Hello everyone. I've been lurking for about a week and I posted
once about service dogs but I thought I would formally introduce
myself. My name is Amber and I'm a high school art teacher (for the
time being). I am 23 years old-- I was diagnosed with RA when I
was 16 but due to insurence issues I have been unable to aggressively
medicate. Celebrex and tramadol have done an ok job of holding
the worst of the pain at bay, but recently I had to switch to Mobic for
financial reasons and it isn't working well. I have an appt. with
my Rd the day after Christmas though and now I have teacher insurence
so hopefully I can get something better.
I am Sero-neg and haven't experienced major swelling, but my Rd still
thinks it's RA since I run a constant fever when not medicated and I
have pain in my spine, hips, shoulders, elbows, hands, and feet almost
constantly. He wants to redo the rhuem. factor test in December,
since I haven't been tested since I was 16. I hope he changes my
meds, because I don't think I'll be able to keep teaching if something
doesn't give.
Anyways that's my sob story. :) It's really not that bad-- I have
a wonderful husband and my service pug who helps me out a lot. I
hope to find some people to talk to here since DH doesn't really
understand, although he tries.
Hey Amber...welcome!! I remember your first post.
Anyway, glad you've stuck around. Hope to see more of you.
Linda
Hello and Welcome. This is a great place to get advice and to just chitty chat with people who do understand. As wonderful as some of our hubbys are, its really hard to truly GET IT if yo don't have it!Welcome to the Board, Amber!
Hope to get to know ya better!
Hi Amber...welcome!I hope you are able to get some more help for your RA, now that your insurance has kicked in.
Best wishes to you and your husband. Working your way through school isn't easy and I have a lot of admiration for you. Whatever treatment you and your RD decide upon, I hope you get the best results possible.
I look forward to reading more posts from you.
Be well. Hugs, Nini
Hi Amber, so sorry you have been in so much pain, it must be hard to teach kids and hurt while you are working. I'm glad your insurance will cover some more agressive treatment. Love, LyndaWELCOME AMBER NICE TO MEET YOU!!!! We are so happy you found us I can't help but dance!!! hehehehehe
Meme your post gave me a good laugh. :) Thanks everyone for your
kind thoughts. I have been reading through some threads and I
think I'll stay out of the political topics! LoL
Hi again, Amber! I am with you on that last post! Hi Amber and welcome! I hope you get feeling better soon. I think being an art teacher is awesome. I love art and my favorite teacher in high school was my art teacher.I wasn't good at sports or great grades but I loved to draw and paint. She taught me so much and brought me out of my shyness and was the first person who actually told me I had talent! What a confidence builder! SO, God bless you for what you are doing! You will make a difference to so many kids just by being supportive and interested in what they say. I hope you get some meds to help you to continue to work. Best Wishes! Isn't that the best feeling! Last year I had a sub for a few days and when I came back they said they were so glad! hahaha That is a huge compliment since most kids love having subs!
I am glad you got to recharge. How do you deal with being so tired and still giving 100%. Sometimes I feel like I get crabby and I hate doing that to the kids. I think I hide it. but its really hard. I have a lot of extra chairs around the room, so when I give one on one help I can sit down for a bit. Do you have any tricks? How sweet of them! You must have some very nice kids. Nobody at my school knows about my RA. I have a very mild case, so it is pretty easy to deal with. Well hang in there! I saw that you metioned you will be able to get on some better meds in December when your insurance kicks in. I hope they help.
board. Make sure your doctor also does xrays to get a baseline. You should
be treated more agressively to prevent damage to your joints. Also
remember this disease can attack your heart, lungs, and eyes. Take good
physical and emotional care of yourself. Glad you have a good support
system. Welcome to the board Amber.The year is going well thanks! HOw about yours? I am working on getting started on my masters...stressful! I was certified in PA so I have to keep up with all the continuing ed.or my certificate expires. Is your state like that??
Hi Amber! I remember your post about service dogs! I was kinda wondering where you went. :)
I'm 24, but I was dxed with JRA when I was very young. But at least I'm on the same page with you now!
My year is good so far. I needed the break to recharge though, I had kinda forgotten what the heck I was doing there, ya know? It's rough being bone tired all day and still trying to give the kids 100%, but it's worth it when a bunch of nonchalant teenagers tell you they missed you over the break.
CinDee,
Thanks for the kind words. My art teacher got me through high school. I was so shy I wouldn't even eat lunch in the lunch room, I took it to the art room to eat. I'm so glad you had a positive experience. Many people I've met have told me how awful their art classes were, and art is supposed to be all about getting to express yourself and build up your self concept.
Welcome to the forum!!! When you see the rheumatologist, you might want to ask about fish oil/omega-3 supplements. Also, many people here have had success with antibiotic therapy (mainly minocycline) for RA - do some web searches, or dig through old threads here.
Personally, fish oil has been a godsend for me. I think it is probably the main reason why my RA is pretty mild compared to many on the board here, and some people in my own family. The omega-3 fatty acids alter the chemical pathways that create the inflammatory compounds that can cause pain and inflammation in RA. I take about 3 grams omega-3's every day - that's anywhere from 6 to 10 capsules of fish oil, depending on the size of the capsule. I take the enteric-coated ones. They dissolve in the intestine instead of the stomach, so you are able to absorb more, and they don't cause stomach upset like immediate-release capsules can cause.
Best of luck to you!!!
Christina,
I don't really have any tricks, but the kids know about my RA and they are very sweet about it. If I'm having a flare up I'll just tell them, and they bring their work to me at my desk instead of having me walk to them. The biggest thing for me is just realizing how much I can do and not trying to overdo it. When I was first dxed I would always try to do too much but now I've learned just not to sweat the stuff that I can put off.
JasmineRain,
Thanks for the tip, I've read about fish oil but I've never tried it. I'll ask my Rd when I see him.
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