Re: I'm Jeni and this is my story...........

[Guest guest]

Hi Jeni,

Welcome! I think many of us can sympathize and empathize with your story.

RA can take away things you used to do, but you sure can fight for it to not

happen! Stay positive and do what you can, take breaks, don't go runnin any

marathons, but garden, shop, do the things you want to do with your kids, just

at a slower pace! There are some webcasts you should listen too on

healthtalk.com, I can provide the link later unless someone else can beat me to

it!

As far as Humira. Did your Dr. send in the supporting " evidence " as to why

you need a biologic? I know my Dr. had to do that and it was approved

immediately. I would check with your Dr. on that.

You are not alone here, and I'm so glad you posted. This is a great list

with big ears and hearts! or is it big shoulders? Again, welcome. Hugs to

you....

Heidi

Massachusetts

To those who believe, no explanation is necessary; to those who dont, no

explanation is possible

In a message dated 5/10/2008 8:42:08 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

ioibuttercupioi@... writes:

Hello everyone my name is Jeni. I live here in Oklahoma with my

husband and two kids and we have been married 7 year now. I am 25, my

husband is 27 and the kids are 3 and 5. When it comes to chats like

this I usually stay in the back ground read and learn, but in this

case I do need someone to understand, relate, let me vent and help

on what I should do now. I just been diagnosed with RA in February of

this year. My complications with RA started over a year ago but at

that time did not know that what is was. now that I know I have it, a

lot of things I was going through make since. I work for Ford

starting back in 2005 working to rebuild transmission and when I

first started I was fine. It was hard work but I liked it. About a

year into the job my hands would swell and I though it was just

because of the manual labor that I had to do. During this time I must

admit I did get in a lot of arguments with my husband all that time

because all I did was say I am tired all the time and he got tired of

me saying I was tired. But as time went by sometimes my hands would

swell and then my shoulder would hurt but never questioned it because

of the movement I had to on the job moving back and forth from

different stations. Then eventually was my hip and again did not

question it because we had to wear steal toe boots and were on

concrete floor 10 hours a day. These were all the symptoms that would

come and go and the excuses I made to go along with them. One night

in October of 2006 I woke up because I was tossing and turning

because my hip was hurting till the point I was crying and could not

walk. I went to emergency room that night and told them what was

going on and they took some x-rays. Eventually they gave me shot to

help the pain but before that the doctor asked me " well I know this

is an odd question but did you maybe pull something while trying to

have sex? " It was kind of funny to me but I told him no because my

husband works nights and he had just go off right before we went to

hospital. After the shot the pain did subside but I told my husband

it still hurt a little bit but it feels like my bone, I even told the

doctor that and what did he say " oh no your x-ray were fine, you'll

be okay, you probably pulled a muscle. Get some rest and you should

be okay. " I said fine to my self, took couple pain pills he subscribe

but also saved some of them in case I started to hurt again. About a

year and half into the job my hand started to swell pretty bad to the

point were I could not wear the latex gloves on the job, I was

limping because of my ankle and seem tired all the time. I told my

husband I had to find another job because this one was to hard on my

body. After working there for 2 years I found a job as a customer

service representative, I thought to myself this will help my body a

lot, all I got to do it sit all day and the only thing I should have

to worry about is gaining weight. My hands started to go down, my

finger were not long locking in the morning but my ankle was still

swollen and I though just give my body time you work that job for 2

years. As time progress I got better but I also got worse I guess you

could say because I was not hurting as bad but I was starting to have

that morning stiffness. Finally my husband came to me and said he

