Re: Hi Everyone from Another Newcomer

[Guest guest]

Welcome . I haven't been here that long either, but it is a

great place of friends and support. Hope to hear from you again.

Sheri

--- In , " " <dumbblondejogger@y...>

wrote:

> I've been reading the posts for several weeks now. I'm starting

to

> feel like a " peeping Tom " from learning so much about some of you

> while not sharing anything about me, so I thought it was time to

> introduce myself.

>

> My name is , I'm 49, live in Texas with my husband and two

> kids. My journey with this wonderful disease began very suddenly

in

> April 2003 when I woke up with a swollen, throbbing right hand. I

> honestly thought I had somehow broken a bone without knowing it.

The

> hand seemed to heal after two or three days, to be followed by a

four-

> day bout of excruciating pain in my right shoulder, followed by

> another three days of swelling in my left wrist, and so on and so

> on. I know this sounds stupid – even to me – but I honestly

thought

> I was somehow hurting myself without realizing it. Finally

figured

> out something wasn't quite right (duh). I was originally

diagnosed

> with palindromic rheumatism, even though I did test seropositive

RA.

> (I don't know if you're familiar with PR, but it's another

> inflammatory arthritis that visits a joint for two or three days,

> causes immense pain, and then randomly moves on to another joint.

> You get it in flares, like RA, but it supposedly rarely causes

joint

> erosion. Still hurts like hell, though.) Finally in April of

this

> year, it started falling into a more " rheumatoid type " pattern…

more

> consistent pain, especially in my knees, feet, and hands,

> morning " stiffness " (and isn't that an understatement?), yada,

yada,

> yada. Fortunately, my internist had sent me to a great

> rheumatologist at the end of last year, so I was already taking

> Celebrex and had started Plaquinel for the PR. Now I'm also

taking

> fairly small doses of Prednisone (5mg) and Methotrexate (7.5). I

> consider myself VERY fortunate because so far I'm responding well

to

> a fairly small dose of meds -- Minimum side effects and a pretty

big

> reduction in pain. (Yes, I know this can change very quickly, but

> I'm trying to look on the bright side and be thankful for where I

am

> today!) I'm really just having a few aches and pains right now,

and

> I'm much, much better in the mornings. Actually, one of my

biggest

> challenges right now is the loss of energy, especially since I

> started the methotrexate. Given the option, I could probably take

> about four naps a day.

>

> I think I'll stop here…Otherwise, I'll tell you everything I know

and

> never have anything to post again. Like I said, I just wanted to

> introduce myself while I'm in a fairly " good place " so that maybe

> when the bad times come, I'll have a few more friends (and you can

> never have enough, can you?) You seem like a really great bunch

of

> people and I look forward to being a part of this group.

>

> Take care,

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome, !

Thanks so much for taking the plunge and introducing yourself. It helps

us to get to know you better with all those details. I'm sure there's

much more to you personal story, and we will be happy to read it any

time you feel like writing it.

Sounds like you're getting good care and responding to your meds nicely.

It really doesn't have to get markedly worse, and I'll hope along with

you that it doesn't.

Looking forward to hearing more from you,

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Hi Everyone from Another Newcomer

I've been reading the posts for several weeks now. I'm starting to

feel like a " peeping Tom " from learning so much about some of you

while not sharing anything about me, so I thought it was time to

introduce myself.

My name is , I'm 49, live in Texas with my husband and two

kids. My journey with this wonderful disease began very suddenly in

April 2003 when I woke up with a swollen, throbbing right hand. I

honestly thought I had somehow broken a bone without knowing it. The

hand seemed to heal after two or three days, to be followed by a four-

day bout of excruciating pain in my right shoulder, followed by

another three days of swelling in my left wrist, and so on and so

on. I know this sounds stupid - even to me - but I honestly thought

I was somehow hurting myself without realizing it. Finally figured

out something wasn't quite right (duh). I was originally diagnosed

with palindromic rheumatism, even though I did test seropositive RA.

(I don't know if you're familiar with PR, but it's another

inflammatory arthritis that visits a joint for two or three days,

causes immense pain, and then randomly moves on to another joint.

You get it in flares, like RA, but it supposedly rarely causes joint

erosion. Still hurts like hell, though.) Finally in April of this

year, it started falling into a more " rheumatoid type " pattern.more

consistent pain, especially in my knees, feet, and hands,

morning " stiffness " (and isn't that an understatement?), yada, yada,

yada. Fortunately, my internist had sent me to a great

rheumatologist at the end of last year, so I was already taking

Celebrex and had started Plaquinel for the PR. Now I'm also taking

fairly small doses of Prednisone (5mg) and Methotrexate (7.5). I

consider myself VERY fortunate because so far I'm responding well to

a fairly small dose of meds -- Minimum side effects and a pretty big

reduction in pain. (Yes, I know this can change very quickly, but

I'm trying to look on the bright side and be thankful for where I am

today!) I'm really just having a few aches and pains right now, and

I'm much, much better in the mornings. Actually, one of my biggest

challenges right now is the loss of energy, especially since I

started the methotrexate. Given the option, I could probably take

about four naps a day.

