I have been taking methotrexate (2.5 x 6) FOR OVER 10 years combined with the usual mix...prednisone, plaquenil, frolic acid, etc. I was worried about hair loss also, but if anything, my hair is thicker now than it has ever been. I have a wonderful hair stylist who keeps a good eye on everything for me.
as far as metho days, I take mine on Tuesday in case anything pops up on the weekend. I don't drink much but am a bit wary. I never stopped drinking socially, just limit to the weekend.
does anyone receive Rituxan infusions?
Anyone have aver weight issues with prednisone?
Cherie
For rheumatoid arthritis...
OK - I'm an idiot because I fight the drugs and Mty factors are RA 224 Anti -CCP 253... BUT the other stuff is good but watch out for daily doses of presnisone. It will make your skin as thin as paper as a long period of time and your bones will become brittle when you get older. I know a lot about drugs as I worked in hospitals for a long time and take 17 pills a day but I won't take prednisone for anything but major flare ups. (Old school treatment) Metho has been on the Market for MANY years but still the best if it works. (The newer alternatives have more side effects. I think the hair loss effects Men who have baldness in their genes more than women. Metho is a low dose of a cancer drug and don't think of it as a Chemo drug...Dose is too low, but you are putting low doses of cancer into your system like a vacinie for antibodies.
Thank you for your comments. I can't seem to get off the prednisone and add a taper pack when I flare my skin is exactly as you describe. Tissue paper thin and fragile and I bruise VERY easily
Your counts are WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY higher than mine. You must have so much pain and inflammation. What about fatigue?
You Know Cherie I'll admit that I'm fatigued and in some pain. I've learned to live with it and I guess get accostomed to it. I work a minimum of 12 hours a day as a VP of Sales and have to drive a lot. (It's painful and I've only taken 2 days off because I had surgery on my wrist for a LARGE growth which grew back 2x as large in 3 months. I suffer from an anxiety disorder and have been diagnossed with Bi-Polar 1 disorder on top of it. ( No-one in my business has a clue because I am very good at what I do. I also can't sleep more han 3-4 hours a night!
It's not going to stop me from Skydiving in Aruba next week!! I need some time off. I'm really feeling the stress and fatigue. I try to pretend that everyone feels like I do and tell myself to just suck it up and not be a baby. I can't be weak even if I feel like I'm dying.
BUT WE NEED TO BE POSITIVE!!!! I hope you are feeling well!!!!
One other thing Cherie about Prednisone and Doctors. Get secomd opinions. When I worked in an operating room at a hospital it became BLATENTLY obvious to me that there are good doctors and poor doctors. (Just like there are good plumbers and bad plubers etc. ) Think about this 50% of all doctors graduate in the bottom 50% of their class.
We have but one body and it's not like a mechanic not fixing your car correctly as you can always purchase a new car!)
Charlie- you are a breath of fresh air!!! I really admire your positive attitude!!! Have a wonderful vacation an the jump sounds awesome!!! It's on my bucket list
its true about other people not knowing. We just accept our situations as normal. My family gets mad because I don't talk about it all the time. But I get mad that they bug me about it all the time. There are do many other things to talk about.
To be able to chat with someone who has the same thing is a but of a relief. Don't feel like a baby. You gave to let it out every once in a while.
i have had both shoulders replaced and CMC. Arthroplasty with joint fusion. Had a heart attack while coming out of anesthesia the first shoulder. No explanation. Had a Cath...found nothing. Weird. So I was really scared to do the second one, but all went well. Now I'm partly bionic!!!
again, have a wonderful time in Aruba!!!
Cheie
Apologies for my terrible typing!!!
Hi Cherie,
Back from Aruba! You have a great attititude! You can laugh at yourself when you have gone through adversity " partly bionic". You made me laiugh and reminded me that a doctor told me once if you were a dog with all your ailments I'd name you "Lucky"
It's funny- Your family wants to talk about your ailments all the time and that becomes bothersome and annoying, but feel blessed. It seems to me you have a family that loves you and cares about you a lot! That kinda outways the negatives. It may be good for you to mention to them when the concersations come up that you'd rather not talk about it unless you want to. Simply tell them when the ubject comes up it puts your isues back in your mind and you think about the pain. when it's out of your head why be remined of it. I can tell you're very intellegent and will figure out what to say if saying something will out eigh th negatives and make things more positive for youself.
WE need to put ourself first sometimes!!! Don't ever apolagize for typing or spelling. I'm stil one finger typer. (A finger that doesn't hurt!! LOL)
Charlie