The Pressure Cooker: ABC's of RA and barometric pressure

The weather is a changing and I know.  I would know if my eyes were closed, my ears blocked from hearing….my joints just seem to know. So as the weather here in southeastern NC begins to rumble and roll….my joints begin to ache. 

It is like a clock for me but one that I have yet to completely understand how to read.  I do know that when I lived in sunny southern California where the weather tends to be more stable, my joint pain didn't fluctuate as much. But this isn't to say that sunny California is a place we should all take up residency in.  

That is where I was first diagnosed with ra and where for 1 1/2 years straight my joints screamed constantly.  Oh well…so much for that theory.  But on the flip side, when I have visited California, I do notice my joints don't flip/flop with the weather as much. Could be a placebo effect but I do enjoy the reprieve when I get it.  My Mom always told me, "Never look a gift horse in the mouth." So I don't.  Could be because I always believed and wanted to reply but didn't, "Because she will bite you. Right?"

Medicine Net seemed to have the best overall review of this topic:

"First, there hasn't been much real research science. In 1961, a famous arthritis specialist, J. Hollander M.D., conducted a study in which he built a climate chamber and demonstrated that high humidity combined with low barometric pressure were associated with increased joint pain and stiffness. Neither weather factor by itself seemed to influence joint symptoms. The study has been criticized because of the limited number of patients evaluated (12 patients). The theory of the study is that inflamed joints swell as the barometric pressure drops. This swelling irritates the nerves around the joints that sense pain and causes more stiffness."

And looking out on the great Internet there isn't much more scientific research that has been done on this topic. So I am left to my own non-scientific evaluation to try and come up with what do I feel when the weather changes, particularly wet, hot, stormy weather.

Not very good is all I can say!

And from Medicine Net Directly:

"The bottom line is that while the exact cause(s) of the activation of arthritis symptoms may not yet be scientifically understood, each patient must make lifestyle and/or medication adjustments according to the particular weather conditions that they note influence their symptoms."

Does this mean I am due another vacation trip to check out my hypothesis?

Further reading if you are interested:

Full article on Medicine Net: Whether Weather Affects Arthritis

USA Today: Understanding Air Pressure

Barometric Map for the US

Barometric Map for Canada
Barometric Map for Europe
Barometric Map for South America

A perplexing problem...The Girls!

Not my ears but "my girls" sure do!!

Please enjoy the music as you read :-)

I have two of these, the girls is my nickname for them. They are rather large in size and currently are causing me a hefty problem...to say the least. Over the years I have been googled at due to the girls, whistled at too, and even jeered at by envious onlookers. Personally I would have gladly given "the girls" away.

Currently, the girls are causing me great problems. One because they are rather large and they are weighing on my achy ra ribs and back. And I have had one heck of a time trying to corral them also. They are forever out there roaming about freely like no ones business.  I really believe I should have to carry a weapon's license...I mean really they could do that much damage when they are flapping around.

Well, in any case, I am now trying to figure out what in the world can painlessly cage the girls. I have tried just about everything on the market out there and very few things have worked without causing great pain in my rib cage. By now, I am hoping you realize what I am talking about when I refer to "the girls". Call me old fashion or whatever but that is my name for "them".

So far, I have found through a dear friend's recommendation one bra that works great for the daytime. It comes in larger sizes too. And the most important thing to me is it doesn't have an under wire. Whoever came up with that invention should be tared and feathered and then forced to wear an under wire bra for the remainder of their days. Fair punishment in my ra book.

I have no doubt I have ra in my ribcage. But...even prior to my ra days, I was NOT one for under wire bras. They just cut off my circulation and I was a fit 130 lbs. back in dem dar days.

Anyway...back to taming "the girls".  What I am looking for would come in cotton, have NO under wire thank you very much, wider straps, and maybe...just maybe come in something more fashionable then white, beige or black. Yes, I have seen the nursing bras and I am considering trying one of those. But why? I am not nursing anything but sore ribs and shoulders. Why on this green earth can't someone design a comfortable bra for larger "girls" made out of cotton? Or maybe I will forever be left to wear my now (mind you it took me 13 years to find these...thank you Cathy for your recommendation) Playtex 18 hour exercise bras.