I think I'll stop here.Otherwise, I'll tell you everything I know and

never have anything to post again. Like I said, I just wanted to

introduce myself while I'm in a fairly " good place " so that maybe

when the bad times come, I'll have a few more friends (and you can

never have enough, can you?) You seem like a really great bunch of

people and I look forward to being a part of this group.

Take care,

[Guest guest]

Hi , I'm glad you decided to post, and let us get to know

you. I hope that you enjoy the group, there is great people aboard.

I live in Oklahoma so were neighbors. I'm 41, married, and have 2

daughters 22 and 9 years old. Hope to get to know more about you, T

--- In , " " <dumbblondejogger@y...>

wrote:

> I've been reading the posts for several weeks now. I'm starting to

> feel like a " peeping Tom " from learning so much about some of you

> while not sharing anything about me, so I thought it was time to

> introduce myself.

>

> My name is , I'm 49, live in Texas with my husband and two

> kids. My journey with this wonderful disease began very suddenly

in

> April 2003 when I woke up with a swollen, throbbing right hand. I

> honestly thought I had somehow broken a bone without knowing it.

The

> hand seemed to heal after two or three days, to be followed by a

four-

> day bout of excruciating pain in my right shoulder, followed by

> another three days of swelling in my left wrist, and so on and so

> on. I know this sounds stupid – even to me – but I honestly

thought

> I was somehow hurting myself without realizing it. Finally figured

> out something wasn't quite right (duh). I was originally diagnosed

> with palindromic rheumatism, even though I did test seropositive

RA.

> (I don't know if you're familiar with PR, but it's another

> inflammatory arthritis that visits a joint for two or three days,

> causes immense pain, and then randomly moves on to another joint.

> You get it in flares, like RA, but it supposedly rarely causes

joint

> erosion. Still hurts like hell, though.) Finally in April of this

> year, it started falling into a more " rheumatoid type " pattern…more

> consistent pain, especially in my knees, feet, and hands,

> morning " stiffness " (and isn't that an understatement?), yada,

yada,

> yada. Fortunately, my internist had sent me to a great

> rheumatologist at the end of last year, so I was already taking

> Celebrex and had started Plaquinel for the PR. Now I'm also taking

> fairly small doses of Prednisone (5mg) and Methotrexate (7.5). I

> consider myself VERY fortunate because so far I'm responding well

to

> a fairly small dose of meds -- Minimum side effects and a pretty

big

> reduction in pain. (Yes, I know this can change very quickly, but

> I'm trying to look on the bright side and be thankful for where I

am

> today!) I'm really just having a few aches and pains right now,

and

> I'm much, much better in the mornings. Actually, one of my biggest

> challenges right now is the loss of energy, especially since I

> started the methotrexate. Given the option, I could probably take

> about four naps a day.

>

> I think I'll stop here…Otherwise, I'll tell you everything I know

and

> never have anything to post again. Like I said, I just wanted to

> introduce myself while I'm in a fairly " good place " so that maybe

> when the bad times come, I'll have a few more friends (and you can

> never have enough, can you?) You seem like a really great bunch of

> people and I look forward to being a part of this group.

>

> Take care,

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sheri. Unlike some others on this site, RA, or any chronic

illness for that matter, doesn't run in my family, and until about a

year ago, I only vaguely knew of two people who had it. So this is a

whole new world for me, and it's nice to find a place where people

have already been through a lot of what I'm dealing with now.

> > I've been reading the posts for several weeks now. I'm starting

> to

> > feel like a " peeping Tom " from learning so much about some of you

> > while not sharing anything about me, so I thought it was time to

> > introduce myself.

> >

> > My name is , I'm 49, live in Texas with my husband and two

> > kids. My journey with this wonderful disease began very suddenly

> in

> > April 2003 when I woke up with a swollen, throbbing right hand.

I

> > honestly thought I had somehow broken a bone without knowing it.

> The

> > hand seemed to heal after two or three days, to be followed by a

> four-

> > day bout of excruciating pain in my right shoulder, followed by

> > another three days of swelling in my left wrist, and so on and so

> > on. I know this sounds stupid – even to me – but I honestly

> thought

> > I was somehow hurting myself without realizing it. Finally

> figured

> > out something wasn't quite right (duh). I was originally

> diagnosed

> > with palindromic rheumatism, even though I did test seropositive

> RA.

> > (I don't know if you're familiar with PR, but it's another

> > inflammatory arthritis that visits a joint for two or three days,

> > causes immense pain, and then randomly moves on to another

joint.

