Re: Another newly diagnosed

[Guest guest]

Hi!

The waiting room at your rheumatologist is probably full of only women because

many more women get these illnesses than men do. So you are just a lucky

minority, I'm afraid! You will get a lot of great info from the people on this

list. In the meantime, welcome, and Happy New Year and yes, it will get better.

Cary (I have RA also, and work full time as a registered nurse)

[Guest guest]

Hi!

The waiting room at your rheumatologist is probably full of only women because

many more women get these illnesses than men do. So you are just a lucky

minority, I'm afraid! You will get a lot of great info from the people on this

list. In the meantime, welcome, and Happy New Year and yes, it will get better.

Cary (I have RA also, and work full time as a registered nurse)

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group. We have several men here who can assure you that

you are not alone. Is your rheumatologist a man or a woman?

RA is a lifelong disease, but there are new medications that can

control it in most people. What medications are you taking now for it?

I have been on methotrexate, then Arava, and now Enbrel. I think that

aggressive treatment right from the start is important so that damage

to the joints is minimal. Mine was treated aggressively, and I don't

think any damage has been done to my joints.

a, our list owner, has a very helpful website. This is the URL:

http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

This is at the bottom of each email from for easy reference.

If you have specific questions, just ask away and someone will be sure

to answer them.

Sue

On Thursday, December 30, 2004, at 10:33 PM, goofnaturally wrote:

>

> I am sure you guys are tired of the new ones like me, but I don't

> really know what to do from here. I was newly diagnosed, (after a

> couple of years and 4 different orthopedic specialists), I don't know

> what to expect, my Rheumatologist seems to only be comfortable with

> women (it seems I am always the only man in the waiting room)and my

> GP just says it is a lifelong disease and he will help whenever he

> can. Is there some site to see what I need to get ready for?

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group. We have several men here who can assure you that

you are not alone. Is your rheumatologist a man or a woman?

RA is a lifelong disease, but there are new medications that can

control it in most people. What medications are you taking now for it?

I have been on methotrexate, then Arava, and now Enbrel. I think that

aggressive treatment right from the start is important so that damage

to the joints is minimal. Mine was treated aggressively, and I don't

think any damage has been done to my joints.

a, our list owner, has a very helpful website. This is the URL:

http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

This is at the bottom of each email from for easy reference.

If you have specific questions, just ask away and someone will be sure

to answer them.

Sue

On Thursday, December 30, 2004, at 10:33 PM, goofnaturally wrote:

>

> I am sure you guys are tired of the new ones like me, but I don't

> really know what to do from here. I was newly diagnosed, (after a

> couple of years and 4 different orthopedic specialists), I don't know

> what to expect, my Rheumatologist seems to only be comfortable with

> women (it seems I am always the only man in the waiting room)and my

> GP just says it is a lifelong disease and he will help whenever he

> can. Is there some site to see what I need to get ready for?

[Guest guest]

Welcome!!! This is a great group of people, there are guys and gals

here in the same boat you are. I'm sorry for the dx, but glad your

here, if your looking for support, and friends you have come to the

right place.

Maybe you should find another rheumy, if it's uncomfortable. What

type of meds are you on right now? It's a long road, but with the

right rheumy in your corner, and the right meds there is hope, Tawny

--- In , " goofnaturally " <knotaclue1@y...>

wrote:

>

>

> I am sure you guys are tired of the new ones like me, but I don't

> really know what to do from here. I was newly diagnosed, (after a

> couple of years and 4 different orthopedic specialists), I don't

know

> what to expect, my Rheumatologist seems to only be comfortable with

> women (it seems I am always the only man in the waiting room)and my

> GP just says it is a lifelong disease and he will help whenever he

> can. Is there some site to see what I need to get ready for?

[Guest guest]

Welcome!!! This is a great group of people, there are guys and gals

here in the same boat you are. I'm sorry for the dx, but glad your

here, if your looking for support, and friends you have come to the

right place.

