Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 Hi Iris nice to meet you here..I have RA and have a negative RF factor. As I understand it it happens in up to 30% of people with RA. I look forward to reading your posts... marrielle ---- Original Message ----- From: Iris Nosker Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 9:08 PM Subject: [ ] RA + FM? >My question of you is; can you test negative and still have RA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 Hi Iris...I have FM and RA - I also have a neg. RA factor. But doctors should also look at your physical condition, sedementation rate and other things that more learned people here could address for you. I'm on Remicade now and it is working well. I'm almost 51 (on July 22), a mother of 4 and grandmother of 2. Welcome to this group of wonderful knowledgable, caring people. Tess in NW Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 Hello Iris, my name is Debbie. I'm sorry your having so many problems, and I understand the frustration of knowing something is wrong, but have to wait for the answers. I am recently diagnosed with RA and I'm also Sero-Negative It was a long journey for me to be diagnosed. I hope that maybe a new rheumatologist will help to make you more comfortable and get down to the bottom of it all. I don't blame you for quitting the doctor that didn't give you all the details of your diagnosis. That really burns me up. I recently started taking Methotrexate and prednisone to get my RA under control. So far, I've only had one dose of Methotrexate. The prednisone has taken the edge off, but the low dose I'm on isn't getting rid of it all. The members of this group helped me put my fears aside and take control of my health. They are an invaluable resource of support to those of us who are just beginning our acceptance of our condition. Keep us posted how your doing. I look forward to getting to know you better Debbie Mc -- [ ] RA + FM? Hello everyone! My name is Iris and I live in Dallas. I was diagnosed with FM about 9 years ago after a very long search for answers. My symptoms began when I was 15 and all of a sudden my right ankle began to swell and was very painful. To this day it continues to do so when it gets hot. I have never been given the answer to this problem even after seeing various DRs. The DR checked for juvenile arthritis and said that the test was negative. This episode was the beginning of a long and winding story. When my Rheumatologist told me that I had osteoarthritis and was treating me as such and never said anything about his FM diagnosis I decided that I could no longer see him. I found out that he had also diagnosed me with FM by reading my chart that was left in the room. He did not believe in subscribing pain medication and simply thought that an anti-inflammatory would be all I needed . I kept going faithfully every month and began to feel worse with each passing month. I was fortunate to find a pain management Dr who was a FM believer and he has been incredible over the years. This DR left his practice in this area and I felt like my lifeline has been left untetered. I dread having to begin again and explain it all once more. I feel as though I need to find a new DR soon because I have begun to have an escalation in symptoms. I tested negative for RA 9 years ago but recently I lost a job because of arthritic flare up. My hands became swollen, red and fever hot along with a lot of pain. Being a graphic artist means using your hands and I have found it to be more and more difficult to perform my job. I wish I could afford to start the disability process but can't do without income right now. My question of you is; can you test negative and still have RA? I look forward to getting to know you through your posts. By the way; I am 47, a mother of three, and a grandmother of one. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 Hi there...my husband and i are sero negative and have been told we will never be allowed biologics...canada here though and i know the protocols are different does it help you a lot??? sam Re: [ ] RA + FM? > Hi Iris...I have FM and RA - I also have a neg. RA factor. But doctors > should also look at your physical condition, sedementation rate and > other things that more learned people here could address for you. I'm > on Remicade now and it is working well. > > I'm almost 51 (on July 22), a mother of 4 and grandmother of 2. Welcome > to this group of wonderful knowledgable, caring people. > > Tess in NW Oregon > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 Hi there.. the other day i was speaking with my husband again as i always do about the groups pains and messages and sadnesses....and was mentioning i wonder what roads we all took to diagnosis...sure was not a clear path that is for sure and so bewildering....a path of life that to me should not be so difficult to navigate and treat but alas that is not the way it is is it.. i am so sad for all of us who had to cope with all the feelings during the diagnosis..sometimes it seems once we got the diagnosis it became more acceptable to ourselves and then we were able to manage this thing a bit better... sigh sam [ ] RA + FM? > > > > Hello everyone! > > > > My name is Iris and I live in Dallas. I was diagnosed > > with FM about 9 years ago after a very long search for > > answers. My symptoms began when I was 15 and all of > > a sudden my right ankle began to swell and was very > > painful. To this day it continues to do so when it > > gets hot. I have never been given the answer to this > > problem even after seeing various DRs. The DR checked > > for juvenile arthritis and said that the test was > > negative. This episode was the beginning of a long > > and winding story. > > When my Rheumatologist told me that I had > > osteoarthritis