ND, that's sad and infuriating. I'm sorry.

Steph, autoimmune disorders blow, but having a diagnosis is good. Having someone around who can give him some help figuring things out is good too.

My mom had a cancer treatment for an autoimmune disease, and it worked great! For what that's worth. She did need someone to give her a ride to the appointments, but that will be less of a problem for you, I imagine.

PS: I've been referring to the pain in the ball of my foot as gout, even though I am 90% sure it's not gout, because it just feels funny to say! Although probably not funny to actually have....

And we've passed 2000 cases. Such a very angry customer base.

I'm glad Tim has a Dx, even if it is scary to face together, you will face it Steph. I'm glad he has you.

And ND, ugh with a side of Some People Are Fucked UP and I'm so sorry you have to deal with her. I'm not surprised she doesn't even see the awful of what she's done, as so often people who are the worst seem to think their behavior is completely acceptable. But ugh!

What's the difference between Rheumatoid and Osteo arthritis?

Rheumatoid is an autoimmune disease, where the joint damage is caused by the immune system being a jerk and attacking the joints. In osteoarthritis the joint damage is mechanical, from plain old wear and tear.

My mom had a cancer treatment for an autoimmune disease, and it worked great! For what that's worth.

That *is* super good to know! I know methotrexate can work really well for RA, but it's still freaky that it's a damn cancer drug.

PS: I've been referring to the pain in the ball of my foot as gout, even though I am 90% sure it's not gout, because it just feels funny to say! Although probably not funny to actually have....

It told Tim I'm still going to refer to him as my gouty husband, because that's hilarious to me.

That *is* super good to know! I know methotrexate can work really well for RA, but it's still freaky that it's a damn cancer drug.

Yeah, I don't think she even felt bad afterward, except after maybe the first one.

it's still freaky that it's a damn cancer drug.

About the way I felt when Hubby's heart condition was being treated with Warfarin. "Rat poison!" I actually yelled in the doctor's office. "You're giving my husband rat poison??" The doctor blinked in offended medical dignity, and Hubby, knowing my reactions to people attempting to poison him, talked me down very quickly with quick references to therapeutic doses and Nobel's discovery that nitroglycerin was good for hearts etc. Finally he had to ask me not to go with him to that particular doctor, because I tended to glare at people who gave my husband rat poison.

Well, it's not uncommon for biologically active compounds to have a variety of uses. Rogaine started life as an oral medication for cholesterol, but people who took it got hairy.

I had a student who was taking methotrexate for an autoimmune disorder and she said it was a lifesaver. Anecdotal I know, but encouraging.