Information and opinions on Rheumatoid Arthritis from Nan 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/42761 http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/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/42761 http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/89314/ra Sun, 04 Oct 2009 07:05:05 -0400 Nan In the last year I have noticed an increase in joint pain, headaches and just an overall crappy feeling when my period comes on. I have never had this problem in the past. My monthly cycles were always uneventful, normal and if there was any discomfort or cramping a  motrin would handle it fine. Now it seems "Aunt Flo" is bringing on flares, I am in ALOT of pain, everywhere. I'm swollen, and every joint is screaming, especially my... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/89314/ra http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/87074/local Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:08:25 -0400 Nan I was reading a share post today and I, like others would like to help others with RA or any disability. I can't do alot but I would like to give back. I am lucky enough to have a great husband and kids who help out when I am hurting but there are so many out there who have no one or no one who will help. There are no local groups where I live but I am sure there is a need.  A couple of weeks ago my husband, a police officer, was called to... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/87074/local http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/81379/tired Wed, 05 Aug 2009 05:25:43 -0400 Nan I wrote a couple of weeks ago about my doc changing my meds. I was on Arava 10mg per day and 400 mg of plaquenil per day plus some vitamins he prescribed. Now its 200 mg plaquenil daily  and 10mg of methotrexate every wednesday. Still confused as to the change, the rashy sore thing on my hand has not changed much. Why I have to go through the pain of arava leaving and meth not working yet is I guess one of those doctor things. He decided... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/81379/tired http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/80140/work Mon, 27 Jul 2009 05:08:32 -0400 Nan I was curious about how many people here actually work from home, what type jobs you perform, and how you found them. Did your employers agree to you working at home or was the job designed that way from the get-go. My job actually has the ability to remote in to your work computer from home or where ever. I have utilized it a few times. But it has never been established as acceptable through all channels of management. It has... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/80140/work http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/79403/side Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:53:30 -0400 Nan My doc swithched me from arava to methotrexate last week, the arava was working really well but I was getting these weird rash type sores on my hand. The rashy things were not really bothersome, they itched and were crusty and hard like a callous. And some pretty rough reflux issues which nexium took care of. I took my first dose of meth last Wednesday, 10 mg, and by Friday night was barfing my brains out, felt like I had been hit by a... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/79403/side http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/78444/meds Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:35:48 -0400 Nan hello everyone, i went to my rheumy yesterday and he is changing my meds. I was taking 400mg plaquenil and 10 mg of arava along with some vitamins and ultram. the arava was started in april this year. well about 6 weeks ago i started getting this rash thing on my palm. I asked the pharmacist, he wasn't sure recommended lotrimin. I used it and the rash only got bigger, checked it under a black light it wasn't fungal. my rheumy thinks the arava... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/78444/meds http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/73298/help Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:00:16 -0400 Nan I for one do vent on this site. I gripe about all the problems associated with the constant pain and trials that come with it.  But, this is for my family, the ones who come to the rescue even when you don't want help. For the husband that changes all the doorknobs to easier using ones. For the times he had to get me out of bed or drive for me, help me into and out of the tub. For the kids and moms that take you to the doc, get groceries,... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/73298/help http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/71916/ra Fri, 22 May 2009 05:21:49 -0400 Nan when all this began, it was my thumbs that bothered me. I saw my GP and she thought i had injured myself, sent me to PT and gave me splints. she thought it strange that it was both hands, but one can hurt from doing the work for the other. Then a few months later a lump was found in my breast, they biopsied and put a titanium chip where the lump still is. Thankfully it was benign. I am extrememly allergic to all metal. I can't where jewelry or... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/71916/ra http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/71512/dr Tue, 19 May 2009 07:03:40 -0400 Nan I had a bad flare last month, was unable to see my doc but was able to see the PA. She gave me some pred and a steroid shot and started me on Arava. It took a few days as she said it would but, Hallelujah!, It subsided and I was able to function again. I have been doing remarkably well on the Arava, feeling better everyday it seems. But my elbows and shoulders, especially the right ones are still giving trouble and of course the morning time is... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/71512/dr http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/67356/going Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:03:50 -0400 Nan I've been doing this whole RA thing for almost 3 years now. Labs are always normal. I"m taking plaquenil, ultram and as of last week arava. I had a bad few days about 10 days ago, woke up and could not move. Hubby had to get me to an upright position just to go pee. I was unable to move my entire right side for 4 days, left side hurting too but not as bad as right , thank heaven,  and of course this occurs on a Friday morning and was unable... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/42761/67356/going