Re: terrified

[Guest guest]

Hi :

I was on Plaquenil for over two years when I was first

diagnosed and had absolutely no problems with taking

it. I made sure to get a baseline funduscopic (eye)

examination, and check-ups every six months, and that

was all. I had no other problems and this medication

was very helpful. I had to stop taking it, however,

when the RA became more aggressive, and it stopped

being as effective. Since then, I have tried many

other meds, and currently am taking Methotrexate and

Enbrel. This combination is good for me. I also take

a pain med, and meds for Fibromyalgia.

I can understand your fear at what the future will

hold. We all understand. With RA, nobody can tell

you what your disease will do to you, to your joints,

and if you will become disabled or not. There is no

set answer to these questions. Everybody is

different, and everyone reacts to medications

differently, thus their disease progress is all very

individual.

I have had RA for 7 years, and am still able to do

just about everything I need to do. I have had to

make some compromises and lost of adjustments and

adaptations, but my life is good. I even am able to

ride my horse occasionally when my body and weather

permit. I had to give up jewelry making, and have to

pace myself when it comes to housekeeping (I do one

room at a time, try not to go over one hour of work,

and this usually works and keeps me from flaring), and

ask for help when I need it. RA should not

significatly shorten our lives, but, again, that is

very individual in how our bodies react to the

disease. I have no concrete answers to give you.

I am 52, and somedays feel 82, and pain is daily,

sometimes worse, sometimes better, but it seems there

is always some joint that is hurting. That is,

however, much better than when I first started out.

Call your doctor, and let him know that you are in

pain, and would like to start the Plaquenil as soon as

possible. I pray that it will be as helpful to you as

it was to me. Don't give up hope, okay? With the

right combination of meds, I pray that you will be

feeling better soon.

Let us know, okay? Take care -

Kathe in CA

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