Re: Newcomers and support, long story

[Guest guest]

Welcome Joyce! If your looking for great people, and lot of support

you have came to the right place. I am looking forward to get to

know you, hugs Tawny

>

> Hi Latisha and Jpey and Everyone,

>

> I'm new here also, and I also joined the Lupies. It's been over 2

years

> that I have had aching hands, and

> fatigue. When I originally went to my family doc, a great guy, he

> immediately sent me to a rheumy for

> the aching hands...I went, but only saw the rheumy's nurse and she

jumped

> in and said I have RA or Lupus

> and I should start taking this, that and the other thing (I was

already on

> celebrex)...I was scared to death

> as all this info came out of the blue. I thought my family doc

thought I

> had a bit of osteoarthritis in my hands

> because of a previous injury to my right, and I used to play the

flute (in

> jr high 30 years ago). She frightened

> me so badly that my hands and feet clammed up - so when she

examined me she

> said I have Reynauds also.

> I nodded like Ralphie did on Santa's lap when he couldn't remember

he

> wanted a Red Ryder BB gun...uh, huh...

> while my mind was screaming, " I AM SO OUTTA HERE!! " I left without

saying

> yes to anything, just that I'd think

> about it. She looked at me like I was stupid and pathetic. I've

worked in

> Biochemistry for 25 years, and while

> not a chemist, I know enough about things, and the guys who found

the basis

> for the COX2 enzyme (that vioxx,

> celebrex, bextra are based on) are from my department.

>

> Fast forward 2 years. I kept taking celebrex but my hands still

ached. Got

> real tired in the summer and the

> family doc ordered blood tests. Anemic. I have to add that 2 years

> previous, and again this summer, my

> ANA titer was 1:40 and speckled...some consider that negative for

> inflammatory disease. He sent me to

> a gastroenterologist and there's nothing going on from top to

bottom that

> would make me anemic (and I had a

> hysterectomy in '93, not total, though). The gastro, real nice,

gently

> suggested going back to the rheumy last

> month. I said I prefer to be an ostrich with my head in the sand

(is it

> the ostrich?haha)...she said OK, but I'm here

> if you need me. Two weeks later I was getting killer headaches

lasting 3

> days that even tylenol with codeine

> didn't budge. Went back to my family doc and his PA (who's cool)

said,

> well, I really think you need to see a

> rheumy. So I said if 3 or 4 people tell you it's a tree, it's

probably a

> tree.

>

> Went back to rheumy, NOT his nurse. He was nice, dry sense of

humor, and we

> agreed together that I would

> take Plaquenil, Bextra instead of the celebrex, and a short-term

dose of

> Prednisone along with water therapy.

> I have to add that over thanksgiving, hubby and I drove to Florida

to see

> his folks. When we got back to

> Michigan, my hips and knees were achy for longer than I would have

> expected. A new wrinkle for this 45

> year old.

>

> It's been 2 weeks that I've been on meds, almost 3. Two weeks of

water

> therapy, 3x a week. Gotta say I feel

> better. The hand and arm exercised in the water really help

strengthen the

> muscles to put less pressure on the

> joints and tendons. I don't know if it's RA or lupus, they're

still

> treated the same at first. I did go and get some

> blood work results the rheumy took on Dec. 9th - my ANA titer is

now

> 1:160. My knees buckled and I felt

> like throwing up. My denial was coming apart.

>

> It's still a roller coaster. My husband doesn't talk about it and

like

> jpey, I have 2 kids - a son who's supposed to

> graduate this year and a daughter who's a junior at MSU living at

> home. Full time job and part time youth director

> at our church. Trying to simplify...

>

> God bless all of you and take care of yourselves today. It took

something

> like this to make me stop and take

> care of myself for the first time in my life...and I wonder if

that's part

> of the reason I have it??? Anyone else feel

> this way?

