New to the group

[Guest guest]

Hi Joy I'm Tracey and I live in Nowra, New South Wales, Australia. I have 6 children under 8 yo 5 boys and my little girl is 6 weeks old.

Welcome to this wonderful group of people and welcome to your path of wholeness and wellbeing. I'm sure you will learn a lot from this group I certainly have.

Blessings

Tracey

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the welcome Suzi! I'm going to a naturopathic doctor this

Tuesday and she does some thing called Body Talk (I think that's what

it's called). I keep you and the group posted.

Suzanne wrote:

Welcome Joy! You can find alot of info in the archive files and

in the message archives... and ask away too! I think you'll enjoy

your stay here.

Suzi

joymail59 <sharethejoy@...> wrote:

Just

joining the group. Learning all I can about health and nutrition.

Feeling good about organic eating and embracing the path I'm on toward

wholeness, both for myself and my 5 yr old daughter and my husband. We

are both 46 yrs young.

Nice to meet you,

Joy in Florida

(soon to be in NC)

Suzi

What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet

been discovered.

health/

www.onegrp.com/?mamanott organic cosmetics

http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/

FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

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--

Joy Colson

Joy Colson

Senior

Consultant

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[Guest guest]

Thank you , I'm a huge fan of humor myself! I attempted the raw

only thing but got so stressed out over it because I didn't know what

to feed me or my family. I love the idea but I'm so not good with food,

I could use lots help going raw, that's for sure. As for herbs, it's

much easier to make that transition for me. Nice to meet ya!

wrote:

Joy, welcome to the group!! I'm , the "comic relief". We all

have different paths to health and wellness, mine focuses on humour,

though I am a vegan, almost all raw foodist, and am hooked on herbs and

stuff.

We are quite a family here. I hope your time with us will be as

much a growth experience for you as it will be for us.

Peace, love, laughter

"You can't help respecting anybody who can spell TUESDAY,

even if he doesn't spell it right; but spelling isn't everything. There

are days when spelling Tuesday simply doesn't count."

joymail59 <sharethejoy@...> wrote:

Just

joining the group. Learning all I can about health and nutrition.

Feeling good about organic eating and embracing the path I'm on toward

wholeness, both for myself and my 5 yr old daughter and my husband. We

are both 46 yrs young.

Nice to meet you,

Joy in Florida

(soon to be in NC)

FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG Free Edition.

Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.12.8/162 - Release Date: 11/5/2005

--

Joy Colson

Joy Colson

Senior

Consultant

Cookie Lee Jewelry

(239)

489-4929 or (239)

910-3536

Sharing joy through fine fashion jewelry

Earn free jewelry today!

Home shows, Office shows and Fundraisers

[Guest guest]

Joy Colson wrote:

Thank you , I'm a huge fan of humor myself! I attempted the raw

only thing but got so stressed out over it because I didn't know what

to feed me or my family. I love the idea but I'm so not good with food,

I could use lots help going raw, that's for sure. As for herbs, it's

much easier to make that transition for me. Nice to meet ya!

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

Hi Joy,

Welcome to the group. I hope and believe that you will find lots here

of interest. As to going raw, well, just eat what you feel like eating

but only raw. There really is no magic in it. Just eat what you feel

like eating and don't worry about mixing or fixing. Feel like eating

apples then eat apples. Feel like eating some celery eat some celery.

Or anything else for that matter. The idea is to get away from cooking.

Eat lots of salads with homemade dressings of tahini, olive oil and

sunflower seeds or something like that. Blend up an avocado with some

sunflower seeds or sesame seeds and use that with some lemon juice.

There are many raw food groups and even more raw food sites with advice

(some good, some not) on makin's for meals.

I have found that for me it is much easier to just keep it simple. I

very seldom use my dehydrator anymore for anything food wise. I don't

make any extravagant raw recipes either. Too time consuming. That is

what being raw is all about, keeping it simple. This way you end up

with more time to do other things. I pretty much eat just lots of fruit

and tender greens salads anymore. Don't get me wrong, I still have

cravings for such things as potatoes and breads. But those cravings

will go away over time.

