New to RA!

[Guest guest]

Hi, I am 47 years old and have recently started being treated for RA. Since

August, my legs, hips, ankles and feet joints have been very stiff and sore.Some

days I can barely walk. It takes several hours after I wake up for the joints to

feel like I can move but they basically hurt, ache or are stiff all day. The

doctor discovered my rheumatoid factor was high but my xrays do not show any

damage yet. I am also going in for an MRI of my hips and back this week to check

for Ankylosing Spondeolytis (SP?) On top of it all I have raynauds (I had not

really known what that was before). Originally, I just thought I was just

pulling muscles at work or standing too long etc... I never associated my pain

with any RA since I don't have any close family with it.

I work as an RN in Labor and Delivery so I use my legs and feet all the time.

This condition is really taking its toll on me emotionally and physically. I

have to take meds for my stomach, Wellbutrin for depression, and LOTS of pain

meds. I am so tired of not feeling well. Some days I just want to stay in bed

and cry.

They started me on Mobic than changed to Indomethacin. Neither of those helped

other than to take the edge off the pain. I just started taking sulfasalazine.

It is not really helping either. I have to take 800mg of Ibuprofin all the time

AND tylenol to even be able to walk some days. It still does not control the

pain or stiffness. Lately my fingers and arms have joined in and they are achy

and sore.

I am not really sure what to do!!!! I am so tired and depressed about this and

am wondering how anyone could live the rest of their life like this. The pain is

so bad that it takes my breath away sometimes. My back is a mess! It hurts worse

when I sleep or rest. If I try to keep moving, than my back does feel a little

better, but than my ankles and feet hurt and get swollen. I am not sleeping well

and my home and work life is suffering.

I don't really know what I am asking for here! I just want someone to tell me

that this " acute " stage can be brought under control and " maybe " my life can

still be functional? Do people have such terrible acute episodes that last this

long and still find relief? OR am I doomed to hobbel and walk bent over in pain

for the rest of my life? I never thought I would feel so old at 47!!! I am the

mother of 5 children. 2 are off and married but I still have 3 at home (ages 12,

15 and 19) I hate that they see me so sore and cranky all the time. I hate not

being able to bend and clean things or carry things. I am not really sure what

to do about my job either. I HAVE to work. I love Obstetrics! I just can't help

push beds or move and lift patients lately. I am afraid that I will start

missing too much work also. PLUS I am so sore after parking my car and walking

into the building in the AM, that I have a terrible time getting started in the

morning.

What are my options? What should I do about the medications? I am so confused

right now! I am so sorry that this post was so long and cranky! I just really

need some good advice from someone who has the same type of issue.

Robin in St. Louis