The girls are forcing me to harness them even in my sleep and it is for this reason I am looking for a cotton based pen for them.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Oh yeah...did I mention that "The girls" have graduated to a DD.

My Wish List of Medical Tests

She's nuts! That is probably what you are thinking. Or maybe, she wants to run up my medical expenses. Nope to both counts!

My wish list of medical tests is a list I would have each and every one of us undergo to ensure we stay as healthy as possible.  Of course this wish list will depend on what medications you are taking, your age to some extent, and other conditions that you have that are not ra. But in my non medical opinion (as you know I don't hold a medical degree...a BS in Business...yes but no medical degree) this list would help to ensure that we continue to stay healthy and to help monitor for possible side effects from the ra medications we are taking. I say possible here because when one reads all the literature out there on DMRADS, one can become scared and not want to take these medications. RA is a serious long term disease that can possibly damage us permanently. These medications may be necessary to curtail this disease.


And for good measure, I added a newbie test list for those of you trying to figure out  if you have ra.


Newbie Test Wish List:
Lyme Disease Test (if you live in an area with ticks - this test should be done as this disease can mimic ra)
CBC (Complete Blood Count)
CCP (RF or rheumatoid factor test is the old test and this one should be used instead - in my humble non medical opinion that is)
CRP and/or ESR (I prefer the CRP one myself)
ANA (although a positive test result on this one won't narrow down too much by itself)
TSH (thyroid test as a thyroid that isn't functioning properly can come with joint pain, fatigue, etc. or mimic ra to some extent)
Base Line Xray(s) of impacted joints


WebMD has a pretty good overview of these tests and a few more but does not mention testing for Lyme disease or the thyroid testing . You may want to rule out Lyme disease if you live in an area with ticks...just to be on the safe side. Plus if this disease is not treated early it can cause a host of life long complications and it is treated with antibiotics. Why suffer if a simple blood test could help? And of course I am wishing for the thyroid screening because symptoms of an improperly functioning thyroid can mimic ra.


No wonder doctors have such a hard time trying to figure out what is wrong with new patients. It's alot to unravel and it can take time. The thing for you to remember is PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP OR GIVE IN! You need to keep on until you find out what is wrong with you. And I am sure that this wish test list is not an end all. If you have a good doctor, they will also do an examination and should do a detailed medical history on you. Combining all of it will hopefully unravel what you might have and if not...keep on. Don't let your doctor just hand you a prescription for an anti-inflammatory. Having an auto-immune disorder WILL require more then just this! This is your life you are fighting for, your ability to function, and your sanity at times. Stay strong! And if you can't, get yourself a friend or close family member you trust to help you in this process.


Two of my favorite bloggers are: Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy who has a great 60 second guide to RA and RAWarrior. She has a wonderful post about the newly diagnosed and initial tests.


And for those of us who have been given an autoimmune diagnosis of ra and are currently on the path to maintenance, this is my test wish list:


Ra Diagnosis (or seronegative diagnosis)
First and foremost I think we all need to have a Vitamin D level test done. For some reason this vitamin is lacking in alot of us. More and more I am hearing how once this test is done, the patient is low in vitamin D. Why? I don't know. Like I said I am not a researcher or a doctor just an everyday human trying to make my way through this ra journey. But I do have my suspicions. I think our bodies are somehow attacking whatever organ or system maintains vitamin D and this is why we are lacking. But this is just my humble opinion only. Wish some researchers would research this theory though :-)


And two other tests I would wish for: bone density and thyroid screening for all long standing ra patients. And I would love for all of us to see a cardiologist and pulmonologist to be sure we are free of heart problems and lung problems. RA has been known to attack both these areas and these areas are not often watched carefully by our docs. In addition it would be wonderful to see a naturopathic doctor as well. Unfortunately most insurances will not cover a naturopathic doctor but since I am wishing...I wish that was covered too!


This list will be broken down by medication and I hope that you will see why I want this wish list. Almost all of my wish tests are a direct result of possible side effects. Why you may ask? Well I have this motto...better safe than sorry. We must be vigilant when using DMRADS (disease modifying rheumatoid arthritis drugs - what a mouthful). These are potent medications that almost always must be taken (not to cure) to decrease the attack going on in our bodies.  We will most likely be on these medications for the rest of our lives. And hopefully that will be a long, long time. So to ensure that we are monitoring our health properly, I have my wish test list.


