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Date: 26.02.2010
From: karen

Subject: advice needed

hi so fed up am on 20 mg of mxt and axcioa but just recently me wrist have swollen and gone really weak and wakin up in pain most of the night am now takin panodol pain killers but my hands are numb and always pins and needles and my feet the same is this normal as its really gettin me down as thought i was beatin this with all meds am on .sorry to moan
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Date: 27.02.2010
From: valh

Subject: Re: advice needed

hi karen (((hugs))) for you can not help you but wanted you to know you r not on your own . one of the others will be able to help you
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Date: 27.02.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: advice needed

Hi Karen, Im on 25mg of MTX and diclofenac and the MTX helped at the beginning but my bloods are gradually getting worse and I feel terrible. Unable to sleep last night because of the pain. Im gutted it doesnt seem to be working as well anymore because I really hoped it would. Im gonna have to go back to the consultant and see what they can do I think. Maybe you should do the same?
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Date: 27.02.2010
From: karen

Subject: Re: advice needed

hi verity i thinks that what am goin have to do as it seemed to be helpin but its goin bad then before if not worse i am due back next week am goin have to see what they say thanks .and thanks valh for the hugs
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Date: 01.03.2010
From: Jae

Subject: Re: advice needed

hi karen you definatly are not on your own and on this site its not moaning i have to say all the drugs i've been through so far i found Diclofenac taken at regular intervalls through the day has been very good to take with whatever other drugs ive been given good luck n hugs Jae
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Date: 01.03.2010
From: KayJay

Subject: Re: advice needed

Hi all. Just to let you know you can get Diclofenac in a slow release capsule, the Rhumie nurse told me about them and they are supposed to work better. Well at least they did with me. But I've had to stop them because I'm anaemic and the GP said it might be a small stomach bleed. Just take care with them as they can be a bit savage with the stomach in some peeps. My little sis was prescribed them the other week and the GP also gave her stomach meds to take alongside the Diclofenac.
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Date: 08.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: advice needed

Hi, ive taken slow release diclofenac 75mg twice a day for the last 10 yrs (along side omeprazole for stomach) and Ive not had any problems as of yet. Couldn't cope without it to be honest! x
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Date: 09.03.2010
From: Jill

Subject: Re: advice needed

Hi karen..as i read your post, just wondering if u have Carpal tunnel, that ives numbnessin hands, usually bothm and deffo Pins and needles, Ive got the scars to prove it lolo, had that op 22 years ago, just after my first baby was born, casues pain from the elbow down into the wrist due to Compression of the merdian nerve, over the years, been told that capral Tunnel syndrome is part and parcel of Artha!, go see Gp, my toes go numb at night, especially on the left foot, do u have spine probs too Karen?
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Date: 09.03.2010
From: Jill

Subject: Re: advice needed

Hi Verity, my Biologics nurse told me to cut down my MTX from 17.5 to 15, been off it since the car accident, so hadnt taken it for about 7 weeks, but my Nutrifils(cant spell that) have gone up, so she now wants me to drop my MTX down to 15mg, thank god.....verity, just wondering, have they considered putting u on the Bio meds? or r U not keen? they worked wonders combined withg MTX for me, diclofenic never touched my pain, and since ive come otta hosp9was in for two weeks since yu been away) they out me on Omeprazole, as I have Gastritis, and bliddy Gallstones!...Never been on gastric resitant tabs b4....never knew they existed ..all this time ive been on my meds and never got offered them at all!!....im amazed by that tho, cos my GP is grt and so is my nurse...
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Date: 09.03.2010
From: Abbie

Subject: Re: advice needed

Hi there! Don't know If this is a help I too am on mtx also have depot steroid injections and am on oral pred. Despite this my left foot and ankle have flared, other joints and tendons playing up and CRP is still high 38.5. Rheumy said mtx pills isn't being absorbed so am going onto injections. Could take up to 8wks to work but Rheumy is hopeful this will be the answer. Depending on result, If not too good will then go on a Biologic aswell. Maybe mtx injections could be considered for you? Go well Abbie x
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Date: 10.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: advice needed

Hi Jill, are you starting to feel the difference without the MTX or you coping OK?