I guess what I am trying to say is don't stress. That is probably worse

than eating cooked. Take it as you go. If the family is interested in

eating all raw then that is fine but if not then you are going to have

a situation occur if you are trying to change them over to raw without

their choosing for themselves. Might be best just to work on yourself

and allow you to be the example that they will eventually follow

someday. If you wish to gently lead them then do it slowly and just

begin to incorporate more raw foods into their diets. Take your time

doing it though. Eventually they will become healthier for it.

There are quite a few raw food folks on this list who will give you

some good advice as well. Welcome and make yourself at home.

-- Peace be with you, Joy.

Don "Quai" Eitner

"Spirit sleeps in the mineral, breathes in the vegetable, dreams in the animal and wakes in man."

Nearly all men die of their remedies, and not of their illnesses. ~Baptiste Molière, Le Malade Imaginaire

The obstacle is the path. ~Zen Proverb

[Guest guest]

Dear Sandy- I cant self inject. I have a morbid fear of needles which prompted me to try Remicade. It is given by IV every 8 weeks. Its a cake walk in comparison to self injectables. I hate needles more than you can imagine. I feel your fear and have been there. I so love Remicade. It works so well for me when taken with MTX. Everyone feels different after their first infusion. I felt a remarkable difference not even a week afterward. I started in 2000. I cant say enough about it. Its all over the internet. There is also another drug called MRA which is being tested which may work as well as Remicade or Enbrel or better. They have found a way to block the inflammatory response of cells in patients who have lupus which is a kissing cousin to RA, since lots of people have both. Ask your Doctor about MRA and see what he/she has to say about it. yours, Deborah

On 2/21/06, sandradee_200340 <mrssdaniels2@...> wrote:

Hi,My name is Sandy and I have had RA for over 7 years now, and have nowbeen also diagnosed with FM. Oh joy! Anyhow, my Dr. prescribed

Humira injections for me starting Thursday...that is the day I willlearn how to give my self the injections. Let me tell you...SCAREDcan't begin to describe how I feel about this whole thing. I hateneedles!!! Please, please, someone help me out here and give me the

411 on the drug itself, does it help, and how bad is it givingyourself a shot every week? I am freaked!!!ThanksSandy>> Is there any reason why your doctor has not tried the TNF blocking

drugs, i.e.> Enbrel or Humira? IMO they work better than anything you arecurrently on.>> >> > >> > My name is Holly and I am new to the group. I have lupus and> > rheumatoid arthritis. My RA is kicking my butt. I started on

> > prednisone, plaquenil, safasalazin, and volteren 4 months ago,and in> > that time my sed rate tripled. The medicine did not work. Mydoctor> > told me that there is a 90% chance that I will be in a wheelchair

by> > my 27th birthday next December. She wants me to try aexperimental> > drug called MRA that is supposed to be better than methotrexate.Has> > anyone tried this, or even heard about it. I have 2 weeks to

make my> > decision, and I am really scared, but feel like I have no other> > choices as my inflamation is just getting worse. Any thoughts?> > Thanks, Holly> >>

[Guest guest]

I guess it is an individual preference because I would not like to do the IV

drugs! I take Humira every other week. You get used to giving yourself the

shot. Humira burns, I won't lie. Some things that can help is leaving the med

out for 1/2 hour before injecting, icing the area prior to injecting, and some

say

rotating the needle while you are injecting.

I have had so much improvement from Humira I am sure it saved me from

being in a wheelchair or needing surgery. I hope you do too.

Good luck,

> > >

> > > My name is Holly and I am new to the group. I have lupus and

> > > rheumatoid arthritis. My RA is kicking my butt. I started on

> > > prednisone, plaquenil, safasalazin, and volteren 4 months ago,

> and in

> > > that time my sed rate tripled. The medicine did not work. My

> doctor

> > > told me that there is a 90% chance that I will be in a wheelchair

> by

> > > my 27th birthday next December. She wants me to try a

> experimental

> > > drug called MRA that is supposed to be better than methotrexate.

> Has

> > > anyone tried this, or even heard about it. I have 2 weeks to

> make my

> > > decision, and I am really scared, but feel like I have no other

> > > choices as my inflamation is just getting worse. Any thoughts?

> > > Thanks, Holly

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

I felt the same way. Freaked, scared, hate needles, etc.

