HELLO EVERYONE

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group. I also have RA and FMS and alot of

what you described could be as if you were talking about me. The

hardest part of our illness is most people don't understand. They

don't realize that " arthritis " and " rheumatoid arthritis " are two

different things and most people have never heard of fibromyalgia or

if they have, they think its all in our heads. Well, I'm here to tell

you its NOT in our heads and what we are feeling is very real!

A friend of mine and I joke (half-heartedly) about the 'roid rage we

feel when we have to do the prednisone. It does help with the symptoms

of RA and FMS, but it also has some nasty side affects like insomnia,

mood swings and bloating (among others), but there are times when you

just have to weigh the pros and cons.

Its good that you have applied for Social Security Disability, because

sometimes this can be a lengthy process. Did you also apply for

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? Depending on your household income

and size, you might be able to get some help through them while you

are waiting on your SSD case to be approved. I'm glad to hear that you

are involved with a support group, too. We can use all the positive

reinforcement we can get and sharing definitely helps others who may

not have heard about something we've either tried or can offer

suggestions for us to try, too.

The one thing I have learned through all of this is I am having to

relearn how to do things. My whole life has been rearranged by these

diseases. I can either hide in my shell like a turtle, or try and do

whatever I can - even if it means I have to take a lot of breaks. I've

also learned that I have to let some things go as it is impossible to

keep up with the standards I had in the past. People won't always

understand us, but as long as we understand ourselves, that is all

that matters.

Sorry for the ramble. Welcome, best wishes, God Bless and keep

posting........Doreen

>

> I am ,and I have rhuematoid arthritis and fibromyalgia,and I

> have had to file for disability.I am struggling with many things,

> some emotional,some financial,some having to do with medications

> and problems with them,and some problems with doctors and other

> kinds people I encounter in the world who do not understand my

> problems.Some problems I am having with friends and family and some

> are just with medical people like pharmacy people,staff and nurses

> in doctors offices and such.I feel like everywhere I go I am judged

> harshly and misunderstood and disrespected since I cannot work now

> and have no health insurance and not much money to take care of my

> medical care while I am fighting with social security about my

> disability benefits.I am having a hard time going out of the house

> at all now for anything or getting dressed every day or simple

> things that most people take for granted like brushing my hair or

> my teeth or taking a shower or loading the dishwasher or the

> washing machine,cleaning the bathroom,things like this.I used to be

> a computer technician and now I am only a sick person who cannot

> work and so no one treats me the same as they did before.I have

> been very depressed partly because I am in constant pain but partly

> because I feel so hopeless sometimes like my whole life had stopped

> at a stand still and I am stuck in a place where I have no control

> over my life and no hope of ever having any influence on what

> happens to me again.I have been going to a therapy group at our

> local mental health center for people with chronic illnesses,like

> depression and grief issues and other problems.Most who attend the

> group are women like me who are in a bad situation and are trying

> to cope with it the best they can.The group is helping me some and

> I also belong to other online groups for people with fibro but I am

> seeking information and support from others who have RA about meds

> and coping strategies.My doctor gave me a course of prednisone to

> take two weeks ago so I am almost finished with that now and I am

> able to walk better now without using a cane and am able to stand

> up straighter and get up and down easier and sleep a bit better but

> the medicine made me very irritable and agitated,almost like I had

> drank to much coffee or some kind of stimulant and I have been

> easily angered and frustrated while taking it.I found that it kept

> me awake and that I could not take more than three of the tablets

> during the day or I was awake all night long.I wanted to ask if

> anyone else has taken this medication for RA and if you had any of

> these symptoms or side effects that I describe with that.

>

[Guest guest]

and group;

Welcome to our humble group. You will get a lot of answers from

these problems here. I read the post last night and seen that the

group has been right on your post. We have a lot of great people

here. I recieved a lot of support from our group, I don't think

you could find a finer bunch anywhere else.

