Jane, I just had the mind set that my life was over and thought “Is this all there is? Do I just roll up and die now?". I was 57 years old at the time. I was just not ready to roll over. I have right side numbness from head to toe from Embral. I still have the numbness to this day. I walk with a cane but I can live with that. I went from having someone else brush my hair to being able to do everything myself. Yes, I was scared, but more scared of not being around.

I have my doctors name below my avatar and people mention their doctors all the time, I don’t see why you cant. I am sorry that you are having so much trouble with allergic reactions. I hope you find what works for you. Living with RA and other co morbidities was not something I would of chose for myself but I take one day at a time. There was always that ring of hope that I hung to. I wish you the best on your journey. Sounds like you’ve been through a lot. I would say you are pioneer stock to go through what you have… Hugs Mattie

If you find  any correlation between Splenda and arthritis pain please lety me know. I'm experiencing terrible pain in my left knee. The doctor wants to do a total knee replacement. I'm scared  I'm 61   now. I've gain about 12 pounds back  I don't know if that has something to do with the severe pain or not I have always had the knee pain I don't know what to do. I'm a teacher  and might have to retire because of the severe pain. If you have any suggestions  or hear about some relief for knee pain let me know. Thanks

Thanks Mattie, that was a very informative post, lots of info.  I am seeing my surgeon on 27th Sept, and a dietician, psycholgist etc, the cost is quite alarming but I feel definitely worth it, I feel like it is somebody else having it done and in no time at all I will be in having surgery (13th Oct).I am scared of all my comorbidities and find myself saying sometimes "why do I now have to have a big op on top of everything else", it overwhelms me sometimes, every week there seems to be another diagnosis.  Am I allowed to mention the Drs name on here to see if anyone has been to him before?  I won't unless someone tells me I can, thanks again, have you lost much weight and how are you coping now?  Has the MS gone since stopping the med, how awful for you, I have heard it goes away when med is stopped.  I was on Rituxan and had to stop due to allergic reaction same as enbrel, Orencia and most recently Actemra due to golden staph infection caused while on it, so stopped that now too, has been the story of my RA since day 1 so staying on steroids for last 10 years and MTX when I can tolerate it (between infections).  Hope things improve for you and you have been a great help.  God Bless and gentle hugs from Jane.

hi.

I had surgery on 3/4/2011. I was diagnosed with RA in 2004. i took meds for 1 year and it went into remission. after surgery, not only did my asthma flair up repeatedly (I have NEVER had so many problems with the asthma, but the arthritis came back after 6 years. for what reason, i don't know... but it's NOT because I'm more active.. I worked out hard preop and I was heavier.

I went to the urgent care, because the pain in my knee, especially at night was unbearable.

They prescribed me prednisone at about 20 mg daily, and I have to go back every 5 days for refills UNTIL the inflammation goes down.. 2000 mg of Tylenol did nothing and we can't take anti inflammatory.

the prednisone works WONDERS..BUT may slow down your weight loss.. so until the inflammation goes away.. I had to choose, no weight loss over severe pain. the cool thing... is that a side effect of STOPPING the prednisone is weight loss. lol.. be sure to drink plenty of water, take vitamin D, your calcium (maybe a little more than usual) and folic acid to reduce the horrible effects of the prednisone which is a calcium and vit. D deficiency (it takes years of constant usage to get to that point thought). avoid purines (look it up please. too much to type) and rest. walk instead of hard core work outs.. just to relax your joints and reduce the inflam.. so that you may get off the prednisone.

I'm not a doctor, but i have a lot of experience in this issue and i read your story and it sounded like mine. :).

Hi I have booked in to Gold Coast hospital for 13th October for gastric sleeve.  Yet to see the surgeon but spoke at length to practice manager who advised that the band is not an option due to several medical problems.  I am nervous of course but also excited.  My life has changed immensely due to severe rheumatoid arthritis causing disability, immobility and many secondary medical conditions, one being morbid obesity due in part to steroid use.  I am now pre-diabetic and have sleep apnoea and have been advised to have surgery as my risk of stroke and heart attack are very high.  I cannot exercise as my joints and muscles, nerves, spine have all been affected and my disease is very badly controlled due to intolerance of drugs, so it has led me here and I look forward immensely to reading and offering my assistance where possible.
  

If anyone can offer any info or assistance on this topic please feel free to let me know, many thanks from Jane.