Humira has helped to slow down and reduce the swelling(which reduces

the pain). Tell yourself that this is going to help. Making your

brain and heart believe it will help your RA is definately a good

thing.

The first time I had to have my neighbor who is a RN come over and

do it for me. The second time I had my God Daughter beside me for

moral support. After that I decided there may not always be someone

around so this was something I needed to learn for myself by myself.

Get yourself in the most peaceful surroundings. Whatever helps to

calm (favorite tv show, music). Don't feel you have to hurry or worry

about messing up. I found it's easier in my legs than my stomache.

Read the instructions and perhaps go through the motions a couple of

times. I have learned where I don't have veins so I totally skip the

step of checking for them. I also don't do the pinch because it seems

to put mental pressure on me to hit that exact spot. Make sure you do

get a good angle on the insertion and get it as far in as you can-

because I've found that as I'm injecting the drug, the needle seems

to want to back out(that could be just a mental thing with me) but

doing things this way has helped me to overcome my fears.

I'm not gonna lie to you, it will hurt a little. Although trips to

the dentist rank a lot higher on the pain meter.

I've only been taking Humira for under a year. I still don't like

the needle but afterwards, I lay back on my bed and mentally picture

the drug working it's way to all my joints, as if it has a big stop

sign and is telling my blood to leave my joints alone.

My RN at my Rheumy's office told me that each time will get easier.

It will! Use the mental things-be your own coach. We can all achieve

whatever we set our minds to do, sometimes we just need a little help.

Your friend,

Renita

> > >

> > > My name is Holly and I am new to the group. I have lupus and

> > > rheumatoid arthritis. My RA is kicking my butt. I started on

> > > prednisone, plaquenil, safasalazin, and volteren 4 months ago,

> and in

> > > that time my sed rate tripled. The medicine did not work. My

> doctor

> > > told me that there is a 90% chance that I will be in a

wheelchair

> by

> > > my 27th birthday next December. She wants me to try a

> experimental

> > > drug called MRA that is supposed to be better than

methotrexate.

> Has

> > > anyone tried this, or even heard about it. I have 2 weeks to

> make my

> > > decision, and I am really scared, but feel like I have no other

> > > choices as my inflamation is just getting worse. Any thoughts?

> > > Thanks, Holly

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

I started Humira six weeks ago. I took my third shot over the

weekend. I take it every two weeks. I was on Enbrel and methotrexate

shots but the enbrel was not working and the methotrexate was trying

to kill me! LOL Too many side effects.

Humira for me has been a nightmare. The needles are dull. I had to

push really hard to get it to go into the skin this time. the first

two shots the needles were fine. I never had a problem with dull

needles on Enbrel 25mg nor did I ahve a problem with the methotrexate

injections either. I had super sharp needles that you never even

flet.

Then the medication its self burns like FIRE!!!! Its like injecting

acid into your skin. The first time it burned a little so you have

to go really sloow....inject a little bit and then stop and wait for

the burning to stop and then continue until you get it all in. This

last time no matter what it burned!!! And the burn lasted all

evening!!! It was like a pocket of acid burning under my skin.

Now I am VERY good at giving shots and I am an ex-paramedic...I have

taken all the tips I have...but nothing works with this stuff. I am

about to report the burning,large lump and nasty bruise I have under

my skin from it to my doc and to Humira.

The good news is that I get immediate relief for about two days after

I take the shot, followed by serious in the bed fatigue for 2-4 days

after that. Then it seems to wear off and I suffer until the next

shot. I also have suddenly developed really loose floppy joints

since starting this drug.

Toni

> > >

> > > My name is Holly and I am new to the group. I have lupus and

> > > rheumatoid arthritis. My RA is kicking my butt. I started on

> > > prednisone, plaquenil, safasalazin, and volteren 4 months ago,

> and in

> > > that time my sed rate tripled. The medicine did not work. My

> doctor

> > > told me that there is a 90% chance that I will be in a

wheelchair

> by

> > > my 27th birthday next December. She wants me to try a

> experimental

> > > drug called MRA that is supposed to be better than

methotrexate.

> Has

> > > anyone tried this, or even heard about it. I have 2 weeks to

> make my

> > > decision, and I am really scared, but feel like I have no other

> > > choices as my inflamation is just getting worse. Any thoughts?

