You're All Amazing! [formerly: Out of Denial - Need Your Support]

[Guest guest]

How can I thank you for the messages of support & encouragement?

Truly, this is an amazing group of people.

Away from this group, I've gotten flack from those who think I should

have taken regular meds much sooner; and I've gotten flack from those

who think I should never even consider anything except

alternative/natural medicine. Ay yi yi! Everyone who hasn't walked even

a step in my shoes has an opinion!

But here, I find acceptance, understanding, comfort and great spirit.

Thank you all. God bless you.

Prakasha

brightt@... wrote:

>   Wonderful brave & inspiring ones -

>

> I've hesitated to write this since so many of you have much bigger

> challenges to deal with. But, the fact is, I need your help.

>

> I was diagnosed with RA in 1999. Of course, at first I was

> overwhelmed.

> The possible side effects of the medication the rheumy recommended

> frightened me. I resolved to try to take care of it with

> natural/alternative medicine. I do feel that the strict " natural "

> program I pursued (with the advice of a wonderful herbalist) helped

> control the inflammation and reduced the number of and length of

> flares.

>

> However, now I must face the fact that--in spite of this--my RA has

> definitely progressed. My joints have continued to deteriorate. And I

> know I must try other means to deal with it. I just had a thorough

> checkup with my GP. My liver, kidneys, etc. are all great. But my RF

> is

> 130 and my SED is 98, up quite a bit from my original tests.

>

> Now I know I must investigate conventional medicine. But I'm still

> scared to pieces of the possible side effects. So scared that tears

> come into my eyes just from typing these words and admitting my fears

> to you. Most of my physical systems are in good shape; I'm frightened

> about, frankly, destroying them.

>

> Any insight, encouragement, thoughts, cautions, inspiration or

> whatever

> comes to mind that you'd like to share with me will be so gratefully

> embraced.

>

> Thank you so much for all that you are, all that you do, and the way

> all of you honestly (and more bravely than you realize) deal with your

> challenges.

>

> Prakasha

>

>

[Guest guest]

I share your experience, and currently use a blend of traditional and

natural healing methods. I'm doing very well. I think you'll be

pleasantly surprised at how unscary the traditional path turns out to

be. The key is to find a good rheumatologist with whom you can build

a good " working relationship " . My best!

Sierra

> >   Wonderful brave & inspiring ones -

> >

> > I've hesitated to write this since so many of you have much

bigger

> > challenges to deal with. But, the fact is, I need your help.

> >

> > I was diagnosed with RA in 1999. Of course, at first I was

> > overwhelmed.

> > The possible side effects of the medication the rheumy

recommended

> > frightened me. I resolved to try to take care of it with

> > natural/alternative medicine. I do feel that the strict " natural "

> > program I pursued (with the advice of a wonderful herbalist)

helped

> > control the inflammation and reduced the number of and length of

> > flares.

> >

> > However, now I must face the fact that--in spite of this--my RA

has

> > definitely progressed. My joints have continued to deteriorate.

And I

> > know I must try other means to deal with it. I just had a

thorough

> > checkup with my GP. My liver, kidneys, etc. are all great. But

my RF

> > is

> > 130 and my SED is 98, up quite a bit from my original tests.

> >

> > Now I know I must investigate conventional medicine. But I'm

still

> > scared to pieces of the possible side effects. So scared that

tears

> > come into my eyes just from typing these words and admitting my

fears

> > to you. Most of my physical systems are in good shape; I'm

frightened

> > about, frankly, destroying them.

> >

> > Any insight, encouragement, thoughts, cautions, inspiration or

> > whatever

> > comes to mind that you'd like to share with me will be so

gratefully

> > embraced.

> >

> > Thank you so much for all that you are, all that you do, and the

way

> > all of you honestly (and more bravely than you realize) deal

with your

> > challenges.

> >

> > Prakasha

> >

> >

>

>

>