had some warts on his hands and needs to go to the doctor because

one of them was hurting him. I though to my self well Ill go to and

get my self check out. The doctor we go to goes to out church and

knows us well and I told her my symptoms and on the spot she knew and

told me that was arthritis. Did some blood work and x-rays and couple

days later she called me to confirm that it was RA. I cried a little

bit but it was just nice to know. The mobic she gave me helped and

could walk on dirt ground with out it feeling like I had a sprained

ankle. Morning stiffness was not as bad and I could do some things

better. As I did the research on RA that's when it really became

clear what I was in for. I cried and I still cry because I don't

think its fair for me to have to go through this let along any of

you. I feel like part of my life has been taken. I played softball

for over 10 years and one thing I had always told my self was that

when I have a kid I want to be able to play ball with them and

practice with them because I didn't have any one that could. I still

want to be able to. Pretty much most of my body is affected, ankle,

wrist, fingers, hips, knees, lower back, elbows which don't even

straighten all the was any more, shoulders, jaw and now my big toes.

I have trouble sleeping and getting to sleep. I take mobic twice a

day, hydroxycholorquine twice a day, folic acid and methotrexate once

a week which my RA doctor just raised from four to six Wednesday. She

told me I had damage to my right big toe, right middle finger knuckle

and knees. She also prescribed Humira and that's where I have run

into a problem. My insurance had denied payment for it. I don't know

what to do. Me and my husband have no one to guide us. Both of are

dads are no where around, my mom sits at home all day eating on food

stamps and his mom lives with us and has not job and gets SS

disability. Basically we are living through trial and error and in

hopes that our kids don't and we can educate them on money, buying

house, college, things like that. What should I do about my

insurance, I just cant accept no for an answer. I have a co-pay with

them. I feel a lot better, thank you everyone. (have I left any thing

out? LOL)

JENI

**************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family

favorites at AOL Food.

(http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

Jeni,

I feel your pain. I was diagnosed w/ RA when I was 24 and

fibromyalgia 3 years later. (I am 31 now). I have been living w/ RA

for 7 years and I still cry from the pain. I feel like part of my

youth was robbed form me. I couldn't keep up w/ my friends, I had to

rely on medications that made me gain weight. I feel like I am a

prisoner in my own body. Enough about that...yes there is something

you can do about your insurance. Appeal. (I used to be head of an

authorization department for a large practice, so I know my way

around healthcare insurance). Humira and other infusion like

medications are expensive and many times insurances want you to try

at least 2 oral medications before they will authorize it. From your

description, I would say that your RA is aggressive. Have your

rheumatologist write you a letter of medical nessissity stating that

your RA is aggressive and cannot be treated by conservative

treatments. If your rheumy has someone who handles authorizations, I

am sure they have clinical data supporting the justification for

humira. If not, get clinical information online to support your claim

(make sure it is from reputable sources, posts from great

studies on the web board).

Many times the people who review this sort of thing for insurance

companies don't have medical training. If they do, it is in another

speciality. The more information you have to back up the appeal, the

better. Most of the time, when you file an appeal...it is then

reviewed by a doctor in that speciality. More often then not, they

will approve it. I think you have 30 days from the date of denial to

file an appeal. You can ask for a speedy appeal, to where you will

get an answer 30 days from the date you filed an appeal.

Once you get on good medication regimne, you will be able to tell the

difference and start to get your life back. It may take some trial

and error to get to that point. If you have more questions, feel free

to contact me. Best of luck to you.

