Re: New to rheumatoid arthritis. Can anyone help?

[Guest guest]

I am really sorry about your diagnosis, I know it is scarey, but wasn't it

scarey NOT knowing what was wrong? My family gave me the same stuff, but have

since changed to some degree. No one lives in your body, so no one else can

know exactly how you feel. I am 56 and worked for 2 years after my

diagnosis, I went off work on disability due to the job stress and long hours

I was

working causing everything to get worse. I use a cane to get around because

I had a bad case of osteomyelitis in my foot and it still hurts. RA is like

having a war in your body and you and your Dr. are the Generals fighting to

keep everything in good order. If you haven't seen one, I would ask for a

referral to a Rheumatologist. He should be able to explain everything to you,

set you up with medication and support. They start you off pretty slowly on

medication, so do not be swayed by all the TV advertisements for medication.

It is good to be informed, but your body needs to adjust to each of the meds.

I started on Methotrexate and Plaquinel, but it did not kick in right away,

so they put me on prednisone. As soon as things started working, then we

weaned off the pred. Please take care of yourself, communicate with your Dr

(even if it seems like it is just a little fatigue) and keep as active as

possible. I knwo I am pretty abrupt, but I feel for you and you can write me

direct if you would like?

Gentle Hugs & Prayers,

Carol M. in CA

[Guest guest]

I am really sorry about your diagnosis, I know it is scarey, but wasn't it

scarey NOT knowing what was wrong? My family gave me the same stuff, but have

since changed to some degree. No one lives in your body, so no one else can

know exactly how you feel. I am 56 and worked for 2 years after my

diagnosis, I went off work on disability due to the job stress and long hours

I was

working causing everything to get worse. I use a cane to get around because

I had a bad case of osteomyelitis in my foot and it still hurts. RA is like

having a war in your body and you and your Dr. are the Generals fighting to

keep everything in good order. If you haven't seen one, I would ask for a

referral to a Rheumatologist. He should be able to explain everything to you,

set you up with medication and support. They start you off pretty slowly on

medication, so do not be swayed by all the TV advertisements for medication.

It is good to be informed, but your body needs to adjust to each of the meds.

I started on Methotrexate and Plaquinel, but it did not kick in right away,

so they put me on prednisone. As soon as things started working, then we

weaned off the pred. Please take care of yourself, communicate with your Dr

(even if it seems like it is just a little fatigue) and keep as active as

possible. I knwo I am pretty abrupt, but I feel for you and you can write me

direct if you would like?

Gentle Hugs & Prayers,

Carol M. in CA

[Guest guest]

I also wonder that to myself, I think it probably crosses everyone

that has RA. I don't have the answer, maybe someone else can give

you some information.

I know by taking the meds to help stop the progression of the disease

gives us a better chance.

I know how frustrating it is when people don't understand, and try to

change the topic, they just don't won't to take time to find out

more. They just think you have arthritis, rub some ben gay on it,

and go on with your life, well it doesn't work like that.

You just love your job, and keep active, and take meds, and you might

not have as many problems with the RA. I wish you luck, and pray

that all goes well for you, Tawny

--- In , " carsonpolly " <pacteach@a...>

wrote:

>

>

> I just found out from my Doctor that I do have rheumatoid

arthritis.

> I am 59 years old. My Doctor was very vague about what I can

expect.

>

> I had an uncle who also got this around my age. He was healthy,

fit,

> and trim and was in a wheel chair in 3 years. This was in 1960.

Does

> anyone know if this might happen to me? I am a teacher and love my

> job.

>

> My family all say " Oh, it's nothing " . " You will be

> fine. I bet they have all kinds of pills for it now " , and so on.

> I know they are trying to make me feel better but they make me feel

> worse.

>

> I feel like I need to talk with some one who can tell me what really

> happens and all I get on the web are pitches from drug companies.

>

> Can anyone help me?

[Guest guest]

I also wonder that to myself, I think it probably crosses everyone

that has RA. I don't have the answer, maybe someone else can give

you some information.

