OT: rheumatoid arthritis, what do they do after metho?

[2girlsmom]

I hope this OT question is ok. I have had JRA since age 5 and have been on several different medications. The latest traditional med was methotrexate which gave me all of the side effects and no benefit. CRP still high, etc. I gave up on my rheumy (long story, involved her not returning calls or being very rude when I would suggest the metho wasn't helping and I needed to figure out something that would, etc). I just got frustrated with the regular medical care I was getting and saw a naturopath. I was/am on prednisone too, and wanted off it yet still couldn't even while maxed out on methotrexate.

So, the naturopath has managed to get me down to 5mg prednisone but I can't get below that. I'm at a crossroads where I can't afford to keep doing what I'm doing if it's not going to ultimately going to help, lower my CRP level and get me off steriods. The naturopath (she is a MD) doesn't want to look into any reasons why I can't deal without the pred, and I am just at the end of what she can do for me.

I have a lot of joint damage, so I guess part of the issue is along with inflammation pain I get pain from damage done.

I rambled all this time to ask, if you are reading and you have found a combination of meds that works, can you share it? I hate to go back to a rheumy (have a rec for a good one now) and end up on another worthless round of metho. I just kept feeling like my old rheumy did not believe I was still not doing well (hello labwork?) and I felt so hopeless.

I function okay day to day for the most part. There are a lot of things I cannot do and I did end up going on disability because I could not physically handle working my job anymore (taught preschool). I have very disfigured hands (they are weak) and my back and ankle cause me the most pain.

I guess what I'm asking is if something like Enbrel, or Humira, etc would help me considering I have active inflammation as well as old damage. I fear I will be popping prednisone and ibuprofen forever. No one can seem to help me get completely off either one.

Sorry it's so long. I am just really trying to figure out what to do with my RA care and would love to hear positive experiences with RA meds.

[Arthurs]

You should check out this link:
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=42279

Dr. Keystone diagnosed me over 20 years ago with Psoriatic Arthritis after a year of going from one doctor to another, and prescribed an affordable treatment that was very effective. It wasn't until I moved away and had to find another doctor that I realized that many specialists highly revered him, I finally found an awesome specialist that was one of his understudies in my present city. The research in this field is rapidly evolving, surely there's a treatment among many that will work for you. At the very least get some expert help to halt the progression of RA, because once the damage is done, there is not much that can be done.

[Kiralynx]

You might find http://scdgirl.blogspot.com/ of interest. She follows the same diet I do.

[ReginaJ]

You might find http://scdgirl.blogspot.com/ of interest. She follows the same diet I do.

So hwo does the SCD diet work? My daughter and I are gluten free (she has celiac disease), but what else does this entail? I can't imagine an even more restrictive diet. How do you feel on it?

[deerslayer]

first of i'd like to say God Bless You2girlsmoms , no one knows unless they have RA what one goes through trying to rein in the immune system. i am not familiar with the letters CRP. only( S E D)-sedimentation leval , that is one way of determining how active the disease is. i was first diaganosed as having the RA factor in my blood after a bout with the Beijing flu in 1991 @ age 46. after six weeks of prednasone i had all but kicked it(i thought). three years ago it rared it's head after eating a raw oyster. little did i know that there is a bacteria in raw oysters that triggers a response in people that have the factor. long story short, i was on Methatrexate for a year & a half along with the prednasone. of course ranitadine for my stomach because of the 800 mg ibuprofen's. at the present time my RA is quiescent. that doesn't mean i have no symptoms. cortisone shot in one knuckle 6 weeks ago, along with few other conditions besides the one we come to this campfire for . Methatrexate , as you well know will age you rapidly besides knock your immune system way down leaving you vulnerable for any and all infections. i wish i could give you some insight & knowledge, but only support and empathy . If your Rheumatologist can't get you on the right road , search for one that will. do your best to stay active. the naturalalist is another option. i take a 600 caltrate w/vit.D twice daily, vit E, Omega 3 , good multi , folic, vit C. Eat healthy small portions & eat often. staying upbeat & being around folks that will make you smile and will give you joy. depression is an ugly monster that goes along with this illness.please keep coming back here for support. stay active and stay informed, i know- easier said than done. tim

[Kiralynx]

So how does the SCD diet work? My daughter and I are gluten free (she has celiac disease), but what else does this entail? I can't imagine an even more restrictive diet. How do you feel on it?

Check out http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info and http://www.pecanbread.com.

It's a gluten free, sugar free, starch free diet. I've followed it for seven years, and cannot imagine eating any other way. Well, I can imagine it, but it's like being on CPAP. My body requires this diet, and there is no food so delicious that it is worth eating and then suffering the results.

There's a support group for it at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/BTVC-SCD/.

