Re: Newbie...a bit scared of the future... Penny

[Guest guest]

Hi Penny:

Welcome! This is a wonderful bunch of people, very

supportive and informative, and I am sure you will

enjoy being here.

I also have fibro and RA, as well as Raynaud's and OA.

What medications are you taking? I am on Enbrel and

Methotrexate for the RA, and fibro meds too -

Skelaxin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, Ambien CR and Zanaflex. I

also have high blood pressure (since being on these

danged meds!) and asthma. If you are not taking meds

for your RA, you need to get on a DMARD (disease

modifying medication) to get control of the disease

process itself.

That is great that you are not giving up on being

artistic! I was designing and handmaking jewelry at

the time of my RA diagnosis and had to give that up,

as well as t-shirt painting too. My sketching is

getting sketchier, and my handwriting goes downhill

the more I have to write- bill paying day is a pain.

Please do not be afraid or reluctant to go to the

rheumy - the sooner the better! Good luck and let us

know how it goes - hang in there -

Kathe in CA

--- pennygruetz <PennyGruetz@...> wrote:

> Hi!

> I have both fibromyalgia and RA and I believe that

> my RA is getting

> worse and the worst of it is in my hands, wrists and

> ankles. I am

> experiencing swelling and I have to take off my

> rings and my watch and

> any bracelets that I am wearing.

>

> I am kind of down, because this may be my last or

> next to last banner

> due to the deterioration of my hands. I had to give

> up most drawing

> and painting for this and most hand sewing work, now

> this...I gave up

> bowling, playing pool, ect....I am tired of giving

> up stuff...but, I

> have no choice in certain areas. I did take up more

> photography

> instead of fine art work. My hands are so bad that

> filling out a check

> hurts and it does hurt to type, but I do it anyway.

>

> I joined this site today. I was diagnosed with

> fibromyalgia in 2000,

> but told that I also had RA. The rhuematologist

> told me to watch my

> hands and fingers and when they started giving me

> trouble, to come back

> and see her. I really have been having trouble for

> awhile, but I have

> been afraid to admit it...I am 56 years old and also

> have asthma and

> allergies.

>

>

> Penny

>

>

>

>

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