and was treating me as such and never > > said anything about his FM diagnosis I decided that I > > could no longer see him. I found out that he had also > > diagnosed me with FM by reading my chart that was left > > in the room. He did not believe in subscribing pain > > medication and simply thought that an > > anti-inflammatory would be all I needed . I kept > > going faithfully every month and began to feel worse > > with each passing month. I was fortunate to find a > > pain management Dr who was a FM believer and he has > > been incredible over the years. This DR left his > > practice in this area and I felt like my lifeline has > > been left untetered. I dread having to begin again > > and explain it all once more. > > > > I feel as though I need to find a new DR soon because > > I have begun to have an escalation in symptoms. I > > tested negative for RA 9 years ago but recently I lost > > a job because of arthritic flare up. My hands became > > swollen, red and fever hot along with a lot of pain. > > Being a graphic artist means using your hands and I > > have found it to be more and more difficult to perform > > my job. I wish I could afford to start the disability > > process but can't do without income right now. > > > > My question of you is; can you test negative and still > > have RA? > > > > I look forward to getting to know you through your > > posts. By the way; I am 47, a mother of three, and a > > grandmother of one. > > > > __________________________________________________ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 Hi Sam, Yes, it was not a fun process to say the least. I think the stress of it all exasperates the pain. When I first got the diagnosis, I was very angry. I had a feeling it was RA for a long time and even having the probable RA diagnosis for months, it wasn't real until they said it was RA. But you know, with the help of those that are and have gone through the same thing, I think I moved on quickly from the anger. I'm not sure how to describe my emotions now. I guess you could call it acceptance. I wish that RA wasn't on my mind every waking moment. I guess that's part of the process too. Debbie Mc -- Re: [ ] RA + FM? Hi there.. the other day i was speaking with my husband again as i always do about the groups pains and messages and sadnesses....and was mentioning i wonder what roads we all took to diagnosis...sure was not a clear path that is for sure and so bewildering....a path of life that to me should not be so difficult to navigate and treat but alas that is not the way it is is it.. i am so sad for all of us who had to cope with all the feelings during the diagnosis..sometimes it seems once we got the diagnosis it became more acceptable to ourselves and then we were able to manage this thing a bit better... sigh sam [ ] RA + FM? > > > > Hello everyone! > > > > My name is Iris and I live in Dallas. I was diagnosed > > with FM about 9 years ago after a very long search for > > answers. My symptoms began when I was 15 and all of > > a sudden my right ankle began to swell and was very > > painful. To this day it continues to do so when it > > gets hot. I have never been given the answer to this > > problem even after seeing various DRs. The DR checked > > for juvenile arthritis and said that the test was > > negative. This episode was the beginning of a long > > and winding story. > > When my Rheumatologist told me that I had > > osteoarthritis and was treating me as such and never > > said anything about his FM diagnosis I decided that I > > could no longer see him. I found out that he had also > > diagnosed me with FM by reading my chart that was left > > in the room. He did not believe in subscribing pain > > medication and simply thought that an > > anti-inflammatory would be all I needed . I kept > > going faithfully every month and began to feel worse > > with each passing month. I was fortunate to find a > > pain management Dr who was a FM believer and he has > > been incredible over the years. This DR left his > > practice in this area and I felt like my lifeline has > > been left untetered. I dread having to begin again > > and explain it all once more. > > > > I feel as though I need to find a new DR soon because > > I have begun to have an escalation in symptoms. I > > tested negative for RA 9 years ago but recently I lost > > a job because of arthritic flare up. My hands became > > swollen, red and fever hot along with a lot of pain. > > Being a graphic artist means using your hands and I > > have found it to be more and more difficult to perform > > my job. I wish I could afford to start the disability > > process but can't do without income right now. > > > > My question of you is; can you test negative and still > > have RA? > > > > I look forward to getting to know you through your > > posts. By the way; I am 47, a mother of three, and a > > grandmother of one. > > > > __________________________________________________ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 hi I found this group provided wayyyyyyyyy more information than any doctor could have... accpetance......yes....glad you are there... i was only angry at the stupidity of the doctors and their dismissive attittudes and going home and looking at myself..saying well gee there is nothing wrong.. that was the hard part....dealing with something concrete is much easier hugs sam [ ] RA + FM? > > > > > > > > > > > > Hello everyone! > > > > > > > > > > > > My name is Iris and I live in Dallas. I was diagnosed > > > > > > with FM about 9 years ago after a very long search for > > > > > > answers. My symptoms began when I was 15 and all of > > > > > > a sudden my right ankle began to swell and was very > > > > > > painful. To this day it continues to do so when it > > > > > > gets hot. I have never been given