Re: newbie Carol

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol:

Well if your knee joints are worn out, and are not

working properly, no matter your age, a knee

replacement should be discussed. From those who have

had it done, it sounds like they felt it was not done

soon enough, and they get great relief from it.

I have been on Enbrel now for about 5 months, along

with Mtx, and it is helping me very much. My RA is

under pretty good control, some flares, but so much

better than before Enbrel. My fibro is what is giving

me the most trouble now lol.

Look into the Arthritis Association, go to the

website, and see if there are any support groups near

you that you could join. Also, you might be able to

get into some water therapy through them, or other

activity. Do you go to church? You can make some

friends through there. You just need to reach out,

and if you can't do it in person because of your pain

keeping you at home, then reach out through the

internet, like you have done with us. Hang in there,

kiddo.

Kathe in CA

--- Carol Moss <sweetpeamoss@...> wrote:

> i've talked to the doctor about knee replacement but

> was told that at 47 i'm to young how old were you

> when

> you had it done? i know that the quality of my life

> would improve with this surgery. the doctor i

> talked

> to was in houston and we have recently moved to

> lynchburg virginia so now i will have to find new

> doctors. my rhemetologist was in lake charles la.

> i

> have mixed feelings about a new doctor. i was on

> remicade with the old one which helped my wrists

> greatly but had no effect on the knee pain. so a

> new

> doctor may try a new treatment that will work

> better.

> i have heard many people say embrel has worked

> wonders

> for them. thanks for the words of encouragement.

> you

> don't know how much i was needing them. having just

> moved i was feeling very isolated and alone.

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol:

Welcome to our circle of friends - you have found a

place to come where people really do understand and

" get it " . We are all on the same journey, some

further than others, but we are in it together.

I understand the frustration with not being able to do

those things that were so easy in the past. It

happens with all of us. It's hard to let go of our

life before RA, and accept what is our life now, and

sometimes that means some things have changed in very

large ways. It's hard on our self-esteem to see that

we can't do things we used to do, and need to ask for

help at times.

I have trouble with my knees too, and standing or

walking is difficult. I have just given in to having

to use a cane and it's hard to accept, as I feel it

makes me look silly, as I am only 52, but I need it.

However, most times, if my legs are really hurting, I

just stay at home and use my heating pad, and rice

socks are also very good. I never thought I would

hobble around at my age - I remind myself of my

grandma who had RA lol, although it was kind of a

shock when I realized that while walking one day!

What medications are you on for your RA, and are you

seeing a rheumatologist? We talk about everything

here, our pets, our families, good days and bad, and

we are here for you 24/7. Hang in there -

Kathe in CA

--- carol <sweetpeamoss@...> wrote:

> hi i'm new to this group and looking for some

> support. i get so

> frustrated that even the simpliest tasks are such a

> struggle. it is

> hard to try to keep a positive outlook on life so

> maybe i need friends

> who understand my pain. my ra is the worst in my

> knees so walking or

> standing is extremely painful.

>

>

>

>

>

>

Kathe

" To ride a horse is to borrow freedom. "

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