questions

[Guest guest]

Kay,

I have always eaten properly although since my children have many

food allergies I wonder if I might as well. I also take vitamins and

fish oil because my doctors think that sometimes fish oil can help

diminish inflammation.

It's fascinating that most everyone here has fair skin....although

differing haircolors. Great.....all my children have fair skin.

J

> J,

> I also am mostly effected in hands and feet. I have crooked

toes and

> right hand needs surgery on middle finger after 7 years of RA.

Folks

> probably get tired of me harping on diet, but for me changing my

diet has

> helped me get off of meds. I take vitamins and careful what I

eat. I keep

> putting off surgery on hand and feet....

> Kay

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: " chafarm123 " <chafarm@a...>

> <Rheumatoid Arthritis >

> Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2004 6:30 PM

> Subject: Questions

>

>

> >

> >

> >

> > Dear All,

> > I was diagnosed with RA last week, although I have been

> > complaining about some related concerns for almost 4 years. (NOW

> > they decide that " it would be malpractice NOT to send me to a

> > rheumatologist " )

> > I have read some of your messages and I wanted to ask you how

> > many of you have problems principally with your hands and feet ?

My

> > chief areas of concern are primarily my hands, my toes, the bones

in

> > my feet, and to a lesser degree right now, my shoulders. It is

> > amazing to me that the onset of this illness can be so slow and so

> > insidious. I am a relatively young person and am shocked at how

> > slowly but how steadily my ability to do certain things has become

> > impaired.

> > Thanks for being here,

> > J

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Kay,

I worry a lot about whether I will tolerate the meds or simply

have to be crippled by this. One of my children has ulcerative

colitis and did not tolerate any of the immunosuppressives.....They

almost killed him. He eventually lost his entire colon at 18 and now

has a permanent ileostomy. My father has aplastic anemia presumably

due to a drug he took. I think taking some of these drugs might well

kill me. I still have no choice but to try. I still have 4 kids to

raise and launch.

J

> > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Dear All,

> > > > I was diagnosed with RA last week, although I have been

> > > > complaining about some related concerns for almost 4 years.

(NOW

> > > > they decide that " it would be malpractice NOT to send me to a

> > > > rheumatologist " )

> > > > I have read some of your messages and I wanted to ask you

how

> > > > many of you have problems principally with your hands and

feet ?

> > My

> > > > chief areas of concern are primarily my hands, my toes, the

bones

> > in

> > > > my feet, and to a lesser degree right now, my shoulders. It

is

> > > > amazing to me that the onset of this illness can be so slow

and so

> > > > insidious. I am a relatively young person and am shocked at

how

> > > > slowly but how steadily my ability to do certain things has

become

> > > > impaired.

> > > > Thanks for being here,

> > > > J

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > *

[Guest guest]

Anita,

Yes ! This is exactly what I am being told also. In my case I

developed an autoimmune thyroiditis in 1990 (Hashimoto's) and was

told that a percentage of sufferers do go on to experience another

autoimmune disorder. Well since then my daughter got Type I

diabetes as a child. My eldest son developed ulcerative colitis,

also autoimmune. Now I have either RA, Lupus, Fibro or there are also

some concerns that I may have a B-12 deficiency (Pernicious anemia)

and may require monthly shots.

We all eat properly and try to stay healthy. We have two other

children and I live in fear for them as well. I only wish to stay

alive and functional to raise them.

J

> >

> >

> > Dear All,

> > I was diagnosed with RA last week, although I have been

> > complaining about some related concerns for almost 4 years. (NOW

> > they decide that " it would be malpractice NOT to send me to a

> > rheumatologist " )

> > I have read some of your messages and I wanted to ask you how

> > many of you have problems principally with your hands and feet ?

> My

> > chief areas of concern are primarily my hands, my toes, the bones

> in

> > my feet, and to a lesser degree right now, my shoulders. It is

> > amazing to me that the onset of this illness can be so slow and

so

> > insidious. I am a relatively young person and am shocked at how

> > slowly but how steadily my ability to do certain things has

become

> > impaired.

> > Thanks for being here,

> > J

[Guest guest]

Feel better Becky ! I am trying hard not to be angry and bitter.

