Re: Can anyone give hope to a newbie?

[Guest guest]

--- In , " cindy " <noolderthan2@...>

> Can anyone offer hope to someone who has just been diagnosed? I have

> finaly recieved a diagnosis for what has been going on for so long.

, your life is definitely not over and no, you don't have to live

your life in a wheelchair. The main thing is finding the right doctor

and the right medicine. If you don't like yours or you feel like

he/she isn't helping you...find another. There are some excellent

rheumies out there....you just have to work at finding them. I was

fortunate to be sent to an absolutely wonderful one almost 4 years ago

who diagnosed me and is taking really good care of me, listens to me

and takes the time to work with me in getting the right treatment. I

don't know about uprooting yourself and moving " out west " but if you

plan carefully I don't see why you can't do it. Insurance may be a

problem if you are covered under a current employer...I don't know. I

am on disability and am covered by my husband's employer as my primary

and Medicare as my secondary. Just do some research and don't give up

your dreams..you may have to modify them a little but you can achieve

them! Good luck and God Bless!

Sharon

[Guest guest]

,

I feel your pain. This is such a frustrating disease.

I felt pretty alone when I was first diagnosed. No

one in my family has arthritis, most thought ibuprofen

would be the fix. Anyhow I am wishing you the best.

No one knows what tomorrow brings. I live each day

thankful that I don't have the pain I used to have. I

also know that all that could change tomorrow. I have

only had one flare in two years so I åm fortunate. I

also found a hand specialist who listened to my needs

and pains 2 years ago. I have joint replacements in

three of my left fingers. The pain was so much.

Anyhow the arthritis doesn't attack artificial joints.

The pain is gone, but I know it could choose to

attack other joints. I truly hope for the best for

you and everyone struggling with Rheumy's and any

other doctor who doesn't take our pain seriously.

Best Wishes

Rita

Colorado

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

What???? I'm not sure where you are getting your info.???? If you are

going to be all doom & gloom, I guarantee it will happen.

If on the other hand you choose to treat your disease aggressively,

there is a very good chance that your quality of life will not

diminish. Yes, there are lot's of trials and tribulation ahead, but

hopefully you will eventually find the drug or combination that works

for you and your life will continue it what ever way you choose.

But absolutely do NOT go all doom & gloom, because there is no surer

way to get there than with a pessimistic attitude.

Stay WELL,

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed about five years ago. It took a long time for them to diagnose

at all.This disease can be controlled with proper medication however each case

is different so your rhuemy will have to experiment with different medications

and strengths.There is no cure and you will definately have to curtail some of

your more strenuous activity.Keep in mind that PA , unlike other forms of

Arthritis, affect the tendons as well as the bones.Keep in mind that this

disease is a disease of the immune system which means that it can leave the door

open to other diseases.So you must pamper yourself a bit.

The meds are very expensive especially the biologicals. And do not be afraid to

ask for help with things that peove difficult for you. As a male that was a

tough lesson for me to learn.So do not be in a hurry to drop your insurance, You

will feel some relief when you hit retirement and are eligible gor Medicare.

Good Luck and God Bless

[ ] Can anyone give hope to a newbie?

Can anyone offer hope to someone who has just been diagnosed?

[Guest guest]

Hope? Of course. I'm 51 I'm still working and I love to camp and hike. I walk my

dog now instead of run. I also complain a little bit more about my aches and

pains. but life is good. If you move take records with you. I would go on with

my life. It is all up to you. I have had it all my life also. Though P is not a

big deal for me now. I would suggest a dry climate though. The dampness of the

northwest is the worst for PA. have fun and congratulations on your diagnosis.

You're not crazy!....LOL

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the advice. P has never been a big deal for me either, just

an inconvenience the A on the other hand...........OMG it is the

worst. The last couple of days have been pain filled. I was having

problems with NASIDs so they took me off that and put me on a mild

narcotic pain med, can't take that at work so it has been tough. I just

want to get a little control back lol. I am glad to see that there is

hope.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Again, I'm more than a little concerned for you. Taking narcotics to

alleviate PA pain is not a small matter and you are still just treating

the pain, not addressing the disease. I strongly urge you to see a

rheumatologist and talk about what things you can do to treat your

disease, rather than to just treat your pain. While NSAIDS or even

narcotics may be necessary and will make the pain go away, it's only a

temporary fix. Same deal with Prednisone.

Talk to your rheumy about DMARDS like MTX or Biologics like Enbrel,

Humira and others. These will treat your disease.

Stay Well,

[Guest guest]

Hi Yeah I don't like it but the plan is to " keep me comfortable " until

I can get in to a rheumy - looking like that maybe sometime in May.

Evidently there is a major shortage in Atlanta. I am trying to find

one on my own since my regular doc has not been able to but I am

finding the same thing they did. I do not think he thought it would

take so long to get to someone who knew more. I am back on MTX so that

is a start, but so far it has not made an improvement, I think the

joint pain is actually worse. .........and the frustration mounts

[Guest guest]

,

Before I was first diagnosed with PA, my Internal Medicine doctor

prescribed Mobic to me. This is just a suggestion. Have you tried

Sulfasalazine or Hydroxychlor? So far these medicines are working for

me. I couldn't take Humira or Remicade because I had a hard time

breathing and my heart raced with them. I ending up calling two

different Rheumatologist and scheduled appointments with them even

though they had a 4 month waiting list. As time got closer to getting

to my appointment I called both Rhuematologist and asked if they could

be me on their calling list to get in sooner.

Hope this helps. Good luck finding a Rhuemy. I know a good one is

hard to find.

Rhonda

[Guest guest]

,

I dont know what part of Atlanta you are in, but I see Dr.

Weselman in Austell, and she is great.

[Guest guest]

There is tons of hope out there. I am also new to this board, but you

may want to try a dermatologist until you find a rheumatologist. Have

you tried looking outside of Atlanta, such as Marietta or Rome. I know

its a drive but you never know. I was dx'd about 7 months ago and was

starte immediately on 20mg of mtx and humira injections, plus a myriad

of oral and topical stuff. My poor liver. You have to give up

drinking but you get used to that really fast. I have started on a

regimen of daily yoga exercises which has helped tremendously with the

pain aspect of the disease. The stretching is just wonderful! I wish

you luck and hope your results are as good as mine have been! martha

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed in 95 after 2 years of " complaining " I was on mtx and

pred and voltarin everyday until 2005- then I had my right knee

replaced and they took me off everything for a fortnight and since, i

have had no major flairs and no mtx or pred- only voltarin and 2

years but great- it can get better, it won't go away but there is hope

godbless

[Guest guest]

I am on the southside but at this point I am willing to drive. Anything

to get relief. Thanks for the name.

>

> ,

> I dont know what part of Atlanta you are in, but I see Dr.

> Weselman in Austell, and she is great.

[Guest guest]

You need to find a good dermotologist ... Yes there is hope ...

>

> Can anyone offer hope to someone who has just been diagnosed?