New to all this... | Arthritis Information

 

I finally got a firm diagnosis of RA in Nov. and am now on plaquenil( 2x a day).  I am patiently waiting and hoping it will work for me. At least for now.  I just came out of a flare before christmas which was nice timing!  At least I am enjoying the time with my family.

I am a mom of 4 great kids from 3(next week!) to almost 12.  They are so helpful when I am too tired or achy to do things.  They are truly a blessing.  My husband, I believe, feels we now have a name for what has been going on with me.  I know he'll never "get it" but I know he doesn't even begin to understand how much pain I really have.  But, that will be another post(vent).

I have been lurking on this board for awhile now.  Guess it's a new year and I just need to jump in and introduce myself!  You guys have such great advice and warm hearts.  I am looking forward to some much needed support I can't find anywhere else!

Happy New Year!  Laura

Welcome Laura!

Having a name for the monster does help, doesn't it?!

I had a great week around Christmas too. You're right, the timing was wonderful. The weather sent me back into RA reality, so may your nice break last even longer.

You're so right about the support you'll get here. It's so important. There's just nothing like people who know exactly what this feels like.

Happy New Year back to you!

Welcome !

I came from a family with 4 kids and have great admiration for anyone who can raise a large family successfully...I know it's even harder with this disease that can suck away so much of your energy.

I have had RA for almost 4 years and the first year was by far the worst.  I feel much better now after finding medications that work.  It can be frustrating at first but hang in there.

Good luck and happy new year!

Alan

PS: Wives of RA sufferers can also be clueless at times and don't "get it"...

I read some of the more interesting comments here (Katie, are you listening) to my daughter who feels like she kind of knows all of you too. Of course, she is already very supportive and understanding.

Remember this is a place for questions, answers, venting, laughing and crying. Or, just a good place to come to when it gets overwhelming.

Hi Laura...welcome! You have come to the best place... so many wonderful people and a real education from so many who know what we are all going though.  
Hang in there and just feel free to vent whenever you want!  I do!!!

Hi Laura and welcome to the board.  You will find a lot of support here and many caring people.  I am a mom of 3 ranging in age from 12 (next week lol) to 21.  I am also a gramma to a wonderful 4 (next week) year old girl.

It will take awhile for your husband to come around.  But I bet he will.  Take him to doc appointments with you.  If he can't go with you, have him write down any questions he may he have.  I have been officially diagnosed since my 20's and it did take my hubby some time to realize just how much pain I can be in and how many other issues RA can cause.  He did come around tho and he is wonderful.  Give your hubby some time for all this to sink in.  He is most likely afraid of what will happen in the future and has just as many questions as you do.  Read about RA together and talk a lot about it. 

Welcome aboard!! I sure hear you---this RA is a very frustrating condition. I know now why they call us "patients". It's been a year and a half since my diagnosis and my RD and I are still trying to find the right combo of meds for me. And I sure empathize with you about people who don't have RA "not getting it". My RD and I just had a conversation about this on Friday. As he put it, they don't see us bleeding and because we "look fine" just don't understand what we go through with our bodies constantly playing tricks on us. I sometimes wonder how many might think "Oh, it's all in her head--she's a hypochondriac". Oh, well, I'm getting past what others think. Hang in there!!!!   LindaHoney, it's all on the MRI. Well, let's hope not. But for me, it is. I think ignorance of others hurts us more than anything else. This disease is so evasive that it fools ourselves. One day, you seem to be getting better, doing more. A couple of days later you down for the count again. Have I mentioned that I hate that?

Wow!  Thanks for the warm welcome.  I am so happy to have found a place where everyone feels similar things as I do.  It really is comforting!

I am sure my hubby will come around in time.  He is so easy going and always takes everything is stride.  It will sink in soon enough.  I, on the other hand, am not a very patient person.  And, waiting to see if plaquenil is going to kick in and work is making me crazy. 

Yes, it is the fact that there is nothing to see that makes people so ignorant.  I absolutely hate people asking, "How are you?"  Like they really want to hear it.....

Laura

Welcome Laura.  I have found this board to be very informative and a great source of comfort as we all here do "get it!"  My hubby is slowing coming around.  For the most part he is really great but I know its super hard on him as well.

I have been dx about a year now but have had the symptoms for about 3 years.  Its a long, slow process for most of us.  Read as much info as you can and educate yourself as much as possible.

Love and hugs

HI Laura, I am new here too and new to my symptoms. I just turned 40 , mom of 3 boys ( 11-17) and have only had my first visit with my Rhumetology doctor. My diagnosis right now is polyinfammitory arthritis. I did have a bunch of labs done 2 weeks ago so we will see at my next visit. I like you have a husband that doesn't quite grasp all of the issues related to RA and its relatives. Mine has been almost constant pain since Oct. I have been put on methotrexate and naprosyn but Christmas activites where very hard to carry out this year. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family..I love this board( only my second post) its such a great place to read so you know you are not alone. I wish everyone a great new year to come and hope I get the opportunity to get to know you all better.

Chris

 

Laura, when my docs now ask me "how are you?" I answer back, "On as scale from one to ten?" I usually get a good laugh as that is how they measure pain. However, I don't think that would work in the real world. The only thing you can do is find people who are willing to listen to you.

Chris, we are happy to have you too.

Laura, welcome to the forum. I started on Plaquinil in late September and
am just starting to feel some improvement however I feel that I'm flaring a
bit right now. I am only on Plaquinil at this point and am considering a
second med. I have so many questions about this disease. It seems like it is
so unpredictible and one week I feel on top of the world and the next I'm not
sure if I can plan my future so I guess I have realized that we just live one
day at a time with this disease. I am so thankful to have this forum that I
can visit everyday and talk to people who know exactly how I feel because
most people around me really don't have a clue how I'm feeling physically or
emotioally. So everyone, thanks for being here.

I have been reading anything and everything I can.  I think I've read everything on the internet about twice now!  LOL  I am one that wants to know every possible thing about myself!! 

Chris,  we seem to be in about the same boat.  I will be 40 this year.  UGH!  with 4 kids and lots of pain as well.  I sympathize with you!  My prayers are with you as well!

Lorster, it's good to hear that the plaquenil is starting to work for you.  I hope it helps me as well.  The thought of a 2nd medicine is overwhelming for me but I will do what it takes to feel better!

Laura

Hi Laura & Chris and welcome!! I too am 40 just turned in Sept. I hope you guys find some relieve soon.

Happy New Painless Year!

CinDee

Hi everyone. I'm in my second year of official RA. I remember, back before I had a diagnosis, when all I had was uncertainty & pain, I thought I was dying, and I felt so alone. I can say I hurt, but pain is not transferrable. Unless you hit your husband/wife with a hammer every time you feel serious pain, there's no way your spouse can share what you feel. The best you can hope for is sympathy.

That's why this site is so invaluable. When I first got my diagnosis, I went straight online. It took me several days to find active forums, but I've never looked back. These are people who really do feel your pain. They know the pain, the loneliness, the frustration, the inconsideration, the general misery you have felt. I have learned so much more from fellow RA sufferers than I ever did from doctors, and my doctors have been good.

Best of luck to all of the newbies. It won't be long, unfortunately, before you're very experienced. You'll know all of the drugs, all of the terms, all of the trials. The one thing you won't find here is the path that works for you. No one can tell you that. It'll be you, your body, & your RD, working together to find something that allows you to function "normally" again.

Welcome!

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