Re: New to List!

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group ! I am 33, mother of a beautiful 4 year

old little girl, and have had RA for just over a year. I am on

prednisone (weaning off), methotrexate, folic acid and Humira.

These medications are controlling my RA wonderfully and I am able to

wake in the morning with no stiffness, I have very little pain, and

I don't think any swelling. The day I started prednisone I woke up

and could barely move. No chance at all I could make it in to work,

people would think I was in a car accident or something and it would

have taken 1/2 the day to get there. I started mtx and was

officially diagnosed when the prednisone no longer cut it and I was

having hours and hours of stiffness every morning. Six months later

the prednisone and mtx combo stopped being as effective and we were

able to get Humira approved through my insurance and start it. It

made the world of difference and I hope it never stops working for

me.

I have gained perspective on my life, I really feel I understand

what is most important. I have lost my ability to go-go-go non

stop, but that is a small thing to loose. I have rearranged my life

to be a slower pace. That fits this disease but it has also made me

a happier person.

Jennie

> Hi, my name is and I'm new to this list. I have RA, was

> diagnosed as a teenager. Really fought with it then because it

> interfered in a major way with my love of music and ability to

> perform it. I won for years, but lost the war. That was a while

ago

> and I still haven't found the next thing to inspire me and to

express

> a vocation. I wanted to be here to talk with others with RA about

> how their lives have changed, what they've gained, what they've

lost

> and how they have dealt and continue to deal with both as well as

> pain management issues.

>

> Basic intro stuff - I'm again a student, going in for massage

> therapy - target clientele is addicts and the elderly, and

getting

> my first psych degree, I run a nonprofit that deals with

homelessness

> and other issues and I'm sure anything else important will come

out

> in time.

>

> BCNU

> heather