That's great!  I hope that you continue to feel good as your prednisone dosage is lowered!  It's important to have a compassionate rheumy, and one who listens to you!  That's awesome!

I wish that my meds gave me a "euphoric" feeling! LOL!  (only the vicodin does that! :-p)  lol just kidding

In the beginning, my rheumy started me on prednisone, of course... and the more 'mild' meds like plaquenil, celebrex, sulfasalazine, and some others that I can't even remember.  Pretty quickly he had me on methotrexate (I've had both the tablets and the injectable), and then Enbrel.  Enbrel worked great for a while a couple of years.  I still had flare ups, but the average day to day was better!  Then the enbrel started to not work so well... and went downhill from there.  My rheumy wasn't listening to me at my appointments anymore.. I felt like the appointments were just a formality.  Finally I was in his office literally tears streaming down my face, telling him that the enbrel just was not helping like it should anymore... and he said "Oh you're just having a flare, we'll give you some prednisone and you'll be fine!"  And he sent me on my way.  Not a whole lot longer after that I found another rheumy.  My new rheumy is great!  She has me on 5 mg of prednisone, 6 tablets of methotrexate, folic acid, and Orencia.  Orencia is given through an IV once a month.  I've been on that for a little over 3 months now, and personally I'm ready to try something new.  It's not helping at all, and I have 4 young boys to take care of.  But she said we have to give it 6 months before we can consider it failed.  So I go back in March, and if it's not helping by then we'll talk about something different. 

I'm kind of beginning to wonder if there's anything out there that will work for me.  I think after all these years, I've kind of, sort of, made my peace that this could be it for me.  And if this is as good as it gets, I'll just keep doing what I can do to get by, and find joy in my children. =) 

Hi Suzi

Thank you for your encouragement!  Wow sounds like you have had some challenges with your meds.  I admire your courage and ability to surrender to your circumstances which makes you strong in faith.   I have been hurting today mostly because Im under alot of stress. My house got foreclosed on 2 weeks ago and I got a 3 day notice to vacate last night. I know everything is going to work and God is going to take care of me out but physically my body is freaking out.  Im a single mom with a 12 year old and was out of work for 10 months in the lending field and praise God I got a good full time job 3 months back so I requested an 45 day extension and I find out Wed morning if they will approve it.  Eek when it rains it pours.  I feel like I should go get some antidepressant to take the edge off.  I' m not sure if it will interefere with my meds.  I think that i will call my rheumy and ask.  In the meantime I keep giving all my burdens to the Lord and putting them on his Altar because I cannot do this on my own.  Its too much.  It helps to know that its not all up to me and that He is in control and  soveriegn. I just have to keep my eye on him and not lose sight of Him.  I think about his promises that he will never leave me or forsake me and that God only has good plans for me.

Suzie You are a great Mighty Warrior hang in there!

Blessings! Rita 

Hello Rita...yes I know about Dr..Mcdougal..Me and my mom went to one of his programs...HE has a 6to 7day program were you stay with them and they teach you how to eat and how to make the food...It was pretty nice..But really hard when all you do is eat meat ,or dairy..OMG...It beat me up...Although I did lose 4 pds overnight..Never had I seen that happen before..It really does work..

I hope you are feeling better..Im actually going through a flare up these last couple of weeks..And Geez..ITs been horrible..

My husband was working good hrs..and now they have him at 8hrs a day..Although I do have to thank God for at least having a job..There are so many poor people losing there jobs right now..I dont want to sound..Selfish..But its really put a strain on us..Im looking for a job now..Something I had never had to do..Especially right now its not a good time because of the way Ive been feeling...But I have to help him..He tells me that I dont have to ..But I know he needs my help...

But anyways...I hope all is well with you...

If u ever need anyone to talk..I m here..

