I'm new here and I just wanted to say hello and share my story. But first, I would like to say what a great help this message board has been to me over the last couple of months. I've been reading it religiously and you've all been so helpful already by sharing your experiences.
My story (I'll try to keep it brief):
I was diagnosed with JRA at the age of 11 after seeing many doctors who could not figure out why my knee kept swelling up. Before I was diagnosed, I had two knee surgeries because they thought it was some kind of injury. Immediately after the surgeries I began having problems in other joints, my hands and neck mostly.
I was put on "aspirin therapy" and physical therapy for about 3 years. When I was 14, I went into remission and remained problem free until this year. I am now 29 years old.
In April, my left knee (the same one I'd had problems with as a child) became swollen. I went to my GP who prescribed a prednisone pack and I got better fast! A few days after stopping the pred, I started swelling up again. My jaw and neck were also so stiff I could barely turn my head or eat. I made an appointment with a rheumy and 1 1/2 months later, was rediagnosed with RA.
My first rheumy visit was a week ago and I am now on 5 mg of predinose and Sulfazine. I am to wean off the pred in 6 weeks and gradually increase my dose of sulfazine.
Thanks for reading my story and I hope I can be of help to someone on this board by sharing my experiences.
Welcome
You have come to the right place for support and information.
Sorry to hear that your RA is back and giving you a hard time.
Jen
Welcome FAIRYGIRL;
I'M ON SULFASALAZINE AS WELL, 50 YR OLD FEMALE WITH TWO KIDS, 9 AND 22. AS A CHILD I USED TO CRY EVERY NIGHT WITH LEG PAINS. MY DAD WOULD RUB THEM WITH ALCOHOL TILL I FELL ASLEEP. WONDER IF I HAD A PROBLEM AS A KID. I DO NOT REMEMBER ANY SWELLING THO. JUST CURIOUS. I HAVE LEARNED MUCH IN READING THE MESSAGE BOARDS AS WELL THE LAST TWO WEEKS. THIS IS A GREAT SUPPORT SYSTEM. HOPE YOUR MEDS KICK IN FOR YOU SOON!
Welcome fairygirl. You'll find lots of support and information here, and lots of good friends who understand.
I hope you're feeling better soon.
Cris
Welcome to the board!WELCOME FAIRYGIRL!!
Thank you for sharing your story. Sorry to hear about your RA coming back. I know how that neck and jaw pain is, and how it is not being able to chew food or move your neck.
Welcome to our group Fairygirl!! We sure are glad you're here.
meme
Welcome Fairygirl. I'm also a former JRAer who has been rediagnosed. Mine came back after I had my sonBarb
Hope to see more of you here as time permits. Glad you found us!! Lovie welcome Fairy Girl!! You've joined a great bunch of people! Marie
myself and have learned so much already!!
Tara
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com