Arthritis Information -New Here Too

 

Thanks Lovie and LadyKate.  Makes me feel a little better.  Nice to know I am not the only one that feels somewhat guilty for fearing the effects that it could potentially have on marriage and raising children.  I thought I was the only one with so many terrible thoughts going on in my mind but trying to find the courage to not let it burden others or hold you back.  How long ago were you diagnosed?  I try to be optimistic about everything but I guess when it is a bad day you just need everyone else to be optimistic for you.  Your thoughts have been very helpful. 

Welcome to the board.  I am new myself.
I have never been pregnant but know for some with RA
what you experienced is normal.

When you are pregnant things seem to calm down.
But afterwards things can get much worse.
((HUGS)) 

Welcome to AI Mandamj.

You're not alone. You'll find lots of friends here that feel just like you. The majority of us do not have any other friends with RA that can understand our daily struggles. It's so nice to talk to others that can understand.

Many here have years of experience that you'll find very valuable as things develope.

Try posting in the RA section of the boards. Often the other sections like this get over looked because people don't have enough time to see it all and just make time for the section they are most involved in.

Feel free to post any questions or concerns at anytime. It won't be long and you'll have several responses that you'll find helpful.

Again, Welcome to AI. We're glad you're here.

Thanks everyone.  I have tried so many different things, but sometimes nothing seems to work.  I follow up with my rheumatologist every 3 months but sometimes I feel like there is no improvement.  Does it take a while?  Am I doing something wrong?  My little one is 15 months old now and I am afraid that when she gets older I wont be able to do the things that I should be able to do with her.  I am nearly 27 years old, but sometimes I feel like I am 80, especially when I get up in the morning and it takes me a couple of hours to be able to walk without being in excruciating pain.  Nice to know I have people that can sympathize and empathize with what I am feeling and going through.  My hubby is understanding and helps me out a lot.  I don't know what I would do without him, but sometimes I can't help feeling like a burden, and I don't always tell him what I am going through because I think that I put him through enough.  Good to know I have people that can share experiences with me.  Thanks for listening. Hi I am new here too.  I have never talked about my RA with anyone but my family.  But lately, it seems to really have me down.  I was diagnosed in September 2005 and that was after a year or two of being in pain.  I got better while I was pregnant but after I had the baby, it was tremendously painful.  I woke up one morning and couldn't even brush my teeth.  I don't know how all of this works or if people have advice to give to me because I am still new to things.  I mean I have read everything I can get my hands on, but sometimes I guess I need to ask for help and I don't know how.

I know what you mean about your husband. I'm married for the second time. Been remarried for a little over a year now. I tend to keep things to myself as much as I can because I don't want to add anymore worry to him than I already do.

To have a sensative and caring man in your life will make such a huge difference. Just make up for the bad times as you feel possible. They'll be plenty of time to spoil him and treat him special. He'll appreciate that and be more than willing to help you as much as possible when you aren't feeling well.

I am new also.  Also am confused , tired of waiting what seems like forever between apts for the next drug plan.  As I am just dx, know that the meds take time and so you have to wait.  I actually was doing fairly well on Plaquenil but after 3-4 wks developed a bad rash, so had to stop it and now back to more pain.  Waiting on my apt next week.  Still on steroids or Iwould be a total mess.  I know no one with RA and thus this site is very helpful, although scary for me often.  I have pulled away from people some as my world is so diffierent than theirs, even family some. I think this normal in the beginning.  Just juggling around in my own mind how to deal with it let alone try and explain to others.  Am always up for support.  Hey Mandamj,

Come on over to the RA board. There are a lot of people there with similar stories and a LOT of information. They all seem very kind and very helpful.

Are you on any meds for your RA? People are on a lot of different mixes, with a lot of different responses & advice. It does seem that the meds help people a lot, but they take time.

You will find a lot of stories like yours.

