RA Meds

Five or six years ago I was diagnosed with RA (Rheumatoid arthritis ((rue-ma-TOYD arth-write-tis)) is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability.) I was totally floored by the diagnose because to my knowledge no one in the family had it. The day I was diagnosed Debbie my loving wife had to dress me as my joints were so swollen that I could even begin to make a fist. I thought the diagnoses would be gout or something like that as it has occurred in the family.
The shock of being told that I had RA soon wore off only to be replaced by a deep depression. I was unable to hold a camera at all and I had visions of never being able to pick one up again. This was followed by a healthy dose of self pity. I must have been a bear to live with at this time.
Well my meds soon began to help and I crawled out of that deep dark place and made a resolution to never allow myself to go back there. The meds have been changed as the disease and my joints change.
I was on Celebrex and Sulfasalazine doing very well on them and all of a sudden I developed an allergic reaction to first the Sulfasalazine then to the Celebrex. So I came off those and started with Arava and Mobic So far so good. Another drug is Methotrexate and that I was responding to well until I developed rheumatoid noduguals (Rheumatoid nodules, or lumps of tissue under the skin, appear in about one-fifth of people with RA) and the Methotrexate acted like miracle grow on them, again a change in meds.
Well for a time my blood work and annual x-rays were really good than this fall my Dr. informed me that my x-rays reveled the beginning of joint damage and recommended that I start taking either Enbrel or Humira by injection. Oh did I mention I hate needles and having my blood drawn every 6 to 8 weeks is no fun, now I will have to give myself shots as often as twice a week. I feel like this is reall some kind of sick joke.

Welcome to Peter's RA Blog

As part of dealing with my RA I have decided to create this Blog to witch I can post my thoughts and feelings regarding this disease. So if you like read on or go on with your browsing.

Peter