Re: old to group -- back again (very long)

[Guest guest]

Hi Elisheva,

I don't think I was ever on the board when you are. We have very similar

stories. I am 19 now but when I was six years old I was first given the

diagnosis of Polyarticular JRA. I was treated through a pediatrician with

NSAID's

with flares up until my freshman year of high school when I finally saw a

Rheumatologist. I too spent some time in homeschool during my Junior year. I'm

on Enbrel now.. but it isn't working so much for me. But enough that I'm

grateful for the little improvement. I hope the plaquenil starts working for

you

and you feel better real soon.

(Polyarticular JRA and Spondyloarthropathy, 19)

[Guest guest]

Elisheva! First of all, Congradulations on the marriage! and of course I

remember you! It is truly wonderful to hear all is going so well for

you.

Keep up the great work....

Rusty

[Guest guest]

Hello Elisheva!!!!!!!!! So good to hear from you again and so excited for

you. Sounds like lief is greta not to mention full. Congrats on getting married

and a positive turn in life with arthritis. Glad you are back! Hugs and smiles.

Donna

[Guest guest]

Ok let me try again..isnt it amazing my fingers move quicker than my

brain...so scary...lol

Hello Elisheva!!!!!!!!! So good to hear from you again and so excited for

you. Sounds like life is great not to mention full. Congrats on getting

married

and a positive turn in life with arthritis. Glad you are back! Hugs and

smiles.

Donna

[Guest guest]

Welcome back Elisheva, and congrats on your marriage. Sounds like things

are going well for you right now. Take care of yourself - you need the

stamina for med school! Glad you were able to post, Michele (17,

pauci & spondy)

old to group -- back again (very long)

Hello all

It's certainly been over a year since I last posted on the list.

Sometimes I read the messages to keep up with everything, but life

has been busy. Now that everything is winding down, I hope to stay

in touch for as long as possible!

Most of you probably do not remember me or were not here when I was

last, so I'll re-introduce myself. My name is Elisheva. I'm 22 years

old, and I've had JRA since I was about 6. I wasn't diagnosed until

later, and in high school I went through a tough time, missing half

of my junior year and, at times, being pretty much unable to move.

Before I went to college in 2000 (a tough decision to go away), I

was started on Enbrel. This was a miracle drug for me, and I was

able to reduce my steroid dosages and eventually get off altogether.

As for new news, I got married in December! I'm living in

Philadelphia now (Bala Cynwyd, actually -- a suburb). On Thursday I

will graduate from college with a degree in biology. I'm so excited

to be finished! Starting in the fall I will be a student at the

University of Pennsylvania Biomedical Graduate Studies program, in

the Immunology department. I'll be working towards my Ph.D. in

Immunology, probably focusing on autoimmunity (but we'll see!).

My arthritis is doing really well these days. I still have little

minor flairs every once in a while. I had a tough winter due to

multiple illnesses (even a short bout with pneumonia). I stopped

taking the Enbrel after 3 years in November, basically without

consulting the doctor (probably not the smartest way to go), and I

did fine! Then I stopped the Plaquenil, too, and had a short flair.

I'm still off the Plaquenil, but I may go back on it soon. As of

now, the only drug I'm taking for the JRA is Mobic (NSAID). I don't

feel as excellent as I did on the Enbrel, but I'm doing pretty well.

Hopefully starting back on the Plaquenil will bring me back up to

speed. I had a difficult semester, as I was commuting twice a week

to New York City from Philadelphia, in order to finish college. The

train ride each way added up to about 3 hours (including transfers),

so I was traveling 6 hours a day, and I had a full day of school in

New York. That proved to be very difficult for me, and after my

Monday and Wednesday trips I would end up sleeping most of Tuesday

and Thursday! This probably contributed to my getting ill multiple

times, as well.

My husband is, of course, very understanding. The arthritis doesn't

generally affect my everyday life too much anymore, so it doesn't

affect him, either. He knows when I'm having my bad days, and he's

there to help me out. He is in medical school, with all of the tough

studying that comes with that. Some day we will, God willing, both

be called Doctor!

