Guest guest Posted October 25, 2009 Report Share Posted October 25, 2009 Hi, Reading your post brought back memories of my early months with RA. Like you, it took a long while to be diagnosed. Many people do well on Methotrexate and you may be one of them. Enbrel gave me back my life. It was great for eight years, but now I take Arava and do quite well. I remember thinking life was over, but once you find meds that work you eventually adjust to working around RA. I thought life would be dull without being able to play tennis, but I got over that too. Like you , my middle finger on my right hand was the first to go. I spill a lot, but I guess it is almost like I never had that finger!! Naturally, that finger is on my dominant side. Good luck and know that time will make things better. Sincerely, Patsy ________________________________ From: Judith Beedie <judithbeedie@...> Sent: Sun, October 25, 2009 6:30:44 PM Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Some questions please I have been having obvious symptoms for 3 years now. I've lost the movement in my middle finger of my right hand and fear I'm losing it in my wrist. Today I hurt all over and feel sick I am so fatigued and don't think I can make it to work tomorrow. I fear of losing my job. So far, I haven't started the methotraxate the doctor gave me on Thursday. I'm dreading it but know I have to do something. My question is to you, looking back, would you have done anything different in dealing with the RA? What advise would you give to someone who is just beginng this new life...with RA? My life as I knew it seems to be over. It seems no one has much hope. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: " iafowl31260@ aol.com " <iafowl31260@ aol.com> @gro ups.com Sent: Sun, October 25, 2009 4:37:57 PM Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Some questions please I do not work now. I worked 15 years at a wire production plant where I stood all day lifting anywhere from 2 lb. rolls of wire aluminum and fiberglass to 108 feet long weighing 90 lbs. or more depending on how much material was rolled up. The reason I had to resign from my job was due to I passed out at work due to severe pain and became paralyzed in my right leg with some numbness in my left from a pinched nerve and an injury that I sustained while working. After injuring myself at work I did not go home and rest the 3 days I was suppose to and made the injury worse. Went to the bathroom and awake in the ER several hours later. I have had 3 back surgeries due to the injury and the RA was already there, but got worse after the injury. I then after getting better without a clearance from my doctors went back to work for 7 months and got to where I could not sit down or stand without having to have help getting up or sitting down. I ended up back in the hospital and was told that I was to ill to do the work I once did and over the years the RA and other health problems have kept me almost home bound with assistance from a cane and other devices. Yes I have been through more things with this RA than people know. I started having symptoms in 1980 after I got hurt. I was 20 when I was told I had simple arthritis by my PCP when I had problems with my hands. I was 29 years old when I was officially diagnosed with RA. Did not get treated for RA until 1993 due to insurance problems and financially not able to handle the meds. I am 49 now. Irish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 25, 2009 Report Share Posted October 25, 2009 Believe it..this is the only place I can let anyone know how I feel. Even my doctor doesn't want to hear it. Most of the time, I cry alone and keep try to keep face. The other factor is that my grandaughter has it and is one twice the dosage of mx that I'm prescribed. She gives herself an injection on the leg every Sunday night. I feel guilty my gene was a contributing factor...I admire her courage. I'm not as strong as her..can't help it. My daughter thinks I'm nuts for delaying treatment. I'm going to give myself 2 weeks at max to try it. I don't want to be anymore deformed than I am. ________________________________ From: Patsy <pab91101@...> Sent: Sun, October 25, 2009 8:51:25 PM Subject: Re: [ ] To Judith from Patsy Hi, Reading your post brought back memories of my early months with RA. Like you, it took a long while to be diagnosed. Many people do well on Methotrexate and you may be one of them. Enbrel gave me back my life. It was great for eight years, but now I take Arava and do quite well. I remember thinking life was over, but once you find meds that work you eventually adjust to working around RA. I thought life would be dull without being able to play tennis, but I got over that too. Like you , my middle finger on my right hand was the first to go. I spill a lot, but I guess it is almost like I never had that finger!! Naturally, that finger is on my dominant side. Good luck and know that time will make things better. Sincerely, Patsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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