Maybe you should find another rheumy, if it's uncomfortable. What

type of meds are you on right now? It's a long road, but with the

right rheumy in your corner, and the right meds there is hope, Tawny

>

>

> I am sure you guys are tired of the new ones like me, but I don't

> really know what to do from here. I was newly diagnosed, (after a

> couple of years and 4 different orthopedic specialists), I don't

know

> what to expect, my Rheumatologist seems to only be comfortable with

> women (it seems I am always the only man in the waiting room)and my

> GP just says it is a lifelong disease and he will help whenever he

> can. Is there some site to see what I need to get ready for?

[Guest guest]

I highly recommend the Arthritis Foundation website. I just

subscribed to their monthly magazine, too, and I love it. Very well

researched and written, with great design and variety of articles.

Sierra

--- In , " goofnaturally " <knotaclue1@y...>

wrote:

>

>

> I am sure you guys are tired of the new ones like me, but I don't

> really know what to do from here. I was newly diagnosed, (after a

> couple of years and 4 different orthopedic specialists), I don't

know

> what to expect, my Rheumatologist seems to only be comfortable with

> women (it seems I am always the only man in the waiting room)and my

> GP just says it is a lifelong disease and he will help whenever he

> can. Is there some site to see what I need to get ready for?

[Guest guest]

I highly recommend the Arthritis Foundation website. I just

subscribed to their monthly magazine, too, and I love it. Very well

researched and written, with great design and variety of articles.

Sierra

>

>

> I am sure you guys are tired of the new ones like me, but I don't

> really know what to do from here. I was newly diagnosed, (after a

> couple of years and 4 different orthopedic specialists), I don't

know

> what to expect, my Rheumatologist seems to only be comfortable with

> women (it seems I am always the only man in the waiting room)and my

> GP just says it is a lifelong disease and he will help whenever he

> can. Is there some site to see what I need to get ready for?

[Guest guest]

Welcome to our group. You've come to the right place to learn about

RA. I hope in time you will be more comfortable with your doctor. If

not, it may be a good idea to look for another rheumy, especially

since it will be a longterm relationship. No matter what doctor you

go to, there probably will be more woman than men since it affects

woman more frequently.

You will learn a lot from this list. It's a good idea to get copies

of all testing including blood tests. This will help you to monitor

what is going on.

I have a website that I've put together for our members to look up information:

http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/ This link is at the

bottom of each email for easy reference.

a

On Fri, 31 Dec 2004 03:33:00 -0000, goofnaturally <knotaclue1@...> wrote:

>

>

> I am sure you guys are tired of the new ones like me, but I don't

> really know what to do from here. I was newly diagnosed, (after a

> couple of years and 4 different orthopedic specialists), I don't know

> what to expect, my Rheumatologist seems to only be comfortable with

> women (it seems I am always the only man in the waiting room)and my

> GP just says it is a lifelong disease and he will help whenever he

> can. Is there some site to see what I need to get ready for?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome to our group. You've come to the right place to learn about

RA. I hope in time you will be more comfortable with your doctor. If

not, it may be a good idea to look for another rheumy, especially

since it will be a longterm relationship. No matter what doctor you

go to, there probably will be more woman than men since it affects

woman more frequently.

You will learn a lot from this list. It's a good idea to get copies

of all testing including blood tests. This will help you to monitor

what is going on.

I have a website that I've put together for our members to look up information:

http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/ This link is at the

bottom of each email for easy reference.

a

On Fri, 31 Dec 2004 03:33:00 -0000, goofnaturally <knotaclue1@...> wrote:

>

>

> I am sure you guys are tired of the new ones like me, but I don't

> really know what to do from here. I was newly diagnosed, (after a

> couple of years and 4 different orthopedic specialists), I don't know

> what to expect, my Rheumatologist seems to only be comfortable with

> women (it seems I am always the only man in the waiting room)and my

> GP just says it is a lifelong disease and he will help whenever he

> can. Is there some site to see what I need to get ready for?

>

>

>