Life is not and never has been promised to be fair, but it seems that

our family has had more than its share.

I also worry about money. It is going to be impossible to work

again like this. My doctor suggested a handicapped placard for the

car...........I told him that what I'm come to the doctor for, was

some help in managing the illness.

J

> In a message dated 10/11/2004 9:19:16 AM Central Standard Time,

> chafarm@a... writes:

>

> > Dear All,

> > I was diagnosed with RA last week, although I have been

> > complaining about some related concerns for almost 4 years. (NOW

> > they decide that " it would be malpractice NOT to send me to a

> > rheumatologist " )

> > I have read some of your messages and I wanted to ask you how

> > many of you have problems principally with your hands and feet ?

My

> > chief areas of concern are primarily my hands, my toes, the bones

in

> > my feet, and to a lesser degree right now, my shoulders. It is

> > amazing to me that the onset of this illness can be so slow and

so

> > insidious. I am a relatively young person and am shocked at how

> > slowly but how steadily my ability to do certain things has

become

> > impaired.

> > Thanks for being here,

> > J

> >

> >

> >

>

> Hello,

>

> I was diagnosed this past June and it has affected my whole body,

from my

> neck down to my toes, including my hands. My feet swelled so badly

that I

> couldn't wear shoes and my toes were purple. The Rheumatologist

did blood work,

> I had an elevated sed rate and my RA Factor was 222, not sure what

it is now,

> but I will find out next month.

> Right now, I am on 20 mg MTX and 5 mg of Prednisone and 200 mg of

Celebrex

> and I have a lot of pain with feet when I step down on my feet and

have some

> trouble with bending my wrists.

> I had a flare this past weekend and mostly stayed in bed.

>

> Becky

[Guest guest]

-Thanks Gloria,

I see now that this may have been coming on for four years or

so. First I thought I had injured the fingers on my right hands,

then they hurt on the left, and I thought I had overcompensated by

carrying things on the left. Then I just thought I had carpal tunnel

syndrome. I was reluctant to mention some of these vague things to a

doctor because they seem to write off almost everything. It seems

that I have had migrating joint pain for some time. I even had my

doctor draw a Lyme titer......which was negative last time it was

drawn. I have had another drawn this week when I had other labs done

also.

Stay well,

J

-- In Rheumatoid Arthritis , gloriarex@a... wrote:

> Hi J:

>

> My RA came on very slowly. At first it acted like plantar fascitis

(I was a

> runner), then a Morton's neuroma. I had a crick in my neck that

lasted about 6

> months. After seeing a podiatrist and an orthopedist, I began to

realize

> that there was a pattern to this pain and I began to suspect that

it was

> something systemic and not specific to my feet.

>

> It's been about 4 years since I was diagnosed. I've been through

the whole

> round of drugs and my condition has gone from okay to bad to worse

to much

> better. Through it all, my feet have been the focal point of my

pain. But even

> under tons of medication, it still comes through in that spot.

Sometimes my

> fingers are affected, but only for a couple of days at a time.

>

> Hang in there and good luck to you.

>

> gloria

[Guest guest]

J,

I feel for you and understand the desire to raise your kids. I still

have one at home, too. I was able to do antibiotic therapy which helped me

get off the prednisone. (This was after trying many other drugs.) You may

want to check into that before trying the harder stuff... Just a suggestion

cause I know everyone is different. The website at www.rheumatic.org or

another at www.roadback.org

So sorry your son has had to endure so much and I truly believe that

leaky gut has a lot to do with RA, too...that comes from eating wrong and

taking meds, etc. The gut can heal if the body is given the correct diet.

I'm skinny and 51 years old with crooked right hand and crooked toes

but still working fulltime and had RA for almost 8 years now. I gave up

sugar, milk, wheat, red meat, fried food, sodas, caffeine. I live mostly on

chicken and fish.

