Arthritis Insight-Member Stories-Luanne

Hi,
My name is Luanne and I'm 38 years old, married and Mom of three. I was diagnosed with RA and Fibromyalgia in March of 1998, but believe I had the symptoms of it as early as 1995. So far, it has mostly attacked my left knee, both hands, elbows, arms, lower back, shoulders and my jaw-which is the worst! Aside from a few 5 day doses of Prednisone, I really have not taken anything. The first doctor I saw who diagnosed me, told me that plain old aspirin was best thing to take and actually told me to take up to 18-20 aspirin a day! Well...after about a year of this- you can imagine what happened! He is no longer my doctor either.... I have tried some of the "natural remedies" and find they tend to work for just a little while.I guess it's safe to say now that I have been in denial (a very nice place to visit!) but realize I can't handle this on my own, without support or help. Now, my family is very supportive...but I think talking to others who share this pain and know what it's like would help a lot. Meanwhile...the search for a new and good doctor is on....

Update: 8/15/01:

Well here I am, more than 3 years after diagnosis of RA and Fibromyalgia. I was in denial for the longest time, believing that if I could "handle this on my own"...it wasn't such a big deal. It is! I finally gave in more than a year ago and began taking Celebrex. The first few days were wonderful! I had forgotten what it was like to be almost completely pain free. Before long however, Celebrex only managed to "take the edge off" and then not always. I have lousy insurance (we need insurance reform everyone!) which okayed my seeing a specialist...however, the medications he/she could prescribe are barely covered! (i.e. copay for one would be over $40 a month)

So, I am trying to get by. My doctor has occasionally prescribed vicodin for me- but that doesn't help, so why take it? Just recently, he prescribed percocet and that didn't help with the pain either. Last week I had xrays of my back and hip done because of some excruciating pain (but only when I move "funny"!) and the results showed degenerative OSTEOarthritis there. I've also come down with Menier's Disease- which is an auto-immune hearing loss disease which they tell me is directly related to RA. I've also got asthma. I can't take stairs anymore, (thank goodness we live in a single story house), often need help getting dressed, can't walk far or for long, need help getting up from a chair....well, you all know what it's like! I've just begun the process of applying for SSI. (I'd rather be at work....) Perhaps if that's approved...I'll be able to go on stronger medication?? All in all, living with constant, chronic pain on a daily basis is certainly a challenge, but thank god for my wonderful family and understanding friends. Though of course there's always that one...like my sister-in-law who says, "Just start walking and moving more! You'll feel better!" If she only knew!