Re: Newly Diagnosed with RA

[Guest guest]

Carissa,

Hello and welcome to our group. I was diagnosed when i was 12, I am now 36. I

understand the depression. I am going through a real rough time too. Everyone in

the group understands what you are going through. You will be in my Prayers

Trudy in ohio

cneupie <carissaneupert@...> wrote:

Hello -

I have been recently diagnosed with RA. I am only 26 and am

depressed about the diagnosis. Is there anyone else who was

diagnosed young and doing well with whom I could chat?

Thanks!

Carissa

[Guest guest]

Hi Carissa,

I was 22 when I was diagnosed with RA I am 48 now. It can be a very

depessing feeling. There are so many drugs that can truly help you to

lead a full life now, so try to keep you chin up. Ask lots of questions.

Janc

>

>

> Hello -

>

> I have been recently diagnosed with RA. I am only 26 and am

> depressed about the diagnosis. Is there anyone else who was

> diagnosed young and doing well with whom I could chat?

>

> Thanks!

> Carissa

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome Carissa. I was diagnosed when I was around 24 and I'm now 50.

I had many rough years, but managed to raise 2 kids in spite of my

problems. The RA is manageable now with the new meds that are

available. Sorry about your diagnosis. Try to keep up your spirits.

We have many members that live full lives in spite of RA.

a

On Wed, 02 Feb 2005 02:39:14 -0000, cneupie <carissaneupert@...> wrote:

>

>

> Hello -

>

> I have been recently diagnosed with RA. I am only 26 and am

> depressed about the diagnosis. Is there anyone else who was

> diagnosed young and doing well with whom I could chat?

>

> Thanks!

> Carissa

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your message. I feel really isolated because I don't

know anyone else with the disease. The only people I've met are from

the rheumatologist's office. Many of them look really ill. It's

not encouraging.

Thanks for the prayers, too.

Carissa

>

>

> Hello -

>

> I have been recently diagnosed with RA. I am only 26 and am

> depressed about the diagnosis. Is there anyone else who was

> diagnosed young and doing well with whom I could chat?

>

> Thanks!

> Carissa

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi!

Sounds to me like your doctor is aware of the most current info. about

RA and wants to keep your joints free of damage. Aggressive, early

treatment is the best approach to this disease. I tried many

alternative remedies before meds, but have gotten very good results

from methotrexate, which I've been on for about a year. Close

monitoring on these meds is the key to preventing the scary side

effects. I still watch my diet carefully (I have sensitivities to

wheat, dairy, and yeast), get acupunture, massage, swim, do yoga and

Qigong, etc. but the meds have been the most helpful thing. Yes,

reading about the side effects can be scary, but trust me, the

unchecked progression of the disease is far more frightening. I have a

parent who refuses to get any medical care for her RA, so I speak from

direct experience.

Sierra

> Hi everyone,

> My doctor just confirmed on Friday that I have RA. I first went to

him

> 3 weeks ago after about 2 months of severe pain, swelling and

> stiffness. He put me on Celebrex and 10mg of prednisone and I had

> relief the next day. (I had forgotten how it felt to be pain free).

> Anyway, on Friday he told me that he wanted to start me on

Methotrexate

> and either Remecade or Enbrel. I went back to work and did a bit of

> research and was horrified to see the side effects associated with

all

> of these. It seems to me that he's jumping way ahead considering

that

> the MRI showed no joint damage. From what I've been reading, I

appear

> to be in the first stage. So, my questions to everyone are - what

> other options are available? What about alternative remedies? Does

> anyone have advice on following a particular diet? Thanks in advance!

> Amy