Arthritis Information -Another newbie...scared

Share
 

Hi Everyone,

 
I am sorry to say this is a "club" I have been afraid I would join since I was young. My mom had RA and suffered terribly, granted, they didn't have the drugs they have now (at least that is what my Dr tells me). But this has been my fear, I can't believe it has happened to me. I think I am still in a bit of denial and think maybe they are wrong and this will go away. I know they aren't wrong though.
 
My RA was triggered by Lyme Disease. I am currently taking MTX (which again scares the poop out of me!), folic acid, and will start on the Enebrel shot once a week when insurance clears it. I am still taking doxicyleen for the Lyme and will finish out my two months on it in a week.  Oh yes, I am also taking a two week course of prednesone (not sure how to spell all these drugs without looking at the bottles!)
 
I teach kindergarten and have been only able to do half days at work. I hope they can get my pain under control. I have been suffering with joint pain since June (when I was diog. with Lyme). The pain is not as bad, but it seems to always be there. Are you ever pain free? Again, I am so scared. I cry a lot. I feel badly for my family. I also feel like I am a different person. I long for the energetic, fun loving, active person I used to be! Where did she go? For those of you who have watched or read the book "The Last Lecture", I am sturggling to be a Tigger not an Eyore.
 
any suggestions or help would greatly be appreciated.  Sounds like there are a lot of nice people on this board (in the RA Club).
 
Laurie
Not sure what to say other than I'm glad you found the forum!

I don't have RA from Lyme, so I don't know what you're going through. (I have PRA, Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is a fairly rare form.). Do you have any family or friends to look for support?
Thank you for your reply. I know now that my results will be different than my mom's. She didn't have any choices on meds and they basically just tried to keep her pain level down.  I really appreciate your reply.
 
Laurie
I have a good family support. I went through RA with my mother so that is why it is scary to me. I see you are taking Doxy, I took doxy for my Lyme but I didn't know you could take it for RA?
 
Thank you for replying to my post.
 
Laurie
Hi Laurie and welcome to the forum.  We're all scared of the drugs but I know that I fear the disease more than the drugs.  If you come over the main rheumatoid arthritis thread, you'll get many more responses.  LindyI completely understand your fear! I'm a nurse and have seen many a patient with severe deformities, uncontrolled pain, etc....but remember that we're all different and the way it effects one (even a family member!) doesn't mean that's how you're going to be.

I firmly believe that a positive attitude is a big factor, although it's often hard to remain positive. Watching your diet, weight loss and exercise can all help too. Check out elimination diets and/or anti-inflammation diets. Not everyone has results, but many do.

The way I look at it is...they have no idea what causes this, so why not try and get rid of the man-made chemicals and "crap" as much as possible. I always use gloves when using cleaning products, stopped coloring my hair, minimize intake of grains and processed foods....no idea if it will help, but I figure it can't hurt!
 
Yea Doxy, minocin and other tetracyclines are used. Check out the Road Back Foundation for more info. http://www.roadback.org/ (their site is currently down)

I've been taking the Doxy off an on since January, steadily since mid-August (I think)....can take a long time to see results, but I figure it's good to try as it has less side effects and doesn't effect the immune system.

Copyright ArthritisInsight.com