New here...wanted to say "Thanks"

[jdgarwood]

Hi,

I've been reading these message boards for the past few weeks and have found all of the info here very helpful. I'm 46 and have had moderate P for 20years. 3 years ago I started having a pain in my right knee and made an appointment with a surgeon who told me it was a cartilage tear, scoped my knee to repair it, and told me that the knee was full of arthritis. Over the next few months, my left knee began to hurt along with my back, hips and feet. Eventually, my primary Doc referred me to a Rheumatoligist and I've spent the last year on Arthrotec, Plaquenil, and oral methotrexate. These meds seem to help to a certain degree, but I've experienced several bad flares in my joints and I've spent most of the summer on Prednisone. I went back to see my Rheumy yesterday and he decided that Enbrel is the next step....so I'm hopeful that I'll get at least some of my life back. I've been somewhat depressed for the past few months, and reading about others struggling with the same problems has pulled me out of the dumps and given me hope and inspiration. Just wanted to say thanks to you all for making me feel less alone in all of this.

Joel

[SandraJean]

Hi Joel,

Welcome to the boards. I'm so sorry to hear about all the difficultys you are have with pa. Your really have been going thru alot with all your joints. I'm so glad you are finding some relief now.

There are alot of people on these boards who are taking methtresone and are taking enbrel---with very good results. I'm glad you were able to read up on this diease and have been able to view others conditions and results. As the saying goes " what helps one my not help another"
It's a tricky illness with many different results.

Plrase keep posting and reading and let us know how you are doing. Nice to have you here, but not nice about the dx.

Sandy

[crimekate]

Welcome Joel -

You have found wonderful people here. Keep reading and posting, and I hope you have good luck with your treatments. I have learned there are so many treatment options -- keep trying till you have exhausted everything!!!!

kate

[Kat1]

Hi Joel and welcome,
I'm starting on Embrel next week and am hopeful that I'll get relief from the debilatating symptoms of pa. I trust you will too. Be Blessed. Kathy

[RichJ]

hi joel,
sorry i can't help much but welcome to the p family. you have met some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to meet you


have a good day all

richard

[jdgarwood]

Thanks everyone....nice to be here!

Joel

[docmks]

Hi,

I've been reading these message boards for the past few weeks and have found all of the info here very helpful. I'm 46 and have had moderate P for 20years. 3 years ago I started having a pain in my right knee and made an appointment with a surgeon who told me it was a cartilage tear, scoped my knee to repair it, and told me that the knee was full of arthritis. Over the next few months, my left knee began to hurt along with my back, hips and feet. Eventually, my primary Doc referred me to a Rheumatoligist and I've spent the last year on Arthrotec, Plaquenil, and oral methotrexate. These meds seem to help to a certain degree, but I've experienced several bad flares in my joints and I've spent most of the summer on Prednisone. I went back to see my Rheumy yesterday and he decided that Enbrel is the next step....so I'm hopeful that I'll get at least some of my life back. I've been somewhat depressed for the past few months, and reading about others struggling with the same problems has pulled me out of the dumps and given me hope and inspiration. Just wanted to say thanks to you all for making me feel less alone in all of this.
Joel

Hi Joel,

I just wanted to welcome you to the boards. As you are finding out,
this is a great place to get good information and support, to get questions answered, and even to vent frustration with people who've been there as well. We're glad you've joined us.

I'm sorry to hear that you've had a rough time with PA lately, but it sounds you are on a good treatment plan. I am now taking Enbrel with Methotrexate (MTX). I started out with Enbrel, alone, almost a year ago, and added in MTX this summer. My skin has improved--I don't have as much plaque forming as often as I used to. I still have joint problems and pain from PA. But, as you will here time and time again, we are all so different in the way we respond to medications, and there are lots of things docs can try nowadays. Many, many people have been helped with Enbrel, alone, or in combination with other medications like MTX. New advances are being made all the time.

So, again, please let us know how you are doing. We are glad you're here.

MK