> > You get it in flares, like RA, but it supposedly rarely causes

> joint

> > erosion. Still hurts like hell, though.) Finally in April of

> this

> > year, it started falling into a more " rheumatoid type " pattern…

> more

> > consistent pain, especially in my knees, feet, and hands,

> > morning " stiffness " (and isn't that an understatement?), yada,

> yada,

> > yada. Fortunately, my internist had sent me to a great

> > rheumatologist at the end of last year, so I was already taking

> > Celebrex and had started Plaquinel for the PR. Now I'm also

> taking

> > fairly small doses of Prednisone (5mg) and Methotrexate (7.5). I

> > consider myself VERY fortunate because so far I'm responding well

> to

> > a fairly small dose of meds -- Minimum side effects and a pretty

> big

> > reduction in pain. (Yes, I know this can change very quickly,

but

> > I'm trying to look on the bright side and be thankful for where I

> am

> > today!) I'm really just having a few aches and pains right now,

> and

> > I'm much, much better in the mornings. Actually, one of my

> biggest

> > challenges right now is the loss of energy, especially since I

> > started the methotrexate. Given the option, I could probably

take

> > about four naps a day.

> >

> > I think I'll stop here…Otherwise, I'll tell you everything I know

> and

> > never have anything to post again. Like I said, I just wanted to

> > introduce myself while I'm in a fairly " good place " so that maybe

> > when the bad times come, I'll have a few more friends (and you

can

> > never have enough, can you?) You seem like a really great bunch

> of

> > people and I look forward to being a part of this group.

> >

> > Take care,

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Tawny,

Yes, we are neighbors because I'm in north Texas, Fort Worth to be

exact. I have a 15 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. I've

been curious about how some of the group's children respond to this

illness. Although mine usually still expect me to jump up and get

them snacks or whatever, instead of trotting their healthy young

bodies to the kitchen, they sometimes do things that really surprise

me, like my son opening jars for me without me having to ask because

he knows my hands hurt. It doesn't happen often, but I guess it's a

start. :-)

> > I've been reading the posts for several weeks now. I'm starting

to

> > feel like a " peeping Tom " from learning so much about some of you

> > while not sharing anything about me, so I thought it was time to

> > introduce myself.

> >

> > My name is , I'm 49, live in Texas with my husband and two

> > kids. My journey with this wonderful disease began very suddenly

> in

> > April 2003 when I woke up with a swollen, throbbing right hand.

I

> > honestly thought I had somehow broken a bone without knowing it.

> The

> > hand seemed to heal after two or three days, to be followed by a

> four-

> > day bout of excruciating pain in my right shoulder, followed by

> > another three days of swelling in my left wrist, and so on and so

> > on. I know this sounds stupid – even to me – but I honestly

> thought

> > I was somehow hurting myself without realizing it. Finally

figured

> > out something wasn't quite right (duh). I was originally

diagnosed

> > with palindromic rheumatism, even though I did test seropositive

> RA.

> > (I don't know if you're familiar with PR, but it's another

> > inflammatory arthritis that visits a joint for two or three days,

> > causes immense pain, and then randomly moves on to another

joint.

> > You get it in flares, like RA, but it supposedly rarely causes

> joint

> > erosion. Still hurts like hell, though.) Finally in April of

this

> > year, it started falling into a more " rheumatoid type " pattern…

more

> > consistent pain, especially in my knees, feet, and hands,

> > morning " stiffness " (and isn't that an understatement?), yada,

> yada,

> > yada. Fortunately, my internist had sent me to a great

> > rheumatologist at the end of last year, so I was already taking

> > Celebrex and had started Plaquinel for the PR. Now I'm also

taking

> > fairly small doses of Prednisone (5mg) and Methotrexate (7.5). I

> > consider myself VERY fortunate because so far I'm responding well

> to

> > a fairly small dose of meds -- Minimum side effects and a pretty

> big

> > reduction in pain. (Yes, I know this can change very quickly,

but

> > I'm trying to look on the bright side and be thankful for where I

> am

> > today!) I'm really just having a few aches and pains right now,

> and

> > I'm much, much better in the mornings. Actually, one of my

biggest

> > challenges right now is the loss of energy, especially since I

> > started the methotrexate. Given the option, I could probably

take

> > about four naps a day.

> >

> > I think I'll stop here…Otherwise, I'll tell you everything I know

> and

> > never have anything to post again. Like I said, I just wanted to

> > introduce myself while I'm in a fairly " good place " so that maybe

> > when the bad times come, I'll have a few more friends (and you

can

> > never have enough, can you?) You seem like a really great bunch

of

> > people and I look forward to being a part of this group.

