An RA Beginner’s Guide: How to Manage Medication Side Effects

Hi Lene,

   thanks for the information....just want to add a personal note...I am learning to watch upcoming weather.  I have found that a sudden change in air temps, or upcoming rain (in a day or two) usually results in my hands and knees hurting. I try to get as much accomplished in between those times (within reason of course) so I can allow for some down time when the pain hits.  Mel

The article is realy very good. As a long time patient, I still found the remimders about certain "pitfalls" helpful. Carry on !!

Ha!  ...fart!  ...HAHAHAHAHAHA!!  Oh dear lord I think I never matured past 10!  Seriously though, I appreciate getting the nitty gritty on some of this stuff.  Again, not normal fodder, but I need to know so I don't think I have some rare butt exploding disease on top of everything else... when it's only just the fish oil or something.  Thanks as always for keeping it real. 

It is refreshing to hear it all spelt out so boldly and broadly.  Loved it.  I'm off to get more grapefruit juice and garlic.  I'll try anything that might help.   Lindsey :)

Hi - just want to add one suggestion to avoid sinus trouble (my main difficulty with Enbrel!)  You can purchase a  small nasal spray bottle of sterile saline. The best one in my opinion is "OCEAN", recommended both by a GP and an allergist I know.  The generic one "Premier" sold by our local drug store chain does not spray as well.  The allergist's instructions were to spray 4 times in each nostril 4 times a day.  It REALLY HELPS!  Costs about $3.99 and lasts quite a while, depending on how often you use it.  I will forget for a while, until my body reminds me!

      I'll second Lene on the need for fiber, probiotics, cranberry juice and acid-reducer/suppressor. other stuff like bifidus).  I have had to take double the fiber every day that I used to do only occasionally.  My GI doctor recommended Benefiber, which can be stirred easily into cranberry juice.  I have a small glass every morning of either Northland or The Apple & Eve Cranberry juice, no sugar added - it's sweetened with other juices like apple & grape. It also goes well into milk, but not cider.   

     One brand of yogurt, Stoneygate, also has some soluble fiber added (inulin).  Don't know if it helps or not, but I love the yogurt, it has only half the sugar of Dannon (yuck!)

Ellen

If you eat raw garlic with honey, or parsley, your breath wont smell. I am glad you mentioned the brain thing - I have recently gone onto methotrexate and have noticed I cant remember things - which is not me. And the sex thing - I have been on prednisone and chloroquin for 8 years, and my libido went to 0 - which caused lots of problems with my hubbie. I am menopausal and thought that was the problem. But it is the meds, and I suppose the fact that one sometimes wakes up in the morning in so much pain!