Question:

Hello everybody ! I need your advice: Several years ago I lived in South Altai (East Kazakhstan). My friends and I organized eco- and adventure tours about South Altai. Today many people all over the world who are fond of eco- tourism know Altai mountains. You can see more on www.ukg.kz/altai-es But what about Ural region? What do Australian people know and think about Ural (the Ural mountains, the border between Europe and Asia)? If Australian people were in Ekaterinburg, what would be interesting for them to see? Can Ekaterinburg be known only as the place where the last Russian Tsar and his family were killed by the communists? It’s so notorious… And I don’t like it at all ! How can I find people who have been to Ural once at least ? Does it more interesting to travel about South or Pre-Polar Ural? What are curious places? What difficulties did you meet with? Are there any tourist agencies in Australia which are interested in traveling about Russia? What places in Russia are the most popular with Australian tourists? May be Ural is really known a little in other countries? But it is the place where the European largest national park (Yugid-Va) is situated. There are many caves, geological objects, attractive landscapes, memorials of Russian history, culture and nature…. My friend from Mississippi said that many people who were interested in Russia and fond of traveling preferred to communicate with people that knew places of interest and could show them, not with tourist agencies. (??) Now I live in Ekaterinburg. And I’m interested in such information as I have organized a small tourist company in Ekaterinburg. Ekaterinburg is the third Russian city in size after Moscow and St. Petersburg. This year we have prepared several journeys and excursions about the Ural (from the South to the North). And now I’d like to know if these programs are of interest for foreign tourists. Oleg Demianenko

Response:

Snip I’m getting really confused about Australian and NZ mountains this morning. — Tony Bailey Mercury Travel Books

Response:

The issue of miscarriages is indeed new.  In 3+ years on this ng, and 7 years as an AF instructor, I have never heard this before.  But, that is why I like this group (one of the reasons at least).  I am always learning something new. Now, to your situation.  When you say you feel "lousy," what do you mean?  Do *you* see inflammation?  Are you fatigued still?  The question of how aggressive to be with meds can be difficult.  If your RD isn’t seeing active inflammation or joint deterioration, he will be reluctant to push further.  But, you are the one who has to live with your body. So, if you are feeling the need to ask if you need a second opinion, you probably do. I have also experienced that there is only so far the meds can take us. We also have to use other means of getting well(er).  Are you exercising?  Do you do regular relaxation exercises?  How is your diet? Maybe there is something else you can do, besides adding more meds, to make you feel better than you currently feel. Hope taht helps. Walt Hanks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After reading the thread about miscarriages and RA I am deeply confused.  I saw my RD yesterday and he said (again) that I am doing great.  Then why do I feel so lousy?  His feeling is that I am going to have flares, but that as long as my joints remain mobile and don’t show signs of resistance to manipulation he is not worried.  Does this sound reasonable to you veterans and MD’s out there?  I am on Plaquanil and  an NSAID.  I do not get as sick as a lot of the people who post on this group, but is there more to be done so I could maybe avoid being sicker in the future.  And doesn’t it seem weird that no one mentioned the connections with miscarriage. Is this new information?  I know that nobody can make a diagnosis on a NG but opinions are needed.  I don’t know anyone else with a rheumatic disease.  PS there is only one other RD in my area.  Is it time for a second opinion?  TIA for anything anyone has to offer.  You guys are a lifesaver.  Teresa PS.  This NG has been a lifesaver for me the last few weeks, I would hate to lose any aspect of it to disagreements over jokes.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After reading the thread about miscarriages and RA I am deeply confused.  I saw my RD yesterday and he said (again) that I am doing great.  Then why do I feel so lousy?  His feeling is that I am going to have flares, but that as long as my joints remain mobile and don’t show signs of resistance to manipulation he is not worried.  Does this sound reasonable to you veterans and MD’s out there?  I am on Plaquanil and  an NSAID.  I do not get as sick as a lot of the people who post on this group, but is there more to be done so I could maybe avoid being sicker in the future.  And doesn’t it seem weird that no one mentioned the connections with miscarriage. Is this new information?  I know that nobody can make a diagnosis on a NG but opinions are needed.  I don’t know anyone else with a rheumatic disease.  PS there is only one other RD in my area.  Is it time for a second opinion?  TIA for anything anyone has to offer.  You guys are a lifesaver.  Teresa PS.  This NG has been a lifesaver for me the last few weeks, I would hate to lose any aspect of it to disagreements over jokes.

