Sondra

[Sondraking]

Im sondra this ra is bad im on steroids and plaqunil just started it hope it helps my ra count is 1500 my doctor says it is bad glad i found this site

[Hidden]

Hi the steroids and plaqunil should help a lot.. You might be prescribed Methetrexate which is very good. You will get some good advice on this site . Good luck .

[Sondraking in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so muck

[lovekittys]

Hi Sondra, hang in there. I hope they can get you out of pain. Try to stay positive. Please be careful with the steroids, they do help but keep an eye on your glucose levels, they can cause diabetes, just FYI.

[Sondraking in reply to lovekittys]

Yes thay have

[NanaFifi]

Hi Sondra,

Welcome, I have found some of the advice on this site invaluable and it is so good to speak to people who are going through the same as you are.

I have been on steroids for over 30 years they have been life saving for both me and my daughter and I wouldn't worry too much about side effects as long as they are working for you and giving you relief. Plenty time to worry when you have a reason to.

I have also taken plaque il almost as long as the steroids and they can be a very effective combination. I hope they work for you as well as they have done for me.

Hugs,

Fifi x

[Poppygail]

Hi Sondra,

I'm glad you found this site, it will provide lots of great information and "comfort". But the advice and information given is honest, not something that babies you.

My wife is the RA sufferer in our family, she was diagnosed ~9 years ago. As have many on here, she has been through many different drug regimen trying to find the one that works best for her. And yes, these are not gentle drugs, many have nasty side effects. But if used judiciously and monitored closely they can be used very successfully with minimal side effects. Early on my wife was using methotrexate successfully but went a little long between visits and wound up with fibroid lesions on her lungs. Had to d/c it immediately and go to steroids which worked well for quite a while but eventually she developed severe enough side effects that it to had to be stopped. All the while she was trying different biologics.

Eventually it was decided to try methotrexate again with Embral. This combination, with careful monitoring, has proven very successful with few side effects. Occasionally she will require a steroid injection when she has a flair but it's helping her maintain at a mod-severe state.

Long story not very short, work wth your rheumatologist, keep trying til you find the appropriate drug regimen, and, although it's extremely difficult, try to keep a positive attitude. I have faith things will work themselves out

I hope this in some way helps. God bless.

Poppygail

[Sondraking in reply to Poppygail]

Yes thank you so much

[Caza]

Welcome to this site but sorry that you needed to join us 😞

[Sondraking]

Thank you so much

[nomoreheels]

I hope you find it helpful being here among others who understand just how it is living with RD & other inflammatory conditions. Any questions just ask, we cover all sorts, as you probably know it affects people in different ways so don't be shy, there's little we haven't discussed! I'm sure you'll have lots to share too, it's the kind of disease where it's good to be amongst people who recognise how things can be sometimes, those who don't understand what it is don't get it but we do. Just be aware that the majority of members here are in the UK so some treatments, med names & terms may be different. That said we do have other members from the US, Canada, Australia & other countries too. Just as RD doesn't discriminate neither do we lol!

Hope to see you around Sondra now you've introduced yourself. Take care.

[Jacki08]

Hi and welcome. Ask any questions you feel you need answers to and someone will usually be around to advise. 😊

[popsmith1874]

Welcome we are all here for each other and all understand what your going through, once your meds kick in things will settle down xxx

[Ali_H]

Hi,

Sorry you've had to join our merry band but a big welcome!

We do our best to support each other through the thick and thin of this unwelcome journey so hopefully we will be able to help.

The best advice I can give right now is drink loads of water which helps with some meds side-effects such as headaches. Eating relatively healthy will help to a degree and keep gently mobile if possible.

You may also find it beneficial to tap into the website Creaky Joints which will have info re USA medical system and may have knowledge of support groups in your area (but still be a part of our group as well cos whilst learning from us you also offer us a wider perspective on this condition).

All the best

Ali

[Sondraking in reply to Ali_H]

Thank you

[Hidden]

Welcome Sondra - While it's hard if you need this board, this is a great group!

[beeckey]

Hi Sandra and welcome to the group you can ask most things and and more times than not someone will be able to help so just hang in there