THANKS FOR SHARING!!!!!

[Guest guest]

--- In , Kathe Sabetzadeh <lv2ryd@...>

wrote:

>

>

> Hi Lori:

>

> Welcome to the group! Compuwhiz is not a requirement

> here, or I would have to find somewhere else to go

> lol! We have a lot of very friendly, supportive and

> caring people here, who truly do know what you are

> going through, and are here to help you in any way we

> can.

>

> You can start by telling us a little bit more about

> yourself - are you on meds, how long have you been

> diagnosed, any other diagnoses? I am 52, married 24

> years to my best friend, and have two children, 19 and

> 22. We live on a small farm in southern california

> with horses, dogs, and various fowl. It's a lot of

> work, but gets me up and out of bed each morning to

> feed and water! I try to ride at least once a week,

> weather and body willing! I have been dx with RA for 7

> years, and also have OA and Fibromyalgia, and

> Raynaud's syndrome, diagnosed a few years following

> the RA dx.

>

> I take Enbrel, Methotrexate, and Ultram ER for my RA

> and the combo of the Enbrel and Mtx keeps my RA under

> pretty good control. Not to say there is not daily

> pain, or that I am flare-free, because that is sadly

> not the case, but surely this is the best medicine I

> have been on for my RA. I also take meds for my

> Fibromyalgia, which many of us here also have,

> unfortunately, and sometimes find it hard to tell

> which is causing the pain and fatigue, the RA or the

> Fibro, as it tends to overlap at times.

>

> So, just want to say that there is hope out there, and

> medications that can help, and continue to give you a

> quality of life you desire. There are compromises,

> and some things I have had to give up, like my jewelry

> making, but I also have had more time with my children

> and my family, and the time to simply enjoy all the

> blessings that I do have in my life.

>

> I hope to learn more about you - we are happy to have

> you here, but sorry for the reason that you found us -

>

> take care -

>

> Kathe in CA

>

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

> > Hi Kathe!

I haven't looked on computer for days and wasn't certain that I

was actually signed up for the group....and surprise! I have

messages!!

Thank you for sharing with me. I was born in Covina, Ca. in

1946, however, raised in the East. Your life in Ca. sounds

fascinating! I have been married for 18 years to a very supportive

best friend, Ken.

I was dx.ed with R.A. and fibro about 7 years ago. I have also

developed vitiligo which, according to my Dr. is yet another

autoimmune disease that can accompany R.A. I find the fatigue,

stiffness, and pain increasingly difficult to deal with

psychologically. Up until the last month or so I've had a positive

attitude. Lately, I am finding the fact that the spirit is oh so

willing but the flesh is becoming weaker----hence, depression. I am

so very grateful to have been led to this group and look forward to

sharing, listening, and learning from and with each of you.

I did take methotrexate and didn't react well to it. I also was

giving myself Humira injections for about a year until my immune

system became so weak that I fell prey to every germ in town. The

effects from that were just as debilitating as the R.A. All I take

now is pain medication prescribed by a physician at a main mgmnt.

clinic. I will see my rheumatologist soon to see where I go from

here. I don't think I want to compromise any longer by taking any

immunosuppresants.

That's a part of my story. I hope you are doing well and again

I thank you with all my heart for your sharing. It just goes to show

how very much we all need each other in this world......even sight

unseen!! BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOURS,

LORI VANDERLASKE

> >

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