Re: Looking for others who understand!

[Guest guest]

Hi Annie,

First welcome to the group!! We all go through what you do I am just

dignosed 3 months now I still have more good days then bad, sometimes I pretend

it was just one time thing then I wake up stiff and tired " Its Back " .

We are here for you, it is amazing how just having people that understand

when you want to throw up your hands and say " Uncle already " it makes you feel

comforted somehow.

I do not know if I helped but just wanted to let you know I am here and

totally understand.

Marsha

annbow96 <annbow96@...> wrote:

Hi! I am new to this group. Been diagnosed with RA for about a year

and a half. I also carpal tunnel secondary to this wonderful

disease! I am currently on weekly injections of Methotrx and enbrel.

I am 36 yo and keep hoping that I will wake up and this nightmare will

be over! Is there anyone else out there that has found a way t not

let this rule your life?

Annie

[Guest guest]

My thoughts and meds are similar to yours. I feel about the same as

you but I just wanted to let you know that I am here for you.

I am 37 yo on mtx and enbrel as well others too. I also have carpal

tunnel and use my hands in my career. On really tough days I wear my

braces and most nights. I am beginning to be able to decipher when

they help and when they make me feel worse. Sometimes just the

pressure feels SO good and other times anything " touching " my wrists

and hands is excrutiating. I am learning. and this disease is so

variable from hour to hour that I have had to learn a lot more

patience than I have ever had before, It is tough being so young

and " looking " so normal. LOL, well anyway I am here if you need or

just want to talk. Cassy

>

> Hi! I am new to this group. Been diagnosed with RA for about a year

> and a half. I also carpal tunnel secondary to this wonderful

> disease! I am currently on weekly injections of Methotrx and

enbrel.

> I am 36 yo and keep hoping that I will wake up and this nightmare

will

> be over! Is there anyone else out there that has found a way t not

> let this rule your life?

>

> Annie

>

[Guest guest]

You hit it right on...being so young and looking so " normal " ! I

hate going to the office for my weekly injections. I look so out of

place sitting in the waiting room. I find it depressing sometimes

seeing the other patients! Do you give yourself the Enbrel

injections? I find the injections so painful, that I have not

gotten up the courage to try it myself. Another thing that i have

started to notice the past few months...my hair is noticabley

thinning! Not good for a single 36 yo woman! I too use my hands

for my career. I am fortunate to work at home, but work on the

computer all day. I sometimes have to work in my splints. On real

bad days, I use frozen vegetables as ice packs...you'd be surprised

how much that helps! I have also red that tart cherry juice helps

with inflamation. I have just started drinking it yesterday...I

will keep you posted.

Annie

> >

> > Hi! I am new to this group. Been diagnosed with RA for about a

year

> > and a half. I also carpal tunnel secondary to this wonderful

> > disease! I am currently on weekly injections of Methotrx and

> enbrel.

> > I am 36 yo and keep hoping that I will wake up and this

nightmare

> will

> > be over! Is there anyone else out there that has found a way t

not

> > let this rule your life?

> >

> > Annie

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I am 46 yo and also have carpal tunnel due to the RA. Last week I had

a cortisone shot in my left carpal tunnel area. It is so nice not to

have a numb hand anymore. Like you I take mtx and weekly injections of

Enbrel. At many times I find my RA depressing especially when I am

really aching. One of my biggest problems is feeling that my family

doesn't really understand. Recently we had to leash walk our dog

instead of just letting him out in the yard. Most of the time I would

tatake the dog out in the early morning so my 15 yo could get a little

more sleep before school. A couple of times I had to ask him to walk

the dog because I was feeling really miserable and he called me lazy.

That just hurts. To some extent RA will always rule your life because

it will dictate what you can accomplish in a day. If the day is good

you can be superwoman. However, if it is a bad day you have to learn

to give in somewhat and take it easier. If you are used to leading an

active life that is hard to adapt to. I work as a volunteer with the

Make-A-Wish Foundation. The foundation grants wishes of children ages

2 1/2 to 18 with life-threatening illnesses. Whenever I get really

down I think about the children I have the honor of working with and

their families. I find it to be a real reality check. It makes me

realize that while my RA stinks there are things that are so much

worse. We are also lucky (if you can call it that) to have RA today

rather than 30 years ago. There have been so many advances in

medicine. My mom had RA and she had knees replaced, used a walker, a

wheelchair. Other than taking pain medication and cortisone shots

there was little that could be done to limit the progress of the

disease. I know how the physical day to day coping can bring you down

but try counting your blessings. Hope you feel better!

>

> Hi! I am new to this group. Been diagnosed with RA for about a year

> and a half. I also carpal tunnel secondary to this wonderful

> disease! I am currently on weekly injections of Methotrx and

enbrel.

> I am 36 yo and keep hoping that I will wake up and this nightmare

will

> be over! Is there anyone else out there that has found a way t not

> let this rule your life?

>

> Annie

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, mam I give myself my shots, hurts but I have gotten used to it.

Cassy

> >

> > Hi! I am new to this group. Been diagnosed with RA for about a

year

> > and a half. I also carpal tunnel secondary to this wonderful

> > disease! I am currently on weekly injections of Methotrx and

> enbrel.

> > I am 36 yo and keep hoping that I will wake up and this nightmare

> will

> > be over! Is there anyone else out there that has found a way t

not

> > let this rule your life?

> >

> > Annie

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I am so sorry to hear this...however, it does make me feel better

knowing that others have the same problem. It is hard for my 13 yo

daughter to understand why I do not feel up to taking her certain

places, like fairs or amusement parks. I also have the problem with

my daughter trying to " take over " . No Mom, don't try to pick that

up, It is too heavy for you...I hate when I have to ask her to open

things for me. It is a constant struggle to maintain the Mom role,

but yet rely on others. I am not lazy...I am just strength

challenged!!

Annie

> >

> > Hi! I am new to this group. Been diagnosed with RA for about a

year

> > and a half. I also carpal tunnel secondary to this wonderful

> > disease! I am currently on weekly injections of Methotrx and

> enbrel.

> > I am 36 yo and keep hoping that I will wake up and this

nightmare

> will

> > be over! Is there anyone else out there that has found a way t

not

> > let this rule your life?

> >

> > Annie

> >

>

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>

>

>

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