Re: Jefersea

[Guest guest]

Hi Kath,

I have a feeling we are more alike than not! I just turned 57 in May, ( nice

birthday gift...receiving RA, huh?) .

My early symptoms actually began back in 1996 or so. I was working with some

perm. glue on a project, and had gotten my left pinkie and ring finger stuck.

After I managed to remove the glue, I noticed my two fingers were starting to

look a little strange. (This was about 2 wks. after the incident). Not knowing

what else to think, my only thought was perhaps nerve damage somehow, by the

glue. Nothing else happened until this year. I began to feel joint pain in my

left middle toe, then my right pinker finger, soon to be followed by the middle

finger of my left hand. It seems to be rapid spreading. I now have signs and

symptoms of pain in my joints in varied parts of my body. I suspected Arthritis

only because it related to pain in the joints. I think one of my sisters also

had some problems with her joints. I really need to follow up on my family

health's history, if for no other reason, to forewarn everyone.

Kath, I too, just began working as a independent jewelry design artisan in March

of this year. Yesterday, I closed my business account, because to do my chosen

occupation, depends on my hands and the strength of my body. I know this is a

frightening thought for all of us, because life as we have known it has suddenly

changed. I'm trying to keep my focus on what I may possibly do, if I become

very limited in my physical sense. Perhaps I can write or teach on what I do

know, through the means of recorders or to burn CD's, I don't know yet. I may

try to research what " voice activated " equipments are available; I refuse to

give up. [At times like this, it's really a nice thing to be stubborn ...keeps

you going!!! ]

I don't have Carpal Tunnel, but I do have Tendentious, so bad in the past, that

I was not even able to turn a door knob or hold a pencil without dropping it out

of my hand.

One of my sisters' has Carpal Tunnel. She faces challenges as well.

I have a book on dealing with Carpal Tunnel I can send you. I have two on hand,

and I would be more than happy to send my extra copy on to you. It's written by

Emil Pascarelli, MD. The title of the book is: " Repetitive Strain Injury " / A

Computer User'sGuide.

Kath, if you want to email me at home with your address, my email is:

quaxter@...

Well, I guess that's about it for now. My lower back is starting to bother me a

little, so I'll have to go sit on my soft,soft couch!

Please learn to pamper yourself a little, and don't push yourself beyond reason.

I'm trying to learn the same thing. Have a great weekend!

Jefersea

[ ] Jefersea

Thank you for replying to my note on here. May I ask how old you are? What

were your - or are your - early symptoms?? What made you think it was RA? Do

you have family history?

I really appreciated the ball idea and the large pen idea. I need to go buy a

large pen. I am a freelance writer and my typewriter and pens are my life!! I

can't imagine losing the use of my hands. What is really bizarre is that I just

got to pursue this career full time one week before I started having RA

symptoms!!

Do you suffer with carpal tunnel with the RA? I do - that's what keeps me

awake if I don't have the prednisone in my body - which I do now.

Hugs,

Kath

joyfulkate60@...