I was looking for the thread re miscarriages and RA.  I did not find it yet but am interested because I am only familiar with the relation between miscarriages/lupus; miscarriages/anti-phospholipid antibodies. I’ve run arthritis support groups since c. 1986.  And I would have to put "My doctor says I feel ok but I feel like hell; what do I do?" in the top-ten questions. There are a lot of options and here are some that different people have liked in the past: have a heart-to-heart with your doc; explain that you are glad you are not worse but you want to make sure s/he knows how you are really doing…and you want to know what your treatment options are and what the risks and benefits of them are so you can make an informed choice get a second opinion keep a record of your symptoms — daily or weekly log, chart, notes of flares between appointments, short list of current symptoms, etc. Patient/doctor combinations prefer different systems; it has to be one that works for both parties some say it’s good to have someone who is involved in your life come with you to an appointment to help you observe where communication problems, if any, are…and perhaps also to help validate your day-to-day experiences We’ve had some seminars on doc/patient relationships and docs have a number of problems: sometimes the next treatments to be considered are too toxic to warrant use at the current level of symptoms often there is not enough time to spend with the patient so it helps if the patient prioritizes the current symptoms sometimes the doc doesn’t realize the patient preferences…some people would rather have more dysfunction and less medication; others would rather risk long-term side effects than have a lower quality of life in the present.  Some treatments are not good choices for patients who plan to have children, etc. Sorry so rambling; ill and tired at the moment. Hope this helps. Good luck!  Let us know what happens, Pam — Rheumatic Disease Web Site http://www.silcom.com/~sblc/ I am collecting hardship stories of people who were finacially harmed by government benefit programs (Social Security, SSI, SSDI, Medicare, Medicaid, Medi-Cal) due to working.  Please e-mail me.

Response:

The issue of miscarriages is indeed new.  In 3+ years on this ng, and 7 years as an AF instructor, I have never heard this before.  But, that is why I like this group (one of the reasons at least).  I am always learning something new.

Hi Teresa, I wish I could be of more help, but I only know the experience of a friend of mine.  She was pregnant and had some new symptoms of lupus.  After doing some reading she found out about the antibodies Dr. Susan mentioned, and was worried. She also found out there was some type of shot to take, but I don’t remember if it was before or after the birth.  She went to my rheumatologist who retested her and found that her symptoms of lupus were from the blood-pressure medicine she had been switched to during pregnancy!  And the baby was born perfect. I really don’t know where she found her information, and don’t know of anywhere to suggest looking.  Perhaps a second opinion from another RD might be helpful. You might try asking DR.Susan for more info if your see one of her posts again. I wish you all the best. Sandy F.

Response:

there is no evidence that RA results in bad fetal outcome. Regards drdoc

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I was looking for the thread re miscarriages and RA.  I did not find it yet but am interested because I am only familiar with the relation between miscarriages/lupus; miscarriages/anti-phospholipid antibodies. It was in the thread "getting pregnant"  Dr. Susan made a comment about it but did not explain it further. Sorry, I don’t keep my back posts. Otherwise I would cut and paste… —Ali life is what happens when you’re making other plans…

Response:

