Re: Im new/intro Heidi

[Guest guest]

Welcome Heidi:

This is a wonderful group of such caring and

supportive individuals - I have learned so very much

from them over the years I have been a member. It has

been an invaluable part of my treatment program,

really.

I also had a son who was very ill since birth and up

until his 7th year, he had many hospitalizations and

surgeries. You are right, we learned to stand up and

be proactive for him during this medical crises, and

now I have found that I can again draw on my

experiences then to help myself now in understanding

what is going on (I have RA, OA, FM, and Raynaud's),

and getting myself the best treatment.

I am sorry to hear that you had to watch your mom

suffer from RA all of those years, but at least you

were aware of it, and when the symptoms began in you,

you were able to get to the right doctor. At what age

was your mom diagnosed? My grandmother had RA and was

pretty well crippled by it, but back then they did not

have the meds we do now, and I am confident that I

will be able to avoid those kinds of deformities and

disabilities she suffered with, since I am on better

meds. It is very scary, though, when you have seen in

your own family what this disease can do.

I also was prescribed Plaquenil during my first 2

years of dx with RA, and it really helped me. I hope

that it helps you as well. Currently, I take

Methotrexate, Enbrel, Mobic, and Ultram (which I also

take for FM pain), and then meds for my FM, high blood

pressure, and asthma, as well as an anti-depressant.

And I'm only 52 - never would I have believed I would

be taking so many meds and have so many problems at

this age - I really feel for those members who are

younger than I when this hits - it was a shock to me

at 45, can't imagine how hard it is when you are

younger.

I also have the same kind of problem with Prednisone -

it makes me very crabby, very serious and very hungry

lol. I take it as little as possible, and only when I

absolutely need to.

Best of luck to you - let us know how the Plaquenil

does for you -

Kathe in CA

Kathe

" To ride a horse is to borrow freedom. "

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