My heart goes out to you with all neglect from people. I am so

sorry our world is so full of idiots. There are as many good kind

people so hang in there sweety. I hope and pray you get relief

from this agony soon. I am so sorry that you have to suffer so much

with pain and un-caring people. God bless and take care.

gentle kind hugs

Clora

\

> I am ,and I have rhuematoid arthritis and fibromyalgia,and I

> have had to file for disability.I am struggling with many

things,some

> emotional,some financial,some having to do with medications and

> problems with them,and some problems with doctors and other kinds

> people I encounter in the world who do not understand my

> problems.Some problems I am having with friends and family and

some

> are just with medical people like pharmacy people,staff and nurses

in

> doctors offices and such.I feel like everywhere I go I am judged

> harshly and misunderstood and disrespected since I cannot work now

> and have no health insurance and not much money to take care of my

> medical care while I am fighting with social security about my

> disability benefits.I am having a hard time going out of the house

at

> all now for anything or getting dressed every day or simple things

> that most people take for granted like brushing my hair or my

teeth

> or taking a shower or loading the dishwasher or the washing

> machine,cleaning the bathroom,things like this.I used to be a

> computer technician and now I am only a sick person who cannot

work

> and so no one treats me the same as they did before.I have been

very

> depressed partly because I am in constant pain but partly because

I

> feel so hopeless sometimes like my whole life had stopped at a

stand

> still and I am stuck in a place where I have no control over my

life

> and no hope of ever having any influence on what happens to me

> again.I have been going to a therapy group at our local mental

health

> center for people with chronic illnesses,like depression and grief

> issues and other problems.Most who attend the group are women like

me

> who are in a bad situation and are trying to cope with it the best

> they can.The group is helping me some and I also belong to other

> online groups for people with fibro but I am seeking information

and

> support from others who have RA about meds and coping

strategies.My

> doctor gave me a course of prednisone to take two weeks ago so I

am

> almost finished with that now and I am able to walk better now

>

[Guest guest]

,

I hate all that you are haing to endure. If you are not attending a

church, it may be a good avenue for an outlet. I know you don't

really feel like socializing, but you might find some inner strength

there.

I know your situation with no insurance. My daughter has fibro and

she and her daughter moved in with me. She has no insurance, so all

I can afford is a pain clinic. I do have insurance, but I have had

so many health issues lately. With my co-payments and medicine my

medical is running over $250 a month and then hers is another $200.

I decided this week to stop the heart meds because I had a negative

reaction to each one I have tried. I had to go back to work and

couldn't while taking them. I am to call my cardiologist if the

angina gets worse.

I hope things change for the better soon for you.

You are in my prayers.