Hi, How coincidental that youand I have been though virtually the same thing, apart frm th act that I was in hospital for three and a half momths and had a prm baby, now a strapping 6′4" paramedic, however whilst pregnant with the second child some 13 months later I started to become even more ill with heart problems. Well James was born a healthly 7pound 11 oz, baby and everything went well but it was recommended that i was I to have a tubal ligaton which I did 9 months later.I then diiscovered that I had RA and was put onto various medications and unknown to me at the time I underwent five miscarriages and this resulted at having a hysterectomy at the age of 25. I had various medications but the one I remember most was Chloroquine, and years ago  quinine  was used as a means to a spontaneuos abortion, I am talking of the days of yore! So if this quinine was used to induce an abortion what makes the doctors so sure that drugs which contain this chemical are safe nowadays. I hope they are because I can tell you that although I agreed to be sterilized, it was heartbreaking to think of each of those babies, especially as 6 months after the hysterectomy my husband of that time left me because he felt I " was no longer a woman" Very kind sort eh! I do have a happy ending though because although my present husband and I never had our own biological child, we adopted both my biological sons and they are so like him that you would never know if I never told you!! Please, any couple deciding to have a child, investigate fully all the risks from the mediations befoe you go ahead or that most precious child. Best wishes Connie. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Are you pregnant?  When I was pregnant with my daughter (I have RA as well), I never felt "good" (this was my second baby and with my first I felt great). Anyway, to make a long story short.  I developed toxima 2 months before her due date.  I was placed in the hospital and delivered early.  She was in intensive care for two days and I was in intensive care for four days  (my blood pressure would not go down).  She is doing very well and turned 8 last weekend. I guess the moral of my story is be sure to check toxima out.  The doctors were baffled with my case.  Tomxima usually "hits" first time young mothers. I was 32 and Tina was my second.  The blood pressure can be stablized with drugs and bed rest.  Mine would not respond to both.  I live in Olympia and they wanted to send me to Seattle’s University Hospital, but could not stablize me enough.  It was scary.  I almost lost the baby and almost died, but everything worked out. BTW, the doctor said I probably should not have any more kids, which I have not. I don’t want to totally scare you, but if doctors knew about this possibility, they may be able to avoid some of the problems I had. Good luck, LoriV. LoriV After reading the thread about miscarriages and RA I am deeply confused.  I saw my RD yesterday and he said (again) that I am doing great.  Then why do I feel so lousy?  His feeling is that I am going to have flares, but that as long as my joints remain mobile and don’t show signs of resistance to manipulation he is not worried.  Does this sound reasonable to you veterans and MD’s out there?  I am on Plaquanil and  an NSAID.  I do not get as sick as a lot of the people who post on this group, but is there more to be done so I could maybe avoid being sicker in the future.  And doesn’t it seem weird that no one mentioned the connections with miscarriage. Is this new information?  I know that nobody can make a diagnosis on a NG but opinions are needed.  I don’t know anyone else with a rheumatic disease.  PS there is only one other RD in my area.  Is it time for a second opinion?  TIA for anything anyone has to offer.  You guys are a lifesaver.  Teresa PS.  This NG has been a lifesaver for me the last few weeks, I would hate to lose any aspect of it to disagreements over jokes.

Response:

I was looking for the thread re miscarriages and RA.  I did not find it yet but am interested because I am only familiar with the relation between miscarriages/lupus; miscarriages/anti-phospholipid antibodies.

It was in the thread "getting pregnant"  Dr. Susan made a comment about it but did not explain it further. Sorry, I don’t keep my back posts. Otherwise I would cut and paste… —Ali life is what happens when you’re making other plans…

Response:

sometimes the doc doesn’t realize the patient preferences…some people would rather have more dysfunction and less medication; others would rather risk long-term side effects than have a lower quality of life in the present.

I like the above comment. This is so true. Often dr.s have their own idea of what is best (their philosophy of treatment). But ultimately it should be the patient who decides how aggressive the treatment is. —Ali life is what happens when you’re making other plans…

Response:

