Re: hand swelling/thank you all

[Guest guest]

Thank you all for your replies. They told me at first I had Lupus.

Then my new doc investigated things a little more and said he didn't

think I had Lupus but RA. Now he tells me I do have RA and he doesn't

think I have Lupus but won't say for sure. Either way I have always

heard that RA is symmetrical so when I have one had swell and not the

other I worried that it may be Lupus. I pray that I don't have or get

that. You all are so great here. I don't post much because this is

all pretty new to me and I don't have much to offer. I am learning

and trying to deal with my new life. THat is the hard part.

Acceptance is not where I am at yet.

[Guest guest]

...understood.

Acceptance is not where a lot of us are. I think many have to work

at that one, especially when you continue to hear you have something

else new occuring or need joints replaced or hospitalized because you

are chronically ill or having to make so many adjustments with no

relief from pain in sight. It can seem never-ending for some of us.

I keep thinking they are missing something with me when I hear the

success stories versus my experience with RA. At one time, I was

taking anything docs suggested just to make sure I was doing all I

could to be there for my daughter and to continue working. I still

flared everyday -- work made it worse, and all I felt was drugged,

high, and nauseated. My supervisors (3 jobs later after RA) focused

only on the disease with daily questions about the RA because it was

just so visible that I was in pain. I kept saying the doctors have

it under control, I'm fine. However...

So, with many new changes and challenges, acceptance can be slow in

coming for some of us. As difficult as it may sound, just remember

to live in between the pain days. Just do what you can and what you

can't don't worry about it. Try not to let the disease take center

stage of your one chance at life. Try to let go of ego things

(speaking about myself now) like being embarrassed from using a cane

if you have to or riding in a scooter at the grocery store even

though you are young or so many of the things we can do to give our

poor joints a break from weightbearing, especially (when it ain't

cool) when it doesn't always keep up with the image we have worked so

hard to achieve over the years. Be gentle with yourself.

I do pray and hope you do not have to endure what I have and many

others have before finding the right therapy for you.

peace and healing energy to you,

Ebony

RA -- 11 years

[Guest guest]

>

>

> I have always

> heard that RA is symmetrical so when I have one had swell and not

the

> other

>

I have heard that to about RA but I have RA and Fribo and I

too only have one part that hurts at a time like One hand or one hip

so I don't know if it the Fribo or RA that is giving my the pain.

good luck to you

Janet IN IL

[Guest guest]

Thanks Janet.

> >

> >

> > I have always

> > heard that RA is symmetrical so when I have one had swell and

not

> the

> > other

> >

>

>

> I have heard that to about RA but I have RA and Fribo and

I

> too only have one part that hurts at a time like One hand or one

hip

> so I don't know if it the Fribo or RA that is giving my the pain.

> good luck to you

> Janet IN IL

>