Georgina -- I was soooo excited to hear that Josh is off the

prednisone. Way to go! That is absolutely wonderful news. I hope to

catch up with everybody else! I've been living with this disease for

almost as long as I can remember, and I hope my experience can help

some people understand their kids better. Anybody is welcome to

email me!

thanks! (sorry this is so long :-)

Take care, everybody

Elisheva

[Guest guest]

Hi Elisheva,

Talk about taking control of your disease --- Immunologist!!!! Way

to go. Not exactly rheumatology, but close enough. Welcome back

and hope you stay pain free.

Stacia and Hunter,8,systemic,iritis>

[Guest guest]

Elisheva,

Hi! Thanks for getting in touch. I was so excited to see a message from

you and to read about all the recent news! I am so, so, happy for you

and of course very proud of you too, that goes without saying, for all

of your hard work and efforts and your sincere dedication. I wish you

continued good health and stamina, and much happiness and success, as

you and your husband together begin this next stage of your lives.

With Much Love and Aloha,

Georgina

queensheevah wrote:

> Hello all

>

> It's certainly been over a year since I last posted on the list.

> Sometimes I read the messages to keep up with everything, but life

> has been busy. Now that everything is winding down, I hope to stay

> in touch for as long as possible!

>

> Most of you probably do not remember me or were not here when I was

> last, so I'll re-introduce myself. My name is Elisheva. I'm 22 years

> old, and I've had JRA since I was about 6. I wasn't diagnosed until

> later, and in high school I went through a tough time, missing half

> of my junior year and, at times, being pretty much unable to move.

> Before I went to college in 2000 (a tough decision to go away), I

> was started on Enbrel. This was a miracle drug for me, and I was

> able to reduce my steroid dosages and eventually get off altogether.

>

> As for new news, I got married in December! I'm living in

> Philadelphia now (Bala Cynwyd, actually -- a suburb). On Thursday I

> will graduate from college with a degree in biology. I'm so excited

> to be finished! Starting in the fall I will be a student at the

> University of Pennsylvania Biomedical Graduate Studies program, in

> the Immunology department. I'll be working towards my Ph.D. in

> Immunology, probably focusing on autoimmunity (but we'll see!).

>

> My arthritis is doing really well these days. I still have little

> minor flairs every once in a while. I had a tough winter due to

> multiple illnesses (even a short bout with pneumonia). I stopped

> taking the Enbrel after 3 years in November, basically without

> consulting the doctor (probably not the smartest way to go), and I

> did fine! Then I stopped the Plaquenil, too, and had a short flair.

> I'm still off the Plaquenil, but I may go back on it soon. As of

> now, the only drug I'm taking for the JRA is Mobic (NSAID). I don't

> feel as excellent as I did on the Enbrel, but I'm doing pretty well.

> Hopefully starting back on the Plaquenil will bring me back up to

> speed. I had a difficult semester, as I was commuting twice a week

> to New York City from Philadelphia, in order to finish college. The

> train ride each way added up to about 3 hours (including transfers),

> so I was traveling 6 hours a day, and I had a full day of school in

> New York. That proved to be very difficult for me, and after my

> Monday and Wednesday trips I would end up sleeping most of Tuesday

> and Thursday! This probably contributed to my getting ill multiple

> times, as well.

>

> My husband is, of course, very understanding. The arthritis doesn't

> generally affect my everyday life too much anymore, so it doesn't

> affect him, either. He knows when I'm having my bad days, and he's

> there to help me out. He is in medical school, with all of the tough

> studying that comes with that. Some day we will, God willing, both

> be called Doctor!

>

> Georgina -- I was soooo excited to hear that Josh is off the

> prednisone. Way to go! That is absolutely wonderful news. I hope to

> catch up with everybody else! I've been living with this disease for

> almost as long as I can remember, and I hope my experience can help

> some people understand their kids better. Anybody is welcome to

> email me!

>

> thanks! (sorry this is so long :-)

> Take care, everybody

>

> Elisheva