Hi, Are you pregnant?  When I was pregnant with my daughter (I have RA as well), I never felt "good" (this was my second baby and with my first I felt great). Anyway, to make a long story short.  I developed toxima 2 months before her due date.  I was placed in the hospital and delivered early.  She was in intensive care for two days and I was in intensive care for four days  (my blood pressure would not go down).  She is doing very well and turned 8 last weekend. I guess the moral of my story is be sure to check toxima out.  The doctors were baffled with my case.  Tomxima usually "hits" first time young mothers.  I was 32 and Tina was my second.  The blood pressure can be stablized with drugs and bed rest.  Mine would not respond to both.  I live in Olympia and they wanted to send me to Seattle’s University Hospital, but could not stablize me enough.  It was scary.  I almost lost the baby and almost died, but everything worked out. BTW, the doctor said I probably should not have any more kids, which I have not. I don’t want to totally scare you, but if doctors knew about this possibility, they may be able to avoid some of the problems I had. Good luck, LoriV. LoriV – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After reading the thread about miscarriages and RA I am deeply confused.  I saw my RD yesterday and he said (again) that I am doing great.  Then why do I feel so lousy?  His feeling is that I am going to have flares, but that as long as my joints remain mobile and don’t show signs of resistance to manipulation he is not worried.  Does this sound reasonable to you veterans and MD’s out there?  I am on Plaquanil and  an NSAID.  I do not get as sick as a lot of the people who post on this group, but is there more to be done so I could maybe avoid being sicker in the future.  And doesn’t it seem weird that no one mentioned the connections with miscarriage. Is this new information?  I know that nobody can make a diagnosis on a NG but opinions are needed.  I don’t know anyone else with a rheumatic disease.  PS there is only one other RD in my area.  Is it time for a second opinion?  TIA for anything anyone has to offer.  You guys are a lifesaver.  Teresa PS.  This NG has been a lifesaver for me the last few weeks, I would hate to lose any aspect of it to disagreements over jokes.

Response:

Hi, I’m certainly no expert, but I empathize, and decided to share my thoughts.  I saw my RD yesterday and he said (again) that I am doing great.  Then why do I feel so lousy?

There is a big difference between doing great as a medical case, with its associated RH factor counts, and sedimentation rates; and doing great as a personal experience.  Your doc’s assessment probably has to do with the stability of objectively tested blood factors, and maybe even movements in the right direction.  Your personal assessment is going to be influenced by the amount of stress you’re under, your expectations, and a bunch of other factors that may not even enter in to your doctor’s assessment.  I don’t mean to imply that your doctor is a better judge of your condition that you are.  His feeling is that I am going to have flares, but that as long as my joints remain mobile and don’t show signs of resistance to manipulation he is not worried. Does this sound reasonable to you veterans and MD’s out there?

This sounds exactly like what my doctor says.  He operates on the standard model of RA as a lifelong incurable chronic disease, and therefore concentrates on damage control.In my opinion, damage control is important, but the focus and goal of treatment have to be curing the disease. I am on Plaquanil and  an NSAID.  I do not get as sick as a lot of the people who post on this group, but is there more to be done so I could maybe avoid being sicker in the future.

I am struggling with this one myself.  There is always something more that can be done, the question is what specifically.  More physician prescribed drugs? Which ones?Nutrition?  Being obsessive about exercise?  I’ve decided to do a survey of all the possible therapies recommended by anybody, and pick a few that I personally believe will help me to do.  And doesn’t it seem weird that no one mentioned the connections with miscarriage. Is this new information?

I don’t know anything about this specifically.  But I’m not surprised that no one mentioned the connection.  Proponents of a treatment, medical or alternative, invariably "accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative" as the song says. Almost all the information I’ve got regarding the pontentially damaging side effects of the drugs I take has come from reading, not from my doc. I know that nobody can make a diagnosis on a NG but opinions are needed.  I don’t know anyone else with a rheumatic disease.  PS there is only one other RD in my area.  Is it time for a second opinion?

