Re: Just Diagnosed Kim (lengthy post right back at you! lol)

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim:

Welcome to the group - we are more like family here,

and you will get a lot of great support and

information by being in this group.

I think that your mom is in shock about your

diagnosis, and afraid of what this means for you. I

was dx a year after my mom died, and I would have

loved to have had here for support, and to just be

there for me. You are lucky. She will come around in

time, and be able to discuss it with you, I am sure.

There is a lot of information to be found about RA,

and it might even be good if you were able to take her

to one of your appointments - it would give you some

moral support, and let her know first hand what is

happening to you. It is hard when you are the only

one with RA in your family, but they will gradually

learn from you what it is all about.

I am sorry that you were diagnosed so young with all

of these problems. There is life after RA, when you

get on the right medications/combo of medications, you

should be able to attain a good quality of life. Yes,

I am sure that you will still be able to mother your

children in years to come. My kids were 12 and 15

when I was diagnosed 7 years ago, and, although they

could take care of themselves, there were still lots

of events to attend, and things to take them to,

driving back and forth from school daily, and dances,

and sports. It was busy, but I made it, and I am sure

you will too.

Your kids will be fine - just let them know what is

happening depending upon their age level. It sounds

like you have older children, with the youngest being

5 and 6, so I hopefully the older children can help

you with the younger if you need it. Have your

children learn to help you with folding laundry and

putting it away, dusting, little things like that, and

that will also help you, as well as give them a

feeling of being able to help. They can also pick up

their toys, take care of their rooms, and when you

need to rest, they can read to each other or to you. I

am sure that other members here who have young

children will be able to give you some tips on this.

You don't need to apologize about lengthy postings -

believe me, we have all been there! Let us know what

the RA doctor advises. Early aggressive treatment of

RA is the way to go, so I hope that he gets you on

meds right away, and they start working soon. As far

as the degenerative disc disease and herniations, I

can't speak to that, but I am sure that others here

can.

I truly am sorry that you are having so much pain and

disability, and I hope that your doctors are able to

help you. Ask as many questions as you need, and

someone here will be able to help you - if you need

help right away, just put ASAP or HELP in your subject

line and we'll respond quicker! Take care - we are

glad that you found us -

Kathe in CA

--- rladere <rladere@...> wrote:

> Hi, I just found this support group and thought I

> would say " HI " .> I was diagnosed with RA 2 weeks ago

.. I haven't been> to the > Arthritis Doc yet.

> When I went to my family Dr and told her about the

> problems with > achy joints and neck . I thought she

would tell me> it was a normal > part of aging.

Instead she has me get some blood> work and an MRI.

> Both tests came back showing problems. The blood

> work RA+ and the > MRI hernaited disk with nerve

compression.> I have been to a Neuro Surgeon this last

week. He> diagnosed me with > Degenerative disk

disease. With two herniated disk.> My question is

this... Will I ever get good news> again?> I have so

many questions running through my head. I> don't know

> weather to cry or get mad.> This week I go to 2 more

specialist. One for my neck> and the > Arthritis Dr.

> I feel like my life is doomed. Will I beable to take

> care of my kids > when they hit thier teenage years

? My youngest are> 5 & 6.> How can I live for another

40 some years with this> amount of pain

> and limited movement in my joints?> And how do

people deal with this when your the only> one in your

> family that has this disease? My Mom is so quiet

> when I talk to her > about it.Like if she admits I

have it , it will kill> her. I'm sorry for the lengthy

massage.

> Kim

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