Hi everyone. My name is Julia and I am new here. I have had RA about 6 mos now. What a ride it has been. I am trying to stay focused but it's hard sometimes. My Dr said to find a support group so here I am.......
Hi Rambler, The best advice I can give you from my experience is the beginning is the worst. It takes so much time to accept this diagnosis, accept the medications we need to take, and the roller coaster ride of RA. The good news is I think it does get better. I was diagnosed in May. I totally wigged out. My RA came on hard and fast. I was put on disability and have been on it for seven months. I was very active before RA to having more days than not - barely able to get out of bed or for me my recliner. I had to fight for months to get my insurance to approve the biologics but now I am on Enbrel and guess what - I am having way more good days than bad.
Welcome to the board. How has RA effected your life? You will find people that understand here.
I am so glad you have a rock. Me too thank God.
I remember having it for 6 months.. still in denial, depressed, scared. Wish I would have found this then. Your doctor did a good thing suggesting it. In my opinion. Wish mine would have.
anyway - WelcOmE.
woobie
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Me too - I dont know WHERE I would be without my husband. I think I'll tell him when he gets home. He needs to hear it. I DO love him!
I sooooooooo wish I could be active. With RA - you FEEL every single pound you put on ....... but you have no energy to do anything... and - honestly - I'm scared to move the wrong way. I walk on eggshells constantly... and i'm sick of it. I just want to go for a walk.. but it hurts. ... and I'm not IN to pain - not a big fan of it.... so I don't do it.
If I have a good day, I "Over-do" it - and am paying for it for the next week..
thus - the viscious cycle.
I hope one day - that something starts working and keeps working.... I would like to lose some weight. I want to quit smoking, but scared to gain even MORE. Again - more 'excuses'... but they're valid to ME. LOL
You give me hope, tho!
On the pity pot today --
woobie
I know - baby steps.... you're right.
sorry to bust in on your thread Rambler... LOL
woobie
Julia.....To our wonderful, caring, sharing and giving group!
Your not a slug, so try not to feel like one...although, at times, I say the same thing and feel like one too. It does get better. The problem being, is finding the right blend of medication that works with your body and that will take awhile to figure out.
I also was a very physically active person and now I have to find other ways to release all my pent up energy. I went from running to walking, from dancing fast to slow but I have to admit, on better days I can do a little bit of jitter bug and still stand up with out much pain afterwords ( thanks to my pain pills). I May not be able to do it all the time but when I can... I let go and I don't care where or when. You should see some of the people gawk at me ( when I do) but then I see them smile too. So it's not always bad. Just some days it seems like it.
The best medicine in your life, is that you have a wonderful caring person to help you through your journey. Hold on to his hand and walk your journey together. You both will make it through the cloudy times and laugh together on the sunny days.
Take care of yourself and I am looking forward to reading more of your post.
Toni
Hope you have a good weekend Roxy and keep a stiff upper lip. You will get through all of this nonsenses.
Toni
[QUOTE=Rambler]I cant even drink beer now because I am taking the MTX.[/QUOTE]
Be careful with MTX and be sure your doc monitors your liver enzymes. I'm pretty sure they are, but MTX wrecked havoc on mine and it can cause liver damage in some people if left unchecked. That's the main reason they don't want you drinking alcohol and taking MTX....the liver has a hard time processing both.
Best of luck!! This board is a great source of info!
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