When I got the diagnosis of RA, I immedieately got a second and third opinion. The diagnosis did not vary at all, recommended treatment varied only in details, depending mainly on exactly the same arsenal of drugs.  I’ve decided that my MD, whom I like very much, can be regarded as expressing mainstream medical opinion, and the that only second opinion that matters is mine. I hope this helps you some. Stan Stansbury

Response:

After reading the thread about miscarriages and RA I am deeply confused.  I saw my RD yesterday and he said (again) that I am doing great.  Then why do I feel so lousy?  His feeling is that I am going to have flares, but that as long as my joints remain mobile and don’t show signs of resistance to manipulation he is not worried.  Does this sound reasonable to you veterans and MD’s out there?  I am on Plaquanil and  an NSAID.  I do not get as sick as a lot of the people who post on this group, but is there more to be done so I could maybe avoid being sicker in the future.  And doesn’t it seem weird that no one mentioned the connections with miscarriage. Is this new information?  I know that nobody can make a diagnosis on a NG but opinions are needed.  I don’t know anyone else with a rheumatic disease.  PS there is only one other RD in my area.  Is it time for a second opinion?  TIA for anything anyone has to offer.  You guys are a lifesaver.  Teresa PS.  This NG has been a lifesaver for me the last few weeks, I would hate to lose any aspect of it to disagreements over jokes.

Response:

The issue of miscarriages is indeed new.  In 3+ years on this ng, and 7 years as an AF instructor, I have never heard this before.  But, that is why I like this group (one of the reasons at least).  I am always learning something new. Now, to your situation.  When you say you feel "lousy," what do you mean?  Do *you* see inflammation?  Are you fatigued still?  The question of how aggressive to be with meds can be difficult.  If your RD isn’t seeing active inflammation or joint deterioration, he will be reluctant to push further.  But, you are the one who has to live with your body. So, if you are feeling the need to ask if you need a second opinion, you probably do. I have also experienced that there is only so far the meds can take us. We also have to use other means of getting well(er).  Are you exercising?  Do you do regular relaxation exercises?  How is your diet? Maybe there is something else you can do, besides adding more meds, to make you feel better than you currently feel. Hope taht helps. Walt Hanks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After reading the thread about miscarriages and RA I am deeply confused.  I saw my RD yesterday and he said (again) that I am doing great.  Then why do I feel so lousy?  His feeling is that I am going to have flares, but that as long as my joints remain mobile and don’t show signs of resistance to manipulation he is not worried.  Does this sound reasonable to you veterans and MD’s out there?  I am on Plaquanil and  an NSAID.  I do not get as sick as a lot of the people who post on this group, but is there more to be done so I could maybe avoid being sicker in the future.  And doesn’t it seem weird that no one mentioned the connections with miscarriage. Is this new information?  I know that nobody can make a diagnosis on a NG but opinions are needed.  I don’t know anyone else with a rheumatic disease.  PS there is only one other RD in my area.  Is it time for a second opinion?  TIA for anything anyone has to offer.  You guys are a lifesaver.  Teresa PS.  This NG has been a lifesaver for me the last few weeks, I would hate to lose any aspect of it to disagreements over jokes.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After reading the thread about miscarriages and RA I am deeply confused.  I saw my RD yesterday and he said (again) that I am doing great.  Then why do I feel so lousy?  His feeling is that I am going to have flares, but that as long as my joints remain mobile and don’t show signs of resistance to manipulation he is not worried.  Does this sound reasonable to you veterans and MD’s out there?  I am on Plaquanil and  an NSAID.  I do not get as sick as a lot of the people who post on this group, but is there more to be done so I could maybe avoid being sicker in the future.  And doesn’t it seem weird that no one mentioned the connections with miscarriage. Is this new information?  I know that nobody can make a diagnosis on a NG but opinions are needed.  I don’t know anyone else with a rheumatic disease.  PS there is only one other RD in my area.  Is it time for a second opinion?  TIA for anything anyone has to offer.  You guys are a lifesaver.  Teresa PS.  This NG has been a lifesaver for me the last few weeks, I would hate to lose any aspect of it to disagreements over jokes.

