New to group, sorry long post

January 27, 2005

Hello.

My name is Nelwyn and I live in Texas. I have had RA for 15 years now

(wow, I was surprised when I stopped to figure that out!) I am almost

42 years old. I am also surprised that I have never really joined a

support group for RA, although I am in several other groups for other

issues.

My medical history:

I currently take Naprosyn 1000 mg/day, Prednisone 5mg/day, Plaquenil

2X/day, and Prevacid (to counter the above), and also Enbrel injections.

The Enbrel has saved the day for me....I know I would be much worse

now if it hadn't slowed my disease down.

I have a great RA. He's at www.arthritiscentral.com if you want to

read some RA news and info. I have participated in several drug

studies with him (in the beginning), but now that I no longer qualify

since I " ve taken so many meds in the past.

I have had one wrist fused and some lesser surgeries on a few fingers.

Today, I have shoulder pain, my fingers hurt, and my other wrist feels

like someone is pulling it off, and I'm never sure if my right ankle

will support me when I stand up. Oh, did I mention I have

degenerative disc disease too? Many days its worse than having RA (I

do feel they are related).

I work full time, I'm married, and I adopted a toddler girl from India

last year (if you want your RA to flare,...adopt a toddler, ha). She

is our only child, as RA (coupled with my age) ruled out a bio child.

I prob would be diagnosed as staying mildly depressed 24/7. That is

why I decided today was the day I seek out a support group, as I am

feeling very tired and its hard to describe to my family how I feel.

I hope to talk with others and help others.

Looking forward!

Nelwyn

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