> Joyce in MI

[Guest guest]

Welcome Joyce! If your looking for great people, and lot of support

you have came to the right place. I am looking forward to get to

know you, hugs Tawny

>

> Hi Latisha and Jpey and Everyone,

>

> I'm new here also, and I also joined the Lupies. It's been over 2

years

> that I have had aching hands, and

> fatigue. When I originally went to my family doc, a great guy, he

> immediately sent me to a rheumy for

> the aching hands...I went, but only saw the rheumy's nurse and she

jumped

> in and said I have RA or Lupus

> and I should start taking this, that and the other thing (I was

already on

> celebrex)...I was scared to death

> as all this info came out of the blue. I thought my family doc

thought I

> had a bit of osteoarthritis in my hands

> because of a previous injury to my right, and I used to play the

flute (in

> jr high 30 years ago). She frightened

> me so badly that my hands and feet clammed up - so when she

examined me she

> said I have Reynauds also.

> I nodded like Ralphie did on Santa's lap when he couldn't remember

he

> wanted a Red Ryder BB gun...uh, huh...

> while my mind was screaming, " I AM SO OUTTA HERE!! " I left without

saying

> yes to anything, just that I'd think

> about it. She looked at me like I was stupid and pathetic. I've

worked in

> Biochemistry for 25 years, and while

> not a chemist, I know enough about things, and the guys who found

the basis

> for the COX2 enzyme (that vioxx,

> celebrex, bextra are based on) are from my department.

>

> Fast forward 2 years. I kept taking celebrex but my hands still

ached. Got

> real tired in the summer and the

> family doc ordered blood tests. Anemic. I have to add that 2 years

> previous, and again this summer, my

> ANA titer was 1:40 and speckled...some consider that negative for

> inflammatory disease. He sent me to

> a gastroenterologist and there's nothing going on from top to

bottom that

> would make me anemic (and I had a

> hysterectomy in '93, not total, though). The gastro, real nice,

gently

> suggested going back to the rheumy last

> month. I said I prefer to be an ostrich with my head in the sand

(is it

> the ostrich?haha)...she said OK, but I'm here

> if you need me. Two weeks later I was getting killer headaches

lasting 3

> days that even tylenol with codeine

> didn't budge. Went back to my family doc and his PA (who's cool)

said,

> well, I really think you need to see a

> rheumy. So I said if 3 or 4 people tell you it's a tree, it's

probably a

> tree.

>

> Went back to rheumy, NOT his nurse. He was nice, dry sense of

humor, and we

> agreed together that I would

> take Plaquenil, Bextra instead of the celebrex, and a short-term

dose of

> Prednisone along with water therapy.

> I have to add that over thanksgiving, hubby and I drove to Florida

to see

> his folks. When we got back to

> Michigan, my hips and knees were achy for longer than I would have

> expected. A new wrinkle for this 45

> year old.

>

> It's been 2 weeks that I've been on meds, almost 3. Two weeks of

water

> therapy, 3x a week. Gotta say I feel

> better. The hand and arm exercised in the water really help

strengthen the

> muscles to put less pressure on the

> joints and tendons. I don't know if it's RA or lupus, they're

still

> treated the same at first. I did go and get some

> blood work results the rheumy took on Dec. 9th - my ANA titer is

now

> 1:160. My knees buckled and I felt

> like throwing up. My denial was coming apart.

>

> It's still a roller coaster. My husband doesn't talk about it and

like

> jpey, I have 2 kids - a son who's supposed to

> graduate this year and a daughter who's a junior at MSU living at

> home. Full time job and part time youth director

> at our church. Trying to simplify...

>

> God bless all of you and take care of yourselves today. It took

something

> like this to make me stop and take

> care of myself for the first time in my life...and I wonder if

that's part

> of the reason I have it??? Anyone else feel

> this way?

> Joyce in MI

[Guest guest]

Joyce, I am one of those people that takes a two by four between the

eyes to get my attention. God has really used the RA, etc. to make me

slow down and get my priorities right, and take a look at what is

important, and what was just " going through the motions " so to speak.

