Re: Fran:

[Guest guest]

Hi Fran:

Welcome to the group - a nicer group of caring and

supportive people you will never find, as well as

great information. Don't ever apologize or feel

guilty about speaking out on your pain and fatigue,

etc. because we all do that when we need to, and we

are here for you.

We all truly understand what you are going through,

and all have had the same fears and frustrations that

you are having. You are not alone in this. Our battles

are our own, but the whole RA disease process with the

pain, fatigue, stiffness, and everything else this

disease brings is one that we are all familiar with,

and we are in this fight together. Are you going to a

rheumatologist? Have you discussed with your doctor

your feelings of being depressed, and lack of

motivation? I take an anti-depressant (because with

chronic pain very often comes depression), and it is

helpful to me in being able to cope with the diseases

I have, and brought me back to being more motivated to

fight for my health. Just a thought.

I am 51 and was diagnosed almost 7 years ago with RA

and Raynaud's, and then OA, and then Fibromyalgia. My

bathroom looks like a pharmacy, but I am doing well. I

worry about being able to play with my grandchildren

and I don't even have any yet lol! It is very

frustrating not to know what the future holds. My

grandmother had RA, and her hands were very crippled

as were the rest of her joints, she had hip and knee

replacements, and ended up in a wheelchair, but the

medications we have today are so much better now, and

I don't worry about that happening to me as much as I

used to, but it is still in the back of my mind at

times.

Anyway, just wanted to say hello, and let you know

that " whine and cheese " are served here everyday, so

don't be shy. We are here for your good times and

your bad times. Hang in there -

Kathe in CA

Kathe in CA

--- fransredhat <fransredhat@...> wrote:

> I am sixty one years old, looking back I can see

> that it started in

> my late twentys. But it has only been the last

> couple of years that

> it has been a problem that needed treatment. I was

> surprised to be

> told I had rheumatoid arthritis, I had expected my

> aches and pains to

> be arthritis but never dreamed it would come back

> RA.

>

> I am not vain but the idea that my hands would

> become narly and

> twisted really bothered me. I got over that within

> about 24

> hours. )

>

> I have been on medication for 2 years and currently

> take celebrex

> 200mg once a day and starting 3 weeks ago I take 3

> methotrexate 2.5

> mg once a week.

>

> I hate to complain to anyone because I know as far

> as RA goes I am

> doing well others so much younger than me are

> battling so hard for a

> normal life. I count my blessings that it hasn't

> been a problem until

> now.

>

> But on days like today when I hurt or when the

> methotrexate was added

> along with a short term steroid. I feel I am losing

> the battle.

> Growing older is enough to deal with for me.

> Growing old with pain

> and fatigue makes me cry. I worry about how much

> longer I will be

> able to play with the grandchildren and do the arts

> and crafts I

> enjoy.

>

> I tend to the lazier side of life and hate having to

> battle my own

> body to get things done every day. But it seems

> that doing anything

> is a battle against somthing, the pain, fatigue or

> headaches (I asume

> are from the medications I take).

>

> Then I stop and think about all the other RA victims

> and I know many

> of them would gladly change places with me. So I

> feel guilty for

> complaining. I am hoping to find understanding and

> tricks to cope

> from this group. Maybe a good kick in the butt

> would help. I just

> get so down when everything I pick up or do hurts

> me.

>

> fran

>

>

>

>

>

>

Kathe in CA

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Fran,

My name is Missy and my daughter, 6 yo, has Systemic JRA. (Since she was

2). I know she got depressed when she was about 3 1/2 and the docs said it was

from Prednisone. She was on about 45 mg. a day and gained a lot of weight from

it so that could have caused depression too. (People were really rude to her and

hurt her feelings). She went from 29 (skinny) to 52 lbs in 1 1/2 months.

But I can tell you one thing I TAKE ANTIDEPRESSANTS!!! I'd be in the nut

house if I didn't. And you know what? I never apologize or feel ashamed of it.