> > > Thanks, Holly

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I'm chiming in again to say that the Humira burns only a couple of minutes for

me and I do not get any fatigue. Humira took me from severe to mild to

moderate pain and I can function. I'm not doubting what Toni says but I

wanted to give you another profile!

Another thing that helps me is that I give myself the shot in front of my

computer and I either put up a picture or a video of something I like and it

distracts me from the pain. After I am done, I just surf the net, I do not get

up

for a little while!

> > > >

> > > > My name is Holly and I am new to the group. I have lupus and

> > > > rheumatoid arthritis. My RA is kicking my butt. I started on

> > > > prednisone, plaquenil, safasalazin, and volteren 4 months ago,

> > and in

> > > > that time my sed rate tripled. The medicine did not work. My

> > doctor

> > > > told me that there is a 90% chance that I will be in a

> wheelchair

> > by

> > > > my 27th birthday next December. She wants me to try a

> > experimental

> > > > drug called MRA that is supposed to be better than

> methotrexate.

> > Has

> > > > anyone tried this, or even heard about it. I have 2 weeks to

> > make my

> > > > decision, and I am really scared, but feel like I have no other

> > > > choices as my inflamation is just getting worse. Any thoughts?

> > > > Thanks, Holly

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Another humira user here. i've taken humira since August...before August I had a lot of problems with stiffness and pain even while on prednisone and MTX. So my RD thought I was at an impasse with MTX and pred and had me go into a study group for humira. I did and the day after my first injection I woke up with almost all of the stiffness gone. It worked for me immediatley. Have not had any dull needles, but do have a "sting" after each injection. It only stings after we get 2/3 thru the shot, then less than a minute after. It just feels like someone swiped a cut with alcohol .

Last injection my husband took the needle out soon as he saw me wince and injected the rest of it into a new spot. I called humira to ask if that was ok, cuz when he did that I had hardly no sting. Humira called my house and told me they don't recommend you do that as you can get an infection (actually they have never studied doing it that way and would not recommend it). When i told them why he did it, they had me speak to a saftey person to report that I have a sting after injections. So I made the report.

My opinion is that the sting is not bad at all compared to the regular RA pain that I have. I'd take the sting over pain any day for a medication that helps me have more energy, do things i used to do, slow down the progression of RA, and take away most of my pain and stiffness. It's not as bad as people make it out to be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maggie

http://www.4HockeyFans.com

http://www.4FloridaHockey.com

-----Original Message-----From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ]On Behalf Of Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 8:07 PMRheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Re: New to the groupI'm chiming in again to say that the Humira burns only a couple of minutes for me and I do not get any fatigue. Humira took me from severe to mild to moderate pain and I can function. I'm not doubting what Toni says but I wanted to give you another profile!Another thing that helps me is that I give myself the shot in front of my computer and I either put up a picture or a video of something I like and it distracts me from the pain. After I am done, I just surf the net, I do not get up for a little while!

[Guest guest]

I also am a humeri user. I think everyone has a different reaction to medicines. Myself i could have died from mobic as it made me go into kidney failure. I inject5t myself each week with Humeri. I like to take out of the fridge, and then go take my shower while it warms up 30-45 minutes. Yes sometimes for me it can have a bit of a sting, but I feel it is worth it. But I feel my fatigue is better now than it was before I started taking this drug. in WI~Maggie~ <meshouse@...> wrote: Another humira user here. i've taken humira since August...before August I had a lot of problems with stiffness and pain even while on prednisone and

MTX. So my RD thought I was at an impasse with MTX and pred and had me go into a study group for humira. I did and the day after my first injection I woke up with almost all of the stiffness gone. It worked for me immediatley. Have not had any dull needles, but do have a "sting" after each injection. It only stings after we get 2/3 thru the shot, then less than a minute after. It just feels like someone swiped a cut with alcohol . Last injection my husband took the needle out soon as he saw me wince and injected the rest of it into a new spot. I called humira to ask if that was ok, cuz when he did that I had hardly no sting. Humira called my house and told me they don't recommend you do that as you can get an infection (actually they have never studied

