Went to the doctor...

[Guest guest]

Words can’t express how much the wonderful emails and phone calls I’ve

received from friends today mean to me. I’ve missed the group so much! I

don’t think there’s a nicer group of people ANYWHERE.

For those who don’t know me, my name is Carol and I live in Orlando, FL.

Married, 38 yrs old. I’ve been a member of the group since I was diagnosed

2 years ago. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet Debs and Iris in person,

and as great as they are here --- that’s just how great they are in person.

I’m so grateful to the work that and a put into the group, and

besides friendship and support I’ve become so much better educated about RA

and how to live with it.

I started my own ebay business last year, selling new, high end women’s

clothing and shoes. Most all is overstock from Macy’s and I was doing very

well. I’m still doing well, but the depression has slowed me down. The

ebay venture has been an incredible blessing because I can sit in bed and

use my laptop when my joints are bad (which I’ve been doing more and more

often because it’s so darn comfortable!), and on a bad week I can decide to

just sell less. (If anyone ever wants to sell on ebay and has questions, I’m

more than happy to help. Just email me privately.) I was shipping 60 plus

packages a week in the third quarter of 2003, though, and between photos,

listings, and shipping it was getting crazy.

Anyway, my diagnosis is RA and I’m on Mtx and Humira. Well, I did see the

doctor this afternoon after my hysterical email this morning. . I’ve never

had depression like this, and I never realized just how crippling it could

be! He changed my meds back to what I was on in December, except I’m

remaining on the Humira. He also prescribed Remeron for the depression, but

just for two weeks. He said we’ll talk then and decide where to go from

there. I told him I was fearful about side effects including weight gain,

and he said he would investigate which AD would be best longer term if I

need it. His hope is that a couple of weeks of this and I’ll feel better

and not need it long term, but if I do he told me that I just need to take

it and not be ridiculous. He feels it’s a very safe med. We can talk that

way because we’re good friends. He spent almost an hour with me, and I

cried for 30 minutes. Has anyone taken Remeron? Is there anything I should

know? I was told to take it at night because it will make me drowsy, but

that was the only notable thing mentioned.

I’m catching up on emails and trying to figure out who’s who. I have missed

the group so much, and I don’t know why I’ve been avoiding everyone who I

care about most. What a strange thing!

Thanks again for all of your support….

Love to all,

Carol