Kay

----- Original Message -----

From: " chafarm123 " <chafarm@...>

<Rheumatoid Arthritis >

Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 11:46 AM

Subject: Re: Questions

>

>

> Kay,

> I worry a lot about whether I will tolerate the meds or simply

> have to be crippled by this. One of my children has ulcerative

> colitis and did not tolerate any of the immunosuppressives.....They

> almost killed him. He eventually lost his entire colon at 18 and now

> has a permanent ileostomy. My father has aplastic anemia presumably

> due to a drug he took. I think taking some of these drugs might well

> kill me. I still have no choice but to try. I still have 4 kids to

> raise and launch.

> J

>

> > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Dear All,

> > > > > I was diagnosed with RA last week, although I have been

> > > > > complaining about some related concerns for almost 4 years.

> (NOW

> > > > > they decide that " it would be malpractice NOT to send me to a

> > > > > rheumatologist " )

> > > > > I have read some of your messages and I wanted to ask you

> how

> > > > > many of you have problems principally with your hands and

> feet ?

> > > My

> > > > > chief areas of concern are primarily my hands, my toes, the

> bones

> > > in

> > > > > my feet, and to a lesser degree right now, my shoulders. It

> is

> > > > > amazing to me that the onset of this illness can be so slow

> and so

> > > > > insidious. I am a relatively young person and am shocked at

> how

> > > > > slowly but how steadily my ability to do certain things has

> become

> > > > > impaired.

> > > > > Thanks for being here,

> > > > > J

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > *

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/12/2004 11:57:48 AM Central Standard Time, chafarm@... writes:

Feel better Becky ! I am trying hard not to be angry and bitter.

Life is not and never has been promised to be fair, but it seems that

our family has had more than its share.

I also worry about money. It is going to be impossible to work

again like this. My doctor suggested a handicapped placard for the

car...........I told him that what I'm come to the doctor for, was

some help in managing the illness.

J

Thanks J,

I have become a bit of a b*tch since being diagnosed. I am trying to stay optimistic -

mostly by being in denial that I have RA.

My biggest hope is that I don't get any worse.

Becky

[Guest guest]

>>It's fascinating that most everyone here has fair skin....although differing haircolors. Great.....all my children have fair skin. J <<

Time to pipe up! I am African-American, dark-skinned and dark-haired (though

just the other day I got highlights that my daughter called "cinnamon" (we were

thinking it looked suspiciously orangy... I'll take cinnamon!).

Let's see, going on 1.5 yrs since diagnosed. I had an appt. with rheumy today...

Humira (10 day schedule) and mtx (plus plaquenil, folic acid, vit. D) seem to be

working for me.

I have really very little pain, no inflammation to speak of evidently...

(I "creak" a lot but the rheumy said creaks are unimportant, just pain and

inflammation). Lucky to be a recent member of the RA club, I guess...

Here's hoping it all keeps working!

I have another follow-up in 3 months ~ at which time we look at the results

of tests - vit D level, sed rate ~ and after that he doesn't want to see me

for a year!

Deborah

[Guest guest]

Deborah,

Thanks for piping up ! I think what I might be noticing is that

people from the British Isles do seem to have a higher rate of all

autoimmune illnesses. It just seemed to me that recently diagnosed

RA and for that matter insulin dependent type I (autoimmune)

diabetics seemed fair skinned.

I am sorry you have to contend with this, but I am thrilled to

hear that you are doing well enough not to have to return for a year !

BTW......Cinnamon sounds gorgeous !

J

--- In Rheumatoid Arthritis , " dkj " <outpost@c...>

wrote:

> >>It's fascinating that most everyone here has fair

skin....although

> differing haircolors. Great.....all my children have fair skin.

> J <<

>

> Time to pipe up! I am African-American, dark-skinned and dark-

haired (though

> just the other day I got highlights that my daughter

called " cinnamon " (we were

> thinking it looked suspiciously orangy... I'll take cinnamon!).

> Let's see, going on 1.5 yrs since diagnosed. I had an appt. with

rheumy today...

> Humira (10 day schedule) and mtx (plus plaquenil, folic acid, vit.

D) seem to be

> working for me.

> I have really very little pain, no inflammation to speak of

evidently...

> (I " creak " a lot but the rheumy said creaks are unimportant, just

pain and

> inflammation). Lucky to be a recent member of the RA club, I

guess...

