Hello to all:

[Guest guest]

I am very new here. My name is Chelsea. I am 54 years old and 4 years ago I

was diagnosed with seronegative r.a., but never received treatment.

The diagnosis was changed 2 and a half years ago to fibromyalgia.

I have undergone many treatments, none of which has been effective. Now the

diagnosis is again in question and I am being referred to another rheumatologist

for further testing.

I have severe and constant pain in my hands, wrists, elbows, feet

and ankles along with severe fatigue and weakness and, many times, flu-like

symptoms. I am no longer able to work (after a truly glorious 30+ year career as

a techie in commercial insurance) and left employment in Aug. 2008. I am

currently seeking social security benefits.

I am extremely fortunate to have the support of my ever-patient husband and

family. I try not to be a " whiner " and I try my very best to remain upbeat and

optimistic, but, as I'm sure folks here can understand, sometimes that is the

hardest battle of all. Depression is my constant enemy. We do battle daily and

I'm doing my best to make certain that it does not gain the upper hand.

Well, those are the bare facts about me. After 4 years of constant pain, I am

finally reaching out to a community of folks who have similar circumstances and

experiences. Even with the support of family and friends, this can be a lonely

and frustrating way of life, full of limitations and challenges that I daresay,

I really never even could have imagined 5 years ago.

I look forward to, hopefully, communicating with you good people who can

understand how I feel and the challenges of chronic pain and a condition in

which I often look " fine " on the outside but am most definitely not on the

inside.

This is my first experience with a group such as this. I hope I am following the

rules and am truly excited to have found this community. I look forward to

communication and fellowship with you all and, being a newbie, if I do something

wrong, please let me know, I will do my best to " get the hang " of this. Typing

is quite painful so it might not always be perfect and, for that, I apologize in

advance.

Thank you all for your time, consideration and patience. I wish all of us a

truly good New Year with less pain.

Chelsea

[Guest guest]

>Chelsea wrote:

>

> I am very new here. My name is Chelsea. I am 54 years old and 4 years ago I

was diagnosed with seronegative r.a., but never received treatment.

Chelsea,

Welcome to the group. I don't post very often, but I do read all

of the posts and have found that this group is very understanding, very helpful

and very concerned about people in the same boat as themselves.

Please don't hesitate if you have a question about something, need

to vent or share good news because we're all in this together and ready to help

in any way possible. Chances are very good that someone has either experienced

what you have, gone through something similar or knows where to look to help

you. As you are finding out, even with supportive friends and family, some times

it just isn't enough. This group has been a godsend in so many ways for me and I

am glad that

I found it when I did.

Do not worry about your typing because, as someone else has said before, you do

what you can do and that is all that can be asked of you. No one in the group

will think less of you because we've all been there at one time or another on

any given day and understand.

Bobbie

[Guest guest]

" noreaster22 " wrote:

>

>

> Please don't hesitate if you have a question about something, need

> to vent or share good news because we're all in this together and ready to

help in any way possible. Chances are very good that someone has either

experienced what you have, gone through something similar or knows where to look

to help you. As you are finding out, even with supportive friends and family,

some times it just isn't enough. This group has been a godsend in so many ways

for me and I am glad that

> I found it when I did.

**Hi, bobbie

thank you for the welcome. i'm sorry that i can't capitalize any more today, so

my typing is going to look a bit like the writings of e.e.cummings for now, i

guess. apologies. i am realizing just what a comfort it is to have found this

group. today is excruciating and there were so many things i had scheduled to

do. well, rescheduling is a wonderful thing i suppose. but being able to just

share with understanding folks helps a lot too, as i'm finding out.

thank you all for being here

chelsea

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group, Chelsea. =) I'm having a bad pain day or I'd normally have

more to say, but I can't really manage to type it today. I hope you find all the

support you need here. =)

-Kayla

> Chelsea wrote:

>I am 54 years old and 4 years ago I was diagnosed with seronegative >r.a., but

never received treatment.