Shirley

>

> I am taking wellbutrin for depression.I dont want to have to take

the

> predinsone long term,I know that can cause problems like

weightgain

> and such and it has helped me with the RA and migraines I have in

the

> past.I have been in a bad flare with the fibro and ra for about a

> year now and cant seem to get myself out of this rut im in.I have

had

> to hire an attorney to help me with my ssdi claim and I think it

will

> be another year and half or two years before I can get in front of

an

> ALJ who can approve my benefits.I have struggled with depression

all

> my life but when I was rearended by a drunk driver in 2001 and had

a

> concussion,this caused me to have the fibro,it was brought on by

the

> trauma.Since then I cant sleep,have headaches and pain all over my

> body and so I am taking Lyrica,and Ambien and zanaflex for muscle

> spasms.I am so frustrated and I dont know how I am going to pay

for

> my meds and such while I am fighting with soc sec about this.I am

in

> a patient assistance program for people who have no health

insurance

> and have low incomes.I may have to go to a health clinic run by a

> church close to my house and I may have to find other resources to

> help me pay for my meds and doctors.I have been to a

rheumatologist

> in the past but the meds they gave me made me feel irritable,or

> either were so harsh that they made me feel worse than the RA and

> fibro was.the rheumatologist also had told me I had muscle

> inflammation too.He gave me meds for people with lupus mostly that

> didnt seem to help and then I was laid off from my job so I had to

> stop going to him,and could only afford my pain doctor which is

> basically what I am doing now,I am seeing a pain

> doc/neurologist/psychiatrist and a primary care doc who prescribes

> medication for hypothyroid and estrogen replacement cas I had a

> hysterectomy.I am struggling with a lot of health problems and

they

> are causing the financial problems too.I get angry a lot and

> frustrated and when I have conflict with people I dont like to

fight

> or complain and so I push it down for so long until its like one

more

> thing happens and I just snap and blow up at the person who I am

> having a problem with.I am basically a very polite and shy person

but

> if people mistreat me I will stand up for myself if they do it

over

> and over again and again over a period of time,but often by the

time

> I lose my temper the person I am angry with cant understand why I

am

> so mad and have lost it all of a sudden,and they think I am over

> reacting which maybe for that one particular incident it may seem

> that way but when taken as a single incident but for me it is

another

> in a long lasting pattern of incidents.I am trying to deal with

> speaking up about problems I have with people when I encounter

them

> the first time,but that is hard for me.I tend to be a people

pleaser

> and want everyone to like me,but often this causes people to think

> they can just run over me and I will let them when they bully

me.The

> other thing is that I have had to move in with my father cause I

> didnt have enough money saved to live on my own while I am

fighting

> with soc sec admin and he has cancer and had to get a pacemaker

last

> month and sometimes we have conflict about things and he can also

be

> a bully and push me around.This is hard for me to deal with and I

> really dont like living with him but i have no choice now,its

either

> here or be homeless so I decided I was better off with him in

spite

> of problems we have.I am getting free counseling therapy from the

> county mental health clinic so that is a big help but the other

> doctors I am having to pay for them now and my meds out of my

> pocket.Im afraid and anxious and have been suicidal almost every

> day,and cry all the time.I try to keep busy reading and with my

> online support groups and with some limited gardening,growing

flowers

> and a few tomatoes and I do some sketching with colored pencils

also

> to pass the time and so I can keep using my hands.I try to go to

the

> park and walk for exercise when I am feeling well enough too.I get

> more depressed when I am trapped inside the house.I have trouble

> concentrating now to read a book though and I lose my place and

read

> the same sentence or paragraph over and over.It was a computer

tech

> and did tech support on the phone until I had to stope working

last

> year so I get bored and I dont like being idle or not having

anything

> to do,and I have no friends here cause I had to move here to live

> with my father so I dont know anybody.I miss my friends from

before.

>

[Guest guest]

Just try to hang on , I sure hope things will get better. There are

lots of free medicine programs out there, you can look on line for them.

R

--------------------------------------------------

From: " " <spiritualsuze@...>

Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 6:14 PM

< >

Subject: [ ] Hello everyone

I am ,and I have rhuematoid arthritis and fibromyalgia,and I

have had to file for disability.I am struggling with many things,some

emotional,some financial,some having to do with medications and

problems with them,and some problems with doctors and other kinds

people I encounter in the world who do not understand my

problems.Some problems I am having with friends and family and some

are just with medical people like pharmacy people,staff and nurses in

doctors offices and such.I feel like everywhere I go I am judged

harshly and misunderstood and disrespected since I cannot work now

and have no health insurance and not much money to take care of my

medical care while I am fighting with social security about my

disability benefits.I am having a hard time going out of the house at

all now for anything or getting dressed every day or simple things

that most people take for granted like brushing my hair or my teeth

or taking a shower or loading the dishwasher or the washing

machine,cleaning the bathroom,things like this.I used to be a

computer technician and now I am only a sick person who cannot work

and so no one treats me the same as they did before.I have been very

depressed partly because I am in constant pain but partly because I

feel so hopeless sometimes like my whole life had stopped at a stand

still and I am stuck in a place where I have no control over my life

and no hope of ever having any influence on what happens to me

again.I have been going to a therapy group at our local mental health

center for people with chronic illnesses,like depression and grief

issues and other problems.Most who attend the group are women like me

who are in a bad situation and are trying to cope with it the best

they can.The group is helping me some and I also belong to other

online groups for people with fibro but I am seeking information and

support from others who have RA about meds and coping strategies.My

doctor gave me a course of prednisone to take two weeks ago so I am

almost finished with that now and I am able to walk better now

without using a cane and am able to stand up straighter and get up

and down easier and sleep a bit better but the medicine made me very

irritable and agitated,almost like I had drank to much coffee or some

kind of stimulant and I have been easily angered and frustrated while

taking it.I found that it kept me awake and that I could not take

more than three of the tablets during the day or I was awake all

night long.I wanted to ask if anyone else has taken this medication

for RA and if you had any of these symptoms or side effects that I

describe with that.