> >

> > Take care,

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome ! Wow, your journey sounds just like mine! I didn't know WHAT to make

of my joints. I thought I had banged my shoulder against something too, but

then the shoulder on the other side would start doing the same thing. A few

days later, another joint would start to feel strange. I just went for

assessment a while back, still waiting for the results. Meanwhile, I began to

take a increased amount of Calcium and Tylenol prescribed by the specialist

until they know for sure what I have, and I'm rubbing in some Icy Hot and a blue

creamy stuff called " Blue Emu " . To some degree, my joints seem to be

responding to this mixture of stuff.

I too get fatigue easily. Sometimes I end up sleeping 12 hrs. Something I

never did before. My sleeping schedule is really wacky to say the least!

I'm really amazed as to the varied types of Arthritis. A few months ago, I only

knew about Osteoporosis, and very little at that. Now I'm learning about all

this other stuff. , you've found a very informative group to join in with

I think! I'm really glad I found this group too. They're great folks!

Take care, huh?

Jefersea

[ ] Hi Everyone from Another Newcomer

I've been reading the posts for several weeks now. I'm starting to

feel like a " peeping Tom " from learning so much about some of you

while not sharing anything about me, so I thought it was time to

introduce myself.

My name is , I'm 49, live in Texas with my husband and two

kids. My journey with this wonderful disease began very suddenly in

April 2003 when I woke up with a swollen, throbbing right hand. I

honestly thought I had somehow broken a bone without knowing it. The

hand seemed to heal after two or three days, to be followed by a four-

day bout of excruciating pain in my right shoulder, followed by

another three days of swelling in my left wrist, and so on and so

on. I know this sounds stupid - even to me - but I honestly thought

I was somehow hurting myself without realizing it. Finally figured

out something wasn't quite right (duh). I was originally diagnosed

with palindromic rheumatism, even though I did test seropositive RA.

(I don't know if you're familiar with PR, but it's another

inflammatory arthritis that visits a joint for two or three days,

causes immense pain, and then randomly moves on to another joint.

You get it in flares, like RA, but it supposedly rarely causes joint

erosion. Still hurts like hell, though.) Finally in April of this

year, it started falling into a more " rheumatoid type " pattern.more

consistent pain, especially in my knees, feet, and hands,

morning " stiffness " (and isn't that an understatement?), yada, yada,

yada. Fortunately, my internist had sent me to a great

rheumatologist at the end of last year, so I was already taking

Celebrex and had started Plaquinel for the PR. Now I'm also taking

fairly small doses of Prednisone (5mg) and Methotrexate (7.5). I

consider myself VERY fortunate because so far I'm responding well to

a fairly small dose of meds -- Minimum side effects and a pretty big

reduction in pain. (Yes, I know this can change very quickly, but

I'm trying to look on the bright side and be thankful for where I am

today!) I'm really just having a few aches and pains right now, and

I'm much, much better in the mornings. Actually, one of my biggest

challenges right now is the loss of energy, especially since I

started the methotrexate. Given the option, I could probably take

about four naps a day.

I think I'll stop here.Otherwise, I'll tell you everything I know and

never have anything to post again. Like I said, I just wanted to

introduce myself while I'm in a fairly " good place " so that maybe

when the bad times come, I'll have a few more friends (and you can

never have enough, can you?) You seem like a really great bunch of

people and I look forward to being a part of this group.

Take care,

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the welcome, . I wanted to tell you I think you do a

great service posting the information here that you do. Saves me

lots of time trying to look stuff up. Like I said earlier, this is

all new to me. I knew nothing about RA until a year ago (actually

probably six months ago. I think I was in denial for the first six

months) so this has been a great source of information.

> Welcome, !

>

> Thanks so much for taking the plunge and introducing yourself. It

helps

> us to get to know you better with all those details. I'm sure

there's

> much more to you personal story, and we will be happy to read it any

> time you feel like writing it.

>

> Sounds like you're getting good care and responding to your meds

nicely.

> It really doesn't have to get markedly worse, and I'll hope along

with

> you that it doesn't.

>

> Looking forward to hearing more from you,

>

>

>

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

>

>

> [ ] Hi Everyone from Another Newcomer

>

>

> I've been reading the posts for several weeks now. I'm starting to

> feel like a " peeping Tom " from learning so much about some of you

> while not sharing anything about me, so I thought it was time to

> introduce myself.

>

> My name is , I'm 49, live in Texas with my husband and two

> kids. My journey with this wonderful disease began very suddenly in

> April 2003 when I woke up with a swollen, throbbing right hand. I

> honestly thought I had somehow broken a bone without knowing it.

The

> hand seemed to heal after two or three days, to be followed by a

four-

> day bout of excruciating pain in my right shoulder, followed by

> another three days of swelling in my left wrist, and so on and so

> on. I know this sounds stupid - even to me - but I honestly thought

> I was somehow hurting myself without realizing it. Finally figured

> out something wasn't quite right (duh). I was originally diagnosed

> with palindromic rheumatism, even though I did test seropositive RA.