Hugs..Michelle

Hi Michelle,

Wow!  That's awesome that you attended Dr. McDougalls program. I have his books and also I checked out the China study which shows that animal protein diets cause cancer and cause havoc in our bodies for diseases. especially dairy. When the rats on the study where given a plant based diet the cancer was reversed! I had not realized all that so it has been a real eye opener for me.  I can't go back to putting my head in the sand.  I agree it would be hard to go to no meat. I was easier for me to give up meat, because Last year I did a 21 day Daniel fast (3 day liquid and rest vegan) in the beginning of the year. So it was easier because I felt so good eating more vegetarian meals during the week.  The fast was to to help me grow closer to the Lord and for me to hear, see and be obedient to what his plans are for me. By August I got a job that I just love and by year end my house situation was resolved he is so faithful.  During my storms he gave me peace and carried me. Bible says, "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." .  When there is a crisis fast. When you are afraid fast.  Fasting is waiting on the Lord.  I just finished this years fast and I am excited about the new year.  I plan to continue to fast once a month so I can keep sensitive to the Holy spirit.   "But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31 I will keep you in my prayers over finding a job and may God bless you and give you peace. Rita 

Hi Michelle,

WOW!  This is all so exciting!  While I'm a member of a local church, I go to Pastor Jentzen's Free Chapel in OC once a month when I need that extra annointing of the holy spirit or when I need healing or want to worship and praise God for the blessings I have received. There is power in being with a group of people that want to do the same.Surrender our lives to God and know that it's not all up to us. God helps us to carry the burden and we know that he is in control and frees us.  That's the fast that I joined too!  Jentezen Franklin is awesome!  He is such a passionate speaker and bible study teacher. He really stretches me to grow and believe in God's mighty power!  Have you checked out his website? He has awesome encouraging podcasts to download and listen to.  I love the annointing that you did! I will keep that in mind.  I recall pastor saying that when we go to battle we can pray but it's like taking a switchblade, by including fasting we take the sword of the spirit that is Sharpened with Gods holy word.  We sacrifice our flesh and obtain more self control. We take our tummies off the throne and put God in the throne. We get closer to God and we can hear him more clearly and we can see what he wants for us and then we have to be obedient to his will for us. It's this time that guides us and gives us clearer direction on what and how he wants us to do things.  During the fast I received so many blessings and God showed me so many things.  I plan to fast the first business day of each month.  Maybe we could fast together and pray for our healing and share each others purpose in fasting?  I feel that this is all part of God's divine appointment!  Thank you for being a blessing to me and for your words of encouragement! Rita

Hi Michelle,

Yeah!  I agree! This is truly amazing. Let me know when you decide to see Jentzen and I can meet you there.  They have a 4 and a 6 p.m. service on Sundays.  I am in Ontario about 45 min away.  I am planning to fast this coming Monday, Feb 2. I want to receive healing and break any barriers that are preventing me from receiving his touch and also guidance and direction with my finances.  Let me know how I can pray for you during the fast.  Thank you Michelle!

Hi Michelle, Praise God!  That is such great news!  I am so happy for you.  God is so good!  He is taking care of you and only has great plans for you! 

I saw a new Rheumy at Kaiser on Monday he says my body is taking well to the 2 months of Methotrexate. Since that is going well, he put me on Sulfazine since it's less intense on my body in the long run it will do less damage. I agree eventhough I'm feeling better.  looking forward to the adjustment period. I'm also still taking prednizone 10 mg. But he knows best at this point.  I read the MYRACentral article on vegetarian diet has no effect on RA. Did you read it?  So I had some pasta, fish tacos and salsa the last couple of days and I feel joint ache all over. So I'm back to my vegan regime with no tomatoes and spicey foods.  I truly feel it makes a difference. I sent the article to my friend who is a nutrionist and she passed it on to Dr.Popper who is an advocate of the McDougall Diet, etc. and she wrote back saying that it's vague to know what the vegetarian people ate like mac and cheese would definetly not be healthy, etc. Anyways, she also stated that her patients that she treats with RA have All been very sensitive to gluten which is in wheat, barley and rye.  So I need to check that out: take out wheat for a week and then put it back and see what happens.  I read more about gluten allergies online and it mentioned that it can cause Hashimoto's disease which is hypothyroidsm which is what I have had for about 17 years!  I feel like I may have found the culprit. I hate giving up wheat but I do not want to be disabled in the long run.  I'm 49 and there is so much that I want to do for the Lord. I'm organizing a womens fellowship monthly meeting starting in March. It's answered prayer.  The Lord says to prepare the fields and not be complacent. We are only here for a short time and I want be his hands and feet.   May God bless your day!  Rita