And tomorrow, in between doing shopping for electronics, I get to start preparing the foods for Thanksgiving. Turkey, dressing, homemade cranberry sauce, mock sweet potatoes, cranberry-apple-pecan compote, mock cheesy mashed potatoes (not made with cauliflower), spinach with brie sauce and pearl onions, almond bread, pumpkin pie and/or eggnog ice cream.

No starvation here!

[Hawthorne]

I am in Canada but have had RA for almost 20 years now. I have been (and still am) on Methtorexate. It has been and continues to be somewhat helpful for me.

That is the thing with RA and other inflammatory arthritises - no one drug or combo of drugs will work for everyone.

I have had many cortisone shots but had a bad reaction to Prednisone so have never really taken it.

I was on Arava, then Humira. Neither of those helped. Then I went on Enbrel and it really helped for about 2 years.

At the moment, I am in a drug trial for Actemra. It is an infusion drug (many of the newer biologics are infusion types). I have been on it for 2 1/2 years and I am doing pretty well on it. I too, have lots of joint damage. I understand that Actemra is about to be or has just been approved in the US.

I have never stopped the Methotrexate through all these other drugs. Of course I also take a Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory drug and additional pain meds.

I also strongly believe that a good exercise program (one that will not do further damage) is a key factor in managing RA.

If you want to PM me I will give you my email address and we can talk further.

All the best!

[2girlsmom]

Thanks for the info and support. I have good days and bad days. On the bad days helping my girls get dressed is a chore but on the good days it's no big deal. I guess that is why I've hesitated to seek more help--the good days still come. I have felt so much hopelessness all my life when I see rheumatologists. Maybe this one recommended to me will be different. I am just so nervous about trying anything else after the metho failed miserably, and I hate to even take it if it's not going to help in any way.

I'll ask my sleep doc who she might recommend since I see her tomorrow. I have to figure something out.

[Marietjie]

A WARM Hello and Hug to Mommy of 2Girls - Ja, my husband, André is also a RA sufferer - this is his medication...
Celebrex - 200mg per day and Prednisone - 5mg twice a day.....He was on Methotrexate for 10 years !!! - oh my, the side effects was TERRIBLE. Other meds that André takes daily are : Nexiam, SandozAmitriptyl, Simcard, Bilocar, Lo-Aspirin, Ezetrol, Natrilix, TriPlenForte. (Hipertension, Cholesterol, heartburn, etc...)(Supplement = Scott's Omega 3 capsules) He saw the ortopedic surgeon yesterday for ANOTHER operation on his right hand ! RA effected his lung, shoulder, toes, right hand and forearm and one heart attack! André (61 years) is now a pensioner BUT he does all the house & car maintenances and gardening himself. To stay busy is also very good 'medication' - you know what I mean!?! MomOfTwo - you will always be in our thoughts ! Blessings - Marietjie (& André) Hugs

[krishinax]

What is the difference between arthritis, hip dysplasia, and old age in dogs? What is the difference between hip dysplasia, arthritis, and just old age in dogs. I have a 10 year old rotwieller. Believe it or not. Sometimes when he gets up from laying he seems stiff. After he walks around it goes away. He can still jump off the couch and go after the ball or rope easily though. He only does that about twice a week though because his puppy energy is long gone.lol Anyway what's the difference between just old age and something else?
_____________
market samurai ~ marketsamurai ~ marketsamurai.com

[Pugsy]

With "old age" you can get any of the symptoms that you describe. Old age is just a reference number.
Hip dysplasia is common in large breed dogs and will often manifest itself at quite a young age. Rottweilers are known to be prone to have it. So age alone doesn't cause this condition. It seems to run in the family a lot. You need to look it up on the internet to see exactly what it does but it is much more than simple "arthritis".

Arthritis in general is simply just another thing that we get older as our joints start to wear out. Doesn't matter if we are humans or an animal. Old dogs also get cataracts just like humans.

Your Rotty's stiffness is normal for a 10 yr old dog. Could be arthritis. Could just be muscle stiffness.
10 yrs is getting up there for a large Rottie. Most likely he does have considerable arthritis. Talk with your vet about things. There are meds to help if it seems to be a serious issue.
My 12 year old pug has arthritis in his back hips. He is also too fat. It is obvious that he is in discomfort so he is on a diet.
BTW I am/was the proud owner of Zoe. Rottweiler who I had for 12 years. Ended up with diabetes (I treated for 2 years) and finally had a stroke. I want another Rottie so badly.
Brenda

What is the difference between arthritis, hip dysplasia, and old age in dogs? What is the difference between hip dysplasia, arthritis, and just old age in dogs. I have a 10 year old rotwieller. Believe it or not. Sometimes when he gets up from laying he seems stiff. After he walks around it goes away. He can still jump off the couch and go after the ball or rope easily though. He only does that about twice a week though because his puppy energy is long gone.lol Anyway what's the difference between just old age and something else?