>

> Hello everyone my name is Jeni. I live here in Oklahoma with my

> husband and two kids and we have been married 7 year now. I am 25,

my

> husband is 27 and the kids are 3 and 5. When it comes to chats like

> this I usually stay in the back ground read and learn, but in this

> case I do need someone to understand, relate, let me vent and help

> on what I should do now. I just been diagnosed with RA in February

of

> this year. My complications with RA started over a year ago but at

> that time did not know that what is was. now that I know I have it,

a

> lot of things I was going through make since. I work for Ford

> starting back in 2005 working to rebuild transmission and when I

> first started I was fine. It was hard work but I liked it. About a

> year into the job my hands would swell and I though it was just

> because of the manual labor that I had to do. During this time I

must

> admit I did get in a lot of arguments with my husband all that time

> because all I did was say I am tired all the time and he got tired

of

> me saying I was tired. But as time went by sometimes my hands would

> swell and then my shoulder would hurt but never questioned it

because

> of the movement I had to on the job moving back and forth from

> different stations. Then eventually was my hip and again did not

> question it because we had to wear steal toe boots and were on

> concrete floor 10 hours a day. These were all the symptoms that

would

> come and go and the excuses I made to go along with them. One night

> in October of 2006 I woke up because I was tossing and turning

> because my hip was hurting till the point I was crying and could

not

> walk. I went to emergency room that night and told them what was

> going on and they took some x-rays. Eventually they gave me shot to

> help the pain but before that the doctor asked me " well I know this

> is an odd question but did you maybe pull something while trying

to

> have sex? " It was kind of funny to me but I told him no because my

> husband works nights and he had just go off right before we went to

> hospital. After the shot the pain did subside but I told my husband

> it still hurt a little bit but it feels like my bone, I even told

the

> doctor that and what did he say " oh no your x-ray were fine, you'll

> be okay, you probably pulled a muscle. Get some rest and you should

> be okay. " I said fine to my self, took couple pain pills he

subscribe

> but also saved some of them in case I started to hurt again. About

a

> year and half into the job my hand started to swell pretty bad to

the

> point were I could not wear the latex gloves on the job, I was

> limping because of my ankle and seem tired all the time. I told my

> husband I had to find another job because this one was to hard on

my

> body. After working there for 2 years I found a job as a customer

> service representative, I thought to myself this will help my body

a

> lot, all I got to do it sit all day and the only thing I should

have

> to worry about is gaining weight. My hands started to go down, my

> finger were not long locking in the morning but my ankle was still

> swollen and I though just give my body time you work that job for 2

> years. As time progress I got better but I also got worse I guess

you

> could say because I was not hurting as bad but I was starting to

have

> that morning stiffness. Finally my husband came to me and said he

> had some warts on his hands and needs to go to the doctor because

> one of them was hurting him. I though to my self well Ill go to and

> get my self check out. The doctor we go to goes to out church and

> knows us well and I told her my symptoms and on the spot she knew

and

> told me that was arthritis. Did some blood work and x-rays and

couple

> days later she called me to confirm that it was RA. I cried a

little

> bit but it was just nice to know. The mobic she gave me helped and

> could walk on dirt ground with out it feeling like I had a sprained

> ankle. Morning stiffness was not as bad and I could do some things

> better. As I did the research on RA that's when it really became

> clear what I was in for. I cried and I still cry because I don't

> think its fair for me to have to go through this let along any of

> you. I feel like part of my life has been taken. I played softball

> for over 10 years and one thing I had always told my self was that

> when I have a kid I want to be able to play ball with them and

> practice with them because I didn't have any one that could. I

still

> want to be able to. Pretty much most of my body is affected, ankle,

> wrist, fingers, hips, knees, lower back, elbows which don't even

> straighten all the was any more, shoulders, jaw and now my big

toes.

> I have trouble sleeping and getting to sleep. I take mobic twice a

> day, hydroxycholorquine twice a day, folic acid and methotrexate

once

> a week which my RA doctor just raised from four to six Wednesday.

She

> told me I had damage to my right big toe, right middle finger

knuckle

> and knees. She also prescribed Humira and that's where I have run

> into a problem. My insurance had denied payment for it. I don't

know

> what to do. Me and my husband have no one to guide us. Both of are

> dads are no where around, my mom sits at home all day eating on

food

> stamps and his mom lives with us and has not job and gets SS

> disability. Basically we are living through trial and error and in

> hopes that our kids don't and we can educate them on money, buying

> house, college, things like that. What should I do about my

> insurance, I just cant accept no for an answer. I have a co-pay

with

> them. I feel a lot better, thank you everyone. (have I left any

thing

> out? LOL)

>

> JENI

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome to this wonderful group! There are many kind, caring, supportive

individuals here who are very knowledgeable. I've been ill since 19 with CFS,

FMS and MPS by age 30, and now RA as well as a liver disease. I try not to

think of how or why this happened. I remind myself daily that there are those

worse out there than I am. Illness has taught me more compassion and

understanding. Babies are born ill, deformed, sometimes with terminal illness.

