Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ostoarthritis

I have responded to your email using the address on your message to me
of hidinger@..., but it has been returned undeliverable.
Ethel

THIS IS A POST FROM ANOTHER GROUP THAT I MODERATE...LivingWithLupus.
~LISA
--- In LivingWithLupus@egroups.com, "Mike Bartus"
<Iamthelizardking@w...
After some searching, I found a few remarks from sufferers at
Lupus.org. They said these things:
A FEW COMMENTS FROM THE FORUM AT LUPUS.ORG:
Prednisone is not usually given in mild Lupus cases, or if it is,
it's short/low-dose. It is not a simple anti- inflammatory, it
affects the adrenal system, and is a disease modifiying medication.
I definitely think that your decrease in appetite is due to your
cessation of prednisone. As you probably know, steroids such as this
tend to make you remarkably ravenous!
Prednisone has literally saved many lives.There is no reputable
account of anti -oxidants having any effect on the malfunction of the
Immune System that is responsible for auto- immune disease. The
reduction of inflammation results in the reduction of the likelihood
of immune complexes settling in the organs and damaging the tissues.
As kidney disease remains the potential "killer", and is often not
felt until advanced the importance of thorough early detection
remains. Nor will these substances help with anti-cardiolipin anti-
bodies which affect 30%-50% of those with lupus and can be
responsible for major damage in any body organ
I had to be on a high dose (60mg) of Prednisone for about 6 months. I
have gained a massive amount of weight etc. but I know that the
Predisone also saved me and helped me get better.
I really think that Lupus or any other disease should be treated with
Common Sense. That includes the best of all types of treatments,
along with a healthy lifestyle so that we can all get well and stay
that way.
I have taken varying doses of prednisone since they were prescribed
nearly two years ago by my doctor, and although I know the awful side
effects that can result, that drug (among others) has kept me going,
in fairly good health. I take calcium daily along with other
supplements, and have regular checkups of bone density, etc. We've
now tapered the dosage from a high of 40 mg down to the present 5 mg
dose, and hoping to go to zero. But if I need it, I'll continue to
take it as prescribed by my doctor, who has my complete trust.
In the past 5-6 years there have been a number of good books written
on the topic of lupus. The LFA Patient Education Committee reviews
lupus and lupus related publications and approves those which it
deems worthy of the LFA Patient Education seal of approval. Newly
approved books are announced in the LFA's national newsletter, Lupus
News. There are many materials approved by LFA. Some are available
for sale in the "About LFA" section of this web site at:
http://www.lupus.org/info/about/index.html
Here you can find information on approved publications available from
the LFA, including the books "Coping with Lupus," "Lupus: Everything
You Need to Know" and "The Lupus Book" to name a few. A publications
order form is available for you to print out and mail in with your
order.
We encourage you to also check with your local chapter of the LFA to
learn which books they stock and sell. Many do offer "The Challenges
of Lupus" by Henrietta Aladjem which is approved by the Patient
Education Committee. Profits from the sale of books by LFA and its
Chapters help to support the services and programs offered by the
Lupus Foundation of America, including this web site.
To locate a chapter near you, go to the "Chapters" section of this
web site at:
http://www.lupus.org/info/help.html
Accessing reliable information is often the first step toward
successfully coping with any illness.
I'm 28 and was diagnosed 3 yrs ago. I also just had a kidney biopsy
for the 1st time. I get the results on Wed. I know you're scared
because the 1st time I took pred, (which was right after I was 1st
diagnosed), I was terrified. I'm really into natural things too, and
back then I wouldn't even take aspirin, so I understand your
apprehension, but I can now honestly say that it was a miracle for
me, and it did save my life. (And it still does). I also don't want
to do the chemotherapy. My protein levels went down when I was at the
hospital, just from the 1st IV I got, so I'm hoping maybe I won't
even need the chemo, but if I do, I'm definitely going to do it,
because I know it will save my life. I'll do it in addition to the
meditation, visualizations, hypnosis, Tai Chi, etc that I already
do.I hope this helps you a little bit. I wish I had something else to
say. If you'd like to email me privately, I'd love to talk to you
about prednisone, or anything else. Let me know if you find out about
any good alternative treatments, too, OK? Thanks and good luck with
everything. LISA (behappy20000@y...)
I am going to go with the majority here too. You can't risk your
kidney's. I have been on up to 100 mg of prednisone daily, I have had
21 Cytoxan treatments, my hair fell out three times. I know it sounds
horrible, but you just go day to day and you get through it. I was
only ever nauseated once, and they switched me from Zofran to
Compazine. I drove myself to and from the chemo by myself, and aside
from being tired, life went on as normal. It really isn't as scary as
it first seems. But definately take the Dr's advice. You can try
natural things later when your lupus is a little quieter.
having just been weaned off 80mg per day of prednisone, I would only
take it as a last resort. My body reacts strangely to medications and
I had a very difficlut time weaning Ask your doc lots of questions
including his goals and procedures for your dosages of predinsone.
I am now in medicated remission and my only symptom is a kind of
fatigue/weariness when I overdue it. What I hate most about lupus is
how disfiguring it can be. I expected the weight gain and I'm
grateful it did not happen - but - if I get as sick as I was and have
to go back on a higher dose there is a chance the prednisone will
effect me differently and I will gain weight. I try to keep
optimistic.
Dr.Wallaces book is very good and speaks in plain english which
helped me and may help your wife to understand..I look fine also, as
do a lot of people..this is a hidden disease..my cousin ( a male) has
had lupus for 20 years,(is now 46) and also looks fine inspite of
being in and out of the hospital a few times over the years..He had
to quite his construction job because of the sun and went into real
estate.He applied for SSI and after time 3, got it.(most posts about
SSI say it takes 3 times..) All that matters is,if your wife is
willing to stand by you and learn about this disease, you can rebuild
your life together..My cousin has a caring wife,and now has 7
children and they rebuilt everything..He was and is a very hard
worker and I think he caught alot of grief too..Once you make up your
mind to take control back of your life, the picture becomes clearer..
Mick
--- End forwarded message ---