I was looking for the thread re miscarriages and RA.  I did not find it yet but am interested because I am only familiar with the relation between miscarriages/lupus; miscarriages/anti-phospholipid antibodies. I’ve run arthritis support groups since c. 1986.  And I would have to put "My doctor says I feel ok but I feel like hell; what do I do?" in the top-ten questions. There are a lot of options and here are some that different people have liked in the past: have a heart-to-heart with your doc; explain that you are glad you are not worse but you want to make sure s/he knows how you are really doing…and you want to know what your treatment options are and what the risks and benefits of them are so you can make an informed choice get a second opinion keep a record of your symptoms — daily or weekly log, chart, notes of flares between appointments, short list of current symptoms, etc. Patient/doctor combinations prefer different systems; it has to be one that works for both parties some say it’s good to have someone who is involved in your life come with you to an appointment to help you observe where communication problems, if any, are…and perhaps also to help validate your day-to-day experiences We’ve had some seminars on doc/patient relationships and docs have a number of problems: sometimes the next treatments to be considered are too toxic to warrant use at the current level of symptoms often there is not enough time to spend with the patient so it helps if the patient prioritizes the current symptoms sometimes the doc doesn’t realize the patient preferences…some people would rather have more dysfunction and less medication; others would rather risk long-term side effects than have a lower quality of life in the present.  Some treatments are not good choices for patients who plan to have children, etc. Sorry so rambling; ill and tired at the moment. Hope this helps. Good luck!  Let us know what happens, Pam — Rheumatic Disease Web Site http://www.silcom.com/~sblc/ I am collecting hardship stories of people who were finacially harmed by government benefit programs (Social Security, SSI, SSDI, Medicare, Medicaid, Medi-Cal) due to working.  Please e-mail me.

Response:

The issue of miscarriages is indeed new.  In 3+ years on this ng, and 7 years as an AF instructor, I have never heard this before.  But, that is why I like this group (one of the reasons at least).  I am always learning something new.

Hi Teresa, I wish I could be of more help, but I only know the experience of a friend of mine.  She was pregnant and had some new symptoms of lupus.  After doing some reading she found out about the antibodies Dr. Susan mentioned, and was worried. She also found out there was some type of shot to take, but I don’t remember if it was before or after the birth.  She went to my rheumatologist who retested her and found that her symptoms of lupus were from the blood-pressure medicine she had been switched to during pregnancy!  And the baby was born perfect. I really don’t know where she found her information, and don’t know of anywhere to suggest looking.  Perhaps a second opinion from another RD might be helpful. You might try asking DR.Susan for more info if your see one of her posts again. I wish you all the best. Sandy F.

Response:

there is no evidence that RA results in bad fetal outcome. Regards drdoc

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I was looking for the thread re miscarriages and RA.  I did not find it yet but am interested because I am only familiar with the relation between miscarriages/lupus; miscarriages/anti-phospholipid antibodies. It was in the thread "getting pregnant"  Dr. Susan made a comment about it but did not explain it further. Sorry, I don’t keep my back posts. Otherwise I would cut and paste… —Ali life is what happens when you’re making other plans…

Response:

