Information and opinions on Rheumatoid Arthritis from amy's compassion at MyRACentral.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.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/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292 http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292 http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292/66829/saggy Sun, 12 Apr 2009 07:21:58 -0400 amy's compassion I am so anticipating warmer weather, as many of you. But I took a good look at myself today. Sadness hit when I saw the rampage that I've created trying to feel good with meds but forgetting the importance of keeping physically active. How are you coping with the impending nice weather if your body has become unattractive since last summer? What will you wear to feel good about yourself? I apologize for being self centered and ridiculous about... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292/66829/saggy http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292/65458/life Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:39:34 -0400 amy's compassion Okay noone's RA life is perfect nor is it a carbon copy of someone elses. But if any of you are sick from the methotrexate and are contemplating going off of it, please know that it may be a very positive change for you. I feel so much better. Yes, my fingers are swelling and painful but that is incredibly better than being confined to bed all weekend because of nausea and dizziness. My rheumy gave me a script for Arava but I'm not filling it... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292/65458/life http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292/64054/stop Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:38:01 -0400 amy's compassion I just can't live with this nausea, numbness, dizziness, and incredible fatigue from the methotrexate. So many of you guys have had some success after a period of adjustment but after five weeks, I'm just getting sicker. I am up to 12.5 mg per week; I don't know if that's high or low but evidently it's too high for me.   How does your body react when you stop this med? Many thanks and blessings for listening to me. http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292/64054/stop http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292/63975/numb Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:35:22 -0400 amy's compassion Have any of you experienced severe numbness and tingling in your fingers following Methotrexate? Maybe I'm just a bit of a nut but it's driving me absolutely crazy. I'm wondering just how common this side effect is. Or is it just another symptom of RA?   It's about five good days, five bad days, five good days....wrap it all up in the numbness blanket and, well, that's me. Hey thanks for sharing your experiences and advice because it's... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292/63975/numb http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292/61438/blues Sun, 01 Mar 2009 14:35:04 -0500 amy's compassion Of all the burdens RA sufferers bear, playing the "medication roulette" is at the top. Many of you are generous enough to share the good, bad and ugly experiences you've had taking various meds. Thanks because I've learned more from you than from my doctor.   So now I'm on my third week of methotrexate. It's also my third weekend in bed. I eat and within 20 minutes it's diarhea time. I had to stop at a Krispy Kreme doughnut place to run... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292/61438/blues http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292/57831/hard Sun, 01 Feb 2009 08:19:04 -0500 amy's compassion Diagnosed last summer, ups and downs are surprising: sometimes occurring at the strangest times. I think I look pretty healthy which leaves others to think this is "all in my head" ra. But my fingers look and feel like cigars and my fatigue makes me sleep A LOT, especially after a work week.   I took Prednisone to calm down my initial flare and have been on Plaquenil/fish oil capsules since. I don't think it's enough. So I'm here at this... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/23292/57831/hard