RA and all the stuff that goes with it.

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Jasie B Faurot

Posted Thursday, November 05, 2009 8:08 PM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 11:37 AM
Posts: 29, Visits: 14

I am trying to figure all this out have not posted in a while. Please Bare with me.
I was diognosed 4 years ago with RA. Have taken all the regular meds and have been on Enbrel 50mg x once a week for 1 1/2 years i took methotrexate for about 2 years with it but was taken
of last year because I keep getting Bronchitis over and over and then got phumo. So they thought
I had meth toxicity and they took me of. But the lung doctor told me the last time I saw him that
he still hurd crackeling in my lower lobes and that it may be from RA. I also have had Vasulites 4 times so far. The 1st time was when I 1st was diagnosed. with RA. The last time was about a month and half ago. The predasone cleared it up but when I stoped taking it I broke out again.
So my doctor told me to not stop taking it. I have Type 2 diebeties and predsone makes my blood sugar go sky high. I got of my Enbrel because I had sinus surgury in May and then I had shoulder surguy in Sept. I stayed of my Enbrel from May till Sept. And I thought I was doing great till the beginng of Aug. And I fell apart I had so much pain jumping around and then it settled in my good shoulder and in my neck. I will never get of my meds again and i wished my
Doctor had warned me. Anyway it is just good to talk to poeple who understand. If anyone can tell me about RA and lung problems or about the vasculitis I would love the here from you.

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Tommy4

Posted Thursday, November 05, 2009 8:49 PM

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Jasie,

Dont have any answers for you but hopefully someone here will.

Take care.

Tommy

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Grandpavan

Posted Thursday, November 05, 2009 9:17 PM

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Last Login: Today @ 4:59 PM
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I don't have any real answers but I do have some guesses. For one think I have heard that Arava is easier on the lungs than Methotrexate is, but maybe harder on the liver. I guess you can't win but maybe you can choose how you lose. Also either Plaquenil or Sulfasalazine may have fewer side effects but also be somewhat less effective. In some way I hope you can get a combination that works for you.

I have no idea about the treatment for vasculitis but I hope your doctors can figure a way to control it without hurting your diabetes. I hope you get effective treatment for everything some way. God bless.

Age 82, diagnosed RA 12/2001, married since 1952, 4 sons no daughters, 4 grandsons 1 granddaughter. Doing well on Methotrexate and Remicade.

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Jasie B Faurot

Posted Thursday, November 05, 2009 10:20 PM

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 11:37 AM
Posts: 29, Visits: 14

Thanks for your response. I have read a lot on the internet about vasculitis. Mine has been on my legs feet and stomach. It can involve your kidneys, your lungs, and your colon So that worries me. I noticed it is comming back on my legs. She did do a blood test to see it I might
have lupis because she said Vas. is seen with Lupis. But my test was neg for lupis. I do take sufazine along with enbrel.

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Captex

Posted Friday, November 06, 2009 8:45 AM

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Last Login: Today @ 5:10 PM
Posts: 120, Visits: 372

Jasie,

Hi, we both share alot in common RA, Diabetes and lung issues. Let me first say that I really, I mean REALLY understand it when you talked about getting off the meds. It's the way that I've been for a very long time. It's a battle that I have lost to my doctors and RA and Diabetes. But I'm better off today because I'm learning to accept my limitations. And the truth is that I'm better off because I've changed my outlook.

My battles, and it sounds like your battles with the same, are like being on a roller coaster with ups and downs.

I've had pnuemonia and the pleurisy that you've had, but it wasn't due to the medication. RA is a confounding disease that I can't seem to get a hold off as easily as I understand Diabetes and HBP. I've found that the shared experiences here at the forum is a comforting blanket that I can easily grasp.

I suggest that you keep working with your team of doctors to get you, as they say, into remission. Keep your spirits up and vent here as often as you like.

As far as my lungs are concerned, I've been dealing with their rebellion for more than 2 years and it all started with 4 bouts of pneumonia. On the 4th bout that's when I got the added pleurisy. I take albuterol, via a nebulizer, on those days when I have moderate breathing concerns.

Good Luck, hope that I've shed a little light that can be useful.

God Bless,

captex

I'm off Prednisone! and off Bactrim, currently taking Atenenol, Albuterol, Glipizide, Lozol, NOMORE NSAIDS and trying to lose the 30+lbs that I gained recently from Prednisone. Just added Arava. Diagnosed with RA in 1982. Fighting ILD. I'm dealing with my Diabetes and I've only begun to truely understand RA.

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Liz M

Posted Friday, November 06, 2009 1:30 PM

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Last Login: Today @ 1:45 PM
Posts: 624, Visits: 750

Jasie -

No real advice here, just hugs! I know it can be frustrating. It gets so complicated b/c so many factors need to be taken into consideration (diabetes, RA, the meds, etc.). I hope they find a combo that works for you without causing additional problems!

Bekah has had vasculitis and I am sure she would share her experiences, but she's on vacation and I don't know if she will be checking in this weekend. I would message her.

Liz Smile

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