but you have to get the right diagnosis and for RA it needs to come from a rheumatologist.
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#1057317 - 10/03/08 03:28 AM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? East Texas
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Hey Sing, did you get any more information on what kind of arthritis you really have?

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#1057661 - 10/03/08 03:13 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? B_F
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I haven't yet, but so far the physical therapy is helping. I just went back to the doctor and he wants me to continue the therapy for another month and then take it from there.
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#1059031 - 10/06/08 07:06 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? Becka Marr
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Sing - Absolutely you should see a rheumatologist. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was in my late 20's and can't imagine trying to manage this disease without a specialist. As you can tell from all the great comments, there are lots of things to consider and you need experienced advocates to ensure you "do no harm", regardless of the type of arthritis you are trying to manage.

If the Advil or other non-sterodial anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) don't work, you will likely be given something on the next rung of the drug toxicity ladder. There are many newer drugs on the market now that can help you avoid joint damage if you use them in time. But these often come with increased risk of side effects.

Educate yourself on the specifics of your type of arthritis (there are over 100 types of arthritis) and don't be afraid to ask questions. I would also strongly recommend that you find a good pharmacist. A good pharmacist can be indispensable in explaining drugs and interactions with over-the-counter meds. And they can be much easier to access than physicians.

Good luck; hope you get it under control quickly.
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#1079730 - 11/10/08 05:50 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? BrendaC
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I have a question...have any of you guys ever suffered with Arthritis in your rib cage? My daughter who has had all these problems has started hurting very bad below her left breast so finally we took her back to the dr (the one who did her gall bladder surgery) and he has sent her for a test to confirm if she has this or not? If she does have this I tell you it really makes me worried that this RA factor is really there but is either being missed or just hasn't shown up yet. Her Grandmother on her daddy's side had severe RA.

Thanks for any info....
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#1079735 - 11/10/08 05:53 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? KTMiteComply
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My RA didn't show up in my bloodstream for many years. Also, it can flare up anywhere you have a joint. Remember, it's an auto-immune disorder where your body is attacking itself.
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#1079740 - 11/10/08 05:58 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? Skittles
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I thought I had remembered that being discussed...so Duch...where you tested numerous times for RA?
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#1079746 - 11/10/08 06:04 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? KTMiteComply
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Yes, although I was always treated as though I had it. It showed up in my blood a few years ago.
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#1079753 - 11/10/08 06:13 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? KTMiteComply
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Periodically I still have problems with chest wall inflammation, even on all my meds. I have inferred from discussions with my doctor that it is fairly common.

My RA factor did not show up in my blood work until about 5 years after I started having significant symptoms. Thankfully, I was with a rheumatologist that immediately recognized my problem as RA based on symptoms and clinical exam and started a rigorous treatment program to try to limit damage.

My brother had several doctors in Atlanta tell him that he didn't have RA because the factor didn't show up (even after he explained that my history.) He finally found a doctor that diagnosed him with RA and ankylosing spondylitis. (His factor now shows up.) He had his first hip replacement at 39 and will be scheduling his second soon. I think the time it took him to find a good doctor and begin aggressive treatment resulted in signigicantly more damage from the arthritis. You have got to catch it early, start and STAY WITH the treatment plan.
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#1079767 - 11/10/08 06:21 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? BrendaC
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Thank you guys...I am going to get on this with an RA Dr. We have been around the world with this issue b/c they said it was Juvenille Arthritis, but I am inclined to think based upon all the issues she continues to have that she really does have RA.

Couple of more questions for you guys if you don't mind...

Do you guys ever run a low grade fever like 99.3 to 99.8? How exactly did your RA seem to start out?

Thanks again for all your info...I've printed everything out that has been discussed and will refer back once again...
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#1079788 - 11/10/08 06:35 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? KTMiteComply
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When I was younger, I remember that it seemed I hurt more than most of my friends, especially my back. I had a PE teacher tell me that I was just lazy (when I was working full-time while attending high school full-time). I knew that wasn't it, but I didn't know what it was.

The symptom that finally sent me to the doctor was problems with my wrists and fingers. They were very red and swollen and hurt all the time. Even when they weren't hurting, I dropped things all of the time. He was an orthopedist who immediately sent me to a rheumatologist.
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#1079831 - 11/10/08 07:07 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? BrendaC
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My RA started out when I was in college. It started in my left elbow--just seemed to wake up one day and it hurt. Gradually I started losing some range of motion. At first the doctors thought it was a case of tennis elbow. Eventually I ended up at an orthopedist when physical therapy didn't help and the range of motion kept deteriorating. The orthopedist wanted to operate on the elbow but first sent me to a rheumatologist. At that time, it was isolated in the one joint and I did not test positive for anything. So, I had the surgery (cleaned out the joint) and went on my merry way, more or less back to normal.

