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Shelley</font></b><font face="Verdana" size="3"><b>'s Story

vest5@accessus.net

My name is Shelley. I am 38 years old and a mother of 3. Two girls and a boy ages 22,17,and 15. I was diagnosed with RA in 12/97. It was devastating to me. At the time I was lucky because I worked in an orthopedic surgeons office and has access to him and a physical therapist who was essential to finding out what was wrong with me. When the lab results came back positive I cryed. I knew I had something that is incurable. I started taking different typed of Nsaids to determine what worked for me. Luckily for me I got them for free using the office samples. I found Celebrex to work best. I then started Plaquenil in 98 and was pain free for 9 months. Thinking I was "better" I quit taking the Plaquenil but continued with the Celebrex and Ultram for pain. In November of 2000 I developed pain and have had it everyday since. I started the Plaqenil in December. My biggest problem is the depression because of the pain. I am using alcohol with my meds to get me thru it. I know it's not safe but I can't take the pain in my fingers, hands, feet, knees and shoulders. Thanks for reading my story. My email is vest5@accessus.net if anyone would like to communicate.