> (I don't know if you're familiar with PR, but it's another

> inflammatory arthritis that visits a joint for two or three days,

> causes immense pain, and then randomly moves on to another joint.

> You get it in flares, like RA, but it supposedly rarely causes joint

> erosion. Still hurts like hell, though.) Finally in April of this

> year, it started falling into a more " rheumatoid type " pattern.more

> consistent pain, especially in my knees, feet, and hands,

> morning " stiffness " (and isn't that an understatement?), yada, yada,

> yada. Fortunately, my internist had sent me to a great

> rheumatologist at the end of last year, so I was already taking

> Celebrex and had started Plaquinel for the PR. Now I'm also taking

> fairly small doses of Prednisone (5mg) and Methotrexate (7.5). I

> consider myself VERY fortunate because so far I'm responding well to

> a fairly small dose of meds -- Minimum side effects and a pretty big

> reduction in pain. (Yes, I know this can change very quickly, but

> I'm trying to look on the bright side and be thankful for where I am

> today!) I'm really just having a few aches and pains right now, and

> I'm much, much better in the mornings. Actually, one of my biggest

> challenges right now is the loss of energy, especially since I

> started the methotrexate. Given the option, I could probably take

> about four naps a day.

>

> I think I'll stop here.Otherwise, I'll tell you everything I know

and

> never have anything to post again. Like I said, I just wanted to

> introduce myself while I'm in a fairly " good place " so that maybe

> when the bad times come, I'll have a few more friends (and you can

> never have enough, can you?) You seem like a really great bunch of

> people and I look forward to being a part of this group.

>

> Take care,

>

[Guest guest]

My children (15-21) really don't seem to get it. They are typical teenagers

somewhat and I have always done too much for them and thought too much for them,

at the same time making them do chores and being very responsible, including

helping with daycare. But, they still will not carry clean clothes from the

laundry room without me telling them too. I would leave it there and say

nothing except I don't have the room to do that. Just things like that is

probably normal kid stuff but it just makes me crazy. I wasn't like that as I

was the only child taking care of older parents so I was a grownup way before my

time. If anyone has the magic answer, please share.

Becky

[ ] Re: Hi Everyone from Another Newcomer

Hi Tawny,

Yes, we are neighbors because I'm in north Texas, Fort Worth to be

exact. I have a 15 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. I've

been curious about how some of the group's children respond to this

illness. Although mine usually still expect me to jump up and get

them snacks or whatever, instead of trotting their healthy young

bodies to the kitchen, they sometimes do things that really surprise

me, like my son opening jars for me without me having to ask because

he knows my hands hurt. It doesn't happen often, but I guess it's a

start. :-)

> > I've been reading the posts for several weeks now. I'm starting

to

> > feel like a " peeping Tom " from learning so much about some of you

> > while not sharing anything about me, so I thought it was time to

> > introduce myself.

> >

> > My name is , I'm 49, live in Texas with my husband and two

> > kids. My journey with this wonderful disease began very suddenly

> in

> > April 2003 when I woke up with a swollen, throbbing right hand.

I

> > honestly thought I had somehow broken a bone without knowing it.

> The

> > hand seemed to heal after two or three days, to be followed by a

> four-

> > day bout of excruciating pain in my right shoulder, followed by

> > another three days of swelling in my left wrist, and so on and so

> > on. I know this sounds stupid - even to me - but I honestly

> thought

> > I was somehow hurting myself without realizing it. Finally

figured

> > out something wasn't quite right (duh). I was originally

diagnosed

> > with palindromic rheumatism, even though I did test seropositive

> RA.

> > (I don't know if you're familiar with PR, but it's another

> > inflammatory arthritis that visits a joint for two or three days,

> > causes immense pain, and then randomly moves on to another

joint.

> > You get it in flares, like RA, but it supposedly rarely causes

> joint

> > erosion. Still hurts like hell, though.) Finally in April of

this

> > year, it started falling into a more " rheumatoid type " pattern.

more

> > consistent pain, especially in my knees, feet, and hands,

> > morning " stiffness " (and isn't that an understatement?), yada,

> yada,

> > yada. Fortunately, my internist had sent me to a great

> > rheumatologist at the end of last year, so I was already taking

> > Celebrex and had started Plaquinel for the PR. Now I'm also

taking

> > fairly small doses of Prednisone (5mg) and Methotrexate (7.5). I

> > consider myself VERY fortunate because so far I'm responding well

> to

> > a fairly small dose of meds -- Minimum side effects and a pretty

> big

> > reduction in pain. (Yes, I know this can change very quickly,

but

> > I'm trying to look on the bright side and be thankful for where I

> am

> > today!) I'm really just having a few aches and pains right now,

> and

> > I'm much, much better in the mornings. Actually, one of my

biggest

> > challenges right now is the loss of energy, especially since I

> > started the methotrexate. Given the option, I could probably

take

> > about four naps a day.

