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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 9:53 pm
Source: Ivanhoe.com Reported March 30, 2006 Fighting Rheumatoid Arthritis (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The findings of a new study could offer hope to the more than 2 million Americans with rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers from the Netherlands discuss a new approach to treating RA that appears to show success in early laboratory studies. Study authors used a targeted approach to treat rats with RA. They used tiny vesicles called liposomes to deliver a steroid directly into the cells that form the walls of blood vessels, which are critical to the inflammation characteristic of RA. The rats in the active treatment group and those that received a placebo were monitored. The severity of the arthritis experienced by the rats was graded. The grading was based on redness, swelling at the paw, and joint immobility. They found the rats treated with the active medication showed significantly stronger anti-inflammatory results and delayed disease progression than those that received a placebo or a slightly different form of the active treatment. Researchers expect future studies to examine the precise mechanism involved in the drug delivery, and say they may consider using this method for the delivery of other anti-inflammatory drugs. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, characterized by inflammation of the lining of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability. The cause of RA is unknown and there is no cure, but new drugs are making the disease easier to live with for many. SOURCE: Arthritis and Rheumatism, 2006;54:1198-120
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Landi
Member
07-29-2002
| Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 10:19 pm
you have RA herkie? so do i!
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 10:38 pm
Not confirmed yet, but I suspect so. I remember another TVCHer had it, too--Luvmyjrt. Wish she'd stop back. I really, really liked her!
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Landi
Member
07-29-2002
| Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 10:52 pm
do you have a rheumatologist?
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 11:12 pm
Yes, had my first appointment yesterday! I have lab work and xrays to get done this week.
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Landi
Member
07-29-2002
| Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 11:15 pm
give me all the details you can. lemme see what i can tell ya then.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 11:40 pm
It's hard for me to give in to something someone says is wrong with me. I feel I should be able to will it away. I always believed that if I just tried hard enough, I could overcome whatever is the matter by sheer determination. Anyway . . . Years ago, an ortho surgeon who was confirming the existence of the herniated disks I have (2 large: one at L3-4 and another at L4-5 in my back, looked at my films and also said I had "Ankylosing Spondylolysis. Hyperatrophy of the facet joints at all levels of lumbar spine, suggestive of lumbar spondylosis." My PCP ran a bone density test and told me I had arthritis of the pelvic area and stenosis of the spine. Since, then, the herniated disks have bothered me increasingly. (You've heard me complain.) Despite physical therapy and cortisone shots, it is still there and, from day to day causes me more or less pain. At the same time, my arms were weakening. I first noticed it about 8 years ago when I had trouble lifting the coffee pot at work to fill it with water. Had to hold it with two hands. I had carpal tunnel surgery in my right hand about 10 years ago (developed carpal tunnel syndrome when pregnant with Matt 29 years ago!) and then, two years ago, started having trouble with my elbows. Big time pain whenever I tried to carry grocery bags or hold the dog's leash. I was diagnosed with tennis elbow and had surgery on my left elbow. (Now it turns out, it may be RA and not tennis elbow. Sigh) As you may recall, routine blood work showed I had anemia. I was shocked. A gastro doc (in CT) ordered a capsule endoscopy and confirmed presence of an ulcer and lesions that persuaded him I had Crohn's. In films taken this year in DE, Crohn's was ruled out. But the doc suspects there is something else going on. ??? I have far too much fatigue, too. One day I can go gangbusters, and the next I am done for. The rheumatologist asked me if I often had red, dry eyes. I was shocked, because I use Visine every single day to keep the redness out! So, of course, I said yes. He asked about headaches. Well, yes, I do have very bothersome, too frequent migraines. Then he asked me if I had dry mouth. I do, terribly now--but thought it was due to one of my meds. Real PITA, too. I just drink a lot of water. Doesn't chase it away completely, though. So I have elbow (joint) pain and back pain and the above symptoms. He told me he would be looking at the sacrum (or sacroiliac?) in my films. And he wrote a script for blood work asks for it to be tested for a marker for RA. So that is the story so far. Probably hit the lab and xray facility for the tests tomorrow.
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Dahli
Member
11-27-2000
| Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 4:27 pm
Visine!!? ACK!!!!!!!!!! Have you checked out Similasan for dry eyes? They have it for allergy and pink eye too, it's homeopathy based and teaches the eyes to heal themselves. Do you get lots of oily fish in your diet.. sardines, mackerel, salmon, and halibut?
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Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 6:41 pm
My father suffered from rheumatoid arthritis from his 20's until he passed away. He had to have special eye drops because he eventually had no liquid in his eyes. He had every possible side effect of the arthritis that you could have. They wrote papers on him. Medications are different now than they were 20 years ago. I hope that you can find something that works for you.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 7:15 pm
Thanks, you two. No results from the tests as yet. Dahli, I do eat salmon, but not sardines, mackeral or halbut. I will check out the Similasan for my eyes. Cool if it can reverse the source of the problem. Wow, Mamie, I will tap your brain when and if the dx is RA.
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Danas15146
Member
03-31-2004
| Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 8:00 pm
Herck -- you have been through so much. I really hope that you get some good news and some treatment that will offer you some relief!
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 8:26 pm
That was kind of you to stop in and say that, Dana!
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Baby
Member
01-08-2006
| Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 8:34 pm
Herckle, I also hope you get some good news and a good treatment plan! I know this kind of stuff can really cause pain, physical as well as emotional in a person's life!
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 8:40 pm
I have minor issues, Baby, compared to lots and lots of people. Just like to trade in a few parts is all. Thanks, Sweetie, for your kind words.
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Baby
Member
01-08-2006
| Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 8:51 pm
Herckle, if I could, I would trade the whole body in (mine, that is)! But, I can't so I am just trying to deal with what I have left in the best way that I can. I know it has to be frustrating and painful for you! And I have a feeling it is probably more frustrating and painful than you are letting on. I have the symptoms you have and there is no getting around it. It can be very hard and one can easily get discouraged. For me, without my higher power, God, there is no way on this earth I could be doing this. Someone gave me an angel and on the front of her it says: When you are down, look up!
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