Yea! I'm so glad for you. I'm sorry that you've had
such serious health problems, glad they are clearing up!
I'll be thinking of you when I'm having my petscan up at the center on Thursday! lol

Oh Monica - what an ordeal. That's a long time to go without your regular meds. Once your infusions start how long will it take before you start to improve? Hope you feel better soon.

YEAH! You'll be feeling like a young chic in no time at all. I have a friend who has COPD and unfortunately she's allergic to steroids so there isn't too much that can be done about it. Not fun. I just have regular osteoarthritis and I hate to take anything for it because I'm on Plavix and don't want to do anything to bring on a stroke. Sometimes it's not too bad but other times the fingers just don't work too good. But compared to anyone that has RA, I can't complain.

Special thoughts for you, Monica!

Best wishes!

Good to hear!

Glad you are going to get some relief Monica.

So glad you are going to get some help soon and that you will be feeling so much better.

Sue

I'm glad you will get relief soon. You are a very strong and brave woman to have stood it this long without your meds. I too have RA but mine is in my legs. I take weekly injections of Embril. Even a day late and I am in agonizing pain.

It's good to know that soon you'll have some relief and a better quality to your life. So happy for you.

ARe you sure your available? (just kidding of course!)
I'd like to know when you start feeling relief as I don't know much about these meds. I'm glad they help.

That's great news that you can soon get relief. My Dad had RA, was diagnosed at the age of 36. He died at age 60 in 1986. He literally ATE aspirin and alka seltzer. That's about all there was back then. His hands were terribly disfigured, and he had a very bad limp. His circulation was shot.

I can't say I know your pain, and I hope I never do, but I know how my Dad suffered. I'm so happy for you that you will get the meds that will help you.

Oh heavens, Monica, you poor thing. I know exactly what pain and suffering you are going thru because I have been there. Now just stay healthy, I assume the med you are starting will be suppressing you immune system so take good care.

Glad to see you will be feeling much better. My good friend relies on her strong meds and still hurts somewhat--I can't imagine how bad it would be if she could only take ibuprofin. I hope you're feeling much, much better very soon, Monica, and I'm sorry you've been ill. Enjoy spring to the fullest!

Let's see--I guess you didn't have to check your calendar for that one. Very good. Hope you are feeling better very soon.

Oh dear.... that sounds like you have had a long wait. Enjoy your new freedom from pain and stay healthy.

My sister has had RA for at least 30 years. She's had both hips and a knee replaced because of it. She has been getting infusions for a few years, every two months I think. She is a different person because of them. Her life is so much better. I hope you will get the same results from the infusions that she does. Good Luck.

Best wishes Monica.

What a long time to wait! I hope the relief comes quickly. I never had infusions but I did have to go on some heavy duty meds. I think it took 6 months for improvement, but I also don't think I was in the pain and stiffness you are. I stay on maintenance type dose of prednisone and plaquenil and feel great. Hope you will too.

Pam, I was on Prednisone for the lung thing last winter(started at 40 mg/day) - never again. Did the trick for the lung disease, but I lost a lot of hair and couldn't sleep more than 2-3 hours a night.
Did Plaquenail years ago - didn't do a thing for me, nor did other anti-inflammatories.
Methotrexate is attacking my liver.
And, as to the TNF's - was on Remicade for 3-4 years and it was great, however - when I caught a head cold (rhinovirus, ya know), quickly developed Sarcoidosis, a serious lung disease that, especially women with a yet unknown genetic property, who take a TNF (Embrel/Remicade/Humera may contract if they get a virus - that was me.
I'm starting tomorrow on Orencia, it's not a TNF and should not be a danger to me.

And now, if anyone has a head cold - I run from them.

Monica, I'm so happy you'll be getting relief soon! I've battled RA since '79, so understand your pain.

Thursday is only hours away! Hope you will start to feel MUCH better, soonest!

Can you take a sleeping pill? I've been on Prednisone for asthma flare-ups. I won't take it unless the MD gives me script for Ambien. (I haven't run into a doctor who wouldn't prescribe the Ambien, but none has ever offered it. They must know how agitating the steroid is.)

Yikes Monica. You have been through the wringer with these meds. I do not actually have RA; I have scleroderma,mctd,lupus depending on who's saying. My mother has terrible RA. Remicaid was a godsend for her. I was able to retire in 2005 from teaching but in my last year my husband drove me to and from work every day (22 miles) to conserve energy and I still took a long time to move normally ech day. My doctor and I do not know if the meds did the trick, or retiring did or if the disease had just done its worse. I wish the best for you. I think so many people think, oh it's just arthritis but they don't realize what RA is.

I had no idea you were in so much misery.
Very happy you are able to go back on medication to help you.
Keep us updated, please.
Healing thoughts and prayers for you, too.

I want to join the rah rah club... and am wishing your pain to be gone.

Good luck Monica

Moni

Monica, I hope you are now sitting in a comfy chair with an IV in your arm!

I too have RA and have been on Remicaid since last June and off all pred since Dec. Love it but I think a stronger dose may be needed. I see the doc next week.

I never knew so many here had RA. I wish you all pain free days full of energy.

Sorry to hear of these recently exacerbated problems, Monica.

I hope that you soon obtain the major relief that you're hoping for.

Sending good thoughts and hopes your way ... and offering some prayers for relief.

ole joyful

Monica, I hope that you feel even better than better because of the long wait.

Monica, I am happy for you! I hope this does the trick and that you are soon feeling like yourself, once again.

sooey
who knows all about sarcoidosis. not fun.

Thanks, everyone....yesterday went fine - even y favorite chair was waiting for me.
Orencia takes about a month before it is fully working, but with relief in sight - it will go fast.

Thanks for the update. Wishing that you may a patient who receives relief even FASTER!

Finally and at last...you've suffered too long. :(

Hope it won't be much longer before you are having better days.