New to RA

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone. Just signed up today and wanted to say hello. Just a

bit about myself. I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. I was only 27

years old. I am steadily getting worse, even though I am on Humira.

Due to the fact that I went to college instead of the working world,

SSI Disability is not an option for me. I am looking for people who

understand what I am going through, and don't give me a lecture about

how everyone has arthritis, and its no big deal!

[Guest guest]

I am only a bit older than you and have had RA since I was 15 so I can relate to being a young person with this disease. First, everyone does NOT have RA -- whoever said that to you is ridiculous and/or simply does not know how to help you. Having a condition that completely changes your present and your future is a VERY big deal. That said, we are all surviving. I would tell anyone who is newly diagnosed to be on the lookout for signs of depression and that finding a good therapist is critical. I had undiagnosed depression for years but then happed to see a therapist whose daughter was diagnosed with RA at almost the same age. It was wonderful to work with someone who understands the issues affiliated with chronic pain.

Having RA has forced me to re-prioritize my life and really take steps to maintain my health, which though difficult, has been good in the long run. I limit behavior that is destructive anyway (ie excessive alcohol and junk food) because my energy is finite and precious. Note: I still have bouts of crying and frustration every now and then but I choose to believe that I can have a happy, productive and meaningful life. It's just different than I'd thought it would be, which is probably true for most people, RA or not. I wish you peace and wellness.

Andiekenajean <kenajean@...> wrote:

Hello everyone. Just signed up today and wanted to say hello. Just a bit about myself. I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. I was only 27 years old. I am steadily getting worse, even though I am on Humira. Due to the fact that I went to college instead of the working world, SSI Disability is not an option for me. I am looking for people who understand what I am going through, and don't give me a lecture about how everyone has arthritis, and its no big deal!

[Guest guest]

Hi

I am 39 and I have had RA for 3 years. I also went to college so I can't get SSI, but I work as a cashier at a large grocery store so I can stay home with my kids. It's very hard to work when you are in pain. My worst spots are my hands and feet, which I use for my job.

I am hoping to start Enbrel soon since my insurance co denied my Humira script. If Enbrel doesn't work, I can hopefully get Humira. I hope something works and soon.

Vicki

-------Original Message-------

From: kenajean

Date: 09/19/05 11:28:38

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: New to RA

Hello everyone. Just signed up today and wanted to say hello. Just a bit about myself. I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. I was only 27 years old. I am steadily getting worse, even though I am on Humira. Due to the fact that I went to college instead of the working world, SSI Disability is not an option for me. I am looking for people who understand what I am going through, and don't give me a lecture about how everyone has arthritis, and its no big deal!

--- USFamily.Net - $8.25/mo! -- Highspeed - $19.99/mo! ---

[Guest guest]

Hi. I'm a bit under three times your age (77). I'm not familiar with SSI disability but I don't see what having a college education has to do with being unable to work. It says that you are able to use your head and learn new things but anyone can do the same if they put their minds to it and work at it. Perhaps a free consult with an attorney will tell you if there is any chance for getting disability.

I can understand the comment about "everyone has arthritis" but that just means that the person has no concept of the difference between osteoarthritis that comes to everyone who lives long enough and rheumatoid arthritis that can hit even infants. Unfortunately most people will not hear the difference even if it is explained to them. When I first got RA almost four years ago I also knew nothing about it. It took me a few months of reading about it before I really understood the difference.

Arthritis can be a big deal for some people. Even osteoarthritis can be life-altering and RA that does not respond well to treatments is definitely life-altering. Fortunately there are new medications being studied all the time so we have a lot better chance of being controlled than people did even 10 years ago. I hope you find the right treatment to get your RA controlled.

Many people get symptomatic relief from Prednisone even though it does little to slow or stop the permanent damage of RA. It also has a full set of bad side effects but for many it is preferable to the loss of function that happens without it. It usually acts quickly to help the symptoms so people often use it till the slower-acting RA medicines take effect. I started with 40 mg Prednisone and was unable to get off it for about a year and a half when Methotrexate together with Remicade finally got me relief. God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: kenajean

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2005 8:44 AM

Subject: New to RA

Hello everyone. Just signed up today and wanted to say hello. Just a bit about myself. I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. I was only 27 years old. I am steadily getting worse, even though I am on Humira. Due to the fact that I went to college instead of the working world, SSI Disability is not an option for me. I am looking for people who understand what I am going through, and don't give me a lecture about how everyone has arthritis, and its no big deal!