> Here's hoping it all keeps working!

> I have another follow-up in 3 months ~ at which time we look at the

results

> of tests - vit D level, sed rate ~ and after that he doesn't want

to see me

> for a year!

> Deborah

[Guest guest]

Kay,

Thanks for your support..... My son has either UC or Crohn's

disease (different experts disagree slightly) and in the four years

he had it we tried many diets. (There was no reason not to, as he

didn't respond to the immunologics and they had nothing else for

him.) We did gluten free, casein free, you name it, and we were

never able to reach a remission. It may be that by the time he was

diagnosed (and spent four years confined to home) that even

withdrawal of the offending dietary agent would not allow sufficient

healing to save his colon.

I have always thought that we must carry some type of a genetic

flaw which has allowed UC in one, Type I diabetes in another,

Hahimotos and RA in me, and asthma in the younger two. It's as if

there is a common problem but something environmental is the

determining factor in terms of what disease we develop.

Best wishes,

J

> > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Dear All,

> > > > > > I was diagnosed with RA last week, although I have been

> > > > > > complaining about some related concerns for almost 4

years.

> > (NOW

> > > > > > they decide that " it would be malpractice NOT to send me

to a

> > > > > > rheumatologist " )

> > > > > > I have read some of your messages and I wanted to ask

you

> > how

> > > > > > many of you have problems principally with your hands and

> > feet ?

> > > > My

> > > > > > chief areas of concern are primarily my hands, my toes,

the

> > bones

> > > > in

> > > > > > my feet, and to a lesser degree right now, my shoulders.

It

> > is

> > > > > > amazing to me that the onset of this illness can be so

slow

> > and so

> > > > > > insidious. I am a relatively young person and am shocked

at

> > how

> > > > > > slowly but how steadily my ability to do certain things

has

> > become

> > > > > > impaired.

> > > > > > Thanks for being here,

> > > > > > J

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > *

[Guest guest]

There are other diseases that have an ethnicity component ~ it is quite logical to wonder if RA is one of them, too...

I am sorry that your family has experienced so much illness related to autoimmune conditions. It must be very difficult to deal with it all, and now your own illness as well. I wish you all the best and success in treating your RA! I also didn't realize what was going on when symptoms first started... I didn't go to the doctor until probably a good year after symptoms started. Noticeable but ignored symptoms were when I accidently knocked a knuckle into a door or wall and experienced unreasonable pain, and when I stopped being able to wear my favorite Dansk clogs to work because I inexplicably couldn't walk by the end of the day. Several months later I had carpal tunnel in both wrists and was experiencing great difficulty with pain and inflammation to the point of not being able to dress myself without help, get up from a chair, roll over in bed and etc. Seems truly miraculous that I am functioning so well now, knock wood (which I can do now!). I hope your diagnosis and treatment bring you swift relief!

Deborah (of the cinnamon highlights that were supposed to be caramel, but at least they're not mandarin orange!)

----- Original Message -----

From: chafarm123

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 6:47 PM

Subject: Re: Questions

Deborah, Thanks for piping up ! I think what I might be noticing is that people from the British Isles do seem to have a higher rate of all autoimmune illnesses. It just seemed to me that recently diagnosed RA and for that matter insulin dependent type I (autoimmune) diabetics seemed fair skinned. I am sorry you have to contend with this, but I am thrilled to hear that you are doing well enough not to have to return for a year ! BTW......Cinnamon sounds gorgeous ! J> >>It's fascinating that most everyone here has fair skin....although > differing haircolors. Great.....all my children have fair skin.> J <<> > Time to pipe up! I am African-American, dark-skinned and dark-haired (though> just the other day I got highlights that my daughter called "cinnamon" (we were> thinking it looked suspiciously orangy... I'll take cinnamon!).> Let's see, going on 1.5 yrs since diagnosed. I had an appt. with rheumy today...> Humira (10 day schedule) and mtx (plus plaquenil, folic acid, vit. D) seem to be> working for me.> I have really very little pain, no inflammation to speak of evidently... > (I "creak" a lot but the rheumy said creaks are unimportant, just pain and> inflammation). Lucky to be a recent member of the RA club, I guess...> Here's hoping it all keeps working!> I have another follow-up in 3 months ~ at which time we look at the results> of tests - vit D level, sed rate ~ and after that he doesn't want to see me > for a year!> Deborah

[Guest guest]

J,

Yes, it does sound like there must be a common element in the family

picture for you. I would also bet you are right on target about the colon

problem being too much for too long for body to heal itself...

