Re: Yes I am whining. . . .

[Guest guest]

Kim, my RA started with a bang in 2001. At least mine waited until I

was past 60, so that was a blessing. I had a very hard time for the

first months, when I was on first methotrexate and then Arava. Those

two meds caused my white blood cell count to get too low, so I was

switched to Enbrel. That has proved to be my miracle drug. I realize

how lucky I am that my original rheumy found the perfect med for me. I

can hardly tell that I have RA.

It usually does take a while to find the perfect drug or cocktail of

drugs to put us in medical remission, but it can eventually pay off. I

hope the Humira will work well for you. If not, there are plenty of

other drugs that your rheumy can prescribe.

It sounds as though your rheumy is attacking the RA aggressively,

since he has already started you on a biologic. Just keep him informed

about how you're doing. Be the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.

Good luck!

Sue

On Nov 3, 2010, at 2:12 PM, newsilva10 wrote:

> Ok, so I just joined this group and I read that whining is ok so

> here is my shot at that. . .

>

> I am a 25 year old newlywed who was diagnosed with RA about 2 years

> ago. It has taken over both my knees (one of which no longer

> straightens), an elbow, a wrist, and a thumb. At first I thought it

> would not be bad, I was trying to look on the bright side, atleast

> my disease was not life threatening. I was luckier than some, life

> was still good. Since then, I am still feeling lucky to not have a

> fatal illness, but my quality of life sure has changed. I just

> started Humira (which burns like crazy!!) after failed attempts with

> both methotrexate and enbrel. I am tired of the constant stiffness

> and pain that wakes me in night. I am tired of the constant fatigue.

> I used to be a dancer and now I don't even feel like walking to the

> end of my driveway some days. I feel alone because I don't know

> anyone else with this disease. I can explain it to my friends and

> family and they try their best to support me, but they will never

> know what its like. The latest blow I took was when my Dr said that

> starting a family with my new husband could be harder than I thought

> because I have an auto immune disease. I really can't find one

> aspect of my life now that this has not affected and its only been 2

> years.

>

> So there is my whining, now here is my plea. . can someone else

> please tell me that they have felt beat by the disease at least

> once, that it could get better, or that I should not be so scared of

> the future with it? Anyone go in to remission or find a medicine and

> feel great and alive again?

>

> Take care!

> Kim

[Guest guest]

KIM

 

I AM 58 NOW, CAME DOWN WITH RA AT 32 RIGHT AFTER MY SECOND CHILD

WAS BORN.IT H IT SO BAD, KNEES, HANDS, FEET,

I WENT TO A RA DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY

HE TRIED DIFFERENT MEDS AND SHOTS, NO HELP, THEN

HE STARTED ME ON (GOLD) PILLS IT PUT MY RA IN A REMISSION

FOR 10 YEARS,THEN I WENT ON ENBREL FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS

NOW I AM ON ORENCIA HOPEING THIS WILL WORK.

YOU CAN LIVE WITH RA, JUST SOME DAYS ARE WORSE THEN OTHERS

MY KIDS SURVIVED,MY HUSBAND WAS A SAINT, YOUR YOUNG\

GET ON THE RIGHT MEDS AND THE REST WILL WORK OUT. GOOD LUCK

HANG IN THERE

FRIEND AND FAMILY WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND WHAT WE GO THROUGH

WHY ARE HOUSES ARN'T CLEAN AS THERES,WHY WE CAN'T DO WHAT THEY DO

ECT.I HEARD IT ALL.MY HUSBAND TOLD EVERYONE INCLUDING HIS

FAMILY IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT YOU SEE STAY AWAY.THANK GOD FOR HIM

 

THINGS WILL GET BETTER

ANN

 

> Ok, so I just joined this group and I read that whining is ok so

> here is my shot at that. . .

>

> I am a 25 year old newlywed who was diagnosed with RA about 2 years

> ago. It has taken over both my knees (one of which no longer

> straightens), an elbow, a wrist, and a thumb. At first I thought it

> would not be bad, I was trying to look on the bright side, atleast

> my disease was not life threatening. I was luckier than some, life

> was still good. Since then, I am still feeling lucky to not have a

> fatal illness, but my quality of life sure has changed. I just

> started Humira (which burns like crazy!!) after failed attempts with

> both methotrexate and enbrel. I am tired of the constant stiffness

> and pain that wakes me in night. I am tired of the constant fatigue.

> I used to be a dancer and now I don't even feel like walking to the

> end of my driveway some days. I feel alone because I don't know

> anyone else with this disease. I can explain it to my friends and

> family and they try their best to support me, but they will never

> know what its like. The latest blow I took was when my Dr said that

> starting a family with my new husband could be harder than I thought

> because I have an auto immune disease. I really can't find one

> aspect of my life now that this has not affected and its only been 2

> years.

>

> So there is my whining, now here is my plea. . can someone else

> please tell me that they have felt beat by the disease at least

> once, that it could get better, or that I should not be so scared of

> the future with it? Anyone go in to remission or find a medicine and

> feel great and alive again?

>

> Take care!

> Kim

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim!

My name is and I was diagnosed in 2009 with RA. It hit me so fast

and sometimes it is very hard to believe how 1 minute I am a college senior

trying to get my college degree done to the next minute, I am crawling on my

hands and knees just to go to the bathroom! My doctors are beginning to

suspect that my RA is trauma-based. I had 2 serious falls within weeks of

each other and the body parts I landed on are the parts that are taking the

brunt of the disease.

My doctor started me out on Methotrexate pills, Plaquenil, and Prednisone.

But then I moved and got a rheumatologist. He put me on Methotrexate

injections, Plaquenil, and Simponi. I am feeling better; to the point of

where I am just achy. BUT the fatigue is what is getting to me. I have 2

children ages 14 and 7. RA has hit them pretty hard because they aren't

used to seeing mom in this condition.

There are many women who have gone on a have a family with RA. My advice

would be put your team together and include a pain management specialist.

Then while you are pregnant, start working on a baby team. These are your

go-to people for when you are flairing or just feeling crappy. Have it

where they can come and assist you with your baby and even assist you.

Showers are a godsend in so many ways!

You are a smart gal and with careful planning before, during, and after

pregnancy, you will be able to start your family. 1 step at a time!

Gentle hugs-