the answer to this > > > > > > problem even after seeing various DRs. The DR checked > > > > > > for juvenile arthritis and said that the test was > > > > > > negative. This episode was the beginning of a long > > > > > > and winding story. > > > > > > When my Rheumatologist told me that I had > > > > > > osteoarthritis and was treating me as such and never > > > > > > said anything about his FM diagnosis I decided that I > > > > > > could no longer see him. I found out that he had also > > > > > > diagnosed me with FM by reading my chart that was left > > > > > > in the room. He did not believe in subscribing pain > > > > > > medication and simply thought that an > > > > > > anti-inflammatory would be all I needed . I kept > > > > > > going faithfully every month and began to feel worse > > > > > > with each passing month. I was fortunate to find a > > > > > > pain management Dr who was a FM believer and he has > > > > > > been incredible over the years. This DR left his > > > > > > practice in this area and I felt like my lifeline has > > > > > > been left untetered. I dread having to begin again > > > > > > and explain it all once more. > > > > > > > > > > > > I feel as though I need to find a new DR soon because > > > > > > I have begun to have an escalation in symptoms. I > > > > > > tested negative for RA 9 years ago but recently I lost > > > > > > a job because of arthritic flare up. My hands became > > > > > > swollen, red and fever hot along with a lot of pain. > > > > > > Being a graphic artist means using your hands and I > > > > > > have found it to be more and more difficult to perform > > > > > > my job. I wish I could afford to start the disability > > > > > > process but can't do without income right now. > > > > > > > > > > > > My question of you is; can you test negative and still > > > > > > have RA? > > > > > > > > > > > > I look forward to getting to know you through your > > > > > > posts. By the way; I am 47, a mother of three, and a > > > > > > grandmother of one. > > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 Hi sam..why are you not allowed biologics?? I'm Canadian as well and so far I've not heard anything about that. I know we were slower in passing the new biologics through Health Canada but I think we have a couple now that we can use. Does being sero negative have something to do with it? I hope not... marrielle To look at something as though we had never seen it before requires great courage. - Henri Matisse Re: [ ] RA + FM? Hi there...my husband and i are sero negative and have been told we will never be allowed biologics...canada here though and i know the protocols are different does it help you a lot??? sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 hi because my husband and i are sero negative we dont fit the criteria..however maybe the new doctor will consider though i dont think we are bad enough..YET...and i am fighting with the government here in manitoba to get the funding approved through pharmacare and the romanov commission to have federal non discriminatory benefits to all..the arthritic bill of rights... however i will still give the doxy a year to work and try to remiss as it is showing signs...i am not sure either my husband and i would take the biologics till we are farther along...the doxy is our route of choice... if you have the money in manitoba you can get it...but we dont have 36,000.00 a year for the both of us...we would lose our home... maybe you are in one of the HAVE provinces as there are 3 now.. sam Re: [ ] RA + FM? > > > Hi there...my husband and i are sero negative and have been told we will > never be allowed biologics...canada here though and i know the protocols are > different > does it help you a lot??? > sam > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 I'm in Quebec and I think you have to start with Metho and the older DMARDS and if those don't work you can get covered by some private insurance policies. Last I heard from the Arthritis Society here our provincial medicare doesn't cover it. I guess I'm in a " have not " province :-) I knew that getting them is a problem but thought that perhaps as you are ser-neg that was a factor. Glad to know it's not..well... sort of.. marrielle Re: [ ] RA + FM? >if you have the money in manitoba you can get it...but we dont have 36,000.00 a year for the both of us...we would lose our home... maybe you are in one of the HAVE provinces as there are 3 now.. sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 hi i went the route of the road back organization to put it into remission with antibiotic protocol...so the other dmards are not something i would take til two years or a year down the road.....by then there are so many other biologics coming out that will be cheaper and equal to enbrel and remicade... i am glad you are in touch with your quebec arthritis society.....by the way how are the fires down where you are..we were watching it on the news..goodness.. in talking with our arthritis society they were very helpful as to the 7 rheumalogists and who uses which protocol...we found this out before our referral and sought the ones who went with dr browns protocol.. i am off for the day....hands are done....so is everything else....heheh hugs sam Re: [ ] RA + FM? > > > >if you have the money in manitoba you can get it...but we dont have > 36,000.00 a year for the both of us...we would lose our home... > maybe you are in one of the HAVE provinces as there are 3 now.. > sam > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 You're right about DMARDS in a couple of years..I'm sure there will be more types by then. The forest fires are extremely firece! We had heavy smoke on Sunday.. to the point of creating breathing problems. It looked like an orange blanket in the sky.. very scary. Someone told me they had some rain near Baie Comeau but I don't know if that helped much. We're all praying for rain soon or we'll have no trees left :-( Hope your hands feel better soon... marrielle ---- Original Message ----- From: dot.com Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2002 3:19 PM Subject: Re: [ ] RA + FM? >i am glad you are in touch with your quebec arthritis society.....by the way how are the fires down where you are..we were watching it on the news..goodness.