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Topic: RE: Methotrexate
Hi I'm a newbie,
I have RA also and I was taking 6 Methotrexates and my hair thinned and lost it's luster for a minute but the Folic Acid really helped it. Also I see the veterans of wls talk about biotin due to the hair loss from surgery. Maybe try that?
I am really not a fan of Metho. but I had stopped taking it for a while and my xrays showed damage to the joints in my feet. Now my dr. dropped me down to 4 tablets and I get Rituxan infusions every 4 months. They really helped!! The first time I was like a new puppy for about two weeks!! The fatigue left, much less joint pain I actually felt like a regular person. It only lasted a short time though. I've had the first half of my second treatment and I feel a slight improvement. I think the cold weather makes a difference too.
My rheumy told me that she would do whatever she can to help me with the wls. She didn't know about the sleeve and when I took her my info. she agreed on the spot.
Topic: RE: question
I had RNY and I have RA and have not had any trouble with any of my arthritis Rxs. I do take methy by injection (but I was already doing that) but my plaquenil and sulfasalazine have stayed the same without any problems. My surgery actually put me into remission, which I hadn't had at all before. I was still in A LOT of pain up to the days before my surgery. I had my meds increased 3 days before to start the week after surgery bc it was still sooo bad and I haven't had one stitch of pain since the day of my surgery (well surgery pain but not "arthur" as my gma calls him. LOL. It depends on your doc and I am happy with my decision to do RNY and help myself with my pain.
Topic: RE: Methotrexate and Weight Gain????
I was already overweight when I started my prednisone and it definitly packed on the pounds. My Rheumatologist doesn't use steroids for long term treatment on a daily basis but would give me shots every couple of months. I know with the band you can't take steroids because it can erode the band, well that is what one surgeon told me. My rheumatologist and my surgeon had no problems with me having the surgery even though I am on Metho (injections), Plaquenil, and Sulfasalazine. I actually was still in lots of pain the last time I saw my doc the Friday before my Monday surgery (11/02/09) and she increased my dosages to start the week after my surgery. I haven't had even one teensy tiny arthritic pain since. Surgery pain yes joint etc pain NOPE!! And as we all know you can totally tell when it is RA coming at ya!!!! I consider my surgery a miracle if it put my RA into it's first remission.
Topic: RE: Methotrexate
I have RA and I started out on 6 methotrexate, 2 Plaquenil, and now I have added 4 of another that escapes me right this second. I definitly lost hair and continue to do so with the methotrexate. I got bumped up to .08 mg and now 1 mg injection weekly. I didn't notice an increase when I bumped up each time just the same continual loss. My hair is LOTS thinner than it used to be and I totally agree with the lack of luster and shine. I had WLS on 11/02/09 and my Rheumatologist was really excited about it. I didn't take a shot the week I had surgery but other than that no problems at all. She just did the increase the Friday before my surgery to start the week after bc I still had a lot of pain. An unexpected thing has happended.....not one day of pain AT ALL , ANYWHERE, not even that rogue one joint finger pain since. And I even went a whole week without the shot and like I said she had increased it for after surgery bc I just was in so much pain. It is amazing and if for no other reason my WLS was totally worth it. I think your doc is one of those old fashioned docs that are against WLS for anyone for any reason. BOO!!
Topic: RE: My knee is killing me!
thank you for the wonderful replies! yes I've had my surgery and I'm recoving well, my knee is better be it from lots of rest, weight loss, meds or all three.
I'll be back at work in a few weeks, that will be the real test! I hope to have the energy to get with an exercise program soon and hope that will further improve my arthritis.
Good luck to all of you suffering with similar conditions.
I'll be back at work in a few weeks, that will be the real test! I hope to have the energy to get with an exercise program soon and hope that will further improve my arthritis.
Good luck to all of you suffering with similar conditions.
Topic: RE: My knee is killing me!
Katie,
My heart goes out to you. I'm so sorry your going thru all this pain. Heck If i could take some of it away I would. I am no expert but I am 100% sure that any weight reduction will help you w/ the pain. Its that much LESS weight your putting on that knee. Take it easy the next two weeks before your WLS or has that happened already? Delayed? Try not to focus on the pain, I know its hard but focus on the reward and how blessed you are to be able to get your surgery and how your quality of life will improve. Yay!
Hope you get to feeling better and if you need to talk, vent, whatever please hit me up.
Hugs, Sonya
** Edit - I realized this post was from awhile back, my apologies**
My heart goes out to you. I'm so sorry your going thru all this pain. Heck If i could take some of it away I would. I am no expert but I am 100% sure that any weight reduction will help you w/ the pain. Its that much LESS weight your putting on that knee. Take it easy the next two weeks before your WLS or has that happened already? Delayed? Try not to focus on the pain, I know its hard but focus on the reward and how blessed you are to be able to get your surgery and how your quality of life will improve. Yay!
Hope you get to feeling better and if you need to talk, vent, whatever please hit me up.
Hugs, Sonya
** Edit - I realized this post was from awhile back, my apologies**
Topic: RE: Methotrexate
I have had R.A for over 5 years and my initial therapy was Methotrexate along w/ Celebrex. I had some hairloss but more thinning losing my luster and shine so the doctor was giving me also a folic acid. I think he said it would help w/ that. You can ask your doctor about that. I am currently on Humira 40mg every two weeks. I asked my doctor why he didnt give me this from the start and he said its very expensive and wasnt sure if my insurance would cover it. You can check into it if your interested. Ive not noticed any hair problems since being on Humira but that luster and shine that I had before Metho, is long gone. I still cant get it back even w/ the most expensive shampoos.
Hope my little info helps out.
Hugs, Sonya
Hope my little info helps out.
Hugs, Sonya
Topic: RE: Pain in my ankle--is it arthritis?
Ive had Rheumatoid Arthritis for over 5 years and the pain began in my ankles. However it was more on both ankles and so hard to stand up. With R.A. it affects both joints on both sides of the body, I forget the term but basically both wrists, both shoulders, both hip joints etc. or whatever is hurting you at the time. I would take Aleve and it would help so much but then as time went by it stopped and I had to get on hardcore meds. Its all undercontrol now :)
Regarding your pain, Have you been working out lately that could have strained that area? Fell or tripped? Not really sure if its arthritis but if it continues you can go to your doctor and they can do labs. Good luck to you and please keep us posted.
Hugs, Sonya
Regarding your pain, Have you been working out lately that could have strained that area? Fell or tripped? Not really sure if its arthritis but if it continues you can go to your doctor and they can do labs. Good luck to you and please keep us posted.
Hugs, Sonya
Topic: RE: knee issues
I am having VGS in February (Can hardly wait) and I suffer from SEVERE knee pain in both knees. I am only 40 and need two knee replacements....however I am too young. I PRAY that I receive some relief once the weight begins to fall off ( YIPPEE!!).
Thanks for the hope!!!
Bre
Brenda Potts
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