[Guest guest]

kenajean <kenajean@...> wrote:

Hello everyone. Just signed up today and wanted to say hello. Just a bit about myself. I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. I was only 27 years old. I am steadily getting worse, even though I am on Humira. Due to the fact that I went to college instead of the working world, SSI Disability is not an option for me. I am looking for people who understand what I am going through, and don't give me a lecture about how everyone has arthritis, and its no big deal!Hi there ,

I'm frist off you want hear that from me , I think anyone that says it's no big deal has never felt the pain of full blown R/A or O/A and never needed total knee replacements , and shoulder replacments at our ages either or other replacements as that goes ! but anyway glad you founld your way here but not for the reason !

john__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

....I needed to hear this tonight in my vicodin haze :0) I had to get out of the pool during water aerobics today because of the searing pain in my ankle... I was the only one under 70 in the pool and the only one to leave early (I'm 36). Arizona sounds like a good plan to me :0)SamOn Sep 19, 2005, at 6:29 PM, NKM wrote: Hi, I'm 43 and have been diagnosed with RA for 13 yrs....I am having total knee replacement on November 22nd. My family is having Thanksgiving a week early for me...as I will be in the hospital for 3 days. I know from experience that people are not always understanding with those of us who look otherwise healthy......and of course, our own desire to live as normal of a life as we can. I wish there was a place we could all go to live and support each other....especially the younger or young at heart among us....I don't play the lottery all that often, but if I ever win, I will buy a big old place in Arizona and invite all of us who could support each other and understand the hidden pain that we all live with....Yes, there will be a nice warm pool and a few jacuzzi's!!! and a maid, and a driver......lol.....anyway....back to reality, but keep the hope alive, and know that you aren't alone.... Never give up! john stratton <kentuckycowboy2@...> wrote: kenajean <kenajean@...> wrote: Hello everyone.  Just signed up today and wanted to say hello.  Just a bit about myself.  I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago.  I was only 27 years old.  I am steadily getting worse, even though I am on Humira.  Due to the fact that I went to college instead of the working world, SSI Disability is not an option for me.  I am looking for people who understand what I am going through, and don't give me a lecture about how everyone has arthritis, and its no big deal!Hi there ,  I'm frist off you want hear that from me , I think anyone that says it's no big deal has never felt the pain of full blown R/A or O/A and never needed total knee replacements , and shoulder replacments at our ages either or other replacements as that goes ! but anyway glad you founld your way here but not for the reason !                                                            john__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Awww Sam,

It's great that you are swimming, I am IMPRESSED!!! and don't ever feel bad because you can't keep up with anyone else....the important thing is you are doing SOMETHING, and you are doing it for YOURSELF.....even triathaletes don't compete against each other...but against thier own times....We are not trying to compete...so don't let anyone make you feel badly ( that YOU even show up speaks VOLUMES) I am impressed by everyone who posts here...We need to TALK to each other, and LISTEN, and know we aren't alone.

Never give up!! (My orthopedic surgeon is sending me for water therapy for my rehab...I know he GETS that the rest of my body doesn't work well on traditional excersize machines....(Thankfully)

Sam Rocci <samrocci@...> wrote:

....

I needed to hear this tonight in my vicodin haze :0) I had to get out of the pool during water aerobics today because of the searing pain in my ankle... I was the only one under 70 in the pool and the only one to leave early (I'm 36). Arizona sounds like a good plan to me :0)

Sam

On Sep 19, 2005, at 6:29 PM, NKM wrote:

Hi,

I'm 43 and have been diagnosed with RA for 13 yrs....I am having total knee replacement on November 22nd. My family is having Thanksgiving a week early for me...as I will be in the hospital for 3 days. I know from experience that people are not always understanding with those of us who look otherwise healthy......and of course, our own desire to live as normal of a life as we can. I wish there was a place we could all go to live and support each other....especially the younger or young at heart among us....I don't play the lottery all that often, but if I ever win, I will buy a big old place in Arizona and invite all of us who could support each other and understand the hidden pain that we all live with....Yes, there will be a nice warm pool and a few jacuzzi's!!! and a maid, and a driver......lol.....anyway....back to reality, but keep the hope alive, and know that you aren't alone....