Like the Grateful Dead said, at time it has been a long, strange

trip, but one that I wouldn't change for the world. There are a lot

of wonderful people in this close-knit group, who genuinely care for

each other. I have received so much " on-target " medical info, along

with so much love, in this group. Welcome, and God bless you. Tawny,

glad to see you chipper again, honey. (((hug))))

Hugs from Texas

Jane

> >

> > Hi Latisha and Jpey and Everyone,

> >

> > I'm new here also, and I also joined the Lupies. It's been over

2

> years

> > that I have had aching hands, and

> > fatigue. When I originally went to my family doc, a great guy,

he

> > immediately sent me to a rheumy for

> > the aching hands...I went, but only saw the rheumy's nurse and

she

> jumped

> > in and said I have RA or Lupus

> > and I should start taking this, that and the other thing (I was

> already on

> > celebrex)...I was scared to death

> > as all this info came out of the blue. I thought my family doc

> thought I

> > had a bit of osteoarthritis in my hands

> > because of a previous injury to my right, and I used to play the

> flute (in

> > jr high 30 years ago). She frightened

> > me so badly that my hands and feet clammed up - so when she

> examined me she

> > said I have Reynauds also.

> > I nodded like Ralphie did on Santa's lap when he couldn't

remember

> he

> > wanted a Red Ryder BB gun...uh, huh...

> > while my mind was screaming, " I AM SO OUTTA HERE!! " I left

without

> saying

> > yes to anything, just that I'd think

> > about it. She looked at me like I was stupid and pathetic. I've

> worked in

> > Biochemistry for 25 years, and while

> > not a chemist, I know enough about things, and the guys who found

> the basis

> > for the COX2 enzyme (that vioxx,

> > celebrex, bextra are based on) are from my department.

> >

> > Fast forward 2 years. I kept taking celebrex but my hands still

> ached. Got

> > real tired in the summer and the

> > family doc ordered blood tests. Anemic. I have to add that 2

years

> > previous, and again this summer, my

> > ANA titer was 1:40 and speckled...some consider that negative for

> > inflammatory disease. He sent me to

> > a gastroenterologist and there's nothing going on from top to

> bottom that

> > would make me anemic (and I had a

> > hysterectomy in '93, not total, though). The gastro, real nice,

> gently

> > suggested going back to the rheumy last

> > month. I said I prefer to be an ostrich with my head in the sand

> (is it

> > the ostrich?haha)...she said OK, but I'm here

> > if you need me. Two weeks later I was getting killer headaches

> lasting 3

> > days that even tylenol with codeine

> > didn't budge. Went back to my family doc and his PA (who's cool)

> said,

> > well, I really think you need to see a

> > rheumy. So I said if 3 or 4 people tell you it's a tree, it's

> probably a

> > tree.

> >

> > Went back to rheumy, NOT his nurse. He was nice, dry sense of

> humor, and we

> > agreed together that I would

> > take Plaquenil, Bextra instead of the celebrex, and a short-term

> dose of

> > Prednisone along with water therapy.

> > I have to add that over thanksgiving, hubby and I drove to

Florida

> to see

> > his folks. When we got back to

> > Michigan, my hips and knees were achy for longer than I would

have

> > expected. A new wrinkle for this 45

> > year old.

> >

> > It's been 2 weeks that I've been on meds, almost 3. Two weeks of

> water

> > therapy, 3x a week. Gotta say I feel

> > better. The hand and arm exercised in the water really help

> strengthen the

> > muscles to put less pressure on the

> > joints and tendons. I don't know if it's RA or lupus, they're

> still

> > treated the same at first. I did go and get some

> > blood work results the rheumy took on Dec. 9th - my ANA titer is

> now

> > 1:160. My knees buckled and I felt

> > like throwing up. My denial was coming apart.

> >

> > It's still a roller coaster. My husband doesn't talk about it

and

> like

> > jpey, I have 2 kids - a son who's supposed to

> > graduate this year and a daughter who's a junior at MSU living at

> > home. Full time job and part time youth director

> > at our church. Trying to simplify...

> >

> > God bless all of you and take care of yourselves today. It took

> something

> > like this to make me stop and take

> > care of myself for the first time in my life...and I wonder if

> that's part

> > of the reason I have it??? Anyone else feel

> > this way?

> > Joyce in MI

[Guest guest]

Joyce, I am one of those people that takes a two by four between the

eyes to get my attention. God has really used the RA, etc. to make me

slow down and get my priorities right, and take a look at what is

important, and what was just " going through the motions " so to speak.