They did my DAS score for the anti TNF when I first went on the MTX back in August but the MTX actually helped to start with so my CRP was only 8.8! (Thats the lowest it has EVER been!) My bloods are getting worse again now and the MTX isn't keeping me stable to she said sh'll do my scoring again soon. The surgeon I spoke to about hips on Monday said she may want to try me on the anti TNF before having my hips done so maybe they'll finally give it too me (although this will delay the surgery for quite a while which I dont want to do). Im hoping they'll just start the anti TNF after the op. I'll find out next Fri, she blows hot and cold a lot so have no idea whats gonna happen lol
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Date: 10.03.2010
From: Abbie

Subject: Re: advice needed

Wow 8.8 CRP! That's really good! Lowests mine has ever been is 27.9. XXX
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Date: 10.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: advice needed

my CRP is about 9 at mo, and since being off MTX, nutrifils r better, 1.9, usually much lower, think normal tho is 2.5-7.5
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Date: 10.03.2010
From: karen

Subject: Re: advice needed

hi just a update i had read about carpal and i think i have got that but told my rhumy nurse and she has said my body isnt absorbin mxt so am startin injections tomorrow .but will this make the pain in my wrist and hands go am worried bout side effects of injections
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Date: 10.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: advice needed

Yeh I was ded pleased with 8.8! Only lasted a week though lol. Crept back up to 29.5 unfortunately.
Thats a good CRP Jill, what are nutrifils?! They sound like a lunchtime snack!
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Date: 11.03.2010
From: Abbie

Subject: Re: advice needed

Love it Verity! lol I too was wandering what Nutrafils were. Just looked at my blood card and among the masses of results listed Nutrafils aren't there.
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Date: 11.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: advice needed

info...

.Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is a measure of the number of neutrophil granulocytes[1] (also known as polymorphonuclear cells, PMN's, polys, granulocytes, segmented neutrophils or segs) present in the blood. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that fights against infection.

The ANC is calculated from measurements of the total number of white blood cells (WBC), usually based on the combined percentage of mature neutrophils (sometimes called "segs," or segmented cells) and bands, which are immature neutrophils.

hope that helps lol....
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Date: 12.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: advice needed

hmmmm..... interesting. Do they test your WBC aswell?
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Date: 12.03.2010
From: Jill

Subject: Re: advice needed

A WBC count is a blood test to measure the number of white blood cells (WBCs).

White blood cells help fight infections. They are also called leukocytes. There are five major types of white blood cells:

* Basophils
* Eosinophils
* Lymphocytes (T cells and B cells)
* Monocytes
* Neutrophils

See also: Blood differential
How the Test is Performed

Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

The blood sample is sent to a laboratory. A WBC count is almost always done as part of a complete blood count (CBC).
How to Prepare for the Test

No special preparation is usually needed. Tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter products. Certain drugs may interfere with test results.

Drugs that may increase WBC counts include:

* Allopurinol
* Aspirin
* Chloroform
* Corticosteroids
* Epinephrine
* Heparin
* Quinine
* Triamterene

Drugs that may lower your WBC count include:

* Antibiotics
* Anticonvulsants
* Antihistamines
* Antithyroid drugs
* Arsenicals
* Barbiturates
* Chemotherapy drugs
* Diuretics
* Sulfonamides

How the Test Will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the Test is Performed

Your doctor will order this test to find out how many white blood cells you have. Your body produces more white blood cells when you have an infection or allergic reaction -- even when you are under general stress.
Normal Results

4,500-10,000 white blood cells per microliter (mcL).

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean

A low number of WBCs is called leukopenia. It may be due to:

* Bone marrow failure (for example, due to infection, tumor, or abnormal scarring)
* Collagen-vascular diseases (such as lupus erythematosus)
* Disease of the liver or spleen
* Radiation therapy or exposure

A high number of WBCs is called leukocytosis. It may be due to:

* Anemia
* Infectious diseases
* Inflammatory disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis or allergy)
* Leukemia
* Severe emotional or physical stress
* Tissue damage (for example, burns)

These lists are not all inclusive.
Risks

There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

* Excessive bleeding
* Fainting or feeling light-headed
* Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
* Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
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Date: 13.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: advice needed

Please tell me that you didn't just type all that out Jill....? lol
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Date: 13.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: advice needed

LOLOLOL noooooooooo not that clever.....but u wanted to know about the WBC....lol hope ya got ya ansa hehehaha
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Date: 13.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: advice needed

Lol yeh thats great thanks! Didnt want to think of you struggling and determined to get to the end! lol That would hurt!! haha
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Date: 13.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: advice needed

yea Hurt my Brain! lol
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Date: 14.03.2010
From: Lynn B

Subject: Re: advice needed

Jill your amazing....
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Date: 14.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: advice needed

Lynn, I think us lot in here r all amazing...how U coping theser days Lynn? any better? btw Lynn where abouts r u? in in East sussex x
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Date: 14.03.2010
From: Lynn B

Subject: Re: advice needed

Jill i am in the north west on the wirral on the other side of the mersey, from Liverpool. compared to you jill i am not to bad, realy sorry for wot you are going through tc xx
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Date: 14.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: advice needed

Lynn Im ok, honest, just seems its all happening at once..... ome extreme to another, btw, I love Liverpudlians.....all I can say in that accents is this......com buch(cant spell it, come back) lol but im sure ya get whatt i mean Innit! lol x
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