doing it that way and would not recommend it). When i told them why he did it, they had me speak to a saftey person to report that I have a sting after injections. So I made the report. My opinion is that the sting is not bad at all compared to the regular RA pain that I have. I'd take the sting over pain any day for a medication that helps me have more energy, do things i used to do, slow down the progression of RA, and take away most of my pain and stiffness. It's not as bad as people make it out to be. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maggie http://www.4HockeyFans.com http://www.4FloridaHockey.com -----Original Message-----From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ]On Behalf Of Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 8:07 PMRheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Re: New to the groupI'm chiming in again to say that the Humira burns only a couple of minutes for me and I do not get any fatigue. Humira took me from severe to mild to moderate pain and I can function. I'm not doubting what Toni says but I wanted to give you another profile!Another thing that

helps me is that I give myself the shot in front of my computer and I either put up a picture or a video of something I like and it distracts me from the pain. After I am done, I just surf the net, I do not get up for a little while!

Autos. Looking for a sweet ride? Get pricing, reviews, more on new and used cars.

[Guest guest]

Just wanted to say " hi " ...I'm so happy that I found a group like this.

Somewhere I can go to read something to help me always remember what's

most important. To keep me balanced and calm when I need it. I look

forward to meeting all of you and hopefully contributing as much as I

see all of you have.

Brightest Blessings,

[Guest guest]

I welcome!!!Stefanie <diddiejar@...> wrote: Hello , and bright blessings to you too love. It's wonderful to have you here! Infinite love and light,Stefanie>> Just wanted to say "hi"...I'm so happy that I found a group like this. > Somewhere I

can go to read something to help me always remember what's > most important. To keep me balanced and calm when I need it. I look > forward to meeting all of you and hopefully contributing as much as I > see all of you have.> > Brightest Blessings,> > __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group. I’ve

been gone for a week so I’m late in responding. I haven’t

read the other responses yet so this may be a bunch of duplication. I’m

not medically trained but I will give my opinions on things. You are wise

in getting in to see a real rheumatologist because RA or related diseases are

quite variable and it takes an expert to provide proper treatment and

diagnosis. (Notice that I put treatment first because many things similar

to RA respond to similar treatments so I think effective treatment is much more

important than an accurate diagnosis.) Prednisone is a strong anti-inflammatory

so it often relieves most of the symptoms of RA. It is useful for

temporary relief and as an aid in diagnosis to see whether inflammation is

involved. However, it is not as effective as other treatments in slowing

or stopping the permanent joint damage that can accompany RA or similar

illnesses. In addition, it has some bad side effects such as bone loss

when taken for long times at high doses. You are currently on a moderate

dose but even that should be avoided if you can function well without it.

RA affects people in many different ways so

it can be very hard to diagnose in some cases. Other times people have a

textbook case that is easy to diagnose. Any joint can be affected with RA

and sometimes the affected joint or joints vary from day to day. In some

cases it goes by the special name of Palindromic Arthritis that as far as I

know is treated just like RA. Other times the same joints are affected

all the time but usually the severity varies from time to time. When

things get bad we call it a “flare” and that can last for days or

even weeks. However, a flare lasting several days should be reported to

the rheumatologist in case a change in treatment is warranted. There are

many joints in the neck and any of these may be affected by RA. Some or

all of the symptoms you describe could originate in the neck and be referred to

other locations through signals in the nervous system. Of course, it is

also possible that the symptoms originate elsewhere and are referred to the

neck. This is one of the reasons we need a specialist to treat our RA or

related problems.

I don’t know the extent to which

your neck surgery could affect your current problems but I can imagine that

there is a connection. However, I think of surgery or injury leading to

Osteoarthritis more often than leading to RA. I don’t think the

surgery can cause the RA but it can trigger it if you have the other conditions

that permit it. Your rheumatologist will have to determine what the cause

might be, treat the suspected cause, and then wait to see if things start to

resolve. It is unlikely that you will get a definite answer but you

should get a path forward that will either help things or provide additional

information. Unfortunately RA is so variable that only our own bodies can

tell us what works and what doesn’t and it is up to the rheumatologist

and you to ask the right questions of your body.

My response doesn’t really give you

answers but I hope it does give you a better understanding of what you are

facing. Please let us know what questions or concerns you have and keep

us posted about your treatments. God bless.

