Re: New group thoughts from Steph in VA

March 24, 2005

I agree, . According to my rheumy, people

diagnosed even just 5-20 years ago will talk about

different experiences than I will. Since I started my

treatment 4 weeks ago, I have had NO pain, energy

coming out of my ears and an acceptance of a disease

that some may not get to. That is very different than

a lot of people on here (it's not their fault), but it

might be similar to someone my age who has just been

diagnosed as well. That's all I'm trying to get

across. Yes, a lot of my questions have been answered

here that I've had, but, honestly, the extreme pain,

frustration and fatigue described by some on here have

not affected me in over a month. So, let's just rest

this subject and accept the fact that some of us might

be part of more than one support group at a time! It's

okay--they each might serve a different

emotional/informational need. Thanks!

new orleans

--- DeNicola <stephdenicola@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> This is Steph in VA offering my 2 cents on the

> new group for people with arthritis under 50. I have

> joined the group as well. While many of the issues

> we face living with arthritis are similar, some are

> not. When choosing to weigh the benefits/risks of

> trying a new medication, one of my concerns is will

> if affect my ability to have children? How do I

> explain to my friends that sometimes I have to

> cancel plans because I'm too tired? I've been living

> with arthritis for 5 years and my mother still cries

> every time she sees me take my medication and my

> father will not listen to me when I tell him about

> my doctor visits and test results. They choose to

> ignore the fact that I'm half their age and I take

> more meds than they do.

>

> Currently I'm working on a book titled:

> But I'm too Young to have Arthritis! A Young Woman's

> Journey Living with Arthritis. The initial overview

> has been accepted by a publisher. The book will

> address the normal meds/symptoms part of arthritis

> but will also address things that I found lacking

> when I was first diagnosed: how to pick a doctor,

> how to fight with your insurance company, how to

> find a support group, how/when to tell a dating

> partner that you have limitations, how to weigh the

> benefits and risks of meds, etc. I hope anyone with

> arthritis or knows a loved one with arthritis will

> buy my book. But sometimes, for me at least, it

> helps to know that another young person can relate

> to my experiences.

>

> Take care,

>

> Steph in VA

>

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March 24, 2005