Never give up!

john stratton <kentuckycowboy2@...> wrote:

kenajean <kenajean@...> wrote:

Hello everyone. Just signed up today and wanted to say hello. Just a bit about myself. I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. I was only 27 years old. I am steadily getting worse, even though I am on Humira. Due to the fact that I went to college instead of the working world, SSI Disability is not an option for me. I am looking for people who understand what I am going through, and don't give me a lecture about how everyone has arthritis, and its no big deal!Hi there ,

I'm frist off you want hear that from me , I think anyone that says it's no big deal has never felt the pain of full blown R/A or O/A and never needed total knee replacements , and shoulder replacments at our ages either or other replacements as that goes ! but anyway glad you founld your way here but not for the reason !

john

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks again for the words of wisdom... Got back in the water this morning and did it again despite the aches and pains :0)SamOn Sep 19, 2005, at 9:19 PM, NKM wrote: Awww Sam, It's great that you are swimming, I am IMPRESSED!!! and don't ever feel bad because you can't keep up with anyone else....the important thing is you are doing SOMETHING, and you are doing it for YOURSELF.....even triathaletes don't compete against each other...but against thier own times....We are not trying to compete...so don't let anyone make you feel badly ( that YOU even show up speaks VOLUMES) I am impressed by everyone who posts here...We need to TALK to each other, and LISTEN, and know we aren't alone. Never give up!!  (My orthopedic surgeon is sending me for water therapy for my rehab...I know he GETS that the rest of my body doesn't work well on traditional excersize machines....(Thankfully) Sam Rocci <samrocci@...> wrote: .... I needed to hear this tonight in my vicodin haze :0) I had to get out of the pool during water aerobics today because of the searing pain in my ankle... I was the only one under 70 in the pool and the only one to leave early (I'm 36). Arizona sounds like a good plan to me :0) Sam On Sep 19, 2005, at 6:29 PM, NKM wrote: Hi, I'm 43 and have been diagnosed with RA for 13 yrs....I am having total knee replacement on November 22nd. My family is having Thanksgiving a week early for me...as I will be in the hospital for 3 days. I know from experience that people are not always understanding with those of us who look otherwise healthy......and of course, our own desire to live as normal of a life as we can. I wish there was a place we could all go to live and support each other....especially the younger or young at heart among us....I don't play the lottery all that often, but if I ever win, I will buy a big old place in Arizona and invite all of us who could support each other and understand the hidden pain that we all live with....Yes, there will be a nice warm pool and a few jacuzzi's!!! and a maid, and a driver......lol.....anyway....back to reality, but keep the hope alive, and know that you aren't alone.... Never give up! john stratton <kentuckycowboy2@...> wrote: kenajean <kenajean@...> wrote: Hello everyone.  Just signed up today and wanted to say hello.  Just a bit about myself.  I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago.  I was only 27 years old.  I am steadily getting worse, even though I am on Humira.  Due to the fact that I went to college instead of the working world, SSI Disability is not an option for me.  I am looking for people who understand what I am going through, and don't give me a lecture about how everyone has arthritis, and its no big deal!Hi there ,  I'm frist off you want hear that from me , I think anyone that says it's no big deal has never felt the pain of full blown R/A or O/A and never needed total knee replacements , and shoulder replacments at our ages either or other replacements as that goes ! but anyway glad you founld your way here but not for the reason !                                                            john__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I take methotrexate, prednisone, naproxen, folic acid and ultracet when needed. Helen P nw ohio myggdragon <myggdragon@...> wrote: Hi, I'm Deborah, Can anyone tell me what kind of medicaton they are on? See I was dignosed with Perpheral Neruopathy, but now they tell me it's not most likely it's RA. I've been taking meds for Neruopathy for over 9 months now and I need to come down off them slowly. I was wondering if meds for RA are like the meds for PN? Hopeing they

didn't make things worst for me.

Stay in the know. Pulse on the new .com. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

Hi Deborah and welcome to the group.  I’m

78 years old and except for RA I’m pretty healthy.  My doctor started me

on Arava and after about 4 months without a lot of progress he added

Methotrexate and I took myself off Arava.  Then after about 4 more months with

little progress he added Remicade at 3 mg/kg and we gradually increased that to

6 mg/kg.  We were about ready to try something else when I began to feel

better.  Since then I’ve been doing quite well and in fact we are reducing

my medications to see if I am overmedicated.  I know nothing about PN or it’s

medications so I can’t help you with that.  God bless.

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of myggdragon

Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006

10:24 AM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject:

New to RA

Hi, I'm Deborah,

Can anyone tell me what kind of medicaton they are on? See I was

dignosed with Perpheral Neruopathy, but now they tell me it's not most

likely it's RA. I've been taking meds for Neruopathy for over 9 months

now and I need to come down off them slowly. I was wondering if meds

for RA are like the meds for PN? Hopeing they didn't make things worst

for me.