Arthritis Insight-Member Stories-Dorothy

Dorothy's Story

Eleven years after symptoms have appeared, i sit here sharing a bit of my story with my friends at ArthritisiInsight. My name is Dorothy and I sign on as TEXAS when i come in for a chat. I live in far southwest Texas and have 150-160 mile jaunts to see the docs, buy groceries, pick up meds, etc.

In 1988, I had the first of 6 surgeries for herniated discs from degenerative disc disease, three fusions, 2 fractures, an extended year in a body cast brought many questions about what was going on with my body.

Other joints began to have pain and stiffness and then I had 3 stress fractures in my feet. After this, the pain in my feet and ankles became so severe, I could barely walk.

My family doc dx'ed ra and I started the ususal (back then) antiinflammatories and small doses of pred.

There was very little help from this and I went to mexico for treatment from a well-known doc there. For 3 years this helped to manage the symptoms. Eventually, the ra became more fierce than ever and I started having severe muscle pain.

This was dx'ed as fibromyalgia by a rd in Midland, Tx. Because of allergies to sulfa and other meds, I couldn't take some of the meds he was using then.

Finally , I was in such pain that i was non functional. My rheu. Factor was very high, ANA was in the lupus range, and all the meds were failing to help except the "love/hate" relationship with prednisone.

Then arava arrived on the scene and I had a blessed 5 month relief of symptoms. I was off the arava for 6 months and started again last spring. Then had a new rd who added enbrel to the cocktail. After not quite 3 months, this combination is starting to fail and the rd says he will try remicade next.

The web site has been a place of support and information for me, especially since i am so isolated from others with these conditions. I have been told i now have sjogren's, and osteoarthritis to go with the ra and fms. I know that by staying in touch with others here i will be better informed about the new meds and will have caring people around me.

I thank each and every one of you who have so freely shared your knowledge and concern with me. I hope in some small way to touch your lives, too.