Geographic Cure?

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

Dodie here, back online and glad to be a part of this wonderful loop.

I've only posted a few times since being here but for anyone new I'm 46 and

live in Northwest PA and I've had RA for 23 years. I've had joint

replacement surgeries and am on Remicade, Folic Acid, Humira, Celebrex,

Fosamax + other over the counter stuff like Fish Oil, etc.

I'm writing to ask if anyone has moved to the Southwest to help their RA

and if it worked? Okay, we left for a vacation in late September to South

of Deming, NM for 3 weeks and guys, I've got to tell you I felt SO MUCH

better physically!!! I mean A LOT BETTER! Better than I've felt in YEARS.

It wasn't just in my head, it was in ALL joints. The humidity there mostly

stays in the teens and the elevation is about 4,000 feet. Since being back

home here now for going on a month the usual pain and inflammation is coming

back big time. Our humidity runs high here most all the time. Before I

forget, I went off the Humira and Methotrexate while away to be sure I was

really feeling if the climate change did help. I've since resumed both.

Anyway, glad to be back on board with you all. I went No Mail while

away and have had only a chance here and there to keep up with the digests

since being back. Prayers for all who have had surgery and hello to all who

are newer than me. I'm going in for an out-patient surgery in December to

move a nerve in my right elbow as my joint is virtually non-existent and the

bones are pinching that nerve causing my two fingers (mostly) to go numb.

The surgeon is also going to remove two nodgules (sp?) from my finger joints

(I realize they may return). This past year I've had 4 surgeries to have

both knee joints replacements revised with new plastic, a right ankle

fusion, and a sinus surgery. Mentioning these again in case anyone may have

questions that I'll try and help out with. A great group. Oh, also

diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome this past year.

If you are recently diagnosed, please try and be thankful. 21st century

medicine virtually guarantees (IMHO) that you will not have the joint damage

I do. There IS hope, and all we have is today, so I'm going to try my best

to have the best day EVER! RA isn't fun to have, I know, but have I do, so

I must on a daily basis make the best of it and constantly try and have an

'attitude of gratitude'. Some days are better than others. Today I feel

grateful for you all.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((RA

Family)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Best Wishes,

Dodie