Becky,

Didn't your doctor lower your mtx dose because you told him it was
causing you problems with your interstitial cystitis???

Also, if I recall correctly, you started the enrel, quit using your
orthotics, lowered the mtx, etc all around the same time, which would
make it virtually impossible to tell whether or not your hip and foot
and back issues are from stopping and starting new orthotics, the enbrel
not working, or the arthritis flaring, or quite possibly a combination
of them all.   That is why many of us try not to start and stop multiple
things at one time because then you never know for sure what is helping
or what is causing the problems.

As for the bursitis in the hips, bursitis can be an extremely stubborn
thing to get rid of even with cortisone injections and physical therapy
and regular iceing and heating pads.

The foot erosions that you mention will make your feet hurt most of the
time as the damage is already there and nothing you take or use is going
to change that a whole lot.   Unfortunately, that is the ugly nature of
these diseases.   Damage done can not be undone and even at your best,
the damaged areas are going to always remind you of the disease process
you have.   What do you take for pain???

You might want to talk to your RD about switching your mtx to the
injectable form as most of us have found that that works better and
cause fewer side effects.   Always, always, always, though, keep
yourself well hydrated, especially when taking the mtx or you will find
you have more trouble with it than normal!!!   This little thing is very
important and many overlook the fact that being very well hydrated can
effect how you do with the mtx.

Like you, many of us here have wide feet and/or use orthotics, so need
wide shoes.  Read the current thread that is going on right now about
shoes for wide feet and such.   Very helpful, but also very helpful to
go to a very knowledgeable shoe store that can fit you properly!!!

Don't be afraid to try some of the newer meds out there if your RD
recommends them.   Some of the meds work great for others and some of
the others are better for some.   It is all a matter of trial and error
for all of us, and though it can be frustrating going through the trial
and error part of it, once you find the med that works for you, you will
be ever so thankful!
.
.
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Donna G

Hi Gary,    Aaah, your uncle lives and worked in a Schlitz brewery town and
it was two cases a week.  The brewery where I worked was sold which put a
stop to the 2 cases a week and my job.   The strike you are talking about
took place many years before.
  The teamsters work for several breweries in the Milw. area and they all
went on strike at the same time.
It seems that Bud had them paid off and they continued to work in their
plants.
   It took many years to build back the sales lost.  About the time that
Schlitz was back to neck and neck with Budweiser,,,, the Memphis problem
happened and I went to work for Bud for 15 good years.  I still get a
pension check from both of them until I am 70 and the wife gets it until
then if the good Lord takes me away today.   So it goes.
Harv