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Welcome to our wonderful group of caring, loving people. Sorry to read

that you have RA. Me too. I was diag. almost 6 years ago.

I have a wonderful Rheumy and she takes such great care of me. It does

take awhile to find the right types of meds. for us. I also suggest

that you find a Rheumy that you really like, and that can help you.

Yes, having this disease does cause days of depression. I try to draw

strength from myself, and keep a positve attitude. Not easy some days,

especially when I have a bad flare. Me feet, ankles, and hands are hit

the worst. Some days I can't stand or walk, so I spend those days in

bed. I love to read and enjoy t.v. and that helps. I have had longer

periods in between my flares, and I am happy about that. I take several

RA meds, plus 10 mg. of Prednisone each day. It does take time to find

the right combination of meds. that work for you. It is a very hard

disease to live with. I just do the best I can each day. I have a very

hard time pacing myself. I do too much, then pay the price of several

days in bed to recover. We all need to learn what we can live with, to

try to have a normal life.

I do hope you have some pain free days ahead. I just take one day at a

time, as that is all I can manage.

I am going through a very hard personal time right now, and am praying

my RA doesn't flare with all the stress I am under. Not easy for me to

do.

Take care, and be good to yourself.

Hugs,

Barbara

>

> Hello Group,

>

> I was recently diagnosed with RA in August 2008 and when I first

> found out I was in denial. I went ta a see the doctor and she ran test

> and my rheumatoid factor was through the roof! I had a bad experience

> with my first rheumatalogist but since then I have found another one

> who is knowledgable. I know that the only way for me to feel better is

> to take medication but sometimes I get depressed. I have my good days

> and bad days but I have been reading everyone's messages here and I

> feel better. I just wanted to tell everyone hello.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi...

We're kind of on the same time line. I was I was diagnosed late July 2008 and

was in denial as well, my Rheumatologist confirmed the diagnoses. Of course

there was some depression about it, about the condition, the medication, and all

the changes you have to deal with and accept. In my case, I found none of it was

worth the pain and my goal became pain free days. Things get better, I found a

lot of support and help in the Group. So hello to you too!

Stan,

Seattle, Cold and Cloudy.

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " selesshall " <selesshall@...>

Hello Group,

I was recently diagnosed with RA in August 2008 and when I first

found out I was in denial. I went ta a see the doctor and she ran test

and my rheumatoid factor was through the roof! I had a bad experience

with my first rheumatalogist but since then I have found another one

who is knowledgable. I know that the only way for me to feel better is

to take medication but sometimes I get depressed. I have my good days

and bad days but I have been reading everyone's messages here and I

feel better. I just wanted to tell everyone hello.

[Guest guest]

hi Selesshall

Welcome to the group. This is the place to come for information on RA,

meds, rants, or just to share a bit.

Heidibug

On Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 11:42 PM, selesshall <selesshall@...> wrote:

> Hello Group,

>

> I was recently diagnosed with RA in August 2008 and when I first

> found out I was in denial. I went ta a see the doctor and she ran test

> and my rheumatoid factor was through the roof! I had a bad experience

> with my first rheumatalogist but since then I have found another one

> who is knowledgable. I know that the only way for me to feel better is

> to take medication but sometimes I get depressed. I have my good days

> and bad days but I have been reading everyone's messages here and I

> feel better. I just wanted to tell everyone hello.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am a female with Autism the Aspergers Kind I live in a Group home in

Charlotte, North Carolina I am not feeling good because the Boss for my Group

Home manager , the Group home manager, My Case worker and my Parents have told

me that WILL BE TAKEN by the Police and go to JAIL If I am haveing an Upset

where I scream, Slam Doors, throw things , Hit Walls etc up to where the group

home clients at the Group Home are afraid of me and upset at me. I do get overly

upset at times about things .I DO NOT WANT TO BE IN JAIL WHEN I GET OVERLY

UPSET. What am I going to do. If you know the answers please email me at the

emails below:

CHANNING28270@...

CHANNING28270@...

CHANNING28105@...

CHANCHAN79@...

CHANNING28105@...

CHANNING28105@...

CHANNING28105@...