Hope you can find some relief for yourself.

Kay

----- Original Message -----

From: " chafarm123 " <chafarm@...>

<Rheumatoid Arthritis >

Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 6:55 PM

Subject: Re: Questions

>

>

> Kay,

> Thanks for your support..... My son has either UC or Crohn's

> disease (different experts disagree slightly) and in the four years

> he had it we tried many diets. (There was no reason not to, as he

> didn't respond to the immunologics and they had nothing else for

> him.) We did gluten free, casein free, you name it, and we were

> never able to reach a remission. It may be that by the time he was

> diagnosed (and spent four years confined to home) that even

> withdrawal of the offending dietary agent would not allow sufficient

> healing to save his colon.

> I have always thought that we must carry some type of a genetic

> flaw which has allowed UC in one, Type I diabetes in another,

> Hahimotos and RA in me, and asthma in the younger two. It's as if

> there is a common problem but something environmental is the

> determining factor in terms of what disease we develop.

> Best wishes,

> J

>

> > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Dear All,

> > > > > > > I was diagnosed with RA last week, although I have been

> > > > > > > complaining about some related concerns for almost 4

> years.

> > > (NOW

> > > > > > > they decide that " it would be malpractice NOT to send me

> to a

> > > > > > > rheumatologist " )

> > > > > > > I have read some of your messages and I wanted to ask

> you

> > > how

> > > > > > > many of you have problems principally with your hands and

> > > feet ?

> > > > > My

> > > > > > > chief areas of concern are primarily my hands, my toes,

> the

> > > bones

> > > > > in

> > > > > > > my feet, and to a lesser degree right now, my shoulders.

> It

> > > is

> > > > > > > amazing to me that the onset of this illness can be so

> slow

> > > and so

> > > > > > > insidious. I am a relatively young person and am shocked

> at

> > > how

> > > > > > > slowly but how steadily my ability to do certain things

> has

> > > become

> > > > > > > impaired.

> > > > > > > Thanks for being here,

> > > > > > > J

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > *

[Guest guest]

Some diseases are genetic we know. Others have variations that are genetic.

For example: my mother-in-law has lupus, her daughter has Fibromyalgia and her daughter has Crohns. The doc says they are all in the same family or auto-immune problems. Related, but not the same.

Hugs, Jacy

~I don't approve of political jokes: I've seen too many get elected.

jacymail@...www.geocities.com/mtn_rose

Want a signature like this?

----- Original Message -----

From: Kay Simpson

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 20:48

Subject: Re: Re: Questions

J, Yes, it does sound like there must be a common element in the familypicture for you. I would also bet you are right on target about the colonproblem being too much for too long for body to heal itself... Hope you can find some relief for yourself. Kay----- Original Message ----- From: "chafarm123" <chafarm@...><Rheumatoid Arthritis >Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 6:55 PMSubject: Re: Questions>>> Kay,> Thanks for your support..... My son has either UC or Crohn's> disease (different experts disagree slightly) and in the four years> he had it we tried many diets. (There was no reason not to, as he> didn't respond to the immunologics and they had nothing else for> him.) We did gluten free, casein free, you name it, and we were> never able to reach a remission. It may be that by the time he was> diagnosed (and spent four years confined to home) that even> withdrawal of the offending dietary agent would not allow sufficient> healing to save his colon.> I have always thought that we must carry some type of a genetic> flaw which has allowed UC in one, Type I diabetes in another,> Hahimotos and RA in me, and asthma in the younger two. It's as if> there is a common problem but something environmental is the> determining factor in terms of what disease we develop.> Best wishes,> J> > > > > > >> > > > > > >> > > > > > >> > > > > > > Dear All,> > > > > > > I was diagnosed with RA last week, although I have been> > > > > > > complaining about some related concerns for almost 4> years.> > > (NOW> > > > > > > they decide that "it would be malpractice NOT to send me> to a> > > > > > > rheumatologist")> > > > > > > I have read some of your messages and I wanted to ask> you> > > how> > > > > > > many of you have problems principally with your hands and> > > feet ?> > > > > My> > > > > > > chief areas of concern are primarily my hands, my toes,> the> > > bones> > > > > in> > > > > > > my feet, and to a lesser degree right now, my shoulders.> It> > > is> > > > > > > amazing to me that the onset of this illness can be so> slow> > > and so> > > > > > > insidious. I am a relatively young person and am shocked> at> > > how> > > > > > > slowly but how steadily my ability to do certain things> has> > > become> > > > > > > impaired.> > > > > > > Thanks for being here,> > > > > > > J> > > > > > >> > > > > > >> > > > > > >> > > > > > >> > > > > > >> > > > > > >> > > > > > >> > > > > > > *