Anyone involved with a chronic disease that you know has no cure and may only

get worse with time would be an exception if they said they don't get depressed

sometimes. I say take whatever makes your quality of life better. I just felt

horrible forcing Em to take six meds 3 times a day. She hated every one of them.

She's only on Remicade, MTX, and Prednisone now. (but she still hates them) lol

I hope you feel better and remember that you're more of an asset to your loved

ones if you're feeling happier. Take care of yourself.

Hugs,

Missy

Kathe Sabetzadeh <lv2ryd@...> wrote:

Hi Fran:

Welcome to the group - a nicer group of caring and

supportive people you will never find, as well as

great information. Don't ever apologize or feel

guilty about speaking out on your pain and fatigue,

etc. because we all do that when we need to, and we

are here for you.

We all truly understand what you are going through,

and all have had the same fears and frustrations that

you are having. You are not alone in this. Our battles

are our own, but the whole RA disease process with the

pain, fatigue, stiffness, and everything else this

disease brings is one that we are all familiar with,

and we are in this fight together. Are you going to a

rheumatologist? Have you discussed with your doctor

your feelings of being depressed, and lack of

motivation? I take an anti-depressant (because with

chronic pain very often comes depression), and it is

helpful to me in being able to cope with the diseases

I have, and brought me back to being more motivated to

fight for my health. Just a thought.

I am 51 and was diagnosed almost 7 years ago with RA

and Raynaud's, and then OA, and then Fibromyalgia. My

bathroom looks like a pharmacy, but I am doing well. I

worry about being able to play with my grandchildren

and I don't even have any yet lol! It is very

frustrating not to know what the future holds. My

grandmother had RA, and her hands were very crippled

as were the rest of her joints, she had hip and knee

replacements, and ended up in a wheelchair, but the

medications we have today are so much better now, and

I don't worry about that happening to me as much as I

used to, but it is still in the back of my mind at

times.

Anyway, just wanted to say hello, and let you know

that " whine and cheese " are served here everyday, so

don't be shy. We are here for your good times and

your bad times. Hang in there -

Kathe in CA

Kathe in CA

--- fransredhat <fransredhat@...> wrote:

> I am sixty one years old, looking back I can see

> that it started in

> my late twentys. But it has only been the last

> couple of years that

> it has been a problem that needed treatment. I was

> surprised to be

> told I had rheumatoid arthritis, I had expected my

> aches and pains to

> be arthritis but never dreamed it would come back

> RA.

>

> I am not vain but the idea that my hands would

> become narly and

> twisted really bothered me. I got over that within

> about 24

> hours. )

>

> I have been on medication for 2 years and currently

> take celebrex

> 200mg once a day and starting 3 weeks ago I take 3

> methotrexate 2.5

> mg once a week.

>

> I hate to complain to anyone because I know as far

> as RA goes I am

> doing well others so much younger than me are

> battling so hard for a

> normal life. I count my blessings that it hasn't

> been a problem until

> now.

>

> But on days like today when I hurt or when the

> methotrexate was added

> along with a short term steroid. I feel I am losing

> the battle.

> Growing older is enough to deal with for me.

> Growing old with pain

> and fatigue makes me cry. I worry about how much

> longer I will be

> able to play with the grandchildren and do the arts

> and crafts I

> enjoy.

>

> I tend to the lazier side of life and hate having to

> battle my own

> body to get things done every day. But it seems

> that doing anything

> is a battle against somthing, the pain, fatigue or

> headaches (I asume

> are from the medications I take).

>

> Then I stop and think about all the other RA victims

> and I know many

> of them would gladly change places with me. So I

> feel guilty for

> complaining. I am hoping to find understanding and

> tricks to cope

> from this group. Maybe a good kick in the butt

> would help. I just

> get so down when everything I pick up or do hurts

> me.

>

> fran

>

>

>

>

>

>

Kathe in CA

__________________________________________________