I am in the process of being diagnosed with RA- all the tests are comming back as positive for RA. I am having a hard time with it and would apprecaite any help/advice anyone out there can provide.:dizzy:

Hi AnneMarie,

Just keep listening. Ask all the questions you want and tell us all that you feel like. It helps. Everyone (almost) responds to RA in different ways and with different meds.

Warm helps me. Rice socks warmed in micro. Heating pads. The heat pads (that are expensive) from the pharmacy. And rest.

Keep doing your internet reading and go to your towns library.

Take care and come back.

Wannabe

RA is a hard and scary diagnosis. I was diagnosed about 2 1/2 years ago. It is normal to go through the stages of grief as you learn to adjust. Learn to listen to your body. If you are tired, rest. Pushing to continue like you may have done in the past will only trigger a flare. I hope you have a good support system around you. It makes it so much easier if you do. I also hope you have a good rheumatologist. You will be working together as a team. If you find he doesn't listen to your concerns or make you a partner in your treatment decisions, change doctors if there are others available to you. Don't depend on just what your doctor tells you. Research your disease and get to know as much as you can about it. Knowledge will help you make decisions.

Most of the medications that are prescribed for RA have scary side effects listed. For me, I have to be more afraid of the disease than the drug side effects. Joint damage is permanent and the sooner aggresive treatment is started, the better. Also, make sure you understand how the insurance will cover some of the more expensive treatments before you begin them. (the voice of experience here......)

Hi teachergirl,

I have had RA for about 2 yrs. or so. I have been diagnosed as osteo, then RA. At the moment I am supposed to be taking Methotrexate and relafen and 1/2 prednisone and skelaxin. I just had a hysterectomy - so am not quite back on all of the meds. (Metho.).

This is my question to you... about the insurance companies, covering the medications or not. I know there are a couple that mine will not pay for, but cannot remember. They are paying their 80% for the ones I am on now.

What about ones with shots, either at the drs. ofc. or at home??? Or where the people come and sit in the Rheumatologist Ofc. and get treated with something???

Please let me know what yours does and does not cover (and if you found out before taking them), as I am just not healing anything - anywhere on my body!!!

Thanks,
Wannabe

It's hard to be off of your meds while you heal. I had a biopsy last December and couldn't start the new medicine my rheum wanted me to take. When I finally got healed up enough to start it, I broke my ankle and had to have surgery on it. No meds again until it was almost completely well. Your immune system has to be able to function to heal so that is why we can't take meds that suppress the immune system.

Each insurance plan is different. I don't mind sharing what mine does and does not cover, but yours will probably be different. Our prescription coverage is a 3 tiered system: generic, formulary and non-formulary. Generic drugs are $5, formulary drugs you pay 30% and non-formulary you pay 50%. For the very expensive, injectible drugs like Humira or Enbrel, I must use a special pharmacy and have $100 co-pay per month. It must be paid before the meds are shipped. Remicade is an amazing drug BUT my insurance company requires I order it through the specialty pharmacy. Most rheum's want to administer it and then bill for it. Doing it that way, it is covered at 80% once you have met your deductible and out of pocket. I had 3 infusions before I realized my rheum was billing for it. That situation ultimately led to me firing him. Be very sure you jump through the insurance hoops on Remicade because one infusion can run between $6,000-$8,000. You do NOT want to get stuck with that bill.

We have an benefits book that is updated every year and I can call my benefits manager at work if I have a question about what is and isn't covered. RA is an expensive disease so it's worth the time and energy to become familiar with the ins and outs of your policy.