Patty et al

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Patty. You are correct that RA is a very individualized

disease. Treatments vary and symptoms do too. That is what is so

frustrating. What works for you may not work for me and vice versa.

So although we can discuss treatments, we have to talk to our

doctors and determine what is the best course of treatment. But what

I like about this group is that you can tell me what the doctor

doesn't. The herbal remedies, the walks, the swimming, the volunteer

work, etc... All those things may help but doctors don't write out

prescriptions for those.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and ideas. I have waited a long

time for a group like this to talk to.

The biggest thing that pulls me out of depression is agility. I do

agility with one of my dogs, Autumn. Agility is an obstacle course

for dogs. Autumn is a 6 lb. Pomeranian and she has so much energy. I

got this breed of dogs because they don't need to be walked - in

general. They don't need exercise. They are pee pad trained and love

it indoors. They're easy. Well, I have 3 Poms and the other 2 are

easy, this one... well, she has so much energy. So I started

training. It's wonderful. I have learned to walk the course and to

send her to an obstacle. Normally handlers run the course with the

dog but becauce I can't run, I've trained her to run without me.

We're learning and having so much fun. It makes me so happy. But in

this weather, I can't go out... TOO COLD. It was -25 F today with

the windchill. Inside bound for me, I don't have a natural fur coat

like my agility partner.

We all have our ways of dealing with depression and the disease

itself. I would love to learn more.

Thanks so much,