Newbie...a bit scared of the future...

[Guest guest]

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