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2002 Report Share Posted July 13, 2002 Dear Tess and Sam and everyone, I want to thank you for your help and well wishes. I am new to sharing with others what is going on in my life and I feel as though I am just beginning on this learning journey. I have already learned quite a bit from reading your e-mails. Recently, I lost my job and am having had a hard time with the past several due to the physical limitations and the brain fog. I used to be a person who could do whatever I set my sights on but now I feel as though I am only that person when these terrible diseases allow me to be. I am trying to cope by taking a more active part in recovering from this flareup. I have had a heater installed on my pool so I can swim 3-4 times a week. I am thinking that I need to reinvent my career by becoming an art teacher instead of sitting at the computer as a graphic designer all day. Several people have told me that it is a very long process to go through being declared disabled and not an easy one. Do you guys have any thoughts or advice? Right now I am working temporary jobs to support my family because I need to have some type of income. It is hard to go into all of these different situations and not have the stress aggravate a flare-up. Also taking pain meds doesn't help the brainfog. I hear all of you speaking of remicade and biologics; what are they? If anyone knows of a good dr in Dallas, please let me know. It is so hard to work and feel as though you can't tell anyone about your diseases because they think you are a whiny hypochondriac. If you let them know that you need special care such as good chairs, the ability to wear comfortable shoes and clothes, and time off to go to the DR they begin the process of getting rid of you. This has happened to me several times. I know that they are thinking of the bottom line but that doesn't make it fair for me or help with self-esteem because you can't provide the way you always have. I know that all of our lives have been changed in ways that only someone else in the same situation understands. Thank you all so very much for listening. Iris vate list. Should you wish to > forward any mail to > > non-subscribers, you must first obtain the > writer's permission. > > Information on this list is not to be construed as > medical advice > > Web pages for our group: > http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/ > > Change subscription options: > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2002 Report Share Posted July 13, 2002 Several people have told me that it is a very long process to go through being declared disabled and not an easy one. Do you guys have any thoughts or advice? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Iris; I'm sorry about your job loss as I too can relate to that.It's terribly frustrating when you're trying your best to do your job and the pain and hurting keeps you from doing what's expected of you. Your employee and co-workers just can't understand.I was told I had a bad attitude towards my job...When all it was I wasn't able to do it as well as others because of my hands and feet. That really hurt my feelings..Because I consider myself a perfectionist at any job I undertake. I don't know about the other states...but it only took six months here in the South where I live....And also my twin sister just got approved this month...( she also has RA with badly deformed hands )It only took from January of this year till July for her approval ) 6 months also. Now days they do most of the interviews by phone or mail. As for me I went straight to the SS office( this was 9 yrs. ago ) with all my DR medical records in hand...I already had physical signs of deformity in my hands...Knuckles and feet...Could barely walk in and out of the office at that time...I think they seen first hand themselves as they filled out my paperwork that I was no joke. As bad as I hate to say this: It's the ones who con and falsify their claims for disability...That keeps the ones who really need and deserve it from getting it much faster. Iris, I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide to do.It's not easy even admitting to yourself that you need disability...But thank goodness it's available for us who need and deserve it.Correct me if I'm wrong..But I've heard RA is the # one dis-abilitating disease. Good luck Iris and hopefully a pain-free weekend. Gail Re: [ ] RA + FM? Dear Tess and Sam and everyone, I want to thank you for your help and well wishes. I am new to sharing with others what is going on in my life and I feel as though I am just beginning on this learning journey. I have already learned quite a bit from reading your e-mails. Recently, I lost my job and am having had a hard time with the past several due to the physical limitations and the brain fog. I used to be a person who could do whatever I set my sights on but now I feel as though I am only that person when these terrible diseases allow me to be. I am trying to cope by taking a more active part in recovering from this flareup. I have had a heater installed on my pool so I can swim 3-4 times a week. I am thinking that I need to reinvent my career by becoming an art teacher instead of sitting at the computer as a graphic designer all day. Several people have told me that it