nw

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Well, it seems like I've hit RD jackpot! He is the prototype of a good
doctor - competent, up-to-date, friendly, good listener, thorough. Very
casual too and talks a lot. It's probably the best dr I've ever met.

My meds were adjusted, so that I take less folic acid and more methotrexate.
I also might have to take Enbrel 3x/week instead of the regular 2. If that
isn't enough either, we'll move on to something else. I also have to have an
oral biopsy, since my new RD thinks my red spots in the mouth and on my legs
might be some kind of vasculitis. My old RD hadn't sent a journal copy yet,
so new RD didn't know the if the salivary gland biopsy results for Sjögren's
were there.

Old RD didn't want to give me any cortisone injections last time despite
that I begged. New RD said my hip and SI are very tender and inflamed and
need cortisone injections, so I'll go back tomorrow for the shots I'm glad
I switched RD, because this one is the complete opposite of my old RD.

Nina

bj

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Hi Nina,
What good news ! I am so pleased that you found a great doctor. Now you can
get the help you need.
BJ-Sk. Canada

chaos hill

Hooray! Nina that sounds great and I am so happy that you like the new doc,
boy does that make a difference!
Leslie

jdwat

Hi Nina!

I'm so happy for you! Will your Mum try this doc too? If I remember
right, you both were looking for a new RD awhile back.

So, how much MTX will you be on now? I think I was doing better at
20mg, but will stick with 17.5 for awhile longer. It's a good drug for
many & I hope the increase helps you. I'm so glad he will give you
cortisone shots too. Those can make a world of difference, I know.

I'm curious as to why he lowered the Folic Acid though. I still haven't
taken any myself. The nurse said not to, unless the doctor ordered it &
she hasn't. Maybe it's only for people who've been on MTX for a long
time?

I don't know, but...

Here's to better days ahead! : )

Hugs4u,
Maggie

nw

<JDWAT@webtv.net> skrev i meddelandet
news:11414-40102961-171@storefull-3215.bay.webtv.net...


Thanks!Mum will probably be in the Sjögren's/lupus/scleroderma section, but
my dad (who has ankylosing spondylitis) might get my doctor too.

First 22.5, then 25. The cortisone shots are the few times I'm looking
forward to getting a needle in my butt!


My old RD had me on a really crazy dose. Folic acid while on MTX is standard
here in Sweden. Many people on the arthritis group are on it too. The
chemical structure of MTX and folic acid are similar, and small doses of
folic acid reduce side effects and toxicity from MTX without lowering
efficacy, but too much folic = reduced MTX effect.

Here are some MTX/folic links for you:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/n...ory_15292.html
http://www.arthritis.co.za/methotrexate%20ra.htm
http://www.midwestarthritis.com/html/methotrexate.htm
http://www.hopkins-arthritis.som.jhm...atology/ra-tre
atments-methotrexate.html

Nina

dgmats

Nina, it feels like a miracle to find a great doctor, doesn't it? You
can let your defenses down and feel like you have an ally. I'm so
happy for you.

Gretchen

johnjohnston2185

I'm so happy for you Nina! Like the fresh air of Spring, isn't it?
That's just great news.

lyndal parker-newlyn

Same here in Oz too...... Dr Lyndal

jdwat

Hi Nina!

Thanks for those! (webtv wouldn't let me click the first one, but no
prob) I learned way more than what's on this pamplet the nurse gave me.
I didn't even know MTX caused the flu vaccine to be less effective.

That study they did, said that U.S. doctors prescribe folic acid less
than Europe Docs because of alcohol consumption. So, I do wonder if
this has something to do with it. My doc knows I do not drink aside
from a cap of whiskey in my tea to treat an awful chest cold. (No chest
colds this year I also wonder if it's just opinions of docs, but
still yet, I wonder if I'll feel better on the folic acid? Grr! I
read that it helps the RBC's & I am so tired after my shot, but I'm not
anemic, I know that.

I did split my shot in half this week & it was better. I did 40u's,
then 30u's later. I also hit a vein on my first shot by myself. Just
my luck. LOL! I totally froze & then thought, kewel! : )

I see my doc first of March, so I will get to the bottom of it all. I
think maybe she should be doing lung x-rays too as I'm prone to pluerisy
in every single flare I have. So, thanks again, hun! I will let you
know what she says.

Hugs,
Maggie