Well after posting a handful of replies to some of your thoughts and questions on the RA thread, I have finally found the time to introduce myself to you wonderful people. I found AI one day while surfing the web and the message boards are like a good book that you can't seem to put down. I have a vast experience dealing with RA and have found that there are still many, many, things I didn't know.
By the way, my name is Allen. I am 44 years old and was diagnosed with RA and Degenerative Joint Disease at the ripe old age of 26. Not having a job that provided medical insurance I was forced to seek treatment at a county hospital where they were interested in treating the pain and not the disease itself. After finally, seeing a Rheumy provided by the county, I started on a string of arthritis meds, none of which was helping as my RA was progressing at a very rapid pace. By the time I was 30, I was walking with the aid of crutches, then a cane, then a wheelchair and by 33 I was bedridden. It was the most helpless feeling in the world. Depression set in, I was 150 lbs. overweight from eating prednisone like candy and inactivity and I was guilt ridden because my elderly mother was working 12 to 16 hours a day to keep a roof over our heads and being a mother it was tearing her up to see me in such pain.
I was scheduled for my disability physical from an internist and seeing me in such dire straits, he took it upon himself to find me the help that I needed. He led me through the necessary avenues to recieve Medicare and Medicaid and in 1993 I had my first Total Hip Replacement. After the surgery I developed a blood clot, was put on blood thinners and almost bled to death after ruptering a vein in my nose and had to thin blood. I got over it, and to make a long story short, 3 months later I had the other hip replaced, three months later a Total Knee Replacement, and finally 3 months later, my remaining knee replaced. No complications with the remaining surgeries, we finally knew what we were doing.
After about 9 months I returned to the workforce and became a productive member of society once again. I lost 110 of the lbs. in which I had gained and my legs were pain free. Until 5 years ago I was still struggling with the pain of RA in most other parts of my body and just kind of taking the "grin and bear it" attitude. After all, I AM walking again. Five years ago I moved to the DFW area found a new rheumy who put me on Remicade. What a wonderful drug. I was totally pain free and not stiff in the morning to boot. I gained back a lot of strength and became a lot more active. I had to discontinue the Rem about 2 yrs. ago due to insurance purposes but I'll actually be eligible to have my RA covered by my insurance again starting next week after sitting out a year for "pre-existing condition".
If you got anything from my introduction, I hope it is to never give up. I know from experience that no matter how much support you have from friends and family, this disease can give you a very lonely feeling. It's possible to feel like you are the only one in the world who suffers from RA. If you've had that feeling, It's normal. I truly enjoy helping people with this or any other disabling disease in hopes that I can covince them that this "inconvenience" is truly not the end of the world. I am looking forward to trading ideas and support to all of you in the future.
Good Luck!
Welcome aboard, Allen.
Wow, sounds like you've had it real tough. Good to see you've never let it get you down. You've found a great site here, with a lot of wonderful people.
So once again, Welcome.
Hi Allen,
Wellcome!! Wow is right, you've really been through it! Sounds like you decided early on that this was a battle you were gonna win. I am 45 and just started with hip pain about 5 months ago then one afternoon about 2 1/2 months ago every joint started hurting. I was pretty sure what was happening at that point and had a positive diagnosis a week or so later.
I get what you mean about the "feeling like the only one" I see how that can happen. I feel so fortunate to have found my friends here early on...before even my first apt with RD. I can't tell you how much it has helped me to know there is always someone just a moment away that really cares and understands.
I'm glad your insurance will start up again soon. I can't imagine having RA and not having insurance. My insurance is horrible, but I'm so glad I do have insurance.
Glad you've found us,
I'll be watching for your posts
SO GLAD YOU HAVE FOUND US ALLEN. THIS IS A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN A TREMENDOUS SUPPORT TO MYSELF IN SO MANY WAYS. INTRODUCE YOURSELF ALSO ON THE RA BOARDS. PLEASE VISIT AND POST OFTEN AND LET US KNOW HOW YOU ARE DOING!! HUGS AND MANY PAIN FREE DAYS!! Welcome Allen. You'll bring much needed experience to our much loved forum. We're so glad you're here. Lovie
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