I know by taking the meds to help stop the progression of the disease

gives us a better chance.

I know how frustrating it is when people don't understand, and try to

change the topic, they just don't won't to take time to find out

more. They just think you have arthritis, rub some ben gay on it,

and go on with your life, well it doesn't work like that.

You just love your job, and keep active, and take meds, and you might

not have as many problems with the RA. I wish you luck, and pray

that all goes well for you, Tawny

>

>

> I just found out from my Doctor that I do have rheumatoid

arthritis.

> I am 59 years old. My Doctor was very vague about what I can

expect.

>

> I had an uncle who also got this around my age. He was healthy,

fit,

> and trim and was in a wheel chair in 3 years. This was in 1960.

Does

> anyone know if this might happen to me? I am a teacher and love my

> job.

>

> My family all say " Oh, it's nothing " . " You will be

> fine. I bet they have all kinds of pills for it now " , and so on.

> I know they are trying to make me feel better but they make me feel

> worse.

>

> I feel like I need to talk with some one who can tell me what really

> happens and all I get on the web are pitches from drug companies.

>

> Can anyone help me?

[Guest guest]

Yes, they do have all kinds of pills, and injections, for it now. You

are probably not going to end up in a wheel chair. But it is important

to get treatment for it early, because damage to the joints can occur

early in the disease.

Is your doctor a rheumatologist? They are better equipped than general

doctors to deal with the disease. I am on Enbrel, which is one of the

new biological drugs. It is working very well for me. Most insurance

companies won't let the doctors start with these expensive drugs. The

most widely used drug to be started off with is methotrexate. Sometimes

prednisone is added to help with the pain until the methotrexate has

time to take effect.

What medications did the doctor put you on?

Rheumatoid arthritis no longer has to be the crippling disease that it

once was. Good luck to you.

Sue

On Thursday, November 4, 2004, at 12:38 PM, carsonpolly wrote:

>

> I just found out from my Doctor that I do have rheumatoid arthritis.

> I am 59 years old. My Doctor was very vague about what I can expect.

>

> I had an uncle who also got this around my age. He was healthy, fit,

> and trim and was in a wheel chair in 3 years. This was in 1960. Does

> anyone know if this might happen to me? I am a teacher and love my

> job.

>

> My family all say " Oh, it's nothing " . " You will be

> fine. I bet they have all kinds of pills for it now " , and so on.

> I know they are trying to make me feel better but they make me feel

> worse.

>

> I feel like I need to talk with some one who can tell me what really

> happens and all I get on the web are pitches from drug companies.

>

> Can anyone help me?

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, they do have all kinds of pills, and injections, for it now. You

are probably not going to end up in a wheel chair. But it is important

to get treatment for it early, because damage to the joints can occur

early in the disease.

Is your doctor a rheumatologist? They are better equipped than general

doctors to deal with the disease. I am on Enbrel, which is one of the

new biological drugs. It is working very well for me. Most insurance

companies won't let the doctors start with these expensive drugs. The

most widely used drug to be started off with is methotrexate. Sometimes

prednisone is added to help with the pain until the methotrexate has

time to take effect.

What medications did the doctor put you on?

Rheumatoid arthritis no longer has to be the crippling disease that it

once was. Good luck to you.

Sue

On Thursday, November 4, 2004, at 12:38 PM, carsonpolly wrote:

>

> I just found out from my Doctor that I do have rheumatoid arthritis.

> I am 59 years old. My Doctor was very vague about what I can expect.

>

> I had an uncle who also got this around my age. He was healthy, fit,

> and trim and was in a wheel chair in 3 years. This was in 1960. Does

> anyone know if this might happen to me? I am a teacher and love my

> job.

>

> My family all say " Oh, it's nothing " . " You will be

> fine. I bet they have all kinds of pills for it now " , and so on.

> I know they are trying to make me feel better but they make me feel

> worse.

>

> I feel like I need to talk with some one who can tell me what really

> happens and all I get on the web are pitches from drug companies.

>

> Can anyone help me?

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>