There are those born with juvenile arthritis and do not have one pain free day

their entire lives. Today with the technology and medications available we are

much better off being diagnosed than patients 25 years ago. There are more

medications. DMARD's being one of the most important to help slow joint

deformities and progression. www.arthritis.org is one of the other great places

to go. They offer many resources and free information packages. Be gentle with

yourself. Pace yourself, do as much as you can to relax

because stress only adds emotional pain on top of physical and makes the

physical illness so much worse.

Ask and may be Ill tell Yeahs <ioibuttercupioi@...> wrote:

Hello everyone my name is Jeni. I live here in Oklahoma with my

husband and two kids and we have been married 7 year now. I am 25, my

husband is 27 and the kids are 3 and 5. When it comes to chats like

this I usually stay in the back ground read and learn, but in this

case I do need someone to understand, relate, let me vent and help

on what I should do now. I just been diagnosed with RA in February of

this year. My complications with RA started over a year ago but at

that time did not know that what is was. now that I know I have it, a

lot of things I was going through make since. I work for Ford

starting back in 2005 working to rebuild transmission and when I

first started I was fine. It was hard work but I liked it. About a

year into the job my hands would swell and I though it was just

because of the manual labor that I had to do. During this time I must

admit I did get in a lot of arguments with my husband all that time

because all I did was say I am tired all the time and he got tired of

me saying I was tired. But as time went by sometimes my hands would

swell and then my shoulder would hurt but never questioned it because

of the movement I had to on the job moving back and forth from

different stations. Then eventually was my hip and again did not

question it because we had to wear steal toe boots and were on

concrete floor 10 hours a day. These were all the symptoms that would

come and go and the excuses I made to go along with them. One night

in October of 2006 I woke up because I was tossing and turning

because my hip was hurting till the point I was crying and could not

walk. I went to emergency room that night and told them what was

going on and they took some x-rays. Eventually they gave me shot to

help the pain but before that the doctor asked me " well I know this

is an odd question but did you maybe pull something while trying to

have sex? " It was kind of funny to me but I told him no because my

husband works nights and he had just go off right before we went to

hospital. After the shot the pain did subside but I told my husband

it still hurt a little bit but it feels like my bone, I even told the

doctor that and what did he say " oh no your x-ray were fine, you'll

be okay, you probably pulled a muscle. Get some rest and you should

be okay. " I said fine to my self, took couple pain pills he subscribe

but also saved some of them in case I started to hurt again. About a

year and half into the job my hand started to swell pretty bad to the

point were I could not wear the latex gloves on the job, I was

limping because of my ankle and seem tired all the time. I told my

husband I had to find another job because this one was to hard on my

body. After working there for 2 years I found a job as a customer

service representative, I thought to myself this will help my body a

lot, all I got to do it sit all day and the only thing I should have

to worry about is gaining weight. My hands started to go down, my

finger were not long locking in the morning but my ankle was still

swollen and I though just give my body time you work that job for 2

years. As time progress I got better but I also got worse I guess you

could say because I was not hurting as bad but I was starting to have

that morning stiffness. Finally my husband came to me and said he

had some warts on his hands and needs to go to the doctor because

one of them was hurting him. I though to my self well Ill go to and

get my self check out. The doctor we go to goes to out church and

knows us well and I told her my symptoms and on the spot she knew and

told me that was arthritis. Did some blood work and x-rays and couple

days later she called me to confirm that it was RA. I cried a little

bit but it was just nice to know. The mobic she gave me helped and

could walk on dirt ground with out it feeling like I had a sprained

ankle. Morning stiffness was not as bad and I could do some things

better. As I did the research on RA that's when it really became

clear what I was in for. I cried and I still cry because I don't

think its fair for me to have to go through this let along any of

you. I feel like part of my life has been taken. I played softball

for over 10 years and one thing I had always told my self was that

when I have a kid I want to be able to play ball with them and

practice with them because I didn't have any one that could. I still

want to be able to. Pretty much most of my body is affected, ankle,

wrist, fingers, hips, knees, lower back, elbows which don't even

straighten all the was any more, shoulders, jaw and now my big toes.

