Janick welcome.

[Guest guest]

Janick,

Don't be afraid just learn all you can. I know the fear is the biggest part

of

being diagnosed. I am going on 3 years with this disease and I am working

full time. If you can take some time off to get diagnosed and on the right

meds

that is helpful. Remeber, there are lot's of DMARDS for us to try. They

may

not work the first time. Just bite the bullet and move on. I have been on

plaquinil, Azulphadine, Methotrexate, now ARAVA in just 3 years.

Prednisone is common but should not be used long term. It really saved

my job. I have been on it for 3 years trying to taper down.

Watch out for depression. That is really normal. You will think it is the

disease and it is just depression. Get it treated. I take a small dose of

Paxil. Same with sleep patterns.

Make sure you sleep if not talk to your doctor. A vicious cycle of no

sleep,

worry, pain, sadness starts. A good night sleeping helps so much.

Learn about your blood work. What it is. What can cause things to happen.

for instance, I was severly anemic and it was because I was taking

anti-inflam.

everyday. I switched RA DOCs and he took me completely off anti-inflam

since I was on prednisone. My blood is perfect now. Make sure you are with

a RA doc. I work full time, ski on the weekends, and sail in the summer.

All

of these things 3 years ago I thought I would never do. Get yourself a pill

holder, fill it up once a week and you don't have to think about the amount

of

stuff your taking. I have a night and morning container.

Will you have a normal life? No, but treatment is so much better to day you

will hopefully just be inconvienced not crippled. Good luck to you.

Pat

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