Like the Grateful Dead said, at time it has been a long, strange

trip, but one that I wouldn't change for the world. There are a lot

of wonderful people in this close-knit group, who genuinely care for

each other. I have received so much " on-target " medical info, along

with so much love, in this group. Welcome, and God bless you. Tawny,

glad to see you chipper again, honey. (((hug))))

Hugs from Texas

Jane

> >

> > Hi Latisha and Jpey and Everyone,

> >

> > I'm new here also, and I also joined the Lupies. It's been over

2

> years

> > that I have had aching hands, and

> > fatigue. When I originally went to my family doc, a great guy,

he

> > immediately sent me to a rheumy for

> > the aching hands...I went, but only saw the rheumy's nurse and

she

> jumped

> > in and said I have RA or Lupus

> > and I should start taking this, that and the other thing (I was

> already on

> > celebrex)...I was scared to death

> > as all this info came out of the blue. I thought my family doc

> thought I

> > had a bit of osteoarthritis in my hands

> > because of a previous injury to my right, and I used to play the

> flute (in

> > jr high 30 years ago). She frightened

> > me so badly that my hands and feet clammed up - so when she

> examined me she

> > said I have Reynauds also.

> > I nodded like Ralphie did on Santa's lap when he couldn't

remember

> he

> > wanted a Red Ryder BB gun...uh, huh...

> > while my mind was screaming, " I AM SO OUTTA HERE!! " I left

without

> saying

> > yes to anything, just that I'd think

> > about it. She looked at me like I was stupid and pathetic. I've

> worked in

> > Biochemistry for 25 years, and while

> > not a chemist, I know enough about things, and the guys who found

> the basis

> > for the COX2 enzyme (that vioxx,

> > celebrex, bextra are based on) are from my department.

> >

> > Fast forward 2 years. I kept taking celebrex but my hands still

> ached. Got

> > real tired in the summer and the

> > family doc ordered blood tests. Anemic. I have to add that 2

years

> > previous, and again this summer, my

> > ANA titer was 1:40 and speckled...some consider that negative for

> > inflammatory disease. He sent me to

> > a gastroenterologist and there's nothing going on from top to

> bottom that

> > would make me anemic (and I had a

> > hysterectomy in '93, not total, though). The gastro, real nice,

> gently

> > suggested going back to the rheumy last

> > month. I said I prefer to be an ostrich with my head in the sand

> (is it

> > the ostrich?haha)...she said OK, but I'm here

> > if you need me. Two weeks later I was getting killer headaches

> lasting 3

> > days that even tylenol with codeine

> > didn't budge. Went back to my family doc and his PA (who's cool)

> said,

> > well, I really think you need to see a

> > rheumy. So I said if 3 or 4 people tell you it's a tree, it's

> probably a

> > tree.

> >

> > Went back to rheumy, NOT his nurse. He was nice, dry sense of

> humor, and we

> > agreed together that I would

> > take Plaquenil, Bextra instead of the celebrex, and a short-term

> dose of

> > Prednisone along with water therapy.

> > I have to add that over thanksgiving, hubby and I drove to

Florida

> to see

> > his folks. When we got back to

> > Michigan, my hips and knees were achy for longer than I would

have

> > expected. A new wrinkle for this 45

> > year old.

> >

> > It's been 2 weeks that I've been on meds, almost 3. Two weeks of

> water

> > therapy, 3x a week. Gotta say I feel

> > better. The hand and arm exercised in the water really help

> strengthen the

> > muscles to put less pressure on the

> > joints and tendons. I don't know if it's RA or lupus, they're

> still

> > treated the same at first. I did go and get some

> > blood work results the rheumy took on Dec. 9th - my ANA titer is

> now

> > 1:160. My knees buckled and I felt

> > like throwing up. My denial was coming apart.

> >

> > It's still a roller coaster. My husband doesn't talk about it

and

> like

> > jpey, I have 2 kids - a son who's supposed to

> > graduate this year and a daughter who's a junior at MSU living at

> > home. Full time job and part time youth director

> > at our church. Trying to simplify...

> >

> > God bless all of you and take care of yourselves today. It took

> something

> > like this to make me stop and take

> > care of myself for the first time in my life...and I wonder if

> that's part

> > of the reason I have it??? Anyone else feel

> > this way?

