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Val

Val.Moore@riotinto.com 

Hello all - through this site I have met some wonderful sympathetic friends, so I just want to let you all know that there are people who understand. Strangely we have so much in common apart from Ra of course; but because of the inability to do the normal - run of the mill things in life, we adapt accordingly. I was diagnosed about 12 years ago. I am 59 years (young some days) (very old others). At the moment I am relatively flare free and work full time as a receptionist. I also was diagnosed 16 months ago with diabetes 1 and am on insulin twice daily. Actually the diabetes has effected me greatly; but that's another subject. My employer is reasonably sympathetic; but when I had to go in for surgery this year to have removal of elbow nodules to my surprise he advised that he didn't know that I had a problem. Boy was I mad with him. Anyway, obviously I don't complain enough or do I still want my job with no hassles.We Ra sufferers don't complain much so people aren't aware how bad the pain really is. . My medication is methotrexate, celebrex, folic acid and or course insulin. My diet has assisted with my Ra. as I certainly am eating more healthily. Methotrexate has definitely slowed up the joint deformaties; I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis (particularly bad in the back). My right hip gives me hell. I also am hampered by shoulder, wrist and feet ache; but apart from that not much to complain about. The medication for osteoporosis is Evista and to become elegible for it the patient must have had a recent fracture. I broke my ankle and foot. I have had laser surgery on both eyes due to Ra (thickening of lenses). Keep check on your eyes regularly with Ra. Am going to see my doc this week because I have a persistant cough and it certainly isn't getting better. I live in Melbourne Australia and would welcome an email anytime. I am married with 3 grown up sons and twin granddaughters and a grandson, who incidentally are the light of my life. Thanks for taking the time to read my story. Val