Arthritis Insight-Member Stories-Marsha

Marsha aka Marsha Too

I am another Marsha, Marsha Too, on the site.

My RA came on overnight. I started getting stiff in early evenings. Once I stopped I could hardly move. The mornings were horrible!! I was teaching, had two young daughters and just kept pushing myself day by day not knowing what in the world had come over me!

I kept thinking it would go away as quickly as it came on. Had a very hard time dressing in mornings. I fell into to bath tub trying to sit for a soak. This was just a scary time in my life. I knew no one with this disease, no one to share with.

I was Dx with RA in 1980 and was put on 10-12 Ascriptions a day. They were Maalox-coated aspirins; that and gold shots was pretty much what they used then.

I started getting those 'looks' from family and friends when I didn't get better in 'their' time frame. Losing support on the home front made it so much tougher than it already was!

After about a year of that I returned to almost normal. I would have pain when I would do anything physical. Every time I would walk, do aerobics, try tennis, water ski or softball, I would hurt something - hips, knees, elbows, back.

About 2 yrs ago, the severe stiffness and pain upon awakening returned. It was all too familiar.

I told different RD about it and tested high ANA and neg RF. I had been treated by this RD for several yrs for OA in knees and cervical spine. She almost laughed when I told her my history and RA DX in the past. Now she knows different. Again, I knew my body regardless of what the doc said.

It has settled in my feet and knees and I can hardly go any distance. Right now it is Plantar Facitis, Achilles tendonitis,and tarsi tunnel syndrome. I have had test for nerve entrapment in left foot and so far it is neg. I think most of knee problems are OA, but need to find good orthopedist to get some help. I know replacement is in my future. Many aunts and uncles on both sides have had this. Not sure how much RA is in knees.

I have taken anti-imflammatories for 20+ yrs. This past Feb. my feet swelled a lot - this was a first for me. My blood pressure shot up also. The doc took me off my Daypro. Swelling eventually went down with help of water pill. I am afraid to take any type of aspirin products because of kidneys.

I will be seeing another Internist this week and get some advice on that. My mother's (84) feet swell when she takes one Advil at night on a regular basis--just one Advil! The doc just warned my dad about taking aspirin products because of his kidney function. So that is the reason I am afraid to take on daily basis. I need some good advice, cause I surely could use something.

I surely wish I could take my Daypro. I missed that help. I am not sure how much the Plaquenil is helping. I take Darvoset as needed. I have also been sent to Pain Mgnt doc who has me on 1200 mg Neurontin a day and 2 10 mg of oxycontin a day. This mainly help daily pain and discomfort from OA middle and upper back. I think it is helping more than I realized, especially after stopping Daypro.

I guess since the words RA were used with me in 1980 I was not surprised when they mentioned Lupus and RA. Just happy to have a Dx. I had already read every thing I could get me hands on. In my heart I knew what I had.

I plan to fight having to take anything stronger because of this organ concerns.

My immune system has fought this pretty until a couple of yrs ago and hopefully will it continue to fight.

RD said Methotrexate was a strong possibility. I guess I am being stubborn at this point and worry organ damage possibilities since I've had meds for yrs.

I have a male cousin with Lupus. His face is pretty scarred up, and he is such a nice looking man. He has had it for yrs and has decided to not take strong meds. I have an uncle with RA and several joints damaged. Not sure what he is taking at this time.

I really wish I could lose weight. It is tough to get sympatric looks as you limp around the stores! "If she would lose some of that weight she would not have those bad knees and ankles". (Can't you just hear those looks?

Wow it took me a lot of words to get that out.

I think the family is beginning to believe me since they see me avoid doing the things I love. I just wish they realized that I have had this for many yrs. No one in my family will ever ever understand what I went through when the stuff attacked me in '80. I did a lot of crying during those months! That was a very lonesome time in my life.....hearing hurtful comments from close family....and suffering the way I was.......but not my Mother, Daddy, and brother......thank heavens. They always believed me.

Well, that is it way it was and is.....what is the future.........one day at a time. I am just glad I like to get up and push push push myself trying to do each and every day.

I am retired from teaching and that makes it good, although there are things I would like to do to make some money....I am no longer dependable....I don't know what each day holds. I get my rest with meds and give each day my all!

I had an active energetic ambitious life for the first 30 yrs. Little did I know my enthusiasm and love of life would be hindered this way. It is a good thing we don't know the future!

I am so glad the younger folks on this board have this site to visit and share. It is scary to be so young when this disease attacks you; this site is soooo much support! There are others who understand and feel as you do. WOW

Marsha