[Guest guest]

Dear J,

Always remember that the good you do builds an atmosphere of peace within and around you. it heals you and supports you. You didn't help others so that they would be grateful.

It's ok to feel resentment when you're not getting the level of support that you need.

say it.

tell someone and then wait to hear their response.

i thought my sister (the one I live with now) was ignoring my ra. I even tried to make her talk to me about it, but she was always very reserved, giving me the impression that it was my problem and my condition ---> 'over there' and that she didn't want to acknowledge it or let it into our commun relationship...

but i found out that she was only frightened and hurting for me the day she realized i was in a lot of pain before i did and produced a bottle of alleve she had purchased for me.

she said, "you've gotta do soemthing about that pain, because you're really uptight"

LOL

that's when i discovered I couldn't really hide it anymore.

I've also had friends abandon me, but don't let their inability to cope poison your own existence. even when life is at it's worse there is some joy to be found. it's mostly in silence or natural pleasures like the stars or a landscape or the green or blue...

I'm rooting for you!!

love to you and yours

yellowchafarm123 <chafarm@...> wrote:

, I am very very recent in my actual diagnosis, but I had been a critical care RN prior to getting a degree in a related career and doing something a little different. Because I was a nurse, I had a feeling in the last four years that this could be the problem. Of course no one who lives inside a body.....physician, nurse or otherwise, can be objective enough to diagnose anything going on within it. If I were alone I would not handle any of this well. I am bitter and angry that I have helped others all of my life, and don't find people in general very caring or helpful.(Or doctors to be all that competent or even remember what we have said) Because I have kids, I put on the best face I can, do what I can, and rest a great deal. I find I am much more tired than normal. The

only time I can remember in life being this tired was during mono, and some phases of pregnancy. I think my husband is more affected by this even than I. He feels ok and is seeing my increasing limitations, and it's got to be scary imagining where this will end. I don't know whether I am truly worse or whether I am just giving in to the diagnosis a little and accepting the fact that I am not and can never be superwoman. I also note that I have the libido of a dead gnat, and I know this can't be positive for him either. We have decided to sell our large home on acreage and build something smaller. I have been finding keeping up hard even before the diagnosis was officially made. When we met with the builder I asked him to widen doors and change some thngs in the kitchen to make it wheelchair friendly. I did this principally because this may be our retirement home and because it

makes sense. I think my husband was truly frightened in that I was making handicapped modifications when they haven't yet even decided how I should ideally be treated. He said he wonders if I know something he does not. I told him that I simply know that I am failing in some ways and that I am creating an easier path for us both in the future. I think I am going to keep bitter and angry for awhile. I am finding that the family members (other than my husband and kids) which I have run the mile for when they are ill, haven't said much. Their general response was how my illness was going to adversely affect what I could do for them. I find that this has thrown me into a bit of a spiritual crisis in which I feel that I have spent too much time doing for others and that this was foolish. I am resetting my parameters and not being available for people as I once was. Instead of support for an

illness.......I am getting judgement for my being less willing to help. I find this is making me very angry. I am therefore resolving only to do things for my myself and my nuclear family. This is redefining who I am and I don't know whether it is a good thing, or not. I am angry, J> > Well thought this was interresting as i seem to have become withdrown and an a$$hole as everone thinks , yes i can see its brought out the angery and the temper is much worse dealing with pain all the time ( mine hasnt been gotten under any kind of controll yet ) so i still dont know or cannot deal with mine the dx didnt seem to bother me i was glad to put a name on the pain but i still so disapointed that nothings eased , withdrown and wanttalk LOL how do you all handle this ??> > later john> > > > >

> > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/13/04 5:28:21 PM, snowdrift52003@... writes:

I

am

> therefore resolving only to do things for my myself and my nuclear family

I think the best way to cope with a devastating disease like RA is to help people who are in

worse shape than you are.

For us, we help animals ...and go to nursing homes and volunteer.

Nothing takes the focus off your owm misery like being able to help somebody that would love to be in your shoes!

It doesn't have to be much...

I know RA is horrible, but there are those out there that are in much, much, worse shape..

It makes our problems seem so much smaller...

Reeves dying really puts it into perspective.....

Pris

Bored pig?

ANY age pig can learn tricks and obedience the EASY way!

Or, even become a star.

"Potbellied Pig Behavior and Training" book

discounted at

www.valentinesperformingpigs.com

[Guest guest]

> Instead of support for an illness.......I am getting judgement for

my

> being less willing to help. I find this is making me very angry. I

am

> therefore resolving only to do things for my myself and my nuclear

> family. This is redefining who I am and I don't know whether it is

a

> good thing, or not.

It sounds like a very good thing, and may be the blessing inside the

curse. Your letter was very powerful, I related very much to what you

had to say. Thank you for taking the time to write it out.

Sierra

[Guest guest]

Hi Gloria,

My RA came on very slowly just like yours. I had all kinds of aches and pains which I initially asscociated with running. I was a marathoner and have completed 6. During my last one in 2001 I knew something was seriously wrong when I was exhasted after just 5 miles of running. I did go on to finish put it took me 6 hours. After that my joints seemed to stay swollen. I was lucky because my GP was also a runner and knew imediately that something else was wrong. She did lots of blood work and my RA factor and sed rate were high. She sent me to a rheumy and the rest is history. I am currently on Remicade and Mexetrate. Some good days and some bad. I really hate the fatique.

I really miss running...

Rhonda gloriarex@... wrote:

Hi J:

My RA came on very slowly. At first it acted like plantar fascitis (I was a runner), then a Morton's neuroma. I had a crick in my neck that lasted about 6 months. After seeing a podiatrist and an orthopedist, I began to realize that there was a pattern to this pain and I began to suspect that it was something systemic and not specific to my feet.

It's been about 4 years since I was diagnosed. I've been through the whole round of drugs and my condition has gone from okay to bad to worse to much better. Through it all, my feet have been the focal point of my pain. But even under tons of medication, it still comes through in that spot. Sometimes my fingers are affected, but only for a couple of days at a time.

Hang in there and good luck to you.

gloria

[Guest guest]

The way I see it real friends do not move away from you because you have RA but

move closer to you. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for mere

acquaintances you thought were friends. God bless.

>

> From: " snowdrift52003 " <snowdrift52003@...>

> Date: 2004/10/14 Thu AM 12:26:08 GMT

> Rheumatoid Arthritis

> Subject: Re: Questions

>

>

> Instead of support for an illness.......I am getting judgement for

my

> being less willing to help. I find this is making me very angry. I

am

> therefore resolving only to do things for my myself and my nuclear

> family. This is redefining who I am and I don't know whether it is

a

> good thing, or not.

It sounds like a very good thing, and may be the blessing inside the

curse. Your letter was very powerful, I related very much to what you

had to say. Thank you for taking the time to write it out.

Sierra

[Guest guest]

Thanks Kay,

Beautifully said.

J

>(Snip)

> > Set you a deadline to be done with the anger. Move on and do

what you can.

> Hardships make us stronger... Struggles help us grow. It is not

what happens

> to us in life but how we handle what happens that makes the

difference. I

> once did aerobics three times a week and jogged 2 miles every other

day.