I have trouble sleeping and getting to sleep. I take mobic twice a

day, hydroxycholorquine twice a day, folic acid and methotrexate once

a week which my RA doctor just raised from four to six Wednesday. She

told me I had damage to my right big toe, right middle finger knuckle

and knees. She also prescribed Humira and that's where I have run

into a problem. My insurance had denied payment for it. I don't know

what to do. Me and my husband have no one to guide us. Both of are

dads are no where around, my mom sits at home all day eating on food

stamps and his mom lives with us and has not job and gets SS

disability. Basically we are living through trial and error and in

hopes that our kids don't and we can educate them on money, buying

house, college, things like that. What should I do about my

insurance, I just cant accept no for an answer. I have a co-pay with

them. I feel a lot better, thank you everyone. (have I left any thing

out? LOL)

JENI

---------------------------------

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

appeal thru you insurance.  tell your dr and have them write a letter of appeal

for you.  i take humira and it really helps.  i will be praying for a change for

you.  hang in they will have to pay they cannot risk what the disease will do to

you without the humira.  stand firm rita

[ ] I'm Jeni and this is my story...........

Hello everyone my name is Jeni. I live here in Oklahoma with my

husband and two kids and we have been married 7 year now. I am 25, my

husband is 27 and the kids are 3 and 5. When it comes to chats like

this I usually stay in the back ground read and learn, but in this

case I do need someone to understand, relate, let me vent and help

on what I should do now. I just been diagnosed with RA in February of

this year. My complications with RA started over a year ago but at

that time did not know that what is was. now that I know I have it, a

lot of things I was going through make since. I work for Ford

starting back in 2005 working to rebuild transmission and when I

first started I was fine. It was hard work but I liked it. About a

year into the job my hands would swell and I though it was just

because of the manual labor that I had to do. During this time I must

admit I did get in a lot of arguments with my husband all that time

because all I did was say I am tired all the time and he got tired of

me saying I was tired. But as time went by sometimes my hands would

swell and then my shoulder would hurt but never questioned it because

of the movement I had to on the job moving back and forth from

different stations. Then eventually was my hip and again did not

question it because we had to wear steal toe boots and were on

concrete floor 10 hours a day. These were all the symptoms that would

come and go and the excuses I made to go along with them. One night

in October of 2006 I woke up because I was tossing and turning

because my hip was hurting till the point I was crying and could not

walk. I went to emergency room that night and told them what was

going on and they took some x-rays. Eventually they gave me shot to

help the pain but before that the doctor asked me " well I know this

is an odd question but did you maybe pull something while trying to

have sex? " It was kind of funny to me but I told him no because my

husband works nights and he had just go off right before we went to

hospital. After the shot the pain did subside but I told my husband

it still hurt a little bit but it feels like my bone, I even told the

doctor that and what did he say " oh no your x-ray were fine, you'll

be okay, you probably pulled a muscle. Get some rest and you should

be okay. " I said fine to my self, took couple pain pills he subscribe

but also saved some of them in case I started to hurt again. About a

year and half into the job my hand started to swell pretty bad to the

point were I could not wear the latex gloves on the job, I was

limping because of my ankle and seem tired all the time. I told my

husband I had to find another job because this one was to hard on my

body. After working there for 2 years I found a job as a customer

service representative, I thought to myself this will help my body a

lot, all I got to do it sit all day and the only thing I should have