I had no more problems for about 9 years. Then, a couple of fingers in my right hand started swelling and stiffening. Pretty quickly, this progressed into first my right elbow, then my left. I went to the doctor, who referred me to a rheumatologist. He treated me for arthritis for a couple of years (Celebrex, prednisone, another drug I forget the name of, and eventually methotrexate) before I got worse--a flare up--and finally tested positive for RA. Since then, I have been on Enbrel and methotrexate, and have been doing great.

I don't recall ever having problems with fever, but whatever blood factor it is that tests for inflammation consistently tests high for me. That should be a clue for the doctor, even if the RA factor isn't showing as positive.
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#1079843 - 11/10/08 07:13 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? Hoosierland
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Now I have a question. I have been having difficulty with my left hip. It's not the typical arthritis pain I have had over the past 30 years. It feels more like my hip is trying to come out of the socket and I can't put any weight at all on it for a couple of minutes. It was really bad on Saturday, but not so much since then.

Anybody have any insight?
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#1079898 - 11/10/08 08:00 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? Skittles
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I have that as well, especially right before it is time for my Enbrel shot (maybe inflammation is worse because drug is wearing off??) It usually catches me off guard when I am stepping sideways or turning and sometimes I have to catch myself to keep from falling. I know my hip has degenerated a great deal, but I am going to put off hip replacement as long as possible.

Several years ago, I noticed an increase in my hip pain and I had a stress fracture (first of 3). It didn't hurt as badly as I would have expected a fracture to hurt, but it definitely got my attention. It also alerted my doctor to my increased need for osteoporosis treatment. During the diagnostic process I learned that if the fracture had been only a tiny bit higher, a hip replacement would have been the only option.

When is the last time you had a hip x-ray or bone density scan? It might be time for the doctor to take another look.
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#1079904 - 11/10/08 08:10 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? BrendaC
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I run fever just about every day and it is usually low-grade (not over 99.5). It's usually just enough to make me feel yucky. Rheumatologist says it's because of the RA. Also, I have never tested positive for the rheumatoid factor but the treatments for RA keep the CRP numbers pretty much in check. Stay on it!!
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#1079940 - 11/10/08 08:55 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? East Texas
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I'm a bit young for the bone density scan - 47, and I don't think I've ever had a hip x-ray. Mine isn't as bad as some of the posters on this thread, although believe me - I do have my days.
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#1079951 - 11/10/08 09:25 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? Skittles
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I started having bone density scans in my late 30's and had to take meds for many years. The years of prednisone taken for the RA took its toll on my bone density and resulted in many broken bones (3 x hips and 10-15 x feet). My density is OK now, but my bone "quality" is not good.
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#1079987 - 11/10/08 10:24 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? BrendaC
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So guys how old where you when all of this started being noticed? My daughted is 18. We started having problems at 14 -15. We have been told her upper spine looks like a 40 year old and her lower two discs are fused together. Then her knees started really hurting all the time...that's when the suggestion came up about RA. Then 11th grade year she had a central disc rupture playing soccer (she was a goalie and it happened when she fell on the ball). Now she is really complaining of alot of pain in her ribs...especially since going to the dr Friday and being mashed on. It's like she is sick all the time. ALWAYS feels bad!!!! Does this sound familiar to all of you poor people who are suffering with this dreaded disease???? I feel like such a bad mother after listening to you guys and all that each of you have been dealing with b/c I just tell her to toughen up and keep on going...... frown
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#1079994 - 11/10/08 10:38 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? KTMiteComply
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Very familiar. I was 17 when the doctor first diagnosed a spinal fusion (birth defect) in my lower back. It's been downhill from there. I was married at 18 and had my first child a few months before I turned 20. I had two more that followed closely behind. The doctor told me that RA often goes in remission when you are pregnant which I thought explained why I didn't develop symptoms until 2 years after my last child. My RA "trigger" according to my doctor was my hysterectomy at 28. By age 30 I couldn't even pour myself a glass of tea or get dressed for bed at night by myself. It was rough. The new meds are such a blessing.

I hate to hear she is having trouble with her knees, that can be excruciating. Is it possible that her chest pain is radiating from her back? I've had that happen. I was hospitalized a few years back because the doctor thought I was having a heart attack. It turned out to be a compressed disc.
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#1096526 - 12/12/08 05:56 PM Re: Arthritis treatment suggestions? bOaty
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I have a physiatrist, specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and his wife is a physical therapist. Last year I had two steroid injections in my right knee by my family dr. , who is excellent. Right knee started hurting again, also the left knee. My physiatrist and pt had me do some common stretches differently and that along with my massage therapist doing "assisted stretching" has helped enormously. I was ready to try the Synvisc or Hyalgen injections (no steroids in these) but the stretching has helped so much.

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