thanks beth

[Guest guest]

Beth-

Thank you so much for your kind words and helpful suggestions. My visit to the

doctor was confusing but potentially good news--he seems to think that my

bloodwork and the state of my joints indicate Sjogrens syndrom not RA . Both are

autoimmune diseases with symptoms of severe fatigue , joint and muscle pain,

tingling in fingers and toes and low grade fever etc--however sjogrens is

specific for symptoms of dry eyes and mouth ( the body interferes with its own

ability to produce tears and with the salivary glands). The great news for me,

if this is the case, is that it is not a disease that progressively attacks the

joints. However, I was not impressed with the doctors willingness to explain

things to me, I felt like he was annoyed by my and my mother's questions and I

also didn't feel like he gave a good " what do we do next plan " . So I'm glad that

I have a 2nd opinion in a couple weeks--I hope the doctor is right, I really

do--and I realize that either way I need to make some

lifestyle changes that support my living well and decreasing stress on my body.

AAAAHHH. I'm embarassed that I joined this list serve prematurely--my pcp said I

clearly had RA and now I feel like a bit of a fraud. I apologize to all of you.

Please know that in no way was I being intentionally deceptive--I was

overwhelmed, and scared and felt like the people who could give me the best

direction were people who had been where I am. Apparently my diagnosis is still

unclear, other than that I have an autoimmune disease. Anyway-I'm sorry.

In the limited time I have been exposed to this community I have been impressed

with the support, guidance, humor, knowledge and friendship that you offer

eachother from accross the globe--that is a really cool thing.

Thanks Eliza

GoAwayRA@... wrote:

In a message dated 1/31/2005 2:28:15 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

_plumislandgrl@..._ (mailto:plumislandgrl@...) writes:

Hi Eliza ... I am no RA expert like some of the folks here, but I can relate

to a lot of what you are saying. My initial flare was 2 years ago (and my

only severe flare that I can tell -- since then it is just general

joint/muscle pain in all the places you described and major fatigue).

I wanted to let you know that meditation, visualization and yoga (or even

basic stretching) can help a lot. I use a yoga DVD that is interactive so that

I can set it with my energy level -- anywhere from 15 -75 minutes. You can

get it at & Noble or _www.bodywisdommedia.com_

(http://www.bodywisdommedia.com) .

I also have a ball that I use to stretch out my back or just to put my legs

on while I lay on the floor (if you are able to do this) -- helps with blood

flow and circulation. I was swimming too and the water is exceptionally kind

to your joints.

I try to eat well (could definitely improve though!!!) and drink lots of

water and teas to flush out toxins. My massage therapist can tell when the

toxins are sitting in my body -- she can actually feel the knots of toxin down

deep in the tissue of my left thigh. We are working on getting it out through

regular massages.

I have surrendered into trying to do everything and I try to do things that

nourish me as much as possible -- reading, journaling, walking some, prayer,

naps, friends who are uplifting (as opposed to those people who drain your

energy), church, etc. Of course, there is always laundry, cooking, etc. I am

fortunate (really fortunate I know) to work from my home office.

I think that you will find that each person on this list has their own

unique path to healing. You will find yours when things calm down and you get

some help from your rheumatologist. I think the best thing you can do is to be

on a list like this to have community, get knowledgeable about RA (knowledge

is power!) and talk honestly with your rheumatologist about what is going on

with you.

I will never forget early on (I see my rheumy every 4 weeks because my blood

work is always nuts and unpredictable) when my rheumatologist said to me:

" It's so nice to have a patient who is knowledgeable and asks good questions

and is willing to take the best care she can. I am also so glad you were smart

enough to get a second opinion about your course of treatment. " I had no

idea that I was in the minority, but I can tell you that we have a very good

relationship!

Extreme self-care in addition to finding the " right " combo of medications is

critical to a path of healing (not to be confused with being cured, but

being as well as YOU can be in spite of your circumstances).

I hope this is helpful!

Sending you love and prayers. Please keep us posted on your doctor visit!

Beth