Information and opinions on health from Debra 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/73379/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/73379/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/73379/index http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/73379/152033/drug Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:34:39 -0400 Debra In honor of National Poetry Month, this whine about drugs is written as a series of Haiku.   Methotrexate worked for one remission summer and a few more months   I added Embel  and felt ok for two years Even lost some weight   Remicade came next Infusion center rest helped more than costly drugs   Still making payments another biologic Symponi--a dud   Sulfasalizine and Plaquenil were so... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/73379/152033/drug http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/73379/146916/drug Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:33:29 -0500 Debra So, I went on Sulfasalazine at the end of last school year and it worked. I was up, walking the dog, losing weight, feeling "normal." Until late September/early October. Since then I've been trying to convince myself that I was just having a bad day or reacting to weather changes. I've ignored the fact that I need pain pills to get through a day of work, that even on pain pills I only get through Wednesday before I spend half the day shaking.... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/73379/146916/drug http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/73379/92615/swine Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:27:10 -0400 Debra      Friday afternoon my nose started running. On Saturday the fever hit. My fourteen-year-old went though this a week ago, so I knew what was in store. I called in a week of sick days, not only for myself, but for my eleven-year old whose symptoms mirrored my own.      So we've spent the last week on the living room sofa watching the history channel, drinking juice and blowing our noses. When I get up... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/73379/92615/swine http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/73379/92614/swine Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:27:04 -0400 Debra      Friday afternoon my nose started running. On Saturday the fever hit. My fourteen-year-old went though this a week ago, so I knew what was in store. I called in a week of sick days, not only for myself, but for my eleven-year old whose symptoms mirrored my own.      So we've spent the last week on the living room sofa watching the history channel, drinking juice and blowing our noses. When I get up... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/73379/92614/swine http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/73379/83752/pain Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:02:22 -0400 Debra It finally ocurred to me that all the "Koolit" refrigerant packs that come with my Enbrel have a daily use. I keep some in the refrigerator and some in the freezer both at home at at work and use them to cool my fevered joints and head. They are much more comfortable and less messy than bags of frozen peas. http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/73379/83752/pain http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/73379/80875/hiked Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:26:00 -0400 Debra I have been a wimp this summer, barely willing to walk the dog once a day.  Most of my problem is attitude. I had a beautiful remission last summer, walked off thirty pounds and felt great until cold weather brought back my pain and all the lost pounds returned (plus a few more). This summer nice weather didn't bring any relief, so I am mad at my body, my doctor, God. But I'm still trying to be a good mom and get my kids into our... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/73379/80875/hiked http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/73379/53172/ra Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:49:34 -0500 Debra        A lazy Monday, the first day of winter break-- as I get up from my second morning nap of the day I can't help but wonder how I would have survived today at work.      I teach middle school. I've taught for sixteen years, taught with RA the last four. Every time it gets bad, I wonder how much longer I can and should work.      This summer was the best I'd had since I've... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/73379/53172/ra