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[Guest guest]

hello.

my story is pretty long so i'll put in highlights now and fill in the

blanks if others want to hear more.

i am 32 years old and suffered with thyroid problems for the last 12

years. in dec 03 i had a total thyroidectomy. it was very

successful. since that time we are discovering many new diseases in

my body that the thyroid was 'covering up'. a lot of the symptoms are

the same.

so i am recently diagnosed with RA, Sjogrens, osteopenia, some liver

problem we havent figured out yet, and other medical issues. i was

taking vioxx for the last 3 years and had to stop taking that. the

withdrawl was horrible!!! my rheumy put me on plaquenil 200 mg

2x/day. it has only been 3 weeks so i'm not really feeling relief yet.

i also have weight issues and need to loose about 40 pounds, but am

afraid of the pain i'll be left with so dont want to exercise. a

paradox? any ideas on this?

here is something ironic...i live in the desert and was told it was

good for arthritis pain, but recently went on vacation to mexico and

found the humidity was helping me out more. now i'm not planning on

moving but has anyone else found that humidity helps arthritis?

so, any help you can give me would be great. i'm new to arthritis and

am looking for a local support group in my town too.

thanks,

julie