Hi I'm a newby

I was diagnosed with RA 3 years ago. I heard from the beginning that it would take a long time to find the right meds, I still haven't found them yet. Methotrexate messed with my liver. I'm allergic to Embril and Humira. I fought taking prednisone cuz I didn't want to get fat, but I'm taking it now. My insurance just approved Rituxan and I'm waiting to hear from the pharmacy when they will have it so I can schedule an infusion. I'm also back on Methotrexate we're just doing the bloodwork pretty often and keeping an eye on it. Enough about the meds for RA - it seems my whole life revolves around the meds. I also take meds for migraines, hypothyroidism, tremors and asthma. While I have days that it is very difficult, I do my best to remember that I'm very blessed because I have a family who supports me completely and my coworkers are absolutely wonderful. I am especially thankful that my insurance has been very good as I have heard horror stories!

RA is not the only thing there is about me! My husband and I have been married for 28 years. I have a son who is 26 years old and has been married for 6 months to a girl I just love. I'm in the Special Investigation dept at an insurance claims office.

Hi Cris, welcome to the Creaky boards!  I've had RA since age 5 and am now 49. I agree with you - we are not defined by our disease, but it sure seems like it takes up the better part of our lives, doesn't it? [[hug]] 

Good for you for trying to stay off prednisone, but as you've learned, sometimes it's a tool we need to use. Here's hoping you can get off the stuff soon. Even if you don't get the moon face, the long term side effects aren't worth it, IMO.

Hang around, there are a lot of great people here!

Chris, Welcome to Creaky. Like Carolan I have had RA since childhood, I was diagnosed at 13 and I am now 46. 

It is sometimes hard and a long road to find the meds that work and you might have to adjust them even after a few years.  For the MTX have you tried Folic acid for the unusal side effects and I hear that if you look into Milk Thistle it is suppose to help with the Liver cleansing that the MTX has on the liver though you would have to suppliment with Vitamin B Complex so it does not over ditox the liver.  (I am not a medical professional so I would ask your doctor first). The folks on this board have all experiences multitude of side effects from most of these medications and have chatted extensively on what and how to lower the side effects, just keep in mind anything you want to try to help with them talk to your Rheumy first. 

Welcome to the board hope to see more of your posts in the future. Join us in the Remission Zone for all the fun stuff anything but RA.

Tess

Previously TessaD wrote:

Chris, Welcome to Creaky. Like Carolan I have had RA since childhood, I was diagnosed at 13 and I am now 46. 

It is sometimes hard and a long road to find the meds that work and you might have to adjust them even after a few years.  For the MTX have you tried Folic acid for the unusal side effects and I hear that if you look into Milk Thistle it is suppose to help with the Liver cleansing that the MTX has on the liver though you would have to suppliment with Vitamin B Complex so it does not over ditox the liver.  (I am not a medical professional so I would ask your doctor first). The folks on this board have all experiences multitude of side effects from most of these medications and have chatted extensively on what and how to lower the side effects, just keep in mind anything you want to try to help with them talk to your Rheumy first. 

Welcome to the board hope to see more of your posts in the future. Join us in the Remission Zone for all the fun stuff anything but RA.

Tess

Thanks for the suggestions. I will talk to my Rheumy and give them a try.