Information and opinions on health from Ellen Galo at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/55014/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/55014/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/55014/index http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/144833/post Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:32:49 -0400 Ellen Galo Hi - I developed 'post-infectious asthma' last spring, and have been on Advair twice a day since. Actually, I only used it once a day after the first week - until about a month later, when my doctor had assured me that "If it helps, use it twice a day."  Now, if i dont', I get feeling REALLY BAD, like someone has kicked me in the Solar Plexus.  Not what I would expect from a breathing treatment (i.e., my 'chest' doesn't hurt, but I... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/144833/post http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/139846/ra Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:58:46 -0400 Ellen Galo Has anyone developed asthma after a cold or upper respiratory infection?  that's what has happened to me this spring.  I'm now on an inhaler, Advair, twice a day.   I'm curious to know if this is connected with the RA, or in addition to it.  Looking back, there were signs that I did not recognize, for several weeks beforehand, at least.  http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/139846/ra http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/121673/neg Sat, 09 Oct 2010 21:32:45 -0400 Ellen Galo showed basically nothing except Very Low Iron.  (less than 1/4 the usual stainable iron.  But then again, ten years ago they didn't even think that stainable iron should be there at all.  So maybe low is good?  Who really knows!)   Hi all! .  No cirrhosis, no fatty liver, no infection, and now no enlargement or inflammation.  Must have just been all the Tylenol I was taking last Fall.   Thank... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/121673/neg http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/121672/neg Sat, 09 Oct 2010 21:32:35 -0400 Ellen Galo showed basically nothing except Very Low Iron.  (less than 1/4 the usual stainable iron.  But then again, ten years ago they didn't even think that stainable iron should be there at all.  So maybe low is good?  Who really knows!)   Hi all! .  No cirrhosis, no fatty liver, no infection, and now no enlargement or inflammation.  Must have just been all the Tylenol I was taking last Fall.   Thank... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/121672/neg http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/119504/fin Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:26:32 -0400 Ellen Galo Well, for those who have wondered where I've been the last several months, the answer is "VERY BUSY!"  I was unexpected given the summer off, and now will b e transitioning into a different department, thought to a similar position as previously (I was secretary for the chem and physics departments, both small. Now I will be the secretary for the Dept. of Modern Languages, which is large! and people from different cultures who are not... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/119504/fin http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/117155/con Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:36:33 -0400 Ellen Galo I survived the PTA training weekend - sort of!  Managed to fulfill most of my responsibilities. Did see (via being the host!) a fantastic workshop by Dr. Edward Sullivan on "educating the whole child".  He had been the speaker at one of our local conferences a year or so ago, and this was lightyears beyond that, having put into practice what he discussed at that time. Very exciting!      Re; RA: It's hard to... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/117155/con http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/112373/week Mon, 24 May 2010 09:37:03 -0400 Ellen Galo I am totally stunned that infection was not included among the side effects of rheumatoid arthritis drugs - but there was no way to say that in the poll.  I can't answer if the options are not complete! I just spent a month off Enbrel after having 2 rounds of antibiotics back to back for 2 different infections! I'm sure there were other side effects (even sometimes MORE pain initially) with the biologics that may be relevant as well. ... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/112373/week http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/107095/sle Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:32:53 -0400 Ellen Galo I've used a variety of meds both OTC & prescription, at different time - am curious what helps others. My 'sleep aids' have included: Benadryl, Ambien (generic, not the 2-layer stuff), Tylenol, Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine, 5 - 10 mg), Elavil (amitriptyline, 5 - 10 mg), Percocet (when all else fails).      There's also some kind of "Sweet Dreams" Japanese tea I got in Montreal that worked so well, it was scary -... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/107095/sle http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/106367/test Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:53:09 -0400 Ellen Galo This article came to me via my local hospital's newletter! -Ellen   Blood test can predict rheumatoid arthritis before symptoms arise   2/4/2010 Researchers from University Hospital in Umea, Sweden, have identified several cytokines, cytokine-related factors, and chemokines that increase significantly prior to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease onset. These findings confirm those... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/106367/test http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/104758/rhe Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:54:06 -0500 Ellen Galo I found this article about a possible test to find out if anti-TNF meds will work for people with RA (still in the study phase, but interesting). http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/177627.php Basically, they may be able to take from the level of certain kinds of interferon in your body, whether you're likely to respond to meds like Remicade, Enbrel & Humira that inhibit TNF in your body.  If you don't have a high level of these... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/55014/104758/rhe