Guest guest Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Welcome , Your story sounds so familar. In this supportative group you will see how every Rhuemy is different, how all meds work but differently for each person. I will tell you that I was DX in 1-08 & having a patient, professional & caring Rhuemy makes a BIG difference in our care & future. I am so glad you found someone who can help you thru this journey of life changes. We just need to focus on what's good for each of us at what times. I will keep you and everyone in the group in my prayers so that we can adjust & have pain free days ahead. Mousie in Calif > > Hi everyone! > > My name is and I live in Washington State. I'm 31 years old > and I have a partner and two beautiful, wonderful children 11 and 5. > > I was diagnosed with RA in 2006 after I had an injury while doing the > G Komen 3-Day 60 mile breast cancer walk. > > After my initial diagnosis I spent the next 18 months on heavy doses > of Prednisone and Methotrexate. > > I was convinced that the Dr. was wrong and that it was simply because > I was overweight. Even though I could barely walk, I couldn't even > wash my own hair, and I stayed in bed approx. 18 hours of the day due > to being so sick and exhausted all of the time. > > I eventually got better to the point of being able to do more, but I > was never able to go into a medicine induced remission which was very, > very depressing for me. > > I cut sugar out of my diet and in turn ended up losing 70! lbs. I felt > better and was POSITIVE that I cured my RA because I felt zero pain. > When I went back to my Rheumatologist he was of course impressed and > happy for me, but when he told me that my blood work was even worse > than when I was first diagnosed I hit an all time low and fell into a > deep depression. > > He took me off the Methotrexate and I went on Arava. I slowly started > to come to grips with things, but struggled a lot with not being able > to do certain things and being so tired that I would rely on naps to > get me through the day. > > Arava worked out beautifully for me, but we also added Enbrel. I was > amazed at how quickly I felt better after the injections. I thought it > was in my head, but I have read/heard that everyone has a different > experience and although the literature states that it may take awhile > to feel results, some people do in fact feel better after less than a > month. > > My insurance has been wonky about my medications, but the Arava > combined with Enbrel is definitely what works best for me. > > I'm currently on prednisone and I rely heavily on Hydrocodone to get > me through my days when I'm having the pain. > > Yesterday, I had an amazing visit with a new Rheumatologist. I moved > and was SO excited to find not one, but many amazing options > regarding my care. Where I used to live there were two options and > they were both so busy that appts. were always a long way out. In > addition, my particular Dr. had an incredible high turn over rate and > I am not sure why, but as a patient it was difficult for me to deal > with that as I felt like I had to tell my story to each new person. > > The new Dr. I visited with yesterday was simply amazing. She was warm > and made eye contact the entire time. She involved my partner in my > care plan and was willing to really listen and address all of my > questions and concerns. > > I told her that I am still struggling with the diagnosis and told her > that sometimes I wonder if I really have RA. I don't exactly know why > even with the blood work, the symptoms, and the drastic life changes > that I've had because of the illness I still wonder. Does anyone else > ever experience this? > > I'm so so grateful for this new Dr. I am so impressed and happy that I > met someone that really cares about my health and wants to help me get > some of my life back. > > I never felt that with my old Dr. In fact, I felt like a number and > that is probably why I HATED going to those appointments! > > Thanks for reading! I have enjoyed reading the list so far and am > happy that I found all of you > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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