CORTICOSTEROIDS Glucocorticoid Effects (Systemic)

Hi group,
I've added in your names. Here is the list for you to forward to others
who might like to add their names in.
Thankyou for your help - I have heard that some of the bears have been
released, but there are still 7-10,000 in this situation.
Chris.
49. John Robb, Sydney, NSW, Australia
50. Heather Robb, Adelaide, SA, Australia
51. Melanie Craig, Adelaide, SA, Australia
52. Lesley Jaffer, Adelaide, SA, Australia
53. Janene Vine, Adelaide, SA, Australia
54. Chris Adlard, Adelaide, SA, Australia
55. Chas Adlard, Adelaide, SA, Australia
56. Judy Duncan, Safety Harbor, Florida, USA
57. Paulette Portnoy, Old Bridge, New Jersey, USA
58. Linda Mazumdar, Goldsboro, North Carolina, USA.
59. Carol Lambert, Huntingdon Beach, California, USA.
60. Jan Perdue, USA.
61. Lee-Anne Assaad, Canada.
62. Gena Castenon, USA.
63. Daniela Adlard, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
64. Glenn Adlard, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
65. Mark Watt, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
66. Rose Blunden, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
67. Bill Blunden, Adelaide, SA, Australia.

Intestinal Dysbiosis and the Causes of Disease
© Leo Galland, M.D., and Stephen Barrie, N.D.

Has anyone heard of or had any experience with Grover's disease? My aunt has
a possible diagnosis, it sounds like it is an autoimmune inflammatory
disease which causes itchy skin rash.
Thought some of you might know something about it.
Thanks.
Jean

Anyone remember a theory on why some women had PMS? That had to do
with mothers, religion and I don't remember what all. A person was
homosexual because of a dominant mother and passive father.
The fact of the matter is that most conditions are blamed on
mothers. Fathers are not responsible for anything!
Denise-NC

Hi,
In 1982, I believed I was going to be injured, probably killed due
to a domestic situation. I was always on the alert(hypervigilant),
heart beating rapidly, difficulty sleeping, nightmares etc... I, also,
had food posoining twice that Summer eating at a fast food restaurant.
Plus, I have had pneumonia more than once and lots of other illnesses
growing up. My mother use to say that I caught everything so I guess my
immune system was never top notch.
During that time, 1982, I constantly felt a throbbing in my back in
the adrenal area in my back. I always believed the surging of stress
hormones brought on the RA. There was no question that with each
"incident" I went through I used to feel that I had been run over by a
truck.
To this day, I have feelings of animus toward the judicial system.
If I had been protected, I do not believe I would be in this situation
:-( Off the soapbox.
Denise-NC

Interesting article on what those liver function tests mean. Should
be of interest to anyone taking metho,arava,or perhaps any other
drugs as well.
http://www.healthology.com/focus_article.asp?
f=liver_disease&c=liver_abnormalfunctiontests
Mark
SW VA

Does anyone have the newly released study on Scleroderma and Methotrexate??
Donna
Ottawa, Canada
Scleroderma, Jan.95, AP Oct.97
(My Story) http://www3.sympatico.ca/mousepotatoes )
(Ottawa Support) http://www3.sympatico.ca/mousepotatoes/rbf.html