> > Joyce in MI

[Guest guest]

Joyce and all,

Slowing down.....hmmm yes I think also. I was teaching sunday school every

sunday at my church and spending 40 hours a month for local outreaches with my

church, homeschooling my 4 kids ages 4-11, involved in the homeschool group to

coordinate activities for all the kids, and being a stay at home mom. I was a

tad bit busy, we moved outta state and my mother in law is dying of cancer she

is doing well and all the RA stuff I was REALLY STRESSED and SUPER BUSY but I

quit all stuff except schooling my kids and awanas for 2 hours a week. I do feel

alot less pain and feel alot better. I do think the Lord was telling me to

prioritize my life put Him 1st, my hubby and then kids and IF i have anything

left i could give outside the home. its hard to say no. i like to try to save

the world but learned i had to be in good health to have my kids and for them to

have me. Slow down its good for you you will feel better. Take care,

Latisha

joyce <robins49@...> wrote:

Hi Latisha and Jpey and Everyone,

I'm new here also, and I also joined the Lupies. It's been over 2 years

that I have had aching hands, and

fatigue. When I originally went to my family doc, a great guy, he

immediately sent me to a rheumy for

the aching hands...I went, but only saw the rheumy's nurse and she jumped

in and said I have RA or Lupus

and I should start taking this, that and the other thing (I was already on

celebrex)...I was scared to death

as all this info came out of the blue. I thought my family doc thought I

had a bit of osteoarthritis in my hands

because of a previous injury to my right, and I used to play the flute (in

jr high 30 years ago). She frightened

me so badly that my hands and feet clammed up - so when she examined me she

said I have Reynauds also.

I nodded like Ralphie did on Santa's lap when he couldn't remember he

wanted a Red Ryder BB gun...uh, huh...

while my mind was screaming, " I AM SO OUTTA HERE!! " I left without saying

yes to anything, just that I'd think

about it. She looked at me like I was stupid and pathetic. I've worked in

Biochemistry for 25 years, and while

not a chemist, I know enough about things, and the guys who found the basis

for the COX2 enzyme (that vioxx,

celebrex, bextra are based on) are from my department.

Fast forward 2 years. I kept taking celebrex but my hands still ached. Got

real tired in the summer and the

family doc ordered blood tests. Anemic. I have to add that 2 years

previous, and again this summer, my

ANA titer was 1:40 and speckled...some consider that negative for

inflammatory disease. He sent me to

a gastroenterologist and there's nothing going on from top to bottom that

would make me anemic (and I had a

hysterectomy in '93, not total, though). The gastro, real nice, gently

suggested going back to the rheumy last

month. I said I prefer to be an ostrich with my head in the sand (is it

the ostrich?haha)...she said OK, but I'm here

if you need me. Two weeks later I was getting killer headaches lasting 3

days that even tylenol with codeine

didn't budge. Went back to my family doc and his PA (who's cool) said,

well, I really think you need to see a

rheumy. So I said if 3 or 4 people tell you it's a tree, it's probably a

tree.

Went back to rheumy, NOT his nurse. He was nice, dry sense of humor, and we

agreed together that I would

take Plaquenil, Bextra instead of the celebrex, and a short-term dose of

Prednisone along with water therapy.

I have to add that over thanksgiving, hubby and I drove to Florida to see

his folks. When we got back to

Michigan, my hips and knees were achy for longer than I would have

expected. A new wrinkle for this 45

year old.

It's been 2 weeks that I've been on meds, almost 3. Two weeks of water

therapy, 3x a week. Gotta say I feel

better. The hand and arm exercised in the water really help strengthen the

muscles to put less pressure on the

joints and tendons. I don't know if it's RA or lupus, they're still

treated the same at first. I did go and get some

blood work results the rheumy took on Dec. 9th - my ANA titer is now

1:160. My knees buckled and I felt

like throwing up. My denial was coming apart.

It's still a roller coaster. My husband doesn't talk about it and like

jpey, I have 2 kids - a son who's supposed to

graduate this year and a daughter who's a junior at MSU living at

home. Full time job and part time youth director

at our church. Trying to simplify...

God bless all of you and take care of yourselves today. It took something

like this to make me stop and take

care of myself for the first time in my life...and I wonder if that's part

of the reason I have it??? Anyone else feel

this way?

