new- but not

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone~

I have actually been a part of this list for a year or so, but went on no

mail a while back and never came back until now LOL! Anyway, thought I

would re-introduce myself since there has probably been a lot of change

since I left.

My name is Semalee and I live near Houston, TX. I am married to a police

officer and I have two boys who I will be homeschooling this coming year. I

also work from home part time. I was diagnosed with JRA when I was 10 years

old (the day the Challenger blew up). My RA went into " remission " when I

went through puberty at about age 17. Well, about 3 years ago it came back-

with a vengeance! So for a long while we felt like we were chasing a run

away train with this thing as it went from just bothering one hand to both

hands to hands and wrists to toes and now ankles too. As it was rapidly

progressing I ended up on MTX, Vioxx (which I obviously don't take anymore,

now replaced by Ibuprofen) Folic Acid of course, and Remicade. My current

dose is 6.5 MG/KG every 8 weeks, but the last 2-3 times he as recommended

increasing the frequency. I keep saying no. This last time he did not like

that my index fingers now do not close all the way, so he wanted to give me

steroid shots, but I said no to that too. I did, however let them fill out

the paperwork for the handicap placard for my car. (which I have to admit

was a blow to my self esteem at age 31). So that is a little background on

me. The Remicade seems to be failing. This scares me to death. As my

hands continue to swell my emotional state is going down the tubes.

I don't write this for someone to feel sorry for me, but I know there are

people on this list who have been where I am, and hope for someone to

understand. My older sister tries to understand, and probably does the best

of everyone since she struggles with a back injury, but the rest of my

family husband included seem to just dismiss it. I know with my husband

that is his defense mechanism because it scares him possibly more than me.

But still, it gets frustrating. I am an active person and not one who likes

to sit out on the sidelines, but I was brutally reminded the other night as

we left the Astros game that I now hold others back because I can't walk

very fast. It takes me a good 30 minutes to get my feet going again after

sitting.

Ok, enough feeling sorry for myself. Can someone give me some thoughts on

the steroid shots in my knuckles? Thanks!

Semalee Bilbrey