23 w/ RA need someone to talk to. :-)

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My name is and I was diagnosed with Rhuematory Arthritis

when I was 18 years old. I am now so bad off that I am trying for SS.

It seems like everyday is a struggle for me. I feel as though I were

80 not 23. My knee's swell up like balloons at least twice a month

and it takes me close to 3 weeks to get it down. My father has

Ankylosis Spondilitis and RA. I would like very much if anyone in the

same situation would write me or email me. You can email me at

Luv4Mulder@....

Luv,

[Guest guest]

Welcome to our group, . I'm not in the same situation that you are,

but I want you to know that I care. You can come here to talk anytime you

need to.

What treatment are you on for your rheumatoid arthritis? Are you under the

care of a rheumatologist?

We have several members here who were diagnosed as children who most likely

can relate to your situation and can offer some words of encouragement and

advice.

I'm sorry things have gotten so bad, but maybe with different meds you could

feel somewhat better. Please let me know what you think.

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

From: <mns_vs_theunexplained@...>

< >

Sent: Friday, May 11, 2001 11:35 PM

Subject: [ ] 23 w/ RA need someone to talk to. :-)

> Hi,

> My name is and I was diagnosed with Rhuematory Arthritis

> when I was 18 years old. I am now so bad off that I am trying for SS.

> It seems like everyday is a struggle for me. I feel as though I were

> 80 not 23. My knee's swell up like balloons at least twice a month

> and it takes me close to 3 weeks to get it down. My father has

> Ankylosis Spondilitis and RA. I would like very much if anyone in the

> same situation would write me or email me. You can email me at

> Luv4Mulder@....

>

> Luv,

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I can really relate to how you feel. I was 20 when I

started with my knee swelling up like a balloon. Mine was

one knee, which was constantly drained and shot up with

cortisone. It kept me working until I became pregnant with

my second child at age 30. Prior to that, only my knee and

ankle were involved, and it was tolerable. After having my

son, I kept a lot of the 80 lbs that I gained and it really

affected my back, neck, ankles and knee. I went on SS, and

am still on it at age 46. Recently I started back working

for the first time in 17 years. It took a long time to get

my meds straightened out because I was misdiagnosed with RA.

Last year I changed doctors and found out I don't have RA, I

have PA (psoriatic arthritis) and FM (fibromyalgia). I'm

currently on Enbrel, MTX, Vioxx & Trazadone. I feel better

than I've felt in many years. Are just your knees

bothering you? How are your hands and feet?

a

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

From: mns_vs_theunexplained@...

[mailto:mns_vs_theunexplained@...]

Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2001 12:35 AM

Subject: [ ] 23 w/ RA need someone to talk to. :-)

Hi,

My name is and I was diagnosed with Rhuematory

Arthritis

when I was 18 years old. I am now so bad off that I am

trying for SS.

It seems like everyday is a struggle for me. I feel as

though I were

80 not 23. My knee's swell up like balloons at least twice

a month

and it takes me close to 3 weeks to get it down. My father

has

Ankylosis Spondilitis and RA. I would like very much if

anyone in the

same situation would write me or email me. You can email

me at

Luv4Mulder@....

Luv,