Good Morning,
I have just joined this site and have already received great support and had some very scarey questions answered. So i guess I should introduce myself. My name is Nora Rule I live in texas in a very small town. We have a small ranch with a few horses, a husband and 2 teenagers. I have been a stay at home mom since 2000 and loving it. I have been very blessed in my life with very few medical issues. I developed graves disease in 93 but it was under control and hasn't been an issue for years. Now this, I was dx Yesterday officially and about 2 weeks ago unofficially. From what I have read on here I seem to be starting my first flare. I really have not started the medicine search yet but sure it will be on my next rhuemy visit. I have been married for 17yrs now to a wonderful man. He doesn't do sick very well but after telling him that I was afraid and that I didn't think he would understand my pain and fatigue he reassured me that he would be right beside me fighting this thing all the way. My kids are pretty great too, what I fear is that it is early in this fight and if it gets bad will they be able to cope. I am a fighter and very stubborn and know that I need to get mad and determined to not let this thing beat me however I really dont have the energy right now guess I will try tomorrow
Welcome to the group. We're glad you're here! Vent away - we all do! Many of us have thyroid disease also, as there seems to be overlapping of auto-immune disease. I have Hashimoto's. It reminds of of that old saying "If it ain't one thing, it's another!"
I know it's hard to do, but try to stop yourself from all the "what if's" and picturing negative things. It's the normal thing to do, especially after a diagnosis like RA, but you may find you spend a lot of time and energy worrying about things that never happen. Taking things one day at a time, and dealing with today is much easier and healthier.
Join in on the discussions on the RA board - that's where everyone hangs out. It's a wonderful group of very supportive, knowledgeable folks from all over the world!
Karen
Hello everyone...I'm new too
I've spent the last few days reading some of these posts and it's been immensely comforting to me to know that I have a place I can come to and ask for advice or just to vent if I need to.
I was recently diagnosed with RA and I'm taking plaquenil and mtx. I'm having some problems with nausea, headaches and dizziness so my dr has me taking only 7.5 mgs of mtx and 200mgs of plaquenil until he can re-evaluate me in 2 weeks. This week is better than last week. My arthritis is mostly in my hands and I've recently had to take a leave of absence from my job cutting fabric. I love to quilt and needlework and having to quit these has been really hard. I'm hoping my meds will take effect soon so I can take up my hobbies again.
Thanks for all the great posts!