Tampa area BCO sisters get togethers

I can't recall who else might have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Again I've hit another flare with pretty swollen hands and quite painful wrists.

It's good to know the VA Hospital is open, even though running on less staff, so at least they were able to get me in and be seen. Today med was changed to Sulfasalzine (brand name - Azulfidine).

Prior Rheumatologist indicated it would be bad to use this Dmards (ie Methotrexate et al as the class of drugs lowers the immune system. Different Rheumatologist today says it whould be okay, since it's a drastically reduced dosage than that at any chemo level, etc. Flat out told her I wouldn't do any thing like Methotrexate without checking with Oncologist, which she agreed would be proper.

Any one else dealing with this stuff, feel free to jump on in.

thanks, sun and sand coming your way! I wish I could stay with Fl Cancer. But Humana has decreed no.

Moffitt has always been my plan B, will see what happens.

Hi Girls!

Weighing in on a few topics here. First the Medicare Gold Plan problems everyone is posting about. When I went on meidcare a while ago, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the plan options. They felt a bit gimicky, but I'm skeptical of things like that anyway. I have to admit that even though there were years in my career when i selected and administered plans for the company I worked for, I never had to use my plans because until I got cancer never had anything more than an annual gyno checkup. I still find it very difficult to compare all the plans and more importantly just don't like dealing with the bureaucracy of it all. There is nothing more stressful to me than the stress of dealing with a major medical issue and not be able to get a clear answer on whats covered, wait for the insurance gods to approve a treatment, and then later find out you got bad info and a large bill arrives. I consulted Fl Cancer Specialist when I selected my insurance and they said going with straight medicare, and not of the various "plans" was the simplest. You don't get hassled for tests. Nothing has to be "approved", etc and few treatments are denied. So even though it only covers 80% I decided I would rather not be hassled by billing and rules and just go with that coverage. Drs. seem to like straight medicare for the same reason. I've never had a problem with it and love that. Maybe that will change, but that is what I went with. I couldn't get the additional gap type coverage for the 20% because at my age it was crazy expensive. If I were older it would be much cheaper.

My next question is for GALSAL: what are the signs of arthritis you have? I'm actually waiting to see my primary because my lymphodema hand is in severe pain. Fingers are swelling at the bottoms at the top of my hand is really painful and swelling a bit. I was afraid i had infection from lymphodema, but everyone seems to say yep that is arthritis. I've had it in my finger joints and its annoying and painful but not affecting my entire hand. Is this similar to your symptoms? If so, this is potentially really bad. Can you use your hand or is it always in pain. I'm perplexed about this new symptom but it sounds like yours.

ameron - crappity crap! You need the use of your hands to do your thing! I developed triggers due to hormonal therapy but they resolved. Had to have a cortisone injection in my knee for arthritis type pain, but that has resolved with a hormonal therapy drug change, so I am more likely to blame the drug than the arthritis. What about the possibility of cellulitis in that arm/hand?

Ameron- if the swelling is on your BC arm then you need to be seen asap as a possible CT needed Preferably a BC specialist. My re- occurance started w/ hand, arm pain. If you have a fever or a recent hand injury-bug bite coud be

more likely the cellulitis. I am a retired RN and ER nurse but no specialist by any means. safest to get it checked out.

Thankfully (?), the hand most affected is not the BC and SNB side. I've had RA since age 22. It's just gotten to where it flares several times a year now, since being on an AI (Aromasin) and having zero Estrogen. This flare is less intense than when I was on Femara, so far. Changing to the med to something stronger was done for two reasons - to reduce the flares and keep me going with an AI since I'm only into it less than two years at this point.

The fingers and hand swell, but the pain is specific to and refers from several finger joints and the wrist itself.

Hmmm...I'm not wanting to be over optimistic but, the shoulder that had the injection feels better. Did have a big massage appt on it last evening too though, so I'm holding off on full result reporting at this time. I was fortunate that the Intern yesterday had been Navy for eight years, so entirely understood when explained I'd injured it on an Army boat by slamming it into a steel wall of the wheelhouse in 1995. Thank you Lord, it has taken me YEARS to get any one to pay attention to that shoulder beyond drugs or pt/ot about it!

Thanks for asking. I did ask at work and our health insurance is fine for all the new hoopla happening these days. Aside from that, I'm covered under the VA too but that will only help so long as they remain open.

So my thyroid biopsy came back inconclusive. I have to go for an ultrasound guided biopsy now. So the stress continues.... From what I've read this is pretty common to get inconclusive results from needle biopsy on thyroid. Anyone else had to get retested with good results???

galsal - I don't know if I could come up with interesting topics for speed dating - I would ask ridiculous stuff like if you could be any animal what would it be and why? .... If you google "best speed dating questions" there are a bunch.

Good thoughts and prayers for you, Ameron

galsal - I will be at the Buc's game but not connected to Moffitt. Are you going?

I just got an email yesterday offering tickets to the Bucs game. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to pick up tickets between 10-11 when I'm supposed to be at church at that time. My sister, who is going with me, is teaching so can't leave early. I guess I'll be driving down, picking up the tickets, driving back to get my sister, and then heading down there again. I don't really need to be in the sun for that long anyway, right?!?

private message cell phone numbers in case some one is missing one!

galsal - I have you and you have me - I don't have nbnotes, do you? I will be there with my former boss (I go in on her extra season ticket) and my DH will be up at the pirate flag in section 312. My BIL/SIL will also be there. I am able to access the club area with the staff passes from working the pirate flags, if you will be in a box.

I have no idea where I'll be sitting, but I just sent you both a pm with my phone number.

Checking in to see how everyone is doing. I guess you're all at the Buc's game ! I am afraid I am sports challenged coz I don't think I could name one player.

ameron, hope the thyroid all turns out fine. I have a blip on mine they keep ultrasounding but haven't said anything about wanting to biopsy. I guess they will if it changes.

I'm switching AI's. I'm starting femara tomorrow (finally trying it). Wish me luck and LESS of those nasty side effects we all know too well.