Welcome.
Welcome to the board--you are definitely in the right place!! I was 28 when I first started experiencing my symptoms.  Please feel reassured that just because you have it is not a guarantee that your children will get it.  I am the only one in my family who has it and we have traced back to the 1800s on both sides of my family. I do have to say that I have been very reluctant to have relationships because of it but my friends have been great in helping me get things accomplished.  I'm 42 and am finally getting comfortable enough in my skin to begin looking at having relationships again. Don't be afraid to ask for help doing things. You'll find that people will bend over backwards (most of the time !My doctor is great she checks everything. She is very helpful and will answer any questions you have. Are you anywhere near phx, az?Hi mandamj, Glad you tuned in.  I know what you're going through although I was lucky enough to not get RA until 8 years ago.  I finally got diagnosed about i 1/2 years ago. I'll be 60 this summer.It's not easy to be married and have RA. My husband is very kind and supportive but sometimes he gets tired of hearing me complain and not get any better. That's why this message board is so good. We can talk to other people going through the same thing.  I work full time and I almost never talk about my RA. I struggle everyday to just make it through. I must say that the new medications have made a big difference in my like.  I don't get as tired and I'm not in as much pain.  It takes some work to figure out the right combination of meds.  Hang in there.Have your doctor try an MRI if insurance will cover it. They are much better than x-rays. Hey all, I am reading this site for the first time and I am so relieved and teary. First thanks for reading my rant. I have so much respect for you all. I have NEVER been honest with anyone until one doctor ten days ago. I don't know what the heck is wrong with my back and NOW my foot! I remember it hurting and going "out" way back when I was 17 and it always kinda hurt or was achy. I went to alot of chiropractors and good healers. I have lived in the sun (that was good!) and just thought everyone had a sore back here and there. In 97 I had a T-12 burst fracture and spent a couple months in a body type cast and then brace. I have always worked, practiced mindful meditations, questioned life etc (you tend to when you are in chronic pain!) and got on alright. After my back was "healed" I still would experience crunchy morning stiffness etc but did PT and figured nerves were getting back to their jobs, massages could be good etc. Fast forward to today...I am 34 this year and have a beautiful 3 year old daughter and I do the walking and eating organics and my daily Louise Hay affirmations and just could not take the pain any longer. It never got better only worse. I see a chiropractor once a month for a "wellness" checkup (I went 3 days a week for almost a year and then 2 etc for next year and so on). It will relieve everything for like 5 minutes as I lay on the table and as soon as I am out the door it starts back up. I have gained alot of weight, up to 200 from 150 and of course the husband thinks if I just lost this I would be fine. I keep thinking their has got to be some root cause? My mom passed away when I was younger...she had a bad back and in a recent finding of old letters in my Grammies' basement the words "they don't know what is wrong with my back, I feel bad I can't pick up the kids as much as I would like too, I don't want to be addicted to painkillers. I am just exhausted from the pain." I was stunned when I read this. It was like reading a diary of my own. I feel shameful (why?) I started having huge muscle spasms, (according to chiro) and could not breath, on top of the morning stiffness that last for hours and I am stretching and such! So anywho I was just researching and feel like I may have some kind of arthritis or what? All of your "voices" regarding episodes and pain etc are "speaking" to me...I feel like you all do to a tee, everyday. I will be honest I smoked marijuana for the pain altho could not during day obvious reasons and so would just know that at the end of the day I would get relief and that would help me keep smiling through day, then it would get worse and I would want to "sneak" off and get relief. Awful. My husband is not a priss (he downs beers everynight in an Irish way (try alcoholism:) and would smoke too but hated it that I referred to it as medicine. He would get real vocal and the stress made me quite...I have been doing this ritual for a full year and thought maybe I was not ok with this eithier. I am not a "smoker" by original design or a red eye kinda gal. Ya know? So anypoo, I went BACK to vicodan and no it really does not work however it does take edge off and that is saving my daily life at the moment. My first 30 is gone and I feel like a dork. Taking one in morning, one at around 2 and 1 at night seems so minor however I think the doctor (she is so sweet!) thought that would do it. It has been ten days and it is gone...now what? Call for more? The pain is winning out over the shame. HELP. Does taking nambutone help? I have no insurance and never been to a rheumotologist. I will not live in chronic pain for another year. It has been too long and I just can't take it. My foot now has pains that linger. Nothing on xray. Hurting, stiff. Thanks for listening tonight. Thank you. I have never had an MRI and my sister and I were talking today and she said that was the route I should take. I am getting hopeful. Thank you. hi everyone i never knew this forum was here how many times i wanted
to talk to someone who understood the pain i was in they say they
understand but they really dont unless they have sufferd with ra who ever
started this thank god you.i was diag with ra in 1999 was at work and
could not walk up stairs to my off ice after some help i fin ally made it
there and then found out icant hold on to anything scared and thought
of ever disease there is of to the dr i went all kinds test and finally diag
with ra and was sent to specailtist.the arthritis was so bad it was tearing
away the spaces in my ankles and my wrist and then the swelling began it
was so aggrisive that they put me on chemo therpy immedialet to help
stop the deteration
which it did then off to remicade which is miracle worker no bad
expiernce with it at all for almost 2 years in 2004 i had to have a total
knee replacement after several months of cooperation iam in wht my dr
calls remission iam so thankful iam still on ra meds bur noothing like i
was iaqm thankful for every day and i try to do as much as i can when i
have a good day as most of you know you never know wht tomorrow well
be like ithe hardest thing for me was having to quit work sure everyone
came when i first got sick and they soon didnt come at all cant work
some day cant go to church so a lot of times iam home bound iam
thankful for my husband who has giving me every thing i can possible do
at home my computer ie my life now even thouh i find it hard to make
real friends on the net i do feel so lucky i can talk to anyone any where i
fell really blessed so iam here if anyone needs to talk iam a good listner
any time god bless all
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