Hi. Iam Chris. I live in Springfield, VA an have had RA for 6 yrs. I am 36. I take Enbrel, prednisone, MTX, and some pain meds.
I have been here before, and was made to feel welcome, but I was a real mess and was on a LOT of medication. I am back, and feel better, though walking today in the heat w/ my dog was really, really, painful. I am on less medication, and feel somewhat normal about 1/2 of the time. This is a huge improvement. RA took my life, and I am taking it back!!!!
So glad you decided to return. You have the best atitude. what pain meds are you on?
Hi Chris....Glad you're back and doing pretty ok. I have a son in VA, stationed at Yorktown. Are you nearby?
Linda
thinkthin, I am on enbrel, prednisone, Methotrexate, Cymbalta and methadone. Prednisone and methadone make the most difference. I am supposed to take more stuff but I can never afford everything else, like the bone-stiffness drink and something called abilify that is 300.00. Just the enbrel can be 1300.00, so I admittedly relay on what I can afford. Prednisone and methadone are cheap....5.00 for 200 prdnisone and 12.50 for 240 methadone.
I just got my insurance back!!!! So....now I need to tt my RA specialist and my MD and re-evaluate.
My quality of life is kind of bad. I still have a lot of pain and stiffness. Sometimes I take Ambien to sleep. I dunno. What ever my doctor thinks is best I try to do, as long as it makes sense and I can afford it.
Thanks for response...I was kind of lonely!!!!
linncn...I am 13 miles south of Washinton DC....Your son is roughly 150 miles south of here but VA is VA and it's a very pretty state. I have always loved living here.
thanks for your response!!!
Chris!! , welcome back. I'm pretty new here myself. I'm so pleased to hear your 1/2 success story.....thanks! (I'm getting most of my life back since a Dec nightmare flare. LyndaHi chris, welcome! I hope to hear more from you. just jump right in! I'm glad about getting insurance, what a huge relief for you. Do you have a waiting period before you can use it?Chris , it sounds like you are doing all you can. Stick around here and you wont be lonely for long. Good luck with your Doctor appontments.
Welcome Chris, you sound like you've had a rough road to travel. Hang in there and here and you seriously will not be lonely for long. This is a isolating disease and I think embracing each other is half the battle. Talk care of you and be very gentle with yourself. Hello and Welcome, glad to hear things are at least improving!!! Hi Chris, and welcome. Hey Chris, welcome back and don't cha leave us again, ya hear?