Prednisone -  only if this medication is used on a consistent basis should one be concerned with the following tests: bone density test (DEXA Scan), blood pressure monitoring, eye exam to watch for cataracts, and monitoring of blood sugar levels. And let us not forget, calcium and vitamin D level test.


plaquenil - eye test before you start this medication and on a regular basis as recommended by your doctor (you will need to see an optomologist for the correct eye screening). Two decent sites to read up on: plaquenil and eye tests (see an optomologist regularly). 


methotrexate - baseline lung xray (this should be done before you start the medication), liver chemistry, and CBC (Complete Blood Count). I would also like to see regular followup on a patients lungs if they stay on this medication. I would love for methotrexate users to be watched by a pulmonologist (a doc that specializes in the lungs). Chances are you won't get a referral to this specialist unless you develop problems, so at the very least...be sure your rheumatologist looks out for your lungs while on this medication. And if you have any breathing difficulties, experience any asthma type symptoms...ask for a chest xray. If you are having great results with this medication but are experiencing a lot of stomach upset, talk with your rheumatologist about switching to the injectable form of this medication. 


Sulfasalazine - Liver panel, CBC and if you do show anemia, the John Hopkins mentions a test for "a deficiency of the enzyme glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) which may predispose patients to red blood cell hemolysis and anemia".


Leflunomide or Arava - Liver panel (hepatic panel) and CBC. Again, if you are experiencing alot of stomach upset, you should talk with your doctor about what can be done to help you.


TNF - Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors 
Etanercept or Enbrel - TB test before you start Enbrel.  CBC before you start Enbrel. Hepatitis B test. Liver Screening. Screening by a dermatologist before you start Enbrel (from the Enbrel website: "Melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) have been reported in patients treated with TNF blockers, including ENBREL. Periodic skin examinations should be considered for all patients at increased risk for skin cancer.") And if you have ever had any type of cancer, I would talk with your specific cancer doctor about the use of tnf medications and if they are appropriate to you and your specific cancer history. And be vigilant on age and gender specific cancer screenings: breast, prostrate, ovarian, and colorectal. And if you have any history of heart disease or COPD in your family or have experienced any heart issues, seek the consultation of a cardiologist.


Adalimumab or Humira - Same tests as for Enbrel.


Infliximab or Remicade - Same tests as for Enbrel.


Abatacept or Orencia - Same tests as for Enbrel.


Rituximab or Rituxan - This medication is taken along with methotrexate. My wish list tests would include the tests above for methotrexate and those for Enbrel.


Anakinra or Kineret - CBC to monitor for infections.


Gold injections - According to Medicine net "Your doctor will be closely monitoring certain lab tests (e.g., white blood cells, platelets) before you start therapy and before each injection. It is important that you keep all medical/lab appointments." 


Azathioprine or Imuran - Same tests as for Enbrel. According to the John Hopkins website: "Screening for levels of the enzyme thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) is recommended before initiating therapy with azathioprine.  Certain individuals have deficiencies in this enzyme that metabolizes azathioprine with a concomitantly increased risk of toxicitiy for the medication. "

This list is just a test wish list that as an empowered patient you can talk with your rheumatologist about and other specialists that you may want to include in your healthcare team to monitor your health. And by all means if you are experiencing something that is not normal for you, do report it to your rheumatologist. Every person experiences medications differently and just because the side effect isn't listed somewhere, doesn't mean you shouldn't report it to your doctor.


I want you to improve your life which means containing your ra. I know there are no cures...yet. But hopefully this wish list of mine will keep you healthier and give you a heads up of things to keep an eye on. And do, by all means, inform any other specialist that might be caring for you of medication changes or proposed medication changes. For example if you are seeing a pulmanologist, cardiologist, or under the care of a doctor for any previous cancers....talk to them before you start any new medication for ra. Often a medication may not be advisible by another doctor treating you for something other then your ra. Be sure your doctors are talking to one another or do the talking yourself if your team doesn't want to play together.

And while I am at this wishing thing...anyone out there know of a fairy Godmother I can put into action to sprinkle fairy dust on all of us so that we can sprout wings and fly.  Nevermind...I'll just go find a medication that has this side effect...just kidding.