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~JerzeeOT
I was reading your post, and I felt that I had to write you to encourage you . I myself do not have RA, but i have a girlfriend that has it. She was diagnosis from the RA DR. about two years ago here in Seattle . She has her good days and her bad days with RA. At first I didnt understand what she was going through. She tried to decribe it to me as a funk at times.. Sometimes it has restircked her to the bed. So your wondering why Im writing this, I guess I'm asking your husband to read up on it so he has a better understanding of what your going through and how sometimes the everyday things can hinder you in ways that on your good days seem normal. I see my girlfriend go throught the ups and downs with RA. there are days that I feel helpless when she has her bad days. Just reading up on it, has giveing me the understanding that I need. She tells me for her that she has to keep moving or the joints willl hurt more. But you already know that from the job you doin life. LOL . Stay up beat. keep living life as normal as you can. Dont stop the the famly outings that keep your family close. Go at your speed. We still go hiking and camping and other fun things. It was the reading up on that has helped me to understand her abilities. You will have days that you be angry, and depressed, but step back and take a deep breath, and dont let this beat you !! Be Well!!
First of all, Jtokeefe73 has done an amazing job of explaining what it can be like to be with a person with RA. I hope your husband shows the same amount of supoort Jtokeefe has for his girlfriend.
I know your diagnosis isn't 100% "for sure" at this point, yet how upsetting the possibility is. RAtv is an excellent resource to learn more about Rheumatoid Arthritis.
You can learn not only about getting diagnosed and working with your doctor, but about diet, exercise, and even RA in children. You can also meet real people like an exercise director, beauty queen, state representative, and even a black-belt winning grandmother—all dealing with RA and its challenges. From here you can find links to Tracking Your RA Pain, How Well Are You Managing Your RA, and RISE, which is our educational program that can help you understand treatment options.
I'm sure some of the other great members here (RAers) will have words of encouragement and support for you too. Write back with an update any time you like.
Best wishes,
Byroney
I cannot take some of "first defense" RA medications due to other health issues I have. I started on methotrexate. I must admit I do not like it due to the nausea. But, I've learned that I can take it immediately before going to bed, and I fall asleep before the nausea hits me! LOL! The results are pretty astounding. My hands may get a little stiff in the morning, but that quickly vanishes. I can move my fingers, grip door knobs, open any container I want, etc.!
Hang in there! There is hope for you with good RA medications similar to methotrexate.
I was diagnosed with JRA 3 years ago. I was also depressed like you because I wasn't able to figure out what was wrong with me. I always had pain in my wrist, shoulder, and fingers. I went to the Rhuemologist after 3 months of enormes swelling in my wrist. I was diagnosed 3 months later. My symptoms have just gotten worse and worse. After, 2 months of steriods I felt much better, the swelling went away and i had more movement in my shoulders. After a year of just inflamation pills i started to have a lot of joint damage. I am now 17 years old and take chemotherapy for my JRA. Stay strong you will see that everything will get better. Go to a different doctor he will help you!

Don't give up hope! I have had RA for about 5 years and was at the point where you were - couldn't wash my hair, turn the key in the ignition of my car, hold a cup of coffee without pain. After using plaquenil and methotrexate and getting some relief, I had to quit methotraxate because of liver problems. I have been taking Enbrel injections (with plaquenil) for over two years now and I am SO normal I can some days forget that I have RA. Perhaps you don't need biologics at this point, but I would offer the following suggestions (there are solutions out there!):
1. Find a rheumatologist that will listen to you and be a partner in your care. Remember - this is your life!
2. Do all the research you can - educate yourself on RA. Web MD is good, but also get a couple of books on RA/immune system disorders.
3. If your hands hurt, request an xray so you/your doctor can assess any damage and develop a care plan from this baseline (I have RA in my finger/knuckle joints, too). Don't delay your treatment!
4. Get some exercise to relieve stress, help your mood and keep moving. Walking is good, so is TaiChi.
5. For me, the fatigue is the biggest thing (plus taming my Type A personality). I know now that I can't go shopping for more than 3 hours at a time and I have to sit down and rest between activities. I can't handwrite anything for more than 15 minutes (but the keyboard is my friend!) Sometimes brain "fog" sets in if I don't sleep enough, but I have become an excellent napper! Be patient with yourself. Find your limits and do your best to stick to them. Ask for help, try not to do as much. It's hard because you probably don't look "sick." but you do have a real illness and you really need to take care of yourself.
6. Be gentle with yourself - you are grieving the loss of the capabilities you once had and adjusting to new parameters.
7. Don't lose hope! If you have a faith life, lean on that and rest in it.
8. I just had a check up and my inflammation level was a 1 (about the lowest it can be) even though my CCP antibody test (for RA) was 184, about 18 above what is considered normal! But, I feel great and I am grateful to be living a full life!
I will keep you in my prayers, JerzeeOT
I have been diagnosed with "evolving RA". It started in April 2010 and continues to this day. My rhuematologist wants me to go on Methatrexate or Plaquenil. But they won't cure it, can have side effects and don't work forever.... . I do not accept that this "disease" has no cure. SOMETHING is causing my body to attack my joints. I have to figure out what it is and stop that process.
I found an MD who practices alternative therapies for RA and other ailments. He has me on antibiotics and has tested me for food allergies, hormones levels and many other things.. I go back to him on 10/27 for test results. Meanwhile I think the antibiotics are helping.
Buy and read "Conquering Arthrtis" by Barbara Allen (you can get it on Amazon). She also has a website http://www.conqueringarthritis.com
Also, How to Eat Away Arthritis by Laurie Aesop.
There's a ton of other books out there but these are the only two that I have gotten through so far.
These books are a little hard to read and following their suggestions is complicated. But it's a complicated situation! It can't hurt you to try and you'll get such a boost when you realize that one or more of the suggestions is actually making a difference.
Also there are some good videos on Youtube (don't watch the scary ones! just the positive ones). Also Dr. Mercola.com has his entire antibiotic protocol right on his website.
I have drastically altered my diet (no alchohol, caffeine, sugar or processed foods) I also went on a 7 day cleanse/fast. It was not that bad or hard to do and the results were amazing. I was basically symptom free for several days until I started eating normally again... Plus I lost like 10 pounds !! Nice bonus.
That's when I realized I needed professional help to guide me on my quest to heal myself.
Don't give up. Learn all you can and try everything..Find a doctor who is open to or is practiced in holistic medicine. I believe the big time drugs should be the last resort.
I found that discovering that I had some control over this thing keeps me from getting depressed and angry about it.
Sorry this is rambling. But I think I konw how you feel and I wish the best for you. Goodluck!
A tests on my liver came back negative so now I am waiting for the results of my ultrasound. I am so depressed and in so much pain. I was taking vicodin until I had a bad reaction to it. My doctor started me on Prednazone until all of my tests come back. Im so scared that im going to lose function of my hands.
To make things even worse, I lost my job just to days ago and my insurance stops on November 1st. I really need someone to just understand what im going through right now. I just want to be a least half normal again and find out how to cope with everything that's taking place in my life right now.
Please help me!
Always Blessed
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