is a very long process to go through being declared disabled and not an easy one. Do you guys have any thoughts or advice? Right now I am working temporary jobs to support my family because I need to have some type of income. It is hard to go into all of these different situations and not have the stress aggravate a flare-up. Also taking pain meds doesn't help the brainfog. I hear all of you speaking of remicade and biologics; what are they? If anyone knows of a good dr in Dallas, please let me know. It is so hard to work and feel as though you can't tell anyone about your diseases because they think you are a whiny hypochondriac. If you let them know that you need special care such as good chairs, the ability to wear comfortable shoes and clothes, and time off to go to the DR they begin the process of getting rid of you. This has happened to me several times. I know that they are thinking of the bottom line but that doesn't make it fair for me or help with self-esteem because you can't provide the way you always have. I know that all of our lives have been changed in ways that only someone else in the same situation understands. Thank you all so very much for listening. Iris vate list. Should you wish to > forward any mail to > > non-subscribers, you must first obtain the > writer's permission. > > Information on this list is not to be construed as > medical advice > > Web pages for our group: > http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/ > > Change subscription options: > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2002 Report Share Posted July 13, 2002 Hi Gail, Last month I received ssd after trying for six years. It is a long process for some for others not so long. The best advise I could give you, is to get a ssd lawyer. Let him guide you. Lynn (MeMom) Gail wrote: > Several > people have told me that it is a very long process to > go through being declared disabled and not an easy > one. Do you guys have any thoughts or advice? > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > Iris; > I'm sorry about your job loss as I too can relate to that.It's terribly frustrating when you're trying your best to do your job and the pain and hurting keeps you from doing what's expected of you. Your employee and co-workers just can't understand.I was told I had a bad attitude towards my job...When all it was I wasn't able to do it as well as others because of my hands and feet. That really hurt my feelings..Because I consider myself a perfectionist at any job I undertake. > > I don't know about the other states...but it only took six months here in the South where I live....And also my twin sister just got approved this month...( she also has RA with badly deformed hands )It only took from January of this year till July for her approval ) 6 months also. > > Now days they do most of the interviews by phone or mail. As for me I went straight to the SS office( this was 9 yrs. ago ) with all my DR medical records in hand...I already had physical signs of deformity in my hands...Knuckles and feet...Could barely walk in and out of the office at that time...I think they seen first hand themselves as they filled out my paperwork that I was no joke. > > As bad as I hate to say this: It's the ones who con and falsify their claims for disability...That keeps the ones who really need and deserve it from getting it much faster. > > Iris, I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide to do.It's not easy even admitting to yourself that you need disability...But thank goodness it's available for us who need and deserve it.Correct me if I'm wrong..But I've heard RA is the # one dis-abilitating disease. > > Good luck Iris and hopefully a pain-free weekend. > > Gail > > > Re: [ ] RA + FM? > > Dear Tess and Sam and everyone, > I want to thank you for your help and well wishes. I > am new to sharing with others what is going on in my > life and I feel as though I am just beginning on this > learning journey. I have already learned quite a bit > from reading your e-mails. > > Recently, I lost my job and am having had a hard time > with the past several due to the physical limitations > and the brain fog. I used to be a person who could do > whatever I set my sights on but now I feel as though I > am only that person when these terrible diseases allow > me to be. I am trying to cope by taking a more active > part in recovering from this flareup. I have had a > heater installed on my pool so I can swim 3-4 times a > week. I am thinking that I need to reinvent my career > by becoming an art teacher instead of sitting at the > computer as a graphic designer all day. Several > people have told me that it is a very long process to > go through being declared disabled and not an easy > one. Do you guys have any thoughts or advice? Right > now I am working temporary jobs to support my family > because I need to have some type of income. It is > hard to go into all of these different situations and > not have the stress aggravate a flare-up. Also taking > pain meds doesn't help the brainfog. I hear all of > you speaking of remicade and biologics; what are they? > If anyone knows of a good dr in Dallas, please let me > know. It is so hard to work and feel as though you > can't tell anyone about your diseases because they > think you are a whiny hypochondriac. If you let them > know that you need special care such as good chairs, > the ability to wear comfortable shoes and clothes, and > time off to go to the DR they begin the process of > getting rid of you. This has happened to me several > times. I know that they are thinking of the bottom > line but that doesn't make it fair for me or help with > self-esteem because you can't provide the way you > always have. > I know that all of our lives have been changed in ways > that only someone