I am a Female with Autism the Aspergers Kind. I live in a Group home In

Charlotte North Carolina I am in need of Help to Find a Psychologist to talk to

-to vent out my feelings and issues that the home manager at the group home

upsets me about because when I send a Letter to the people up at the Main office

for my Group home the issues to Vent out my Feelings that the group home manager

upset me about the people up at the Main office at the group home yell at me and

report it to my parents and any time I send a Letter to My Parents with the

Words I AM UPSET they about an issue that I am upset with the home manager about

they Yell at me to STOP IT and call me a Liar and Complainer and WILL NOT

DISCUSS THE ISSUE AT ALL WITH ME. My Group home and my Parents will not help me

find a Psychologist To talk to to Vent out my feelings and issues that the group

home manager upsets me about.. If you can help me please email me at

CHANNING28270@...

CHANNING28270@...

CHANNING28105@...

CHANCHAN79@...

CHANNING28105@...

CHANNING28105@...

CHANNING28105@...

Channing

[Guest guest]

Hi Barbara!! So sorry to hear about that nodule on your foot. Praying it isn't

infected and the surgery will be quick, simple and you're back on your feet

soon.

I've not posted here very often either, but do read the posts. I wish you all

the best in the days ahead. May God guide the surgeon's hands and that you have

a quick and speedy recovery..... Doreen

Just wanted to say hi and tell you what is going on with me. As most of you

know, my RA has hit me the hardest in my feet. Well, I have a large RA nodule

on the outside of my right foot just at the arch. Needless to say, it has

gotten much bigger and is quite painful. I saw my Rheumy and then my foot dr.

I am also going for a MRI to make sure it is not infected. I will be having

surgery soon to remove the nodule. I was so hoping my surgery days were all

over, but I guess not. I am in so much pain and I can just about stand on my

foot. I am taking RX pain meds. and off my feet most days.

I do read all the posts each day. I haven't talked with Tawny in awhile, but I

will call her and see how she is doing.

I am still dealing with my divorce, and it is just so painful. Dealing with a

broken heart has been just awful. I am still taking one day at a time as that

is all I can really handle.

I hope everyone here is doing better, and I wish you all pain free days ahead.

My RA is still good, thank God. Much love to all of you.

Hugs,

Barbara

[Guest guest]

Hi Doreen.  Thanks for your letter and your prayers and well wishes.  I too

can't wait to get the surgery over with and on the road to a complete recovery.

 

I know you aren't posting much and that you are not feeling very good.  Has

your pain lessened at all?  How are your new meds, and are they helping you

much?  I am truly sorry to are hurting so badly/  Such is our " RA Life " . 

Never know what will come along next.  I will be happy when I can just get

this pain under control. 

 

I pray you get some relief soon.  I am sure you are resting as much as you can

each day.  We have no choice.....we are down for the count!!

 

God Bless you Doreen and talk soon.  So very nice to hear from you as always.

 

Love and hugs,

 

Barbara

From: Mimi <mimi212@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: Hello Everyone

Date: Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 10:54 AM

 

Hi Barbara!! So sorry to hear about that nodule on your foot. Praying it isn't

infected and the surgery will be quick, simple and you're back on your feet

soon.

I've not posted here very often either, but do read the posts. I wish you all

the best in the days ahead. May God guide the surgeon's hands and that you have

a quick and speedy recovery.... . Doreen

Just wanted to say hi and tell you what is going on with me. As most of you

know, my RA has hit me the hardest in my feet. Well, I have a large RA nodule on

the outside of my right foot just at the arch. Needless to say, it has gotten

much bigger and is quite painful. I saw my Rheumy and then my foot dr. I am also

going for a MRI to make sure it is not infected. I will be having surgery soon

to remove the nodule. I was so hoping my surgery days were all over, but I guess

not. I am in so much pain and I can just about stand on my foot. I am taking RX

pain meds. and off my feet most days.

I do read all the posts each day. I haven't talked with Tawny in awhile, but I

will call her and see how she is doing.

I am still dealing with my divorce, and it is just so painful. Dealing with a

broken heart has been just awful. I am still taking one day at a time as that is

all I can really handle.

I hope everyone here is doing better, and I wish you all pain free days ahead.

My RA is still good, thank God. Much love to all of you.

Hugs,

Barbara