I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in February 2005 and it came on fast. To complicate matters, my work fired me before I could go on medical disability so I am now unemployed with no medical insurance. I want more than anything to get a job, but I just don't see how I can work right now. I can barely walk and get around. I can hardly get up the stairs in my house and sometimes have to crawl up them. I can only wear clothes that are easy to put on and flip flops. I am tired all the time and in pain all the time and am getting really discouraged. My boyfriend has to take care of me because I can no longer cook or do much housework. I am just so discouraged. My unemployment benefits will run out in 6 weeks and then I am left with no income. My doctor brought up SSI disability, but I understand that takes 3 - 6 months to kick in and that's only if they approve you. Even so, the monthly benefit amount is so small I don't know how I will live off it. I am currently taking Humira every other week and have been for about 2 months. At first it seemed to be working really well but I had a bad setback over the past 2 - 3 weeks and seemed to be getting worse. My Dr. put me back on Prednisone and started me on methotraxate. Will I ever get better and be able to go back to work. It's the day after day of living in pain and limited mobility with no definite end on sight that is getting me so down. I've heard exercise is good but the swelling in my ankles and knees is so bad that I can barely walk and freqently fall down. I thought about swimming but I am not strong enough to get in and out of a pool. I am so discouraged... I try to have a positive attitude but it's really hard. I feel like I'm sitting on the sidelines of life watching it go by... Any advice? Will it ever get better? I don't know if I can take another year or 2 of this.
Welcome amcintyre;
I take Humira and MTX. I started on MTX for a couple years first though;not the other way around. I take 22.5mg MTX and Humira WEEKLY. I changed to weekly after about 6 months and got better results.
I've had RA for about 11 years. No one can predict how it will go for you...but I work a full time job and manage plenty of other responsabilities including a family of 6 (including me) and a part time job serveral weekends a year.
When I was first diagnoised...I know I could not have handled all I do now. I was in pretty bad shape; so yes...for lots of us it gets better. I won't say there aren't bad times...because there are, but for many of us we live very productive lives.
I hope that will be the case for you as well. Welcome again...I hope to see more of you here.
Lovie
Thank you for the kind words. I wonder if I should talk to my doctor about Humira weekly instead of every other week. Maybe that would help me more.Amcintyre, Welcome. It is good you are reaching out. I have a gimpy finger today so I am not going to type much but want you to know that I was dx in May and my life has gone downhill rapidly like yours. If you read past posts and I am sure others will respond to your post, it takes some time to get the right drug mix and many people have been where you and I am today. I also had to stop working but I am blessed with medical insurance and a job that will take me back when I am better.
No medical insurance is horrible with this disease. I am so sorry but you said you have a doctor and it sounds like your doctor is doing all the right things. I am sitting on the sidelines with you but my advice to you is the same as I get - learn as much as you can, come here often where people understand, and be patient. It will get better.