Joyce in MI

[Guest guest]

Joyce and all,

Slowing down.....hmmm yes I think also. I was teaching sunday school every

sunday at my church and spending 40 hours a month for local outreaches with my

church, homeschooling my 4 kids ages 4-11, involved in the homeschool group to

coordinate activities for all the kids, and being a stay at home mom. I was a

tad bit busy, we moved outta state and my mother in law is dying of cancer she

is doing well and all the RA stuff I was REALLY STRESSED and SUPER BUSY but I

quit all stuff except schooling my kids and awanas for 2 hours a week. I do feel

alot less pain and feel alot better. I do think the Lord was telling me to

prioritize my life put Him 1st, my hubby and then kids and IF i have anything

left i could give outside the home. its hard to say no. i like to try to save

the world but learned i had to be in good health to have my kids and for them to

have me. Slow down its good for you you will feel better. Take care,

Latisha

joyce <robins49@...> wrote:

Hi Latisha and Jpey and Everyone,

I'm new here also, and I also joined the Lupies. It's been over 2 years

that I have had aching hands, and

fatigue. When I originally went to my family doc, a great guy, he

immediately sent me to a rheumy for

the aching hands...I went, but only saw the rheumy's nurse and she jumped

in and said I have RA or Lupus

and I should start taking this, that and the other thing (I was already on

celebrex)...I was scared to death

as all this info came out of the blue. I thought my family doc thought I

had a bit of osteoarthritis in my hands

because of a previous injury to my right, and I used to play the flute (in

jr high 30 years ago). She frightened

me so badly that my hands and feet clammed up - so when she examined me she

said I have Reynauds also.

I nodded like Ralphie did on Santa's lap when he couldn't remember he

wanted a Red Ryder BB gun...uh, huh...

while my mind was screaming, " I AM SO OUTTA HERE!! " I left without saying

yes to anything, just that I'd think

about it. She looked at me like I was stupid and pathetic. I've worked in

Biochemistry for 25 years, and while

not a chemist, I know enough about things, and the guys who found the basis

for the COX2 enzyme (that vioxx,

celebrex, bextra are based on) are from my department.

Fast forward 2 years. I kept taking celebrex but my hands still ached. Got

real tired in the summer and the

family doc ordered blood tests. Anemic. I have to add that 2 years

previous, and again this summer, my

ANA titer was 1:40 and speckled...some consider that negative for

inflammatory disease. He sent me to

a gastroenterologist and there's nothing going on from top to bottom that

would make me anemic (and I had a

hysterectomy in '93, not total, though). The gastro, real nice, gently

suggested going back to the rheumy last

month. I said I prefer to be an ostrich with my head in the sand (is it

the ostrich?haha)...she said OK, but I'm here

if you need me. Two weeks later I was getting killer headaches lasting 3

days that even tylenol with codeine

didn't budge. Went back to my family doc and his PA (who's cool) said,

well, I really think you need to see a

rheumy. So I said if 3 or 4 people tell you it's a tree, it's probably a

tree.

Went back to rheumy, NOT his nurse. He was nice, dry sense of humor, and we

agreed together that I would

take Plaquenil, Bextra instead of the celebrex, and a short-term dose of

Prednisone along with water therapy.

I have to add that over thanksgiving, hubby and I drove to Florida to see

his folks. When we got back to

Michigan, my hips and knees were achy for longer than I would have

expected. A new wrinkle for this 45

year old.

It's been 2 weeks that I've been on meds, almost 3. Two weeks of water

therapy, 3x a week. Gotta say I feel

better. The hand and arm exercised in the water really help strengthen the

muscles to put less pressure on the

joints and tendons. I don't know if it's RA or lupus, they're still

treated the same at first. I did go and get some

blood work results the rheumy took on Dec. 9th - my ANA titer is now

1:160. My knees buckled and I felt

like throwing up. My denial was coming apart.

It's still a roller coaster. My husband doesn't talk about it and like

jpey, I have 2 kids - a son who's supposed to

graduate this year and a daughter who's a junior at MSU living at

home. Full time job and part time youth director

at our church. Trying to simplify...

God bless all of you and take care of yourselves today. It took something

like this to make me stop and take

care of myself for the first time in my life...and I wonder if that's part

of the reason I have it??? Anyone else feel

this way?

Joyce in MI