> >

> > I think I'll stop here.Otherwise, I'll tell you everything I know

> and

> > never have anything to post again. Like I said, I just wanted to

> > introduce myself while I'm in a fairly " good place " so that maybe

> > when the bad times come, I'll have a few more friends (and you

can

> > never have enough, can you?) You seem like a really great bunch

of

> > people and I look forward to being a part of this group.

> >

> > Take care,

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi , I have only my 9 year old at home, and it is hard for

her. This summer has been really bad, because this is my worst yet.

She also still thinks I can jump up make her a sandwich, and not

think anything of it. I guess because they are so use to us doing

for them, they just can't understand what happened. It is hard for

kids to know how devastating this disease is, and the pain that we go

through. That is cool when they surprise you once in awhile, Tawny

> > > I've been reading the posts for several weeks now. I'm

starting

> to

> > > feel like a " peeping Tom " from learning so much about some of

you

> > > while not sharing anything about me, so I thought it was time

to

> > > introduce myself.

> > >

> > > My name is , I'm 49, live in Texas with my husband and

two

> > > kids. My journey with this wonderful disease began very

suddenly

> > in

> > > April 2003 when I woke up with a swollen, throbbing right

hand.

> I

> > > honestly thought I had somehow broken a bone without knowing

it.

> > The

> > > hand seemed to heal after two or three days, to be followed by

a

> > four-

> > > day bout of excruciating pain in my right shoulder, followed by

> > > another three days of swelling in my left wrist, and so on and

so

> > > on. I know this sounds stupid – even to me – but I honestly

> > thought

> > > I was somehow hurting myself without realizing it. Finally

> figured

> > > out something wasn't quite right (duh). I was originally

> diagnosed

> > > with palindromic rheumatism, even though I did test

seropositive

> > RA.

> > > (I don't know if you're familiar with PR, but it's another

> > > inflammatory arthritis that visits a joint for two or three

days,

> > > causes immense pain, and then randomly moves on to another

> joint.

> > > You get it in flares, like RA, but it supposedly rarely causes

> > joint

> > > erosion. Still hurts like hell, though.) Finally in April of

> this

> > > year, it started falling into a more " rheumatoid type " pattern…

> more

> > > consistent pain, especially in my knees, feet, and hands,

> > > morning " stiffness " (and isn't that an understatement?), yada,

> > yada,

> > > yada. Fortunately, my internist had sent me to a great

> > > rheumatologist at the end of last year, so I was already taking

> > > Celebrex and had started Plaquinel for the PR. Now I'm also

> taking

> > > fairly small doses of Prednisone (5mg) and Methotrexate (7.5).

I

> > > consider myself VERY fortunate because so far I'm responding

well

> > to

> > > a fairly small dose of meds -- Minimum side effects and a

pretty

> > big

> > > reduction in pain. (Yes, I know this can change very quickly,

> but

> > > I'm trying to look on the bright side and be thankful for where

I

> > am

> > > today!) I'm really just having a few aches and pains right

now,

> > and

> > > I'm much, much better in the mornings. Actually, one of my

> biggest

> > > challenges right now is the loss of energy, especially since I

> > > started the methotrexate. Given the option, I could probably

> take

> > > about four naps a day.

> > >

> > > I think I'll stop here…Otherwise, I'll tell you everything I

know

> > and

> > > never have anything to post again. Like I said, I just wanted

to

> > > introduce myself while I'm in a fairly " good place " so that

maybe

> > > when the bad times come, I'll have a few more friends (and you

> can

> > > never have enough, can you?) You seem like a really great

bunch

> of

> > > people and I look forward to being a part of this group.

> > >

> > > Take care,

> > >

[Guest guest]

, welcome to the group. When my RA started in 2001, it behaved

just like yours did. I didn't wonder if I'd hurt myself, but I did

think at first that it would sound stupid to tell a doctor about these

wandering pains. I remember someone else here described symptoms such

as these, too. I'm glad that I waited until I was 61 before I got it.

I'm retired and can sleep as late as I want to, but I can't stop

feeling guilty about it.

It's good that your RA is being controlled with low doses of

medication. I am on Enbrel and Bextra, which keep mine in check.

Sue

On Friday, July 9, 2004, at 04:10 PM, wrote:

> I was originally diagnosed

> with palindromic rheumatism, even though I did test seropositive RA.

> (I don't know if you're familiar with PR, but it's another

> inflammatory arthritis that visits a joint for two or three days,

> causes immense pain, and then randomly moves on to another joint.

[Guest guest]

One thing I did (and I didn't have RA at the time but worked full time

as a high school techer) was turn over each child's laundry to him/her

when they got old enough to handle it. I got tired of spending my

entire weekend cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, etc., while my husband

and three kids just were free to do what they wished. One Saturday when

they returned from their ramblings, I had all of their dirty laundry

off the floor and thrown out the back door. I was through with it!

