Hi! I am new...

[1sunshine]

Hello. I have had RH for about five years now... Just like everyone else, trying to figure out the right combo. of medications, eating correctly, ect... I am on Embril, Methothrexate, Prednisone, and some pain relief meds. such as celebrex and vikodin. I basically have lots of swelling in both knees and one ankle. Occasional flu-like feeling in my body( without the sickness) I have been on Embril for one year and I think it's wearing out... lots of pain all the sudden... maybe it's all of the snow? I really dont know. Summer was a lot better, I know that much! Anyone else needing to switch medicines? Does the weather effect you too? Just needing someone to talk to.:( Thanks...

[star73]

Hey sunshine! welcome to the board :) Yes....I feel worse in winter! It's awful! I really cant wait for summertime! I have been on methotrexate for a year now and Arava was just added a few weeks ago. So far, I can't tell a difference but I am hopeful the next few weeks will bring about a change. I had to take another round of prednisone this week as I was miserable! I have a love/hate relationship with prednisone but what can ya do? do you take it daily?

It's possible the Enbrel isn't wearing out...it could just be the bitter cold of winter but hey I'm no doc!

We dont even have snow here (well we may get some today) and I have been miserable. Wish we could all fly south for winter ;)

[Paula]

Welcome, 1sunshine! I am recently diagnosed, and taking Enbrel only (my first shot was 2 days ago). I do think cold weather can make the symptoms worse - in fact, I only went to my doctor for a diagnosis because I starting feeling a lot of pain this winter. However, if you google "cold weather and RA" you will find a mixed bag of opinions on the subject.

I hope you feel better soon!

[1sunshine]

Hello again!
I am now taking 10 mgs. daily prednisone ... I was on 7.5 mgs. Recently had to up the dose due to my recent pain... Yeah in the warmer seasons, I was able to walk around the neighborhood all happy !! Now Im sitting here on the chair with a heating pad and ice pack.
I have also been on Humira for a while and I think that ran dry on me too ?? I don't really know:confused: I know that the Methotrexate and the biological ( injectable) work great together!
I didn't have health insurance for two years with RH and my knees blew up (due to the fact that I couldn't afford a biological medicine ). Now I have insurance. Now five years later, I am having surgeries on both knees(synovecomy ) due to really bad inflamation. Anyway... that's my story.
Good luck to all of you with your meds! They really are a life saver ;)

[twilltwo]

How long has everyone been here? Do you meet at certain times? I am looking forward to meeting everyone. I am Tara and I toooooo have RA:D

It is very nice to have a place to met others that I have something in common with. I do not get out much, to the doctor or the grocery store. Not enough to met people so I find chatting on these sites to be very helpful. It can get very lonely, RA is not an attractive quality for getting involved, so this is were I like to pass time. I find it very helpful :p

[kageyd]

Hi Twilltwo (neat name), welcome.

First, a suggestion - repeat your posting on "Introduction" as a New Thread. Sometimes these existing threads are only being read by a few people, as we tend to get sidetracked as the conversations grow, whereas a New Thread, especially in "Introduction", may catch the eye of more folks, thus expanding your contacts here.

Yeah, we all agree that RA is awful and can be horrible; at best it's a royal pain even when it's not disabling, physically and emotionally, and frustrating because it seems to have a mind of its own. You'll have lots of understanding here.

I'm a newly diagnosed "elder," one of only two folks here (that I know of) over 60, and so far have a diagnosis based only on gnarly knuckles and x-rays of hands and hip. I'm just on sulfasalazine the this time. As a 40 year osteoarthritis sufferer, I will always have trouble separating out which pain is RA and which is OA. Just FYI.

There is no particular get-together time, just as the spirit moves. Folks come and go, and pop back in after long absences on occasion. The newer among us tend to be more engaged than some folks whose posts we don't see much any more. Ages and life circumstances and degrees of illness are all over the map; some are still raising kids and/or working, some are here because of relatives but do not have RA themselves. Quite a few of us post interesting URL's (like that one of yours which opened onto a beautiful picture!); most of the URL's are about recent findings that may someday be of help - we're a very hopeful group.

Mostly we're here, like you, for understanding company, for tips on meds, for ideas about making life more comfortable - the little important day by day stuff. I think because of the "grandmother" role (I'm 69), I tend to talk at length, just yapping away sometimes. Take care, and we'll stay in touch. Kageyd (pronounced cagey-dee, an old nickname from work).

[Paula]

Tara - Welcome! I am very new to this forum as well. There is a lot of excellent information here - and it is a great opportunity to meet new friends that also have RA. Keep in touch, and do not be timid about posting your own threads with questions and concerns! I have you have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Paula