Another new member--Oregon

[Guest guest]

My name is lie, and I was diagnosed with RA about 4 years ago. I've

actually had it a long time, but it was in remission for many years. I first

was diagnosed in the early-to-mid 70s following an especially bad case of

Asian flu. I was in my 30s. The symptoms lasted for about 6 weeks and then

completely went away. Besides the pain and swelling, my symptoms included

some weird, very sore spots on my legs, a bit on my arms and body, which

begain as tiny bright red spots and grew quickly until it looked like I had a

bright red spider just under my skin, and then diffused and faded. The

doctors said several flu patients developed this, but they didn't know what

it was. In my late 40s-early 50s, I developed pain, swelling, and nodules on

my hands and achilles tendons, but after 6 months to a year, that went away

as well. Then in 1998, I had another onset of the weird spots, and the

attendant RA symptoms have never left. The doctors still say they don't know

what those spots are. They diagnosed by blood tests--rheumatoid factor and

SED rate. I've never been treated with cortisone drugs because I have been a

type 1 diabetic for 31 years, and cortisone plays hell with a person's blood

sugar--I just can't tolerate it. I've been taking sulfasalazine since

diagnosis because it also helps with bowel sypmtoms--severe diarrhea (but

it's not Crohn's Disease or Celiac, say the doctors). But now I also have

some severe hemolytic anemia, RBC between 27-29 (37 is normal), which my

rheumie believes is related to the sulfasalazine even though I take

mega-strengh folic acid, B-12 and iron. A hemotologist diagnosed the anemia

as being hemolytic. So--my rheumie is trying, slowly to take me off

sulfasalazine and onto methotrexate. So far the sulfa is down 2/3 and the

metho is up to 20 mg. a week, and I've recently switched to injectible

because the metho pills give me diarrhea. I think I'm at some point in a

flareup about 2/3 of the time and the other third feel okay, though I'm

always tired and have no stamina due to the anemia. The only problem I've

developed from the diabetes is some with my eyes--so they're not working too

great now, but really okay. I control my blood sugar with a moderately low

(under 100 g) carbohydrate a day diet, beginning in 1999. I lost weight,

which I needed to do, and my blood sugar is WAY better controlled now. I

worked up until May of last year and I'm now trying to get on social security

disability. I'm 61, not married but I have a long-time, permanent partner,

Elmer, who is an absolutely wonderful and supportive person. He's 71, but I

think physically, because of my illnesses, we're about the same age.

I've been lurking a while on your list, and I like what I've seen. Keep it

coming! I tried an RA message board once before, but it was Whine only--no

information or suggestions--got tired of that fast. The mix you have here is

a good one. A certain amount of whine is indeed necessary!

I live in a small suburban town 25 miles SW of Portland, called Cornelius.

For the other Oregonians on the list, Cornelius is in between Hillsboro and

Forest Grove. I look forward to sharing with you all.

lie