questions | Arthritis Information

This is all new to me, and i'm finding a lot of information on these forums.

Can you direct me to where I can find more information about the disease process and what is happening to my body? I have a general understanding that my body is attacking itself, but I don't have a sound grasp of the details.

Also, I'm concerned about the effects of the various treatments.

I have some decisions to make, and I'm just not sure how the different treatments will impact my life.

I am a nurse practitioner, and am exposed to sick people on a regular basis. Also I administer vaccines, including live virus vaccines. How will the treatments impact my immune system? Will I be susceptible to infection? Especially considering I'm constantly in contact with ill individuals. I work in a retail clinic environment where I care for people who are generally healthy and but have an acute illness. So, I don't know much about chronic disease management.

I enjoy the work I do, and my symptoms so far don't interfere with my ability to perform my job. But, I'm worried, about being able to continue in this environment. Can anyone provide some reassurance, or direct me to where I might find more information about this?

Momz,

We are under attack by spammer/scammers. And they try to bury our most important information but, I have just bumped up the posts that may very well be of importance and relief. Click on the link and it will take you to our information board. Any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask. We all have this very serious disease.

LEV

Click this link. New Here? Useful Links and Information

hope you found the info you were seeking, momz..

there is so much on these pages

good luck

Momz,

I know this doesn't make any sense, but before I started treatment for RA, I used to get sick all the time. It seemed if anyone was around me that was sick, I got it. Since my diagnosis in 2004, I've hardly had any infections. I think I've had one cold and one abcessed tooth. That's it. I'm sure it's because I'm more careful about washing my hands, staying away from sick people, etc.

Touch wood, I have been very lucky with infections since getting this in 06.
I've been around people with heavy flu over the years and not fallen to the same thing.

I'd even go as far as to say that I handle these things better now than before I got RA.
Thank you for the link, Lev. And to the other posters for telling your experience. I am learning so much by reading the articles that have been posted. Reading this forum has given me hope and I'm learning that a diagnosis of RA does not necessarily mean I will become the little old lady, hunched over in a wheelchair in constant pain that I remember my great-grandmother being.

Thanks so much for posting your experiences in this forum!!!

Ok...off to learn some more about treatment options.

[QUOTE=momz]Thank you for the link, Lev. And to the other posters for telling your experience. I am learning so much by reading the articles that have been posted. Reading this forum has given me hope and I'm learning that a diagnosis of RA does not necessarily mean I will become the little old lady, hunched over in a wheelchair in constant pain that I remember my great-grandmother being.

Thanks so much for posting your experiences in this forum!!!

Ok...off to learn some more about treatment options.

[/QUOTE]

your diagnosis gives you the opportunity to NOT be that little old lady... to help yourself and hopefully do well