Introducing myself

[Guest guest]

Hi. I didn't just want to be a 'list lurker' so thought I'd introduce

myself. I live in Wellington, New Zealand and am currently in the throes of

my 3rd bout of ReA.

The initial bout was triggered by campylobacter food poisoning and the later

ones by stressful events. This current flare was triggered a year ago when

my older brother was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, which he died from

last August. The ReA just grumbled along (one limb at a time) until he died

and then it went beserk! I wonder if this is a common occurrence?

I've been lucky because I've had a few years remission between each flare.

But each flare has been worse than the one before it - is this common too?

At present I have a swollen knee, swollen elbow (same side) painful lower

back and neck. This has also been the most painful flare up so far. I see

my rheumatologist later this week and expect to go on some DMARDs of some

description (steroid injections and indocin aren't cutting it.)

My worst symptom at the moment though, is depression: I guess this is pretty

normal too?!

Anyway, it is just great joining up with a listserv full of people who have

the same weird type of illness as you. I send you all greetings from

down-under!