Hi, How coincidental that youand I have been though virtually the same thing, apart frm th act that I was in hospital for three and a half momths and had a prm baby, now a strapping 6′4" paramedic, however whilst pregnant with the second child some 13 months later I started to become even more ill with heart problems. Well James was born a healthly 7pound 11 oz, baby and everything went well but it was recommended that i was I to have a tubal ligaton which I did 9 months later.I then diiscovered that I had RA and was put onto various medications and unknown to me at the time I underwent five miscarriages and this resulted at having a hysterectomy at the age of 25. I had various medications but the one I remember most was Chloroquine, and years ago  quinine  was used as a means to a spontaneuos abortion, I am talking of the days of yore! So if this quinine was used to induce an abortion what makes the doctors so sure that drugs which contain this chemical are safe nowadays. I hope they are because I can tell you that although I agreed to be sterilized, it was heartbreaking to think of each of those babies, especially as 6 months after the hysterectomy my husband of that time left me because he felt I " was no longer a woman" Very kind sort eh! I do have a happy ending though because although my present husband and I never had our own biological child, we adopted both my biological sons and they are so like him that you would never know if I never told you!! Please, any couple deciding to have a child, investigate fully all the risks from the mediations befoe you go ahead or that most precious child. Best wishes Connie. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Are you pregnant?  When I was pregnant with my daughter (I have RA as well), I never felt "good" (this was my second baby and with my first I felt great). Anyway, to make a long story short.  I developed toxima 2 months before her due date.  I was placed in the hospital and delivered early.  She was in intensive care for two days and I was in intensive care for four days  (my blood pressure would not go down).  She is doing very well and turned 8 last weekend. I guess the moral of my story is be sure to check toxima out.  The doctors were baffled with my case.  Tomxima usually "hits" first time young mothers. I was 32 and Tina was my second.  The blood pressure can be stablized with drugs and bed rest.  Mine would not respond to both.  I live in Olympia and they wanted to send me to Seattle’s University Hospital, but could not stablize me enough.  It was scary.  I almost lost the baby and almost died, but everything worked out. BTW, the doctor said I probably should not have any more kids, which I have not. I don’t want to totally scare you, but if doctors knew about this possibility, they may be able to avoid some of the problems I had. Good luck, LoriV. LoriV After reading the thread about miscarriages and RA I am deeply confused.  I saw my RD yesterday and he said (again) that I am doing great.  Then why do I feel so lousy?  His feeling is that I am going to have flares, but that as long as my joints remain mobile and don’t show signs of resistance to manipulation he is not worried.  Does this sound reasonable to you veterans and MD’s out there?  I am on Plaquanil and  an NSAID.  I do not get as sick as a lot of the people who post on this group, but is there more to be done so I could maybe avoid being sicker in the future.  And doesn’t it seem weird that no one mentioned the connections with miscarriage. Is this new information?  I know that nobody can make a diagnosis on a NG but opinions are needed.  I don’t know anyone else with a rheumatic disease.  PS there is only one other RD in my area.  Is it time for a second opinion?  TIA for anything anyone has to offer.  You guys are a lifesaver.  Teresa PS.  This NG has been a lifesaver for me the last few weeks, I would hate to lose any aspect of it to disagreements over jokes.

Response:

I was looking for the thread re miscarriages and RA.  I did not find it yet but am interested because I am only familiar with the relation between miscarriages/lupus; miscarriages/anti-phospholipid antibodies.

It was in the thread "getting pregnant"  Dr. Susan made a comment about it but did not explain it further. Sorry, I don’t keep my back posts. Otherwise I would cut and paste… —Ali life is what happens when you’re making other plans…

Response:

sometimes the doc doesn’t realize the patient preferences…some people would rather have more dysfunction and less medication; others would rather risk long-term side effects than have a lower quality of life in the present.

I like the above comment. This is so true. Often dr.s have their own idea of what is best (their philosophy of treatment). But ultimately it should be the patient who decides how aggressive the treatment is. —Ali life is what happens when you’re making other plans…

Response:

Hi, Are you pregnant?  When I was pregnant with my daughter (I have RA as well), I never felt "good" (this was my second baby and with my first I felt great). Anyway, to make a long story short.  I developed toxima 2 months before her due date.  I was placed in the hospital and delivered early.  She was in intensive care for two days and I was in intensive care for four days  (my blood pressure would not go down).  She is doing very well and turned 8 last weekend. I guess the moral of my story is be sure to check toxima out.  The doctors were baffled with my case.  Tomxima usually "hits" first time young mothers.  I was 32 and Tina was my second.  The blood pressure can be stablized with drugs and bed rest.  Mine would not respond to both.  I live in Olympia and they wanted to send me to Seattle’s University Hospital, but could not stablize me enough.  It was scary.  I almost lost the baby and almost died, but everything worked out. BTW, the doctor said I probably should not have any more kids, which I have not. I don’t want to totally scare you, but if doctors knew about this possibility, they may be able to avoid some of the problems I had. Good luck, LoriV. LoriV – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After reading the thread about miscarriages and RA I am deeply confused.  I saw my RD yesterday and he said (again) that I am doing great.  Then why do I feel so lousy?  His feeling is that I am going to have flares, but that as long as my joints remain mobile and don’t show signs of resistance to manipulation he is not worried.  Does this sound reasonable to you veterans and MD’s out there?  I am on Plaquanil and  an NSAID.  I do not get as sick as a lot of the people who post on this group, but is there more to be done so I could maybe avoid being sicker in the future.  And doesn’t it seem weird that no one mentioned the connections with miscarriage. Is this new information?  I know that nobody can make a diagnosis on a NG but opinions are needed.  I don’t know anyone else with a rheumatic disease.  PS there is only one other RD in my area.  Is it time for a second opinion?  TIA for anything anyone has to offer.  You guys are a lifesaver.  Teresa PS.  This NG has been a lifesaver for me the last few weeks, I would hate to lose any aspect of it to disagreements over jokes.