> Those days are gone but I am still able to care for my family and

walk my

> dogs.

> Think happy thoughts and get on with life!!! It uses less

muscles to

> smile!!

> Best wishes,

> Kay

>

[Guest guest]

Marcia Stoyle <marciastoyle@...> wrote:

Hello all,

Well thought this was interresting as i seem to have become withdrown and an a$$hole as everone thinks , yes i can see its brought out the angery and the temper is much worse dealing with pain all the time ( mine hasnt been gotten under any kind of controll yet ) so i still dont know or cannot deal with mine the dx didnt seem to bother me i was glad to put a name on the pain but i still so disapointed that nothings eased , withdrown and wanttalk LOL how do you all handle this ??

later johnhey, ! sooner or later you learn acceptance....you have RA and that's the way it is going to be from now on ....OK, you try to move forward inch by inch. it hurts all the time, yep, it sure does; but if I can just get a couple hours sleep, I can function. I still work full time...I am a newly-wed and have a hubby to take care of day by day. he is a great guy to stand by me, having 4 surgeries in 5 years; he talks of our retirement, and moving south to a warmer climate, and all the time (in the background) my RA lurks, but SO WHAT! live well and enjoy all you can - gentle hugs, Marcia

Thanks Marcia,

I to still work full time but as today i can home hobbling hardly able to go just so hard to keep on keeping on in such a demanding job !

later john

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[Guest guest]

wrote:

> for clarification, can u please help me with these questions:

>

> Don Wrote:

> *When your bowels can move on their own without any assistance and

> your pancreas can function again properly then you will no longer need

> to take them on a daily basis. *

> **

> *However, a little maintainence never hurts*

> **

> For arthritis I would strongly suggest you begin eating lots of raw

> garlic and *taking cayenne.*

> **

> Poultices of cayenne, lobelia, mullein, and slippery elm are good for

> arthritic joints. Cayenne, lobelia, origanum in unrefined cold pressed

> coconut oil is very good too. *Hot apple cider fomentations are also

> very good to help here.*

>

> *My Questions:*

>

> *how does one know if the pancreas is functioning properly? I have

> been having regular bowel movements before taking the herbs. *

>

> *What defines maintaince, 1-2 times a day?*

>

> *As in cayenne capsules? do i eat raw garlic out of hand, or can i

> juice it along with other veggies?*

>

> *Where do i apply these poultices, fomentations? Does that mean use

> apple cider directly on the skin/joints? *

>

> *thank you so much, Don. i really need to understand this as it's all

> new to me. *

>

> **

>

===================================

Hi ,

Maintenance dosage could be once a day to twice a week. This formula is

food. It is food for your body and pancreas as well as your bowels. If

you are having regular bowels movements then you probably won't need to

continue taking the bowel cleansing formula after finishing with the

bowel cleanse. Do feel free to do a good bowel cleanse at least twice a

year and better would be every two to three months.

How will you know if your pancreas is functioning properly? This is

where you learn to listen to what you body tells you. When your body no

longer needs anything to stimulate your pancreas it will let you know.

However, this formula can be continued for as long as you wish but once

your pancreas begins to function properly again just cut the dosage to a

minimum to continue feeding and strengthening it. All the juicing and

eating raw are going to help your pancreas as well. Not putting any

sugar and excess carbohydrates into your body will take a load off the

pancreas and allow it to heal. As I mentioned before this will take time.

You can take your cayenne in caps but it takes longer for them to do

what they need to do. It is your choice. Not everyone can stand having

'molten lava' in their mouths. You can either eat the garlic out of hand

or juice it up with your veggies. Either way it works really well.

The poultices and fomentations are usually applied directly over the

organ in question or the inflammed joints and muscles. Heat up your ACV,

but only to the point where you can still hold your finger in it without

too much pain, soak a flannel in it and wrap your joints with it. You

can and should also use cayenne too. Very beneficial for arthritic joints.

I hope I answered all of your questions . If not just let me know

alright? Peace be with you .

--

Peace, love and light,

Don Quai

" Spirit sleeps in the mineral, breathes in the vegetable, dreams in the animal

and wakes in man. "