Harold

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of Kim on

Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 9:22 AM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject:

New to the group

Hi all,

I'm new to this group. I've just been diagnosed with RA and have been

having mild to moderate pain in many of my joints. It started as a

sore wrist with some swelling and within a couple of weeks seemed to be

all over. Our only local Rhuematologist usually has a three month

wait, but I will be able to get in in only three weeks due to a

cancellation. I'm currently on 10 mg of Prednisone a day perscribed by

my regular dr. until I can get into see the Rhem. I'm so tired and seem

to ache all over. I've also been having headaches/migranes as well as

pain in my wrists, fingers, toes, ankles, feet, and neck. Do all of

these symptoms follow with the RA diagnosis? I'm especially wondering

about the neck because I had neck surgergy a year and a half ago

because of a bulging disc. This surgery resolved my daily neck pain and

headaches, which I had had for ten years, but now I'm having them

again, especially with rainy weather. Two days ago, my neck was so

stiff and the headache was so bad that I ended up in the emergency room

for pain management. It took three doses of pain meds and I still woke

up the next morning with a stiff neck and mild headache. Does RA

affect the neck?

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the board. You need to be seeing a

board-certified rheumatologist because few other doctors are qualified to

either diagnose or treat RA or related diseases. Most people with RA get

effective control of their disease and lead pretty normal lives and usually the

ones who feel poorly enough to remain posting on message boards are the ones

who have not achieved good control. The expected prognosis is much better

than you might guess by reading message boards. Also the warnings about

medications are written to protect against lawsuits so they list all possible

side effects including rare events that may or may not really be associated

with the medications. You might look up the warnings for aspirin or some

other familiar medication to see what I mean. Also the warnings do not

distinguish between the normal dose and the highest dose likely to be

prescribed. This is particularly true for Methotrexate that is used at

low dose for RA and at much higher doses for cancer. In general the

medication have unlikely side effects, almost all of which are reversible by

stopping the medication. On the other hand, joint damage from untreated

RA is completely irreversible. Most people with RA prefer medication to

the risk of joint damage.

Actually the doctor knows which treatments will work best on

average but each individual is different so what works best on average might

not be best for some people. We actually have to try a treatment and let

our bodies tell us and the doctor what works and what does not. Being

alert to the possible side effects is good because if you get signs of some of

the more serious side effects you need to alert your doctor to see if you

should stop that one and try something else. It has to be a matter of

trial and error. This is further complicated by the fact that most good

RA medications can take several weeks or months to really know if they are

helping. I favor starting early with multiple treatments and when the RA

is controlled, back off one at a time to see if that is the one that is

helping. Problems from medications are uncommon and usually reversible,

while damage from untreated RA is likely and permanent.

The stress you are feeling is normal, but it is

counterproductive. That’s why many people with RA are also on anti-anxiety

or anti-depressant medications. You might ask about them. Reducing

your stress in some way is one of the best ways of treating RA. I relieve

my stress through prayers, and some use yoga or other disciplines.

Finding some stress reduction method that works for you will be helpful.

God bless.

From:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

[mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of hicks

Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2008 5:33 PM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: new to the group

Hi, I am Ginger a 42 yo who was diagnosed this

year with RA. It only

has been about 7 weeks since my diagnosis and I have already felt like

I have experienced a whole realm of emotions. I have been researching

RA on the web and seems my symptoms are very mild in comparison to

others who are afflicted. I feel very fortunate but at the same time I

am very terrified that the stories I have read will be my destiny as

there is no cure for RA. I have the best husband a girl can ask for,

he is my support right now and have been blessed to have him in my

life. My daughter is moving back home so she will be there to help me

in times of the RA worsens. My support system at the moment is

outstanding but do crave the support of people who have the same

experiences as I have encountered. I am scheduled to see the RA doc in

December and scared to death of the horrific medications she may offer

to slow the RA. I have heard to do research before taking anything but

how is that possible. The doctor is suppose to know what is best but

the information I have read, it sounds as if the patient tells the

doctor what drugs will work etc. Outside the fact RA will at some

point cripple a person, the medicine factor is most terrifying. I

would love to hear from any one about their experiences with RA.

No virus

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Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com

Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.8.6/1769 - Release Date: 11/5/2008 7:17

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