Guest guest Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 Hi Carissa, This is Steph in VA. I'm 27 and was diagnosed in 1999 at the age 22. I was in my last semester at college. Depression is natural in your case because you are losing a part of yourself -- your health, regardless of how severe your arthritis is. I refer to the onset of my arthritis as " when I got sick " because I have a clear line of what I was like before and how my life has changed. I wish I had a group like this when I was diagnosed. A little bit about me: my arthritis came out very quickly. In a matter of days I lost the complete use of the left side of my body (which is my dominant side). As symptoms worsened over several months, I was tested for MS, lupus, brain tumors and a host of other equally awful illnesses. On November 8, 2 months after my onset, I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis. Since being diagnosed with arthritis, I have tried almost every Rx available. I am still within normal range on my annual bone density tests and I have completed 1 full and 1 half marathon for the Arthritis Foundation's Joints in Motion training team. I attribute my current health to a persistent diagnosing rheumy that believed in aggressive treatment of my arthritis. Due to his help & persistence, I began taking methotrexate 4 weeks after being diagnosed, Enbrel after 3 months and Remicade after 5 months. He badgered my insurance company for coverage of the expensive meds. As it turns out Remicade, which I still take, was approved by the FDA for RA the same month I was diagnosed. My current meds are: Prednisone, Azulfidine EN, Ibuprofen, Folic Acid, Methotrexate, and Remicade. Feel free to email me privately if you would like to talk more. Take care, Steph in VA 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ " Never underestimate the power of a small, dedicated group of people to change the world -- indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. " (Margaret Mead) AmeriCorps Alums -- We're Still Getting Things Done __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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