else in the same situation > understands. Thank you all so very much for > listening. Iris > vate list. Should you wish to > > forward any mail to > > > non-subscribers, you must first obtain the > > writer's permission. > > > Information on this list is not to be construed as > > medical advice > > > Web pages for our group: > > http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/ > > > Change subscription options: > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2002 Report Share Posted July 14, 2002 Gail...When I am going through a really bad flareup of the brain fog I have to really watch getting down on myself. I get very fearful about appearing a little dense and I think that others sense that and then they do notice. The old self-esteem issue is one that I seem to battle a lot lately expecially since I lost my job. I am doing really well on a temp assignment and they all seem to really be glad that I am there. Feeling useful and productive is something that we are taught to value early in life to the point of when we can't, we feel lost. Why is it that we have to be reminded to be kind to ourselves! Iris --- Gail <gegee@...> wrote: > Several > people have told me that it is a very long process > to > go through being declared disabled and not an easy > one. Do you guys have any thoughts or advice? > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > > Iris; > I'm sorry about your job loss as I too can relate > to that.It's terribly frustrating when you're trying > your best to do your job and the pain and hurting > keeps you from doing what's expected of you. Your > employee and co-workers just can't understand.I was > told I had a bad attitude towards my job...When all > it was I wasn't able to do it as well as others > because of my hands and feet. That really hurt my > feelings..Because I consider myself a perfectionist > at any job I undertake. > > I don't know about the other states...but it only > took six months here in the South where I > live....And also my twin sister just got approved > this month...( she also has RA with badly deformed > hands )It only took from January of this year till > July for her approval ) 6 months also. > > Now days they do most of the interviews by phone or > mail. As for me I went straight to the SS office( > this was 9 yrs. ago ) with all my DR medical records > in hand...I already had physical signs of deformity > in my hands...Knuckles and feet...Could barely walk > in and out of the office at that time...I think they > seen first hand themselves as they filled out my > paperwork that I was no joke. > > As bad as I hate to say this: It's the ones who con > and falsify their claims for disability...That keeps > the ones who really need and deserve it from getting > it much faster. > > Iris, I wish you the best of luck in whatever you > decide to do.It's not easy even admitting to > yourself that you need disability...But thank > goodness it's available for us who need and deserve > it.Correct me if I'm wrong..But I've heard RA is the > # one dis-abilitating disease. > > Good luck Iris and hopefully a pain-free weekend. > > Gail > > > Re: [ ] RA + FM? > > > Dear Tess and Sam and everyone, > I want to thank you for your help and well > wishes. I > am new to sharing with others what is going on in > my > life and I feel as though I am just beginning on > this > learning journey. I have already learned quite a > bit > from reading your e-mails. > > Recently, I lost my job and am having had a hard > time > with the past several due to the physical > limitations > and the brain fog. I used to be a person who > could do > whatever I set my sights on but now I feel as > though I > am only that person when these terrible diseases > allow > me to be. I am trying to cope by taking a more > active > part in recovering from this flareup. I have had > a > heater installed on my pool so I can swim 3-4 > times a > week. I am thinking that I need to reinvent my > career > by becoming an art teacher instead of sitting at > the > computer as a graphic designer all day. Several > people have told me that it is a very long process > to > go through being declared disabled and not an easy > one. Do you guys have any thoughts or advice? > Right > now I am working temporary jobs to support my > family > because I need to have some type of income. It is > hard to go into all of these different situations > and > not have the stress aggravate a flare-up. Also > taking > pain meds doesn't help the brainfog. I hear all > of > you speaking of remicade and biologics; what are > they? > If anyone knows of a good dr in Dallas, please let > me > know. It is so hard to work and feel as though > you > can't tell anyone about your diseases because they > think you are a whiny hypochondriac. If you let > them > know that you need special care such as good > chairs, > the ability to wear comfortable shoes and clothes, > and > time off to go to the DR they begin the process of > getting rid of you. This has happened to me > several > times. I know that they are thinking of the > bottom > line but that doesn't make it fair for me or help > with > self-esteem because you can't provide the way you > always have. > I know that all of our lives have been changed in > ways > that only someone else in the same situation > understands. Thank you all so very much for > listening. Iris > vate list. Should you wish to > > forward any mail to > > > non-subscribers, you must first obtain the > > writer's permission. > > > Information on this list is not to be > construed as > > medical advice > > > Web pages for our group: > > http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/ > > > Change subscription options: > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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