Welcome New & Effects of RA

February 19, 2006

Hi Rick, Welcome to this group. I don't post a lot but I read a lot and it

is totally the best group of people --- moderators with halos hehe

(ducking). But it's true, compassion and good information to be had here.

For your doctors saying you won't have any effects from RA for what 4 or 5

years?? say what? What do they think the pain and swelling IS???? The

whole idea if you have RA is to try to get remission and stop or slow the

ongoing damage; there really are very promising new treatments -- thank God,

very literally, I just got to retire at age 60 and have continuing health

benefits due to working at a University for 30 years. No way could I afford

my medications without. I second the suggestion that you get to a GOOD

rheumy asap .. in addition to or instead of your regular doctors. I have a

fantastic Rheumy who I can even email with and she works closely with my

regular doctor, an internist who recommended her.

I have so many things I still need to do in my life... and an 88 year old

Mom who needs me now... we are going through rather a big role reversal at

the moment and she is so patient and tries to have such a good attitude, I

just need to be there for her so I have to get this under control. I'm on

methotrexate (pills) and injectable Enbrel (never thought I could do it, but

I can)... and it is helping. Only problem I've had is stopping when I got

respiratory infection ... I've had asthma since I was a kid and haven't

completely licked smoking so that's a problem. I stop the Enbrel for Any

infection and was off a month and a half and really had a set back.

Good luck getting the right kind of help and I'm glad you found this list.

Carla in Rhode Island with dogs, knitting, gardening, writing and Mom in her

future... :-) huggs and prayers

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