new here

[Guest guest]

I am new here. A friend of mine thought it may help if I found some

support groups to help deal with my RA/Lupus.

I had symptoms of lupus during my three miscarriages, then was

blessed with my son who is three. Six weeks postpartum I started

having joint pain..weakness..and then tested positive for RA.

My disease is going so fast now. In the last year in addition to the

hands, knees, feet, ankles pain and weakness, I developed back pain,

and now horrible neck pain.

I am a Mom of now two, because we adopted a second child..from

Russia. We were in the proceedings to adopt when my disease was

getting worse, but couldn't say no to this beautiful child for my son

to have a sister.

I guess I was hoping to talk with some other Mom's who suffer from

these horrible diseases and how they cope. I only take my pain meds

at night. I am afraid to take them during the day with the children.

I am on Methotrexate, Plaqunil, Bextra, Neurotin, Vicodin (at night I

take), and now a muscle relaxer for the neck pain, which just puts me

to sleep!

I of course can no longer work, and blessed to have a wonderful

husband, and a great sitter to help with the kids. But, the guilt I

feel of not working is horrible. I had a very nice job working for

one of the Big Three prior to my illness.

I am in the process of filing for disability. I have a hearing set

for August. Does anyone know what goes on in the hearing. It took

over a year to get my hearing, and my disease is so much worse now.

Just wondered how it all works?

Also, would love any advice on how to deal with the emotional

pain..when the physical pain started in my neck..it was like oh my

gosh I am really sick..then finding nodules in my hands..and a drug

list that is longer than my grocery list..

Thanks for listening,