My husband really did take it hard when I finally turned his laundry

over to him, too. But it works much better for me. I wash the sheets,

towels, etc. for both of us, and he takes care of his own clothes.

Maybe you have to be going through menopause to get this drastic, LOL.

Sue

On Friday, July 9, 2004, at 09:44 PM, natesmom4@... wrote:

> My children (15-21) really don't seem to get it. They are typical

> teenagers somewhat and I have always done too much for them and

> thought too much for them, at the same time making them do chores and

> being very responsible, including helping with daycare. But, they

> still will not carry clean clothes from the laundry room without me

> telling them too. I would leave it there and say nothing except I

> don't have the room to do that. Just things like that is probably

> normal kid stuff but it just makes me crazy. I wasn't like that as I

> was the only child taking care of older parents so I was a grownup way

> before my time. If anyone has the magic answer, please share.

[Guest guest]

I have been drastic before mentalpause!

Becky

Re: [ ] Re: Hi Everyone from Another Newcomer

One thing I did (and I didn't have RA at the time but worked full time

as a high school techer) was turn over each child's laundry to him/her

when they got old enough to handle it. I got tired of spending my

entire weekend cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, etc., while my husband

and three kids just were free to do what they wished. One Saturday when

they returned from their ramblings, I had all of their dirty laundry

off the floor and thrown out the back door. I was through with it!

My husband really did take it hard when I finally turned his laundry

over to him, too. But it works much better for me. I wash the sheets,

towels, etc. for both of us, and he takes care of his own clothes.

Maybe you have to be going through menopause to get this drastic, LOL.

Sue

On Friday, July 9, 2004, at 09:44 PM, natesmom4@... wrote:

> My children (15-21) really don't seem to get it. They are typical

> teenagers somewhat and I have always done too much for them and

> thought too much for them, at the same time making them do chores and

> being very responsible, including helping with daycare. But, they

> still will not carry clean clothes from the laundry room without me

> telling them too. I would leave it there and say nothing except I

> don't have the room to do that. Just things like that is probably

> normal kid stuff but it just makes me crazy. I wasn't like that as I

> was the only child taking care of older parents so I was a grownup way

> before my time. If anyone has the magic answer, please share.

[Guest guest]

I have had RA for about 11 years and my children are now 17 and 14. I have

been in what I call " remission " for about a year now. When I was at my

worst they would help out where ever they could. Thank goodness when I was

at my worst I had a spouse to rely on. Don't know what I would have done

without him. About 1 1/2 years after being dx with RA my now ex-husband

left. I was a single mom for almost 6 years before getting remarried.

My 14 year old dght loves to do domestic things and keeps learning more and

more which will be helpful if I have a flare. She can do laundry and knows

how to sort clothes for different cycles, she likes to cook and bake. She

goes shopping with my husband (her stepdad) as she knows which brands I

like. My son does what he can but is not as compassionate like my dght. I

think it has to do with a " male " thing.

Any ways, my children have been real helpful.

Terri

[ ] Re: Hi Everyone from Another Newcomer

Hi Tawny,

Yes, we are neighbors because I'm in north Texas, Fort Worth to be

exact. I have a 15 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. I've

been curious about how some of the group's children respond to this

illness. Although mine usually still expect me to jump up and get

them snacks or whatever, instead of trotting their healthy young

bodies to the kitchen, they sometimes do things that really surprise

me, like my son opening jars for me without me having to ask because

he knows my hands hurt. It doesn't happen often, but I guess it's a

start. :-)

> > I've been reading the posts for several weeks now. I'm starting

to

> > feel like a " peeping Tom " from learning so much about some of you

> > while not sharing anything about me, so I thought it was time to

> > introduce myself.

> >

> > My name is , I'm 49, live in Texas with my husband and two

> > kids. My journey with this wonderful disease began very suddenly

> in

> > April 2003 when I woke up with a swollen, throbbing right hand.

I

> > honestly thought I had somehow broken a bone without knowing it.

> The

> > hand seemed to heal after two or three days, to be followed by a

> four-

> > day bout of excruciating pain in my right shoulder, followed by

> > another three days of swelling in my left wrist, and so on and so

> > on. I know this sounds stupid - even to me - but I honestly

> thought

> > I was somehow hurting myself without realizing it. Finally

figured

> > out something wasn't quite right (duh). I was originally

diagnosed

> > with palindromic rheumatism, even though I did test seropositive

> RA.

> > (I don't know if you're familiar with PR, but it's another

> > inflammatory arthritis that visits a joint for two or three days,

> > causes immense pain, and then randomly moves on to another

joint.