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Hi, I’m certainly no expert, but I empathize, and decided to share my thoughts.  I saw my RD yesterday and he said (again) that I am doing great.  Then why do I feel so lousy?

There is a big difference between doing great as a medical case, with its associated RH factor counts, and sedimentation rates; and doing great as a personal experience.  Your doc’s assessment probably has to do with the stability of objectively tested blood factors, and maybe even movements in the right direction.  Your personal assessment is going to be influenced by the amount of stress you’re under, your expectations, and a bunch of other factors that may not even enter in to your doctor’s assessment.  I don’t mean to imply that your doctor is a better judge of your condition that you are.  His feeling is that I am going to have flares, but that as long as my joints remain mobile and don’t show signs of resistance to manipulation he is not worried. Does this sound reasonable to you veterans and MD’s out there?

This sounds exactly like what my doctor says.  He operates on the standard model of RA as a lifelong incurable chronic disease, and therefore concentrates on damage control.In my opinion, damage control is important, but the focus and goal of treatment have to be curing the disease. I am on Plaquanil and  an NSAID.  I do not get as sick as a lot of the people who post on this group, but is there more to be done so I could maybe avoid being sicker in the future.

I am struggling with this one myself.  There is always something more that can be done, the question is what specifically.  More physician prescribed drugs? Which ones?Nutrition?  Being obsessive about exercise?  I’ve decided to do a survey of all the possible therapies recommended by anybody, and pick a few that I personally believe will help me to do.  And doesn’t it seem weird that no one mentioned the connections with miscarriage. Is this new information?

I don’t know anything about this specifically.  But I’m not surprised that no one mentioned the connection.  Proponents of a treatment, medical or alternative, invariably "accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative" as the song says. Almost all the information I’ve got regarding the pontentially damaging side effects of the drugs I take has come from reading, not from my doc. I know that nobody can make a diagnosis on a NG but opinions are needed.  I don’t know anyone else with a rheumatic disease.  PS there is only one other RD in my area.  Is it time for a second opinion?

When I got the diagnosis of RA, I immedieately got a second and third opinion. The diagnosis did not vary at all, recommended treatment varied only in details, depending mainly on exactly the same arsenal of drugs.  I’ve decided that my MD, whom I like very much, can be regarded as expressing mainstream medical opinion, and the that only second opinion that matters is mine. I hope this helps you some. Stan Stansbury

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After reading the thread about miscarriages and RA I am deeply confused.  I saw my RD yesterday and he said (again) that I am doing great.  Then why do I feel so lousy?  His feeling is that I am going to have flares, but that as long as my joints remain mobile and don’t show signs of resistance to manipulation he is not worried.  Does this sound reasonable to you veterans and MD’s out there?  I am on Plaquanil and  an NSAID.  I do not get as sick as a lot of the people who post on this group, but is there more to be done so I could maybe avoid being sicker in the future.  And doesn’t it seem weird that no one mentioned the connections with miscarriage. Is this new information?  I know that nobody can make a diagnosis on a NG but opinions are needed.  I don’t know anyone else with a rheumatic disease.  PS there is only one other RD in my area.  Is it time for a second opinion?  TIA for anything anyone has to offer.  You guys are a lifesaver.  Teresa PS.  This NG has been a lifesaver for me the last few weeks, I would hate to lose any aspect of it to disagreements over jokes.

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