to worry about is gaining weight. My hands started to go down, my

finger were not long locking in the morning but my ankle was still

swollen and I though just give my body time you work that job for 2

years. As time progress I got better but I also got worse I guess you

could say because I was not hurting as bad but I was starting to have

that morning stiffness. Finally my husband came to me and said he

had some warts on his hands and needs to go to the doctor because

one of them was hurting him. I though to my self well Ill go to and

get my self check out. The doctor we go to goes to out church and

knows us well and I told her my symptoms and on the spot she knew and

told me that was arthritis. Did some blood work and x-rays and couple

days later she called me to confirm that it was RA. I cried a little

bit but it was just nice to know. The mobic she gave me helped and

could walk on dirt ground with out it feeling like I had a sprained

ankle. Morning stiffness was not as bad and I could do some things

better. As I did the research on RA that's when it really became

clear what I was in for. I cried and I still cry because I don't

think its fair for me to have to go through this let along any of

you. I feel like part of my life has been taken. I played softball

for over 10 years and one thing I had always told my self was that

when I have a kid I want to be able to play ball with them and

practice with them because I didn't have any one that could. I still

want to be able to. Pretty much most of my body is affected, ankle,

wrist, fingers, hips, knees, lower back, elbows which don't even

straighten all the was any more, shoulders, jaw and now my big toes.

I have trouble sleeping and getting to sleep. I take mobic twice a

day, hydroxycholorquine twice a day, folic acid and methotrexate once

a week which my RA doctor just raised from four to six Wednesday. She

told me I had damage to my right big toe, right middle finger knuckle

and knees. She also prescribed Humira and that's where I have run

into a problem. My insurance had denied payment for it. I don't know

what to do. Me and my husband have no one to guide us. Both of are

dads are no where around, my mom sits at home all day eating on food

stamps and his mom lives with us and has not job and gets SS

disability. Basically we are living through trial and error and in

hopes that our kids don't and we can educate them on money, buying

house, college, things like that. What should I do about my

insurance, I just cant accept no for an answer. I have a co-pay with

them. I feel a lot better, thank you everyone. (have I left any thing

out? LOL)

JENI

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[Guest guest]

Jeni, Hang in there-things will get better. Any of the meds take a little

while to get built up in your system and it usually takes a couple of med

changes to get the right combination. Hopefully you can get the humira started

soon and it will work great for you. Many of us with very active disease

function and have nearly normal lives-yes we generally have to deal with some

stiffness and some discomfort but we do function-maybe at a little slower pace

but still full and active lives. I have been diagnosed for over 5 years and

have had periods that were more difficult than others but still do most of the

things I enjoyed before. I garden, work part time at my husbands office, keep

my grandchildren (age 8 mo.-5years) a couple of days a week, keep things going

at home and am actiive at church and teach a young childrens class . I have

traveled a good bit (some out of the country). I refuse to let it get the best

of me. There are times when I have to take it a little

slower and easier but I don't stop and refuse to give in to it. Fatigue can be

one of the problems also but that improved a good bit with the right med combo

and I do try to rest more and pace myself. I also had an elbow at one time that

would not straighten but now does and is fine since med changes. Attitude and

staying active is so important. I hope you find the right answers and meds soon.

I know it is all overwhelming and scary at first but many people do well once

proper treatment is found . linda

Ask and may be Ill tell Yeahs <ioibuttercupioi@...> wrote:

