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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / September 2005Update
Hi Everybody, First I would like to thank all of those who prayed for my swift recovery and those who offered useful advice. Cancer does not always have a good outcome, but I have to say i have good news that I can live with. After four RCHOP chemo sessions, Nuelasta shots after each session and so many blood test I have lost count (Billing Dept. did not lose track of them LOL). On Monday I had a Pet scan of my head and CT scans of my complete torso. On Tuesday I got my results which show that the NonHodgkins Lymphoma tumors did not metastasis to any other parts of my body. It also shows that the tumors are gone from every place. I have two more RCHOP plus Nuelasta sessions and who knows how many more blood tests. Then I am scheduled to see my Doc every month and have a complete CT scan every three months. The NonHodgkins Lymphoma can recur at any time and I would have to restart the chemo treatments. On my first appointment with my Doc he was emphatically clear that he couldn't offer me a cure only a remission. I can live with the remission. I can now know for certain my aching joints and neck, back and shoulder pains are related to my RA. Spinal Stenosis, i and Osteoporosis not the tumors. I had my appointment with my Internal Med. Doc on Wednesday, I asked for a urine test since I suspected a UTI and I was right went home with 500 MG of Cipro for 10 days. He checked my lungs and found the same raspy sounds as my Cancer Doc, both drew the same conclusion, I will not restart Methptrexate or Embrel since two of the side effects for Embrel are TB and Lymphoma. I don't need to aggravate an already compromised immune system. Cancer Doc had already dropped both when I saw him on the first appointment. Thanks again everyone, Don Whitely I am so glad to hear that you are in remission and that the chemo treatments work. I am sorry that you can not take mtx or enbrel, but maybe the newer drugs that are in testing will be an option down the road. Rose @}>->-- Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB Please remove "Ima" to reply. i'm so happy for you, don (except that you can't take the dmards). you really fought a good fight. diane i'm so happy for you, don (except that you can't take the dmards). you really fought a good fight. diane Hi Don, I am new here, but I am happy that you are in remission. My Dad had non hodgkins lymphoma about 20 years ago, he was in complete remission for 17 years, before he got lung cancer and died two years ago. That remission gave us 17 more years with him (though he was still smoking : ( ) I am sorry that you won't be able to take some of your RA drugs. I am on Enbrel myself, and it does make me nervous considering my family's history. I hope that they come up with something else you can take, and that your remission lasts at least as long as my Dad's did, Charlene Charlene, Thanks. I smoked for a number of years, but not a heavy smoker, I quit in 1987 and so far my lungs show no signs of a problem. I don't regret dropping the Embrel nor Methotrexate. It does bother me that none of my Rheumatoligist ever expressed concern over the raspy lungs sounds. They should have taken me of of the Methotrexate years ago, where were they? Don Whitely > Hi Don, > I am new here, but I am happy that you are in remission. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > your remission lasts at least as long as my Dad's did, > Charlene I don't need to aggravate an already > compromised immune system. Cancer Doc had already dropped both when I saw > him on the first appointment. > > Thanks again everyone, > > Don Whitely Hi Don,,,,, If you have inflam.arth.,,, it needs to be controlled because it also attacks your vascular system, eyes, ears,,, on and on. This is not just about having a stiff back or a pain in your shoulder. I just went through the treatment for being exposed to TB AND I CONTINUED TO TAKE ENBREL to control my RA. Life is full of trade offs but IMO you need to get your doctors together and decide what is best to extend your life,,,, to extend the use of your lungs and areas of stiffness and pain. THAT is why they make the big bucks but you are going to have to stand up for yourself and push for answers FROM THEM. They are the ones that write prescriptions and have the responsibility to do what is best for your over all condition. We can not know all that is involved with your condition,,, your reactions to different medicines. I do wish you good luck but expect more from your doctors and they need to get together to do what is best for you. Harv Don - I'm glad to hear your treatment was so successful. Did it have an effect on your RA pain? I've heard from others that chemo has put their RA into remission - if only you could be so lucky! I hope you continue to do well. Oh, and yes, ditto to what Harv said. Cyberhugs, Diane W. Diane, I believe the rituxan had an effect on my RA. I know there are still issues with my back, neck and shoulders and believe they are related to the scoliosis and spinal stenosis. I actually interrupted the steroid injections for my back and neck when I was diagnosed with the lymphoma. Lymphoma treatment took center stage in the overall scheme of things. As soon as I have finished the Chemo I can go back to addressing the other problems. I have a very good Internist that I want to go over all the fine points of the CT and PET scans and my latest x-rays to explore his ideas and see how those coincide with the orthopedic Docs etc. Then we can start putting together a plan of action. Perhaps now is the time to introduce a neurologist into the mix. Don Whitely > Don - I'm glad to hear your treatment was so successful. Did it have an > effect on your RA pain? I've heard from others that chemo has put their [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Cyberhugs, Diane W. Don, so glad the cancer is completely gone for now, and will pray the remission lasts for years and years. Hope the arthritis will get better also. Gwen > Hi Everybody, > [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > Don Whitely Praying for your remision to continue on and on. I hope you and your doctors are able to find the best treatment for you RA, Spinal Stenosis, and OA. Bonnie Oh Don such good news. Really great news!!!! Ask your Cancer Doc. if you can have Rituxan for your arthritis. It is a chemo drug but only given yearly. Of course MTX is a chemo drug as well... Just thinking outloud. Duckie > > Hi Everybody, [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > > Don Whitely  Signature_('> (_<_) _ _('< -quack (_<_) _ __('< *QUACK!* <_{__) _('< "|,,|_" (_<_) _('< "AFLAC!" (_<_) Duckie, The R in RCHOP is for Rituxan, I have at this point had four infusions of Rituxan. He said earlier that he might continue the Rituxan after I had finished my Chemo treatments. I do believe that it has affected my RA in a positive manner. I think the neck .back and shoulder pains I have are from the spinal stenosis and the scoliosis which have not been fully addressed at this point in time. Don Whitely > Oh Don such good news. Really great news!!!! > Ask your Cancer Doc. if you can have Rituxan for your arthritis. It is a [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] >> >> Don Whitely Well that is good news. I like you have old damage that still hurts and as Harv always says - so it goes. Duckie > Duckie, > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Don Whitely Don, good to hear from you and with good news too! Sending positive thoughts that the future holds lots more uneventful ct scans . skip > Hi Everybody, > [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > Don Whitely Yippeee! May this be a long and happy remission! and may they find a resonably safe and effective RA treatment for you. SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare Don, good news to hear so far. I hope you are in a long remission. You take care and know you are being thought of. Post when you can to keep us updated. SignatureLove and hugs to all Good thoughts coming your way too. Squirrely Jo > Hi Everybody, > [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > Don Whitely {{{{{Don}}}}} DeeTee > Hi Everybody, > [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > Don Whitely DeeTee and Bob, So glad you are enjoying your new home In Ohio from a former Ohio. Spent most of my life in Ohio. Don Whitely > {{{{{Don}}}}} > [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] >> >>Don Whitely |
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