> > You get it in flares, like RA, but it supposedly rarely causes

> joint

> > erosion. Still hurts like hell, though.) Finally in April of

this

> > year, it started falling into a more " rheumatoid type " pattern.

more

> > consistent pain, especially in my knees, feet, and hands,

> > morning " stiffness " (and isn't that an understatement?), yada,

> yada,

> > yada. Fortunately, my internist had sent me to a great

> > rheumatologist at the end of last year, so I was already taking

> > Celebrex and had started Plaquinel for the PR. Now I'm also

taking

> > fairly small doses of Prednisone (5mg) and Methotrexate (7.5). I

> > consider myself VERY fortunate because so far I'm responding well

> to

> > a fairly small dose of meds -- Minimum side effects and a pretty

> big

> > reduction in pain. (Yes, I know this can change very quickly,

but

> > I'm trying to look on the bright side and be thankful for where I

> am

> > today!) I'm really just having a few aches and pains right now,

> and

> > I'm much, much better in the mornings. Actually, one of my

biggest

> > challenges right now is the loss of energy, especially since I

> > started the methotrexate. Given the option, I could probably

take

> > about four naps a day.

> >

> > I think I'll stop here.Otherwise, I'll tell you everything I know

> and

> > never have anything to post again. Like I said, I just wanted to

> > introduce myself while I'm in a fairly " good place " so that maybe

> > when the bad times come, I'll have a few more friends (and you

can

> > never have enough, can you?) You seem like a really great bunch

of

> > people and I look forward to being a part of this group.

> >

> > Take care,

> >

[Guest guest]

You're quite welcome, !

There's also a wealth of good reading at the site a created for our

group:

http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Re: Hi Everyone from Another Newcomer

> Thanks for the welcome, . I wanted to tell you I think you do a

> great service posting the information here that you do. Saves me

> lots of time trying to look stuff up. Like I said earlier, this is

> all new to me. I knew nothing about RA until a year ago (actually

> probably six months ago. I think I was in denial for the first six

> months) so this has been a great source of information.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi . Welcome to the group. I know my welcome is delayed, but I

have not been online in a few days. I wanted to tell you that the

same thing happened to me... pain/swelling jumping around to various

joints. My rheumy says this is common with RA, that it is the

disease " brewing " and eventually it will act more like RA. When mine

got to the " more like RA " part is when I got diagnosed. Although we

all knew it was coming because my mom and her cousin also have RA.

Again, welcome.

Jennie

--- In , " " <dumbblondejogger@y...>

wrote:

> I've been reading the posts for several weeks now. I'm starting to

> feel like a " peeping Tom " from learning so much about some of you

> while not sharing anything about me, so I thought it was time to

> introduce myself.

>

> My name is , I'm 49, live in Texas with my husband and two

> kids. My journey with this wonderful disease began very suddenly

in

> April 2003 when I woke up with a swollen, throbbing right hand. I

> honestly thought I had somehow broken a bone without knowing it.

The

> hand seemed to heal after two or three days, to be followed by a

four-

> day bout of excruciating pain in my right shoulder, followed by

> another three days of swelling in my left wrist, and so on and so

> on. I know this sounds stupid – even to me – but I honestly

thought

> I was somehow hurting myself without realizing it. Finally figured

> out something wasn't quite right (duh). I was originally diagnosed

> with palindromic rheumatism, even though I did test seropositive

RA.

> (I don't know if you're familiar with PR, but it's another

> inflammatory arthritis that visits a joint for two or three days,

> causes immense pain, and then randomly moves on to another joint.

> You get it in flares, like RA, but it supposedly rarely causes

joint

> erosion. Still hurts like hell, though.) Finally in April of this

> year, it started falling into a more " rheumatoid type " pattern…more

> consistent pain, especially in my knees, feet, and hands,

> morning " stiffness " (and isn't that an understatement?), yada,

yada,

> yada. Fortunately, my internist had sent me to a great

> rheumatologist at the end of last year, so I was already taking

> Celebrex and had started Plaquinel for the PR. Now I'm also taking

> fairly small doses of Prednisone (5mg) and Methotrexate (7.5). I

> consider myself VERY fortunate because so far I'm responding well

to

> a fairly small dose of meds -- Minimum side effects and a pretty

big

> reduction in pain. (Yes, I know this can change very quickly, but

> I'm trying to look on the bright side and be thankful for where I

am

> today!) I'm really just having a few aches and pains right now,

and

> I'm much, much better in the mornings. Actually, one of my biggest

> challenges right now is the loss of energy, especially since I

> started the methotrexate. Given the option, I could probably take

> about four naps a day.

>

> I think I'll stop here…Otherwise, I'll tell you everything I know

and

> never have anything to post again. Like I said, I just wanted to

> introduce myself while I'm in a fairly " good place " so that maybe

> when the bad times come, I'll have a few more friends (and you can

> never have enough, can you?) You seem like a really great bunch of

> people and I look forward to being a part of this group.

>

> Take care,

>