Hello everyone my name is Jeni. I live here in Oklahoma with my

husband and two kids and we have been married 7 year now. I am 25, my

husband is 27 and the kids are 3 and 5. When it comes to chats like

this I usually stay in the back ground read and learn, but in this

case I do need someone to understand, relate, let me vent and help

on what I should do now. I just been diagnosed with RA in February of

this year. My complications with RA started over a year ago but at

that time did not know that what is was. now that I know I have it, a

lot of things I was going through make since. I work for Ford

starting back in 2005 working to rebuild transmission and when I

first started I was fine. It was hard work but I liked it. About a

year into the job my hands would swell and I though it was just

because of the manual labor that I had to do. During this time I must

admit I did get in a lot of arguments with my husband all that time

because all I did was say I am tired all the time and he got tired of

me saying I was tired. But as time went by sometimes my hands would

swell and then my shoulder would hurt but never questioned it because

of the movement I had to on the job moving back and forth from

different stations. Then eventually was my hip and again did not

question it because we had to wear steal toe boots and were on

concrete floor 10 hours a day. These were all the symptoms that would

come and go and the excuses I made to go along with them. One night

in October of 2006 I woke up because I was tossing and turning

because my hip was hurting till the point I was crying and could not

walk. I went to emergency room that night and told them what was

going on and they took some x-rays. Eventually they gave me shot to

help the pain but before that the doctor asked me " well I know this

is an odd question but did you maybe pull something while trying to

have sex? " It was kind of funny to me but I told him no because my

husband works nights and he had just go off right before we went to

hospital. After the shot the pain did subside but I told my husband

it still hurt a little bit but it feels like my bone, I even told the

doctor that and what did he say " oh no your x-ray were fine, you'll

be okay, you probably pulled a muscle. Get some rest and you should

be okay. " I said fine to my self, took couple pain pills he subscribe

but also saved some of them in case I started to hurt again. About a

year and half into the job my hand started to swell pretty bad to the

point were I could not wear the latex gloves on the job, I was

limping because of my ankle and seem tired all the time. I told my

husband I had to find another job because this one was to hard on my

body. After working there for 2 years I found a job as a customer

service representative, I thought to myself this will help my body a

lot, all I got to do it sit all day and the only thing I should have

to worry about is gaining weight. My hands started to go down, my

finger were not long locking in the morning but my ankle was still

swollen and I though just give my body time you work that job for 2

years. As time progress I got better but I also got worse I guess you

could say because I was not hurting as bad but I was starting to have

that morning stiffness. Finally my husband came to me and said he

had some warts on his hands and needs to go to the doctor because

one of them was hurting him. I though to my self well Ill go to and

get my self check out. The doctor we go to goes to out church and

knows us well and I told her my symptoms and on the spot she knew and

told me that was arthritis. Did some blood work and x-rays and couple

days later she called me to confirm that it was RA. I cried a little

bit but it was just nice to know. The mobic she gave me helped and

could walk on dirt ground with out it feeling like I had a sprained

ankle. Morning stiffness was not as bad and I could do some things

better. As I did the research on RA that's when it really became

clear what I was in for. I cried and I still cry because I don't

think its fair for me to have to go through this let along any of

you. I feel like part of my life has been taken. I played softball

for over 10 years and one thing I had always told my self was that

when I have a kid I want to be able to play ball with them and

practice with them because I didn't have any one that could. I still

want to be able to. Pretty much most of my body is affected, ankle,

wrist, fingers, hips, knees, lower back, elbows which don't even

straighten all the was any more, shoulders, jaw and now my big toes.

I have trouble sleeping and getting to sleep. I take mobic twice a

day, hydroxycholorquine twice a day, folic acid and methotrexate once

a week which my RA doctor just raised from four to six Wednesday. She

told me I had damage to my right big toe, right middle finger knuckle

and knees. She also prescribed Humira and that's where I have run

into a problem. My insurance had denied payment for it. I don't know

what to do. Me and my husband have no one to guide us. Both of are

dads are no where around, my mom sits at home all day eating on food

stamps and his mom lives with us and has not job and gets SS

disability. Basically we are living through trial and error and in

hopes that our kids don't and we can educate them on money, buying

house, college, things like that. What should I do about my

insurance, I just cant accept no for an answer. I have a